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Cook Islands has its first mosque
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CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
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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
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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
A Sunday without church
Monday 30 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture
Quietness and melancholy drifted around the island yesterday morning – the first Sunday without the usual gathered church services.
Financial lifeline to growers
Monday 30 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy
Vital financial support given to farmers and growers in unprecedented times of need due to Covid-19 pandemic.
100 years of colour, music and love
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Emily Russell quietly celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday, just down the road from where she was born.
Keeping sane in a bubble
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
Lisa Sadaraka, her fiancé Adrian Moody and four teenagers between them are in lock down in Auckland. “It’s going to be a testing time for us all, so we need to keep kindness and compassion at the forefront of our minds,” said Sadaraka.
Social distancing – from the fridge
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weekend
“The first day of lockdown was a surreal experience,” says Anne Nicholas-Pierre. Anne lives in Auckland with her husband Narii and their teenage daughter MahiNa.
Face to face with colourful ideas
Friday 27 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local
First the pharmacies, then stylish fashion boutique TAV. Now everyone’s doing facemasks.
A Rarotonga favourite pulls down the shutters – for now
Thursday 26 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local
The well-loved Mooring Fish Café closed its shutters indefinitely on Tuesday–for the first time in 10 years.
Pa Enua children sad to stay home, away from friends
Wednesday 25 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Outer Islands
News of early school holidays brings out surprising and unexpected reaction from Mitiaro students.
United in keeping the virus away
Wednesday 25 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Outer Islands
The children of Apii Raumanu on the islet of Tauhunu of Manihiki are happy and smiling, and ready to battle the coronavirus.
The shop and the land stay stocked
Tuesday 24 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Outer Islands
Living on the island of Ma‘uke, Eileen Story started to realise how risky Covid-19 was when a team of health officials arrived from Rarotongato raise awareness.
Every day brings its own threat on atoll
Tuesday 24 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Outer Islands
On Thursday the island of Manihiki held a Covid-19 prayer service. “People are worried for their families on Rarotonga and overseas,” says Tukao school principal Apii Napa.
Growing our own food
Tuesday 24 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Outer Islands
Quentin Schofield’s family have started their own vegetable food garden, in case the coronavirus pandemic lasts for months: “No one really knows.”
Sick people sent to the other motu
Tuesday 24 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Outer Islands
As Rarotonga locks in border control, life goes as usual on Pukapuka.
Cheap veges in Aitutaki
Tuesday 24 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Outer Islands
Aunty Nane had just planted more of her hydronic vegetable in her garden on Aitutaki, when the orders from the resorts dried up.
Feeding our islands: Cancelled convention has silver lining for Mangaia
Tuesday 24 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Outer Islands
The unexpected arrival of a container-load of chicken, sausages and ice cream is like manna from heaven for Mangaia.
Schools are long-closed, children's play dates are on Skype, and restaurants do takeaways only
Saturday 21 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local
In South Korea last month, Diane McFadzien experienced some of the tightest, most unrelenting quarantine controls in the world. Now she is returning home to her family in Rarotonga with a tough message about the measures we need to protect herself.
'I knew it was crucial that I do my part'
Saturday 21 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local
Fine Tu’itupou Arnold was in Geneva at the start of the month for a Red Cross meeting. Now she has quarantined herself at home to protect her community.
Last flight out to the Pa Enua
Saturday 21 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Outer Islands
Air Raro took off for its last flights to the Pa Enua late yesterday. Elderly mamas and papas with their grandchildren on their hips boarded their flights; working age adults tearfully watched them go.
Q-tips: 'Have plenty to read, watch, and listen to'
Saturday 21 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local
Trevor Pitt returned home last week after attending the Disaster Risk Management and Resilience building conference in Hawaii with Prime Minister Henry Puna. Immediately after landing in Rarotonga, he self-quarantined.
School unscathed by floodwaters
Friday 20 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local
Apii Nikao has experienced its worst flooding since the school opened.
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