
Cook Islands Kukicast
Discover the South Pacific paradise of the Cook Islands through fascinating chats with those who have a unique insight
Cook Islands Kukicast
Now we are 60: The party so far
What do the best breadfruit stew, the unveiling of 15 stunning murals and a colourful and noisy parade of dancing, drumming and singing in the streets have in common? They're just some of the events so far in a whole year of celebrations marking 60 years of self-government in the Cook Islands.
In this podcast, we look back at what's been happening and hear from those who've been part of the celebrations which have brought the tiny nation together in an unprecedented way. But this is happening against a background of increasing political tensions about the future, with China and the USA in the wings and raising questions about what the next 60 years might be like. First and foremost though, this podcast is a picture in sound of the first months of the biggest party in Cook Islands history
Acknowledgements: Cook Islands News, Cook Islands Television, Cook Islands Ministry of Cultural Development, Facebook page of the Office of the Prime Minister
ABOUT ME
I'm a retired BBC radio and TV journalist and presenter who's been having a long distance love affair with the Cook Islands for nearly 40 years and I've featured in media worldwide as an expert on this remote islands nation. CONTACT ME if you'd like to sponsor this podcast or just want to ask questions about the Cook Islands. Email kiaoranawebsiteauthor(at)cookislands.org.uk (Replace “at” with @)
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Whether you're planning a visit or just armchair travelling, you'll discover stories of buried treasure, ghostly fire, real-life Robinson Crusoes and the mafia, and a wealth of useful information. 'Around the Corner from Nowhere: The Cook Islands Rediscovered' is available as an ebook (https://getbook.at/Cook_Islands-ebook) or paperback (https://getbook.at/cookislandsbook) through Amazon. An updated 2025 version has just been published. All profits are donated to dementia charities
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