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
Creative Centre gets $173k grant for new craft building
Friday 1 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Creative Centre, which serves adults and teenagers with disabilities, will soon have a new craft building. This new facility will provide more opportunities for individuals to earn income and contribute to their households.
Cook Islands enhances data security
Thursday 29 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Technology
For the first time, the Cook Islands has a new classification system for all government documents to better protect its own data and give confidence to colleagues and partners overseas to share confidential information with the country.
Absentee landowners major issue
Wednesday 28 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands is reforming its land laws and have started public meetings on Rarotonga to gather suggestions and feedback from Cook Islanders.
New student leaders committed to service and fostering positive school culture
Wednesday 28 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Nikao has joined Tereora College in signing up to the Student Volunteer Army Service Awards.
We are not included: Disability council accuses emergency agency of exclusion
Wednesday 28 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The national disability body has accused Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) of excluding them in discussions on disaster management and preparedness.
Tereora College invests new leaders
Tuesday 27 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Twenty-four (24) students were bestowed with the honour to lead the student body at Tereora College Student Leaders Investiture on Friday last week at the Princess Anne Hall.
Autism Cook Islands visits outer islands
Tuesday 27 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National, Outer Islands
Autism Cook Islands is committed to visiting as many of the outer islands.
Uncovering hidden struggle: Pa Enua Dyslexia Programme identifies widespread needs
Monday 26 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National, Outer Islands
The Cook Islands Dyslexia Society’s Pa Enua Dyslexia Programme, including Rarotonga, found that 100 per cent of the students tested were below average and required further support or a full assessment.
‘You need to be strong enough to stand up for what is right’
Saturday 24 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Titikaveka College and Apii Rutaki Primary School held their annual prefect investiture ceremonies, where student leaders were encouraged to be strong, brave, and selfless in their roles.
Descendants reunite across the Pacific
Saturday 24 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Over 300 descendants from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti, Marquesas, Rarotonga, and Mangaia participated in the George Outher Brown Reunion this week at Te Are Kariori National Auditorium.
Avarua landmark falls: Iconic flamboyant tree cut down after 130 years
Saturday 24 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
The iconic flamboyant tree that graced the Avarua roundabout in town for around 130 years is no more.
Autism Cook Islands kicks off year with $4000 donation
Friday 23 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
Autism Cook Islands has gotten off to a great start for this year thanks to a generous $4000 donation from the Rarotonga Growers Association’s special dinner event.
Japan boosts Rarotonga agriculture with machinery donation
Friday 23 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Over 1000 hours of tractor services, including slashing and ploughing of farmland in Rarotonga, were provided by the Ministry of Agriculture in the past year.
Parliament of Western Australia tours Te Kukupa II
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, National, Parliament, Regional
The Parliament of Western Australia delegation visiting Rarotonga were delighted to take a tour on Te Kukupa II yesterday morning before leaving the island in the afternoon.
Apii Te Uki Ou inducts student leaders
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Te Uki Ou celebrated and commended their new school leaders for this year who represent the future leaders of the country, in a special school assembly yesterday morning.
Cooks swimmers achieve five new records
Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming
Cook Islands swimmers have done extremely well at the 2024 World Aquatics Championship, in Doha, Qatar, Saudi Arabia having achieved five new Cook Islands records out of seven events, and personal bests.
Shining brighter in Penrhyn
Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National, Outer Islands
Penrhyn is shining extra bright thanks to the kind donation of solar lights.
Buckley Jr reels in back-to-back wins at Gordon Murray Memorial
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Other Sports, Sports
Seasoned fisherman Buckley Buckley Jr, the champion of last year’s Gordon Murray Memorial Fishing Competition, has done it again, taking out this year’s trophy as well.
Western Australia gifts symbolic tables to Cook Islands Parliament
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, National, Parliament, Regional
The two “Table of the House” tables gifted by the Parliament of Western Australia (WA) were officially handed over to Cook Islands Parliament yesterday morning.
New trust aims to keep Cook Islanders home and skilled
Monday 19 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
In a heartwarming story of compassion and dedication, a pilot and his young family opened their home and hearts to a young child, raising her as their own.
