More Top Stories
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
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
Inflation eases but concerns remain
31 August 2024
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
22 August 2024
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
13 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Melina Etches
Cook Islands Clean-Up Day reveals alarming amounts of trash
Friday 27 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Te Tu’anga Taporoporo/National Environment Service witnessed an “alarming” amount of waste collected during Clean Up Cook Islands Day held earlier this month, which has more than doubled from previous years.
Visiting group Te Mana O Te Rima offers health services to Rarotonga elders
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Elderly people in Rarotonga will join the world in celebrating the United Nations International Day of Older People on Tuesday next week.
Mangaia youth embrace traditional voyaging skills
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation has successfully completed their Teretereanga Vaka programme in Mangaia, providing educational opportunities for youth on the island to participate in a course that promotes and preserves the art of traditional voyaging and navigation.
Top 10 ready to rock the stage in Cook Islands Has Talent finale
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
The top 10 performers are polishing their acts to rock the Cook Islands Has Talent stage in the finale this coming Saturday at the Staircase Bar.
By election date set for vacant councillor seats
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A vacancy exists for a council member for the village of Ivirua in Mangaia, and two council members for the village of Tetautua in Penrhyn.
Mauke’s new mayor wants to get the community into planting crops
Wednesday 25 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
The island of Akatokamanava/Mauke celebrated its elected Island Council members during the swearing-in ceremony yesterday morning at the Government Representative building site.
Aquatics to host international open water swimming events
Wednesday 25 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming
Cook Islands Aquatics Federation (CIAF) is planning to host its first international open-water swimming event next year in March, with another planned for September/October 2025.
Cook Islands Robotics team arrives in Athens
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
After 28 hours of travel, including transit and flights from Auckland, New Zealand, the Cook Islands Robotics Team has arrived in Athens, Greece.
Puaikura Fire Brigade responds to eight urgent calls in six weeks
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Since the beginning of this year, the Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade has attended to 17 urgent calls. Eight of these urgent call outs have occurred within six weeks – from 1st August to date.
Rand claims second Round Rarotonga title
Monday 23 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Athletics, Sports
A beautiful breezy sunny morning accompanied by the symphony of drums welcomed runners to the finish line at the 47th Round Rarotonga Road Race (RRRR) on Saturday morning.
Celebrating 50 years of hospitality
Saturday 21 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Features, Go Local, National, Weekend
A leading Cook Islands resort, celebrating its 50th anniversary, is honouring its dedicated staff, particularly those who have served for over 20 years, and reflecting on its growth and impact on the community.
Atiu Enua calls for unity as new leadership takes office
Saturday 21 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Atiu Enua celebrated the swearing-in of their new mayor and Island Council members on Wednesday at the CICC Sunday School Hall in Mapumai.
Cook Islands girls take on the world
Friday 20 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
An inspiring group of young women are making their way on an exciting journey to Athens, Greece, to participate in the prestigious FIRST Global Robotics Challenge.
‘Bribing my dogs’: Family seeks help to find stolen 21st birthday bike
Thursday 19 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Crime, Local, National
A concerned resident is asking the community to help locate her nephew’s XR 125 black and red clutch motorbike with licence plate #ABB936. The motorcycle was stolen from their home early yesterday morning.
Cook Islands students benefit from Rotary Rarotonga’s generosity
Wednesday 18 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Students across the nation are given a way with words thanks to the Rotary Club of Rarotonga 9920, who continue their legacy of providing dictionaries to every Year 9 student in the Cook Islands.
Punanga Tauturu women’s counselling centre announces new executive board
Wednesday 18 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The newly appointed executive board of the national women’s counselling centre is committed to strengthening relationships with key agencies to improve support for victims of gender-based violence in the country.
New Mangaia mayor Rani pledges service to community
Wednesday 18 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Mangaia’s incoming Island Government members were sworn in during a special ceremony last week.
‘Netball is in our DNA’: Cook Islands hosts Netball World Youth Cup Qualifier
Tuesday 17 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Netball, Pacific Islands, Regional, Sports
Netball Cook Islands is proudly hosting the 2024 Netball World Youth Cup Oceania Qualifier from September 16-21 in collaboration with the Oceania Netball federation.
‘Golden ei’ buzzer puts four through to Cook Islands Has Talent Final
Tuesday 17 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Four talented performing acts from the semi-finals of the Cook Islands Has Talent show have secured their spots in the grand finale, which will take place next Saturday, September 28.
Local butchers sharpen their skills
Monday 16 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Local, National
Aspiring butchers at CITC are sharpening up their tools, “excited” to be the company’s first students in the Skills4Work New Zealand Trade Butchery Apprenticeship.
