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
Key partnership to address women’s health and safety in Cook Islands
Tuesday 15 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between Punanga Turuturu Itivaine, formerly known as Punanga Tauturu Inc., and Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health to “enhance and strengthen support” for all women in the Cook Islands.
PM proposes Cook Islands passport at Ariki meeting
Tuesday 15 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Various national issues, including the introduction of a Cook Islands passport, changes to the country name and anthem, resolving traditional title disputes and support for seabed minerals exploration, were discussed at the 53rd Session of Te Kura Nui A Te Are Ariki last week.
Family honours loved one in Rarotonga
Monday 14 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
The family of Dr Thomas Brian Guy, who died in Rarotonga in 1977, travelled from Canada and Australia to unveil his plaque in the Nikao Cemetery, which they discovered thanks to the efforts of local volunteers.
Thrilling finish looms as Cook Islands Games enter final week
Monday 14 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports
As the first week of the thrilling Cook Islands Games sports competition between the 11 islands draws to a close, excitement is at an all-time high.
International referees share expertise at Cook Islands Games handball comp
Saturday 12 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Handball, Sports
The beach handball competition will conclude today with the open men’s and women’s finals. Alongside the country’s top players, the event also features International Handball Federation (IHF) Beach Handball referees Daniela Andreea Enache and Corina Floriana Constantin from Romania, as well as Australian referees Claire Dennerley and Sally Potocki, who is also an Australian Handball […]
Resilience and teamwork pave way to gold for Cook Islands
Saturday 12 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Technology
The Cook Islands’ all-girls robotics team overcame challenges to win a gold medal at the 2024 FIRST Global Challenge, showcasing their resilience, teamwork and dedication to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Penrhyn schools’ Literacy Week events raise funds for Māori books
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Penrhyn schools took a unique approach to celebrate Literacy Week by hosting an exciting spallation, a vibrant float parade combined with a pageant, earlier this month.
Aitutaki students pitch in to clean up island
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National, Outer Islands
Primary schools in Aitutaki took part in the island-wide clean-up effort last month to mark Clean up the Cook Islands Day.
Record-breaking handball participants at 2024 Cook Islands Games
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Handball, Sports
Handball Cook Islands has witnessed an incredible surge in participation in the 2024 Cook Islands Games, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for the sports across the islands.
Pasifika powerhouses set to take centre stage at annual opera concert
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Excitement is building for the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) annual Opera in Rarotonga event, featuring Pasifika and Māori singers, this weekend.
Cook Islands Games off to exciting start
Monday 7 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Athletics, Sports
The determined and mighty Mitiaro women’s Ko Akari (coconut husking) team of Ngatamaine Tekaria, Tashi Tutai and Myland Lane dominated the exciting event, winning a gold medal each on day one of the Cook Islands Games on Saturday.
Cook Islanders return home for family, culture and sport
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Other Sports, Sports, Weekend
The appeal of reconnecting with family, learning more about genealogy and the culture while enjoying sport with island pride certainly does entice Cook Islanders overseas to return home to participate in the Cook Islands Games.
‘We have achieved a lot with the little we've'
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Technology
The Cook Islands’ FIRST Global Robotics team, the Cocobots, achieved a historic gold medal in the 2024 Alliance category, despite facing limited resources and competing against teams with years of experience.
Education ‘got some problems’ but new initiatives offer hope
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The active participation and commitment of all stakeholders, from government, principals, teachers, parents and the community, is needed for the growth and advancement of education in the Cook Islands, says the Minister for Education.
Cook Islands celebrates unity and sportsmanship at Games opening
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Athletics, Other Sports, Sports
Prime Minister Mark Brown officially opened the 2024 Cook Islands Games – “the event that truly unites our islands and our people” – at the National Stadium in Nikao last night.
Thousands to gather for Cook Islands Games opening
Friday 4 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Athletics, Sports
Thousands are expected to attend the vibrant opening ceremony for the third Cook Islands Games tonight, where over 3000 athletes will showcase their island pride in the biggest national sporting event in the country.
Puni and Crighton-Teau achieve personal bests at NZ competition
Thursday 3 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Cook Islands weightlifters Etoa Puni and Briseis Crighton-Teau achieved personal bests and placed in the top of their divisions at the 2024 New Zealand National Secondary School Weightlifting Championships.
Team Rarotonga ready for 2024 Cook Islands Games
Thursday 3 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Athletics, Sports
Team Rarotonga, with its massive 580 registered athletes, is set and ready to compete in the much-anticipated 2024 Cook Islands Games, which officially begin this Friday.
Pu Tapere for Maraerenga in dispute after second election
Thursday 3 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The recent election for the Pu Tapere (village leader) for Maraerenga has been marred by controversy and competing claims, with two individuals claiming the position after separate elections with differing outcomes.
Community urged to be mindful of fire safety after Ngatangiia incident
Thursday 3 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
A raging inferno fuelled by coastal winds that propelled flames up to the heights of nearby coconut trees in Ngatangiia was fortunately doused before reaching nearby properties this week.
