More Top Stories
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
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Melina Etches
First-of-its-kind early childhood Māori learning centre founded
Wednesday 21 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Education, Features, Go Local, National
A pioneering early childhood learning centre, the first of its kind, has been established with a focus on immersing young children in Māori language and culture from a very early age.
Tupapa scrub fire consumes 30,000 litres as water shortage lingers
Wednesday 21 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
A scrub fire, fanned by gusty winds, was swiftly contained yesterday.
Newcomers top mayoral race in 2024 Island Govt Election
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
Six new mayors are set to lead the charge after finishing on top in the preliminary count of the Island Government Election 2024, held this week across the Pa Enua.
Apii Te Uki Ou creates haven for students with additional needs
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Te Uki Ou has created the Cook Islands’ first sensory space to support students with additional needs. This space has the potential to be shared with other visiting students with inclusive needs, especially children on the autism spectrum.
Drug bust: Two kilos of cannabis seized in Aitutaki
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Crime, Local, National, Outer Islands
Police are investigating a drug supply to Aitutaki after Cook Islands Customs seized over two kilograms of cannabis at Arutanga Harbour last week.
CINYC and Family Welfare host Youth Day event
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Young entrepreneurs are invited to be part of the International Youth Day event today at Te Are Karioi Nui (National Auditorium) Domes by setting up their own stalls.
Vairoa stream clean-up aims to protect community from floods
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
An effort to clean and realign the Vairoa stream in Ruatonga valley as well as reclaim neighbouring land eroded by torrential floods is well underway.
Vaka Paikea returns to Aitutaki
Thursday 15 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Vaka Paikea and its crew arrived in Aitutaki yesterday afternoon after departing Avarua Wharf on Tuesday afternoon for an overnight sail.
Araura College takes 2024 Schools Badminton tournament by storm
Wednesday 14 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Badminton, Sports
Araura College from Aitutaki proved that great things can come from unexpected places after making a strong debut in the Schools Badminton Tournament being held at the National Auditorium in Tupapa this week.
Pa Enua heads to the polls
Wednesday 14 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Over 2500 voters are set to cast their ballots in the Island Government Election tomorrow across the nine outer islands of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manihiki, Mauke, Mitiaro, Penrhyn, Pukapuka and Nassau and Rakahanga.
Record number of women to contest Island Govt Election
Tuesday 13 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands
A record number of candidates, including at least 15 women, will contest for the mayoral and council seats across the Pa Enua at the upcoming Island Government Election on Thursday, August 15.
Cook Islands leads charge in war against invasive species
Tuesday 13 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Features, National, Weekend
Cook Islands is hosting a regional meeting this week to address the significant threat of invasive species to the country’s ecosystems, food security and biodiversity, while sharing knowledge and seeking solutions with other Pacific nations.
Government and NGOs collaborate on revised Biodiversity Action Plan
Monday 12 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The Tu’anga Taporoporo National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) that was endorsed in 2002 has many gaps, is out of date and has not been reviewed or updated for 22 years.
Family’s pride in unsung hero
Monday 12 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The family of Cook Islands coastwatcher Ioaba Tearaia Marsters gathered to unveil a commemorative plaque in his honour, recognising his vital role in providing early warning during World War II.
Cook Islands diaspora keeps culture alive in New Zealand
Saturday 10 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Education, National
Cook Islanders in Aotearoa New Zealand joyfully celebrated Te Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani - Cook Islands Māori Language Week with cultural performances and educational programmes across the country this week.
Journey of Pacific Mothers comes to Rarotonga screen
Friday 9 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features, Health, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
A locally shot documentary feature film exploring the importance of women’s birthing choices through the stories of Pacific mothers reclaiming indigenous practices premieres in Rarotonga tomorrow.
Incumbents face tough challenge in outer islands mayoral election
Friday 9 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Incumbent mayors of eight outer islands face a tough battle in the upcoming Island Government election, while the mayoral positions in Rakahanga and Pukapuka Nassau are unchallenged.
Tough conditions test paddlers at National Singles Championships
Thursday 8 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Hot flat sea conditions made it a tough grind for paddlers in the National Singles Championships on Saturday.
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
Thursday 8 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
The decision not to livestream the annual Te Maeva Nui festival due to copyright concerns has sparked widespread disappointment among the Cook Islands diaspora and those in remote areas.
Revitalised Vaka Paikea to embark on educational and cultural voyage
Thursday 8 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation’s Vaka Paikea was relaunched into Avatiu Harbour under the watchful eyes of its captain and traditional navigator Peia Patai and crew after nearly nine months on dry dock.
