This is a very personal story of a young family from London, England who moved to the Cook Islands to work as missionaries at a pivotal point in its history. It’s told in a new book by way of some of the hundreds of letters, photos and documents they sent home to their parents.

Their son, Simeon Sturney talks about what that legacy reveals about Islands' life in the late 1950s and early 60s and why he’s sharing it. He also relates an emotional story about how he was born on the island of Aitutaki and nearly died hours later with breathing difficulties. There’s a happy footnote to the tale too about how, many years later, he met by chance at a rugby league world cup match the nephew of the doctor who helped save his life.

Simeon also reflects on how the islands have changed and his thoughts about the future as the Cooks celebrate 60 years of self-government. And referring to the title of the book, he asks a 21st century readership: “What’s your legacy?”

The book – “Legacy – A Missionary’s Life – Letters from the Cook Islands” is available through Amazon and some Christian bookshops in the UK. Work is in progress to make it more widely available. It’s lavishly illustrated with the help of independent freelance designer, Faye Porter who worked with Simeon to create the book published by Sarah Grace Publishing (ISBN 978-1-917455-21-3)

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 @)

MY BOOK ABOUT THE ISLANDS
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

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide. It's also THE ONLY TOTALLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE ON THE INTERNET with information about each and every one of the 15 islands

2025 marks 60 years of self-rule in the Cook Islands and big celebrations are planned. Emile Kairua from the Ministry of Cultural Development is organising them and in this podcast he gives an insight into what's planned and the challenges he faces putting together the biggest party in Islands' history. He talks about what it is to be a Cook Islander and why the celebrations are an exciting "family reunion" for young and old alike. He also looks back 60 years and forward to reflect on what the future holds with the ever-present threat of climate change, fears some have around plans for seabed mining and the Islands' growing relationship with China.

(The audio clip of the Rakahanga performance in 2015 is from a recording by the Ministry of Cultural Development)

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 @)

MY BOOK ABOUT THE ISLANDS
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

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide. It's also THE ONLY TOTALLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE ON THE INTERNET with information about each and every one of the 15 islands

PALMERSTON ISLAND, 500kms North West of the capital island of Rarotonga, is populated by the descendants of Englishman William Marsters who settled there in 1863. And although it’s part of the Cook Islands, a law passed in 1954 gives those descendants ownership of the island in perpetuity. Six main islets are scattered around its 39 sq. kms of lagoon and the easternmost is home to just 25 people according to the most recent census. Stella Neale is one of the residents descended from William through his daughter Elizabeth and was herself born on the island. In this podcast she gives us a unique insight into William and into the place she chose to retire to after a long and successful career in nursing in New Zealand. She takes us on a tour of the tiny Home Island pointing out the house and church Marsters himself built over 150 years ago, the school with just 7 students and tells us about claims of links to the British Royal Family. She also reflects on her life on the remote atoll and why it’s so appealing. My website has William's story in detail starting here: William Marsters of Palmerston - the early years

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 @)

MY BOOK ABOUT THE ISLANDS
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

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide. It's also THE ONLY TOTALLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE ON THE INTERNET with information about each and every one of the 15 islands