Latest news with #Rarotonga
RNZ News
a day ago
- General
- RNZ News
Ngā Pou o Heretaunga return to Hastings Civic Square after restoration
Pou o Heretaunga have returned to Civic Square after undergoing restoration. Photo: Supplied Ngā Pou o Heretaunga have returned to Civic Square in Hastings. Project manager Te Uira Tōmoana, who is working on behalf of Ngā Marae o Heretaunga Charitable Trust, said the pou are more than carvings. "They are living expressions of whakapapa, mana and whanaungatanga. Their return to the square brings a renewed sense of presence and strength," Tōmoana said. "This kaupapa has been led with aroha and deep care by our carvers, whānau and marae," Tōmoana said. Carved by tohunga whakairo and owned by their respective marae within the district of Hastings, 18 of the pou were unveiled in 2013 . Since then, they have stood as cultural markers of identity, whakapapa and unity in the heart of Hastings city. A 19th pou was gifted by the Queen of Rarotonga, Pā Ariki, in 2017 and represents the strong connection between Ngāti Kahungunu and the Takitumu region of Rarotonga. In February of this year, each pou was taken back to its marae to undergo inspection and any necessary maintenance. This is the first full collective check and restoration since their installation. One pou remains offsite for additional work. Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst. Photo: SUPPLIED Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the council was proud to support the rededication and acknowledged the ongoing guardianship of the pou by mana whenua. "We are privileged to have them returned to the heart of our city," she said. The pou are complemented by new landscaping and maintenance of Civic Square, including the replacement of the 50-year-old pavers, which had become a safety risk. The project cost just under $1 million. Artist collective Iwi Toi Kahungunu developed the tile design, which reflects "unity in Hastings' diversity" and includes a special pattern that pays tribute to the WWI and WWII memorials in the square. The pou were to be rededicated at a dawn ceremony on Friday morning. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- RNZ News
Gang members from New Zealand with Cook Islands heritage causing serious concerns
By Talaia Mika , Cook Islands News Cook Islands Police media and strategic advisor Trevor Pitt told Cook Islands News that the movement of known gang members is a regional problem that has found its way into the Cooks. Photo: Cook Islands Police The growing presence and influence of organised gang members from New Zealand with Cook Islands heritage is causing serious concern for local authorities, with police confirming that the Cook Islands is one of the destinations affected by transnational gang mobility across the Pacific. Cook Islands Police media and strategic advisor Trevor Pitt told Cook Islands News that the movement of known gang members is a regional problem that has found its way into the Cooks. "As for the gangs issue, yes I can confirm that the mobility of organised gangs is a concern to law enforcement, not just for the Cook Islands but throughout the Pacific Islands," Pitt said. "We are just one of the destinations impacted by the movement of known gang members." This comes at the back of the New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers visit to the Cook Islands on Wednesday to deepen its relationship with the Cook Islands Police Service and assist in whatever way they can. Cook Islands News understands that some individuals with connections to these gangs had been posting videos of their lifestyles on TikTok with local youth engaging with and reacting to this content online - a growing concern in terms of influence and aspiration. Pitt said the Cook Islands Police is part of a broader multi-agency network that includes Immigration, Customs, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and Transnational Crime Units (TCUs) across the region, including New Zealand and Australia. He said collaboration and information sharing are critical in developing strategies to combat cross-border criminal activity. He added that while he could not speak for the other agencies, the police partnership with New Zealand Police and Australian authorities are vital, especially as more Cook Islanders with gang ties return home. "The increased mobility of known gang members to the Cook Islands is a growing concern, particularly as our own people are part of the organised criminal element," he said. While Immigration requirements are being followed, Pitt said Police cannot stop Cook Islanders from entering the country if they comply with border regulations. Pitt added that one of the greatest challenges lies with vulnerable youth, especially those sent from New Zealand or Australia due to family problems. "Our at-risk youth are an ongoing problem. That includes those young ones who, unfortunately, are often sent from NZ or Australia due to family issues," he said. "These teens would be at risk whether here or in NZ as organised gangs are known to target troubled youth that are caught up in broken homes and families." Despite existing leadership and youth development initiatives run by Police each year, Pitt acknowledged that the resources to support these young people are limited and the outcomes are not always consistent. "The Police can only do so much with the juveniles and our programmes are limited to the youth leadership and development courses, each year," he said. "While we certainly value the support and cooperation of NZ with these, impact upon troubled juveniles is mixed at best." The rising visibility of gang influence through social media, combined with the real-world presence of returning or visiting gang-linked individuals, has escalated concerns about the safety and well-being of Cook Islands youth. Pitt emphasised that strengthening tactical cooperation with international law enforcement is now a top priority for the Cook Islands Police in the face of these evolving threats. Chambers confirmed that New Zealand is open to supporting the Cook Islands in tackling the gang issue and addressing the potential spread of transnational crime. "We're very open to supporting the Cook Islands in any way that we can," Chambers told Cook Islands News during his visit to Rarotonga. -This article was first published by Cook Islands News .
