More Top Stories
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
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
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Melina Etches
Cook Islands history gifted to upcoming generations
Saturday 6 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Author and historian Howard Henry has gifted his monumental effort of 16 publications of Cook Islands history to the Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Culture Development Library for generations to peruse over and enjoy.
Anuanua Film Day set to showcase stories and voices of the rainbow community
Saturday 6 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
The Anuanua Film Day, set to premiere next week on April 16, is a one-day celebration of LGBTQIA+ filmmakers and culture in the Cook Islands.
Local charity pays it forward with donation to support new mums and families
Friday 5 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Autism Cook Islands has kindly donated $1340 cash that was raised from their Art Auction last year, to the Nui Rarotonga group.
Pride and unity: Inaugural Anuanua Week promotes inclusivity in Cook Islands
Friday 5 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Education, Entertainment, Features, Local, National
Pride Cook Islands is proud to announce their partnership with Te Tiare Association in presenting the LGBTQIA+ Anuanua Week – a vibrant celebration of love, acceptance, and unity in the Cook Islands.
Vaka Marumaru Atua to set sail for Hawaii for Festival of Pacific Arts
Friday 5 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features, Local, National
Vaka Marumaru Atua with a crew of 16 including youth from Pa Enua islands will sail to Hawaii for the Festival of Pacific Arts.
Apii Avarua students win top trophies in Māori Speech Competition
Friday 5 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Education, Features, National
Apii Avarua students took home the top trophies at Te Maraurau o te Pae Apii (Ministry of Education) Primary Schools Māori Speech Competition held on Wednesday night at Te Are Karioi National Auditorium.
Tereora College stages cultural extravaganza at Te Are Karioi
Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Tereora College students will showcase their cultural talents this evening at 6pm at the Te Are Karioi National Auditorium.
Te Mire Atu expands for overseas Cook Islanders to compete in 2025
Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Cook Islands composers living in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia will be invited to participate in the prestigious Te Mire Atu original Māori song composition event next year.
Child Welfare Association and Te Marae Ora partner to improve infant nutrition
Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
In promoting the wellbeing and nourishment of infants, the Cook Islands Child Welfare Association (CICWA) has received a generous donation of cooking utensils from Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health.
Island lure lands winning yellowfin tuna for Piniata
Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Sports
Katoa Piniata from the Game Fishing Rarotonga charters took out both the heaviest fish and heaviest aggregate cash prizes of $1500 combined at the annual Bank of the South Pacific (BSP) Easter Fishing Competition.
Winning composition explores humanity of Katikatia legend
Saturday 30 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
Renowned Cook Islands composer Thomas Peyroux proved his talent in writing original compositions, just about sweeping the Tauranga Vananga Edgewater Resort 2024 Te Mire Atu composers’ competition on Wednesday night.
House of Ariki and Maori King join forces for whale protection
Saturday 30 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The House of Ariki and Aotearoa Maori King signed a declaration advocating for the legal personhood of whales and their protection.
Aussie artist reconnects with Cook Islands roots
Thursday 28 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
A Cook Islands Australian female artist is learning first-hand about Cook Islands cultural practices while working with one of the country’s cultural icons.
Rarotonga families sprout new skills at vegetable planting workshop
Thursday 28 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Families were delighted to take home a large number of pinapi (bok choy) seedling plants from the Ministry of Agriculture vegetable planting workshop initiated by the Cook Islands Child Welfare Association (CICWA).
New clerk pledges to learn and serve
Wednesday 27 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Dr Tuaine Unuia has hit the ground running in his new role as the O-Tari-Kura o te Are Ariki (Clerk of the House of Ariki) earlier this week, welcomed by members of Te Are Ariki.
Atupare Marae welcomes new shelter, Maori King for ocean initiative
Wednesday 27 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Environment, National
Tui Dewes, Aotearoa New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, had the honour of opening the new Taupare for Atupare Marae, alongside the Minister for Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development, George “Maggie” Angene, last week.
Aitutaki’s Ngatamariki ready for Te Mire Atu debut
Wednesday 27 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Entertainment, National
Corina Mose Ngatamariki from Aitutaki is “excited” to be competing in tonight’s Te Mire Atu composer’s competition at The Edgewater Resort for the first time.
Farmers divided over domestic consumption, export potentials
Tuesday 26 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Former Agriculture minister, Kiriau Turepu, sparked debate recently by suggesting that exporting produce should not be a priority for Cook Islands growers.
Students champion sustainability at annual Te Tateni Korero Māori
Saturday 23 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Education, Features, National
Titikaveka College held its annual Te Tateni Korero Māori, Māori Speech Competition, centered around the theme of “Mana Tiaki – Tiaki e te akono i to tatou Matakeinanga (Regenerative Tourism – Guardians of our Environment, Culture & Ways)”.
Preserving paradise: Cook Islands shares ra’ui knowledge in Hawai’i
Saturday 23 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Environment, Features, Local, National
Representatives from the Cook Islands are participating in the University of Hawai’i Rāhui (Ra’ui) Workshop to learn more about traditional ra’ui management systems for marine resources.
