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
Team Cook Islands prepares for FestPAC with fundraising concert
Wednesday 29 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
Cook Islands is sending a 160-member delegation to the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Hawaii, with a fundraising concert and official send-off planned before their departure.
Decades of dedication: Ngametua pledges continued service to women’s fellowship
Wednesday 29 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Mata o te au Orometua Vaine Ngateitei, Akevai Ngametua, president of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Women’s Fellowship, has been “serving God” alongside her husband Orometua Ngateitei Reverend Moutaiki Ngametua for over four decades.
CICC vainetini celebrate faith and friendship at weeklong conference
Tuesday 28 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
The Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Women’s Fellowship members have gathered for a weeklong conference from Sunday, May 26 to Sunday, June 2, to share and celebrate their journey of spiritual faith and friendship.
CI Bowling honours Men’s Fours team after awards deadline mix-up
Monday 27 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Bowling, Sports
Cook Islands Bowling Association acknowledged their Men’s Fours team’s achievement at the 2023 World Bowls Tournament after missing the nomination deadline for CISNOC Sports Awards due to internal miscommunication.
The return of the champions
Monday 27 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Tauranga Vananga’s Te Mire Ura dance extravaganza for the Expatriates, Experts, Golden Oldies, and Masters divisions yet again delighted the audience over the weekend in the grand finale of the annual series of individual competitions.
Honouring her cultural heritage
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, Go Local, National
To honour her cultural heritage, rising elite athlete and Cook Islander Tiana Baker Echegaray has chosen a uniquely designed and Polynesian-inspired logo for her promotional apparel.
Atiu Tīvaivai Exhibit showcases generations of craft and culture
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Culture, Features, Go Local, Local, National, Outer Islands
An exhibit in Atiu showcases the traditional craft of tivaivai, hand-stitched quilts made by women, with efforts to keep the art alive amongst younger generations.
Rarotonga, Honolulu to establish sister-city relationship, says PM
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National, Pacific Islands, Regional, Weekend
As leader of the Cook Islands delegation, Prime Minister Mark Brown will be travelling to the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC) in Hawai’i next month.
Atiu girl’s dreams take flight with educational support from TAKA
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands
Recognising the pivotal role of technology in shaping the modern-day learning landscape, the Tamariki Api’i Kūki ʻĀirani – TAKA Educational Trust – has stepped in offering an Atiu student access to a wealth of educational resources.
Lady luck: New division hooks biggest catch in months at CIGFC Weighmaster
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Sports
In a first for the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club (CIGFC), the Weighmaster Fishing Competition introduced a women’s angler division. The women impressed, bringing in a total haul of 1011.5 kilograms – the best catch recorded in the club competitions for several months.
Traditional chants and languages get a boost from local Arts Trust
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National
The preservation of Cook Islands cultural heritage and identity is a top priority for passionate and dedicated Cook Islanders who are committed to safeguarding customs and arts for future generations.
Young weightlifter Puni sets new benchmarks at Auckland comp
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Fifteen-year-old rising star from the Cook Islands, Etoa Puni, emerged at the top of his division in the 2024 Auckland Secondary Schools Weightlifting Championships held over the weekend in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Aliki investiture ceremony rescheduled to allow for full attendance
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The investiture ceremony for Te Ulu o Te Watu/Pukapuka’s new Pepeu Aliki Makirai Henry has been rescheduled to next week to allow time for the contingent from Nassau to attend the celebration.
Fourteen organisations receive $194k in social impact grants
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Delighted recipients of Te Tango Akarangatira Ora’anga/Ministry of Internal Affairs (INTAFF) Social Impact Fund (SIF) project initiatives celebrated signing their official grant agreements yesterday.
Expatriate dancer returns to defend Te Mire Ura title
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
The highly anticipated popular Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Cultural Development) Te Mire Ura dance competition for the Expatriates, Experts, Golden Oldies, and Masters divisions will hit the Rehab Nightclub stage this Friday.
Cook Islands serves up first international tennis tournament
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Tennis
Tennis Cook Islands kicks off its first international tournament sponsored by Next Shipment this afternoon. The tournament will culminate in the finals on Saturday.
Education first, football later: Vaka creates NFL pathway for Pacific Island players
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports
Standing at 6’4, Cook Islander Jason Vaka is doing what he loves best, scouting for the untapped talent of young lads in the Pacific to sign up for the unique path of the USA College Scholarships and National Football League (NFL).
Firefighter conquers Sky Tower Challenge for second time!
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
Volunteer firefighter Tahiti Isaaka has triumphantly “nailed” her second attempt at Firefighters Sky Tower Challenge 2024 in Aotearoa New Zealand on Friday (Cook Islands time) to raise funds for blood cancer.
Pa Puia Rangatira seeks family reconciliation after title dispute
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National, Weekend
Rota Williams has been invested with the title of Pa Puia Rangatira surrounded by his family and guests at the new Pa Puia Marae in Tupapa last week.
Women in maritime charting a course for the next generation
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Cook Islands women in maritime celebrated their contributions to the industry focusing on safety, shared their experiences and highlighted the increasing presence of women in leadership roles.