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Travelers Want More Than Loyalty Points
Traditional travel loyalty program perks, such as points and elite status, are becoming less influential in maximizing a guest's experience. Travelers increasingly prefer personalized experiences and real-time recognition when booking travel versus traditional travel rewards for loyalty, such as points and elite status, which are becoming more challenging to redeem and enhance the trip quality. A tourist watches waves crash onto a reef protecting the lagoon and a resort on Rarotonga, the largest island of the Cook Islands on June 12, 2025. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Hotel stays are a competitive business as travelers have numerous options. Instead of narrowing down where to stay by traditional metrics like cost or loyalty program membership, many guests also factor in personalization. Hospitality management provider Mews recently polled 2,000 travelers about their preferences and how hoteliers can win their loyalty. Overall, the survey reveals that 68% of respondents favor personalized experiences. The percentages are higher among two particular traveler backgrounds: 'The era of transactional loyalty is over,' says Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews. 'Today's travelers want genuine recognition - the kind that comes from truly understanding who your customer is, why they have come and what they aim to achieve during their trips. More personalized experiences, less loyalty tiers.' This study also finds that 82% of responding travelers are frustrated with traditional point programs. Moreover, only 24% view hotel rewards as the most valuable based on their lifestyle, with grocery store rewards (55%), credit card points (50%), gas rewards (39%), and airline miles (25%) placing higher. The most prominent hotel rewards barriers include: Integrating AI technology enables hospitality providers to efficiently personalize experiences, making each guest feel like a VIP with every stay. Excellent customer service is also crucial, with 62% of travelers citing poor service quality and communication as the top reason for abandoning a brand. This hindrance surpasses issues with broken or faulty facilities, room problems, and a sudden halt in amenities. Jetsetters are increasingly opting for airlines based on convenience or additional perks, rather than concentrating solely on accumulating frequent flyer miles with a specific alliance. For instance, many budget-conscious travelers prefer to fly Southwest Airlines due to its competitive fare pricing and its (recently discontinued) 'two bags fly for free.' Delta Air Lines provides complimentary onboard Wi-Fi to all SkyMiles members on equipped aircraft. The airline also offers in-flight experiences, such as its free Sky Hopper game, to earn entries for monthly prizes. Popular airline loyalty initiatives also include personalizing customer service interactions through AI chatbots, tailored promotions and challenges, and subscription memberships. Nevertheless, alliance loyalty remains significant for frequent flyers, as they can earn elite airline status or redeem multiple award flights each year. Programs are personalizing milestone award choices. Preferences for travel rewards are shifting as guests increasingly prefer personalized perks over the uniform approach that older generations typically favor. Hotels and airlines that challenge the status quo by treating each customer as unique and highly valued stand to benefit the most from this changing trend. Related Articles:
Daily Telegraph
12-06-2025
- Daily Telegraph
What's the best family stay in Rarotonga?
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions. Can you suggest some good family accommodation options in Rarotonga? The island doesn't seem to have any familiar chains and we're not sure what will work best for our family. One of the things I love most about the Cook Islands is how little it has changed since I first began visiting in the '90s. Unlike its South Pacific and French Polynesian neighbours which have big hotel names such as Accor, IHG and Marriott, the Cook Island locals prefer smaller, more intimate properties which lend themselves to a sense of place. Now that Jetstar has added a fifth weekly seasonal service between Sydney and Rarotonga, it's expected some 47,000 Australians will visit the Cook Islands in 2025 (up from 36,383 in 2024). That's perfect timing really, because the island's first five-star property, the Grand Resort Rarotonga is scheduled to open at the later end of this year. If you're planning to visit earlier, I recommend the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, which offers a wealth of activities for the whole family (and some of the island's best snorkelling). Nautilus Resort, Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa and Pacific Resort Rarotonga are also excellent options covering various price points. Would you consider staying in a self-contained bungalow? That's always my first choice when I'm in Rarotonga with my own family as it gives me the option to occasionally tap out of eating my body weight in ika mata and fish and chips three times a day, plus I enjoy having the space. I speak highly of Tuoro Holiday Villas, Are 'Rimaira Beachfront, Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments and Pacific Palms Luxury Villas, but you can also find affordable bungalows (usually with their own in-ground pool) on Airbnb, NZ Holiday Homes and My preferred spots are usually near Muri Lagoon, but the island is so small (just over 30km in circumference) that driving here and there is easy. Just be sure to get in early with a rental car if you're travelling with a larger family. My wife has dementia and gets lost easily when using public bathrooms with