More Top Stories
$12.9m approved for solar battery project, NZ confirms
12 March 2025
Crown Law Office on track for record number of lawyers
12 March 2025
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
16 February 2025
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
15 February 2025
No-confidence motion against PM and his Cabinet faces delays
15 February 2025
Ruta Mave: People’s Republic of China red flag
10 February 2025
No debt in China deal
8 February 2025
Thomas Wynne: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?
8 February 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
Cook Islands passport proposal
6 January 2025
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Articles by Melina Etches
Thrilling encounter: Panthers defeat the Bears
Monday 24 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby league, Sports
In a thrilling encounter, Tupapa Panthers broke the Bears defence winning 36-24 at the Cook Islands Rugby League (CIRL) Domestic 13’s Competition on Saturday.
Help Rotary end Polio – quiz night
Monday 24 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
In 1985, Rotary International launched its PolioPlus programme, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through mass vaccination of children.
Bridges undergo maintenance
Monday 24 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Te Tango Anga’anga o te Kūki ʻĀirani/Ministry of Infrastructure (ICI) have selected bridges across Rarotonga based on the respective structure condition and number of users, to undergo maintenance work.
CIIC terminates contract for Farmers Market construction
Saturday 22 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) has terminated the contract of the contractor building Te Tāpora Kai/Farmers Market, with the project about 60 per cent finished. Melina Etches reports.
Chasing the horizon: Cook Islanders rise through the ranks to command luxury yachts
Saturday 22 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
In the Cook Islands, where the sea is both a livelihood and a way of life, two Cook Islanders have transformed their childhood dream into reality, becoming captains of luxurious super yachts.
Tennis hosts Pacific Nations Cup trials
Friday 21 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Tennis
Tennis Cook Islands is holding the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup trials this week, which have showcased exceptional performances from the players at the Nikao courts.
‘Nothing we can do’: Blackrock Preschool prepares for move to new premises
Friday 21 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
In a push from the government agency, Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC), Blackrock Preschool in Nikao will move to its new premises 30 metres away to make way for the redevelopment of the Nikao Social Centre area into a recreational and social hub.
Workshop aims to uncover and combat gender violence in Cook Islands
Thursday 20 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
The Cook Islands Punanga Turuturu Itivaine (PTI) is hosting an intensive two-week workshop from March 17 – 28, focused on gender violence against women and girls, human rights and counsellor training for survivors of violence against women and girls.
Mauke building fire investigated
Thursday 20 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Three police investigators were dispatched to Mauke last week to look into the Island Government administration building fire on Thursday, March 6.
Sailors excited for Tahiti Regatta
Wednesday 19 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming
The excitement is building for nine young Rarotonga Sailing Club (RSC) sailors heading to Tahiti to compete in the annual Oceania Optimist and ILCA4 2025 Championship Sailing Regatta next fortnight.
Traditional sports workshops starts tomorrow
Wednesday 19 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Other Sports, Sports
Highlighting their dedication to the promotion of traditional sports, the Emo Aito Māori Federation of the Cook Islands has successfully requested the inclusion of Traditional Sports in the upcoming Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC).
Apii Avarua students enjoy science excursion
Wednesday 19 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Technology
Close to 40 Apii Avarua Year 8 students went on an enlightening science field trip to the CIC Ocean Science Centre.
Twenty local actors cast in groundbreaking Cook Islands film project
Tuesday 18 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
In an exciting development for the local film industry, 20 aspiring Cook Islands actors have been cast in pivotal roles for six new short films set to be filmed in Rarotonga.
‘All I thought of was my boys’- Father saves sons from blazing house fire
Tuesday 18 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
In the early hours of what seemed to be an ordinary night, a father faced his worst nightmare when a fire broke out in his house in Takuvaine Valley early Sunday morning.
Panthers extend unbeaten streak
Monday 17 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby league, Sports
The second round of the Cook Islands Rugby League domestic 13s competition kicked off to a flying start, with table-topping and unbeaten Tupapa Panthers extending their lead with a big win over the weekend.
Gospel song wins big at Te Mire Atu composers’ comp
Saturday 15 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
In a showcase of outstanding talent, composer Thomas Peyroux has once again won the prestigious Tauranga Vananga/Ministry of Cultural Development Te Mire Atu national composers competition.
Concerns rise over fuel quality after contaminated petrol incident
Friday 14 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
In a frustrating turn of events, a woman found herself stranded and facing unexpected high repair costs after purchasing petrol from a convenience store that unintentionally sold contaminated petrol.
Minister Mokoroa stresses need to ‘accommodate’ diverse faiths
Friday 14 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Cook Islands needs to consider how to support and accommodate people of other faiths living here, says the Minister for Justice, as a parliamentary committee reviews submissions on a proposal to declare the country a Christian state.
Nga-Moeara returns to Māori Composers’ comp after 14 years
Thursday 13 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Recording artist and popular singer, Teata Hauavaine Nga-Moeara, will showcase her talent on stage tonight in the prestigious Te Tae Pae Nui Te Mire Atu original Māori composers’ competition.
Lack of recognition for indigenous women and girls
Thursday 13 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meets annually to address the widespread inequalities, violence and discrimination women continue to face around the world.
