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Articles by Melina Etches
Landowners recognised at water intake ceremony
Friday 11 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Te Mato Vai’s (TMV) official landowners’ recognition ceremony for the Turangi water treatment intake – one of the islands biggest distributors of water – was held without much of a ripple last week.
Students full of words after dictionary donation
Friday 11 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Each Year 9 and 10 student – close to 600 – in the schools around the Cook Islands, will receive a colourful Usborne Illustrated English Dictionary to keep, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Rarotonga.
Katoa elected to global swimming body
Thursday 10 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Cook Islander Romani Katoa was elected to the bureau of the International Swimming Federation executive board, also known as FINA, over the weekend.
Wait for new elderly care centre continues
Tuesday 8 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The mamas who regularly enjoy the services of the Are Pa Metua – a centre for the elderly to meet and enjoy activities together – are disappointed that the Government has not contacted their coordinator regarding the progress of their new facility in Panama, which they say was promised back in February.
Jon Lindsay memorial concert next week
Saturday 5 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Jon Lindsay memorial concert has been postponed to 6pm next Saturday, June 12, at the National Auditorium dome.
After crew vax, Vaka heads North
Saturday 5 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
To protect the people of the beautiful Pa Enua, Vaka Marumaru Atua’s voyage to the Northern Group has been delayed in order for the team to receive their full Covid-19 Pfizer vaccinations.
Giving thanks for the life given
Friday 4 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
When Lachlann Muhl suddenly passed away in New Zealand at the age of 14, his family made the honourable decision to donate his liver, which gave the gift of life to a Rarotonga boy. On Thursday, a special ceremony was held to honour and pay tribute to him.
Justice looking into process to register hyphenated surname
Thursday 3 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The matter of “registering” a newborn baby with the hyphenated surname of both their parents was brought up in the brief Parliament sitting on Monday afternoon.
Water treatment sludge moved without consent, landowners say
Wednesday 2 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
To Tatou Vai’s (TTV) polyaluminium chloride (PACI) trial sludge removal from the Turangi intake water treatment facility on Saturday has concerned the landowners who say the sludge was removed without their access consent.
‘Start-up weekend’ for budding entrepreneurs
Tuesday 1 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Twenty-six young and budding entrepreneurs participated in the inaugural Taki Tahi – Cook Islands Young Entrepreneur Network’s ‘start-up weekend’ project that was held at Te Ara Museum of Cultural Enterprise in Muri from May 14 to 16.
Life hasn’t been all rosy but Blake rises above it all
Saturday 29 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Like the bright colourful trademark ei katu she proudly wears, Rosie Blake – or Aunty Rosie, the former Consul General of the Cook Islands in New Zealand – is cheerful, bubbly and smilingly proud to be a Cook Islander. On a recent visit to Rarotonga she shared her experiences as the Consul General, a post she held from 2013 until October 2020.
A man of great talents
Friday 28 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Tributes flow for Cook Islands music legend Jon Lindsay who passed away this week in Auckland.
Major water infrastructure project ‘completed’
Thursday 27 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Rarotonga water project, Te Mato Vai, dubbed the largest infrastructure project in the history of the nation, was completed yesterday at the official landowners recognition ceremony of the Papua intake in Vaimaanga.
Justice denies hyphenated surname
Wednesday 26 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Concerns have been raised over “outdated rules” at the Ministry of Justice which prevent parents from registering their newborn child with a hyphenated surname to include the mother’s name.
Expats, masters dancers put on impressive show
Tuesday 25 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Three top dancers retained their titles in the Mire Ura competition held on Saturday night at the Rehab Nightclub
Chamber of Commerce initiatives upskill local businesses
Tuesday 25 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Since the economic fallout from Covid-19 the Chamber of Commerce has assisted many businesses in accessing financial support from the Government’s economic assistance packages.
Dancing for love of culture
Monday 24 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
As usual, the Rauti Para Golden Oldies 60+ and Experts Dance Competition drew an impressive supportive crowd at the Rehab night club over the weekend.
‘Shining stars’ help beautify Avarua
Saturday 22 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
There were smiles all around at the special tree planting ceremony with Autism Cook Islands at the Constitution Park on Thursday. By Melina Etches.
Stop thinking about studying – ‘just do it’
Saturday 22 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
A graduate of the Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute stepped off an Air Raro flight yesterday afternoon and rushed to the National Auditorium Domes, making it just in time to receive her diploma on stage.
‘No hugs, no kisses’ as Aitutaki welcomes first visitors
Friday 21 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
The island of Aitutaki on Wednesday received its first travel bubble tourists from New Zealand, on Air Rarotonga’s day tour.
