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
Katuke takes top prize at Mama’s Reef Fishing Competition
Tuesday 12 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Sports
The Cook Islands Game Fishing Club’s Mama’s Reef Fishing Bamboo Rod Competition on Saturday drew a respectable number of 27 enthusiastic women.
Ashton brothers facilitate return of heirlooms, seek to build museum on Aitutaki
Tuesday 12 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Priceless stone pre-European artefacts will be returned to the Cook Islands later this year.
Seizing opportunities and daring to dream big
Monday 11 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A young Cook Islands entrepreneur, overcame challenges to build a successful fitness business that empowers women and celebrates Cook Islands culture.
Celebrating progress: Cook Islands women share stories of success
Saturday 9 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The International Day of Women was celebrated across Rarotonga including workplaces celebrating the theme of ‘Te Vaine kia turu’ia: Tupu’anga kia Tere – Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress and Inspire Inclusion’.
Cook Islander returns home to bridge tech gap and empower youth
Saturday 9 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Vaipunu Ian Tairea, a software developer on the island of Mauke, is excited with the prospect of computer technology becoming the biggest employment opportunity for the Cook Islands, especially the Pa Enua.
Cook Islands celebrates International Women’s Day with ‘Inspire Inclusion’ talks
Friday 8 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Today is International Women’s Day and the Cook Islands is celebrating with events featuring prominent women speakers.
$10 million project aims to reduce single-use plastics
Friday 8 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
A project to reduce the number of plastics entering the country, focused on the food and beverage sector, was discussed during a workshop in Rarotonga this week.
Rarotonga sailors shine at Nationals, youngsters set for NZ challenge
Thursday 7 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sailing, Sports
The Rarotonga Sailing Club (RSC) has had a great start to the year, hitting the ground running with several activities.
Pensioner donates ‘Back to School’ promo winnings to families in need
Thursday 7 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Recognising the increase in cost of living and the families who are struggling to make ends meet, a kind-hearted pensioner has returned his CITC Back to School Anchor competition $500 cash winnings.
‘Vegetable Planting Evenings’ programme empowers families to grow their own food
Thursday 7 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
The Cook Islands Child Welfare Association (CICWA) has launched a new programme to promote healthy living and self-sufficiency among young families.
Rarotonga schools receive free oral health education kits
Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Health, National
Gearing up for World Oral Health Day and committed to promoting oral health awareness and education on the island, CITC has partnered with Colgate to distribute oral health education kits to school students.
Baby Teeth Matters programme brings oral health care to Cook Islands children
Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health’s “Baby Teeth Matters” programme is making its way around the island, aiming to improve the oral health and wellbeing of mothers and young children up to the age of five.
Te Are Pa Metua welcomes back seniors for activities and socialisation
Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Te Are Pa Metua centre for the elderly is back in full swing, resuming their usual programmes and activities on February 1.
Balancing motherhood and studies: Tatuava-Taripo’s inspiring journey to serve her community
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
From early motherhood and years of perseverance and sacrifice, inspiring and determined Aleyna-Joy Tatuava-Taripo, 34, has triumphed in law after being admitted to the bar in the Cook Islands High Court last week.
Rakahanga School sees enrolment rise with families returning to island
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
Rakahanga School, located on one of the Cook Islands’ most isolated islands 42 kilometres south of its sister island Manihiki, has seen its roll number increase to 22 this year compared to last year’s roll of 15.
New book explores Ma’uke’s connection to the London Missionary Society
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
Author Moana Moeka’a has launched his fourth book, “Ma’uke Mission 200 Years”, a story about the island’s connection, his father’s homeland, to the London Missionary Society (LMS).
Education takes flight as Manihiki and Penrhyn learners graduate for first time
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI) is expanding its reach to offer accredited qualifications to learners in the Pa Enua, with this week’s graduation ceremony celebrating the achievements of students from Manihiki and Penrhyn.
Aere ra e Papa Harry: A tribute to the life and legacy of beloved Suwarrow Park Ranger
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend
“Suwarrow belongs to you and me and to every Cook Islander. This is our home. We have the responsibility to protect and to take care of our home.” – Tuakeu “Harry” Papai.
Turning illness into inspiration, Upokoina’s story of resilience
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Upokoina Bishop-Cuthers, a Cook Islands woman who battled cancer, created her own homeware brand CuBis Creations to inspire others and support her family.
140 graduates celebrate achievements at CITTI ceremony
Friday 1 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI) graduation for 140 students was held yesterday morning at Te Are Karioi (National Auditorium), acknowledging and presenting each student with Cook Islands and New Zealand certificates.