two-sided entrances. I have booked flights to Laos and I'm wondering if it would be permissible for me to enter the female WC to be with her? I'm 75 and my wife is 80. Unisex toilets have begun popping up in some of the destinations you mention in your email, but your best bet – where possible – is to use bathrooms in Western-style restaurants and hotels. It doesn't matter if you're not eating or staying there; people aren't heartless and it's a rare human who'll turn down your request if you explain the situation. Just be sure to have a sentence or two about your wife's condition printed in the local language on a card you can show them if you get approached. If you find yourself with no choice but to use a two-sided public toilet, you could ask a staff member (sometimes they are manned) or another English-speaking tourist to keep an eye on her (I would have no problem with someone approaching me with this request and I can't imagine I'm alone). Following your wife into a women's WC should only be your last resort but honestly, an awkward moment or two is better than the stress of having your wife go wandering. Again, remember you'll have your card handy to explain your presence. My daughter is travelling around Europe between her studies in the UK but it seems she's about to overstay her 90-day visa-free allowance in the Schengen Area. What can she do? You and your daughter have every right to be concerned. While Australians can enjoy up to 90 days of visa-free travel in the Schengen Area within any 180-day period, those who overstay may be fined, deported or banned. Depending on which countries she's planning to visit during her break, she does have a couple of options. She could travel around non-Schengen countries such as the United Kingdom, Albania, Turkey and Croatia (among others), which will let your daughter make the most of her time away while she waits for the Schengen clock to reset. However, if she's keen to stay within the Schengen Area, she could travel to countries which either have a bilateral agreement in place, allowing eligible travellers to stay for an additional 90 days within that specific country after using up their 90 days in other Schengen countries. Or, she can apply for a long-stay visa such as the Type D (also known as Long-Stay Visa) for the likes of Italy and France. There are a few caveats with these, so they may not be appropriate. That said, they are well worth looking into. Need help? Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email docholiday@ Personal replies are unfortunately not possible. Originally published as Doc Holiday: What's the best family stay in Rarotonga?
RNZ News
01-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Air Rarotonga founder knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Ewan Smith with his wife Fenny Photo: Supplied Air Rarotonga chief executive officer and owner Ewan Francis Smith has been knighted for services to Cook Islands business and tourism. Smith said he is still coming to grips with the award. He started Air Rarotonga in 1978 and had grown to be one of the largest businesses in the country, employing more than 95 percent of locals. "The last 50 years have gone in a blur really; it's been so busy," Smith told RNZ Pacific. Read more: Smith said he didn't expect the company to become such a success. "You have obviously high hopes and aspirations for it, but it's had its moments. "It's only when you look back over that length of time that you realise how significant the company's become." A tough moment for the company was when the Cook Islands shut its borders in 2020. All Air Rarotonga employees were put on minimum wage, including Smith. "It was the only way we were going to survive. You had to figure out how to how to get through a two or three-year hiatus without burning all your cash and that's how we did it." Smith provided mentorship, counselling and budget advice to staff during the period. Air Rarotonga CEO Ewan Smith has been knighted for services to Cook Islands business and tourism Photo: Supplied He said staff are considered family and many people had been working with the company their entire lives. "There's no way anybody's going to be left behind. We couldn't do that; we were all in that together." During the pandemic the airline maintained essential cargo and medevac services throughout the Cook Islands including air logistics for the Covid vaccine rollout. The airline also helped get vaccines out to eastern Kiribati. Smith arrived in Rarotonga in 1973 as a 22-year-old pilot and aircraft engineer and only expected to be on the island for three or four years. Smith said he's always had an entrepreneurial desire. "If you spend some of your childhood selling plums on the side of the road, you kind of get it. "Once you get into things, they just get bigger and bigger and more and more complex, and you develop a lot of experience at it." Ewan Smith with his wife Fenny Photo: Supplied He said his contributions that led to his award were not done on his own. "I relied on a lot of other people and I share this honour, particularly with my wife, Fenny and the family, along with everybody at Air Raro, Paradise Islands and Cook Islands tourism. "They've all committed their working lives, through thick and thin." In 2019 Smith was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Cook Islands business and tourism. He has chaired Cook Islands Tourism since 2010, has previously chaired the Association of South Pacific Airlines and is a former President of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce. In 2023 he oversaw the launch of the new vaka Teariki Moana in Aitutaki, hosting Pacific leaders attending the 52nd forum leaders meeting. Smith has been a patron of the Rarotonga Golf Club since 2005 and is a fellow of the King's College Foundation.
