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
‘You now have your new shepherd’: Cook Islands Catholic prepares for new bishop
Saturday 17 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
Pope Francis has appointed Reverend Father Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado, M.S.P., as the new coadjutor bishop of Cook Islands. Fr. Getalado is a Filipino priest who has served in various locations throughout his career, including Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Tuvalu. Melina Etches reports.
Tropical depression brings rain, wind, and minor damage to Southern Cooks
Saturday 17 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands, Weather
Tropical depression brought heavy rain and strong winds to the Southern Cook Islands, causing minor damages and prompting school closures.
Cervical cancer self-testing screens nearly 300 women
Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Despite facing registration dips and no-shows, Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health’s cervical cancer self-testing programme has successfully screened 290 women in Rarotonga.
Cook Islands swimmers set new national records
Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming
The Cook Islands swim team is making waves at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Youngsters reel in fun and prizes at Tamariki Reef Fishing Competition
Tuesday 13 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Sports
The popular Rarotonga 2024 Tamariki Reef Fishing Competition held last month saw 61 children between the ages of five and 14 years head out to sea, armed with their bamboo rods.
Year 6 students step up as leaders in Apii St Joseph’s investiture
Tuesday 13 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Thirteen keen students from Year 6 have taken on leadership responsibilities for St Joseph’s Primary School.
Ancestral homecoming: Ui Tupuna remains return to Mangaia after decades
Tuesday 13 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
The remains of over 100 “Ui Tupuna”, ancestors who were separated from their homeland for over three decades, have finally returned to their rightful resting place, at home in Mangaia, Au’au Enua. Melina Etches reports.
Cook Islands, NZ leaders celebrate Waitangi Day, pledge stronger ties
Saturday 10 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Waitangi Day and the first visit of Aotearoa New Zealand’s new Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, and Minister of Health and Pacific Peoples, Dr Shane Reti, was marked with a special garden reception at Ngātipā, the official residence of New Zealand. New Zealand High Commissioner Tui Dewes hosted the special evening on Wednesday, February 7, attended by around 200 people.
Heather invested as new Tamakeu Mataiapo
Saturday 10 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National, Weekend
Joseph Heather was invested as the new Tamakeu Mataiapo of Teimurimotia, a traditional title also held by his late mother Puretu a Tangiiau Api Heather, in a ceremony attended by hundreds and marked by cultural significance.
Community rallies to bring power back to Pukapuka
Friday 9 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands, Weather
Pukapuka island was cut off from the world for four days due to no electricity and communication, but now has restored power thanks to a barge arrival despite challenges from rough weather.
New market to support local vendors
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Local, National
The groundbreaking ceremony for Te Tāpora Kai, the new Grassroots Farmers and Crafts Market undercover building at the Constitution Park, was held yesterday morning.
Pa Enua calm with no reported damage
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands, Weather
The Gale warning previously in force for all waters to the north of the Sourthern Cooks was cancelled yesterday, issued by the Cook Islands Meteorological Services (CIMS).
Join the World Day of Prayer movement
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
World Day of Prayer is a global movement led by Christian women from various denominations in over 200 countries who gather in one another's churches to celebrate, using a Worship Service prepared by women of a different country each year.
Schools close as high seas hit the Pa Enua
Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands, Weather
High seas surged over the shore, washing in around Tetautua School on the eastern rim of Penrhyn Island, restricting safe access for children to their classrooms.
Mangaia 200 years of Gospel celebrations embraces island
Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National, Outer Islands
The colossal amount of around $1 million has been raised for the island of Mangaia’s Te Arikianga o te Evangelia, the Arrival of the Gospel Bicentennial commemoration festivities that will be held this coming June.
Island girls fly to big smoke and carve out their careers in tourism
Monday 5 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Tourism is the key driver for economic development in the Cook Islands and Tereora College graduates Kubethreana Taripo and Rakiki Brown are both “excited” to be the first scholarship students to be awarded the Cook Islands Tourism Leadership Programme scholarship.
Ngati Tangiiau akataoanga Rangatira
Monday 5 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
The Ngati Tangiiau chiefly tribe of Takitumu have gathered at Te Tu’ukura Marae in Turangi, Ngatangiia for the peaceful “akataoanga” traditional investiture of Maui Rangatira – Justine Matatoa Flanagan and Te Pa’u Tangi o Tangiiau Rangatira – Teremoana Peter Tamariki Monga.
Apii Takitumu welcomes new prefects for 2024
Saturday 3 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
Just over a week after starting back at school, Apii Takitumu welcomed in the month of February by hosting their prefect’s induction day at the Holy Spirit Revival Church yesterday morning.
Minister Nicholas initiates work experience programme for college students
Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
College students have been given the opportunity to gain firsthand exposure to various government agencies through a work experience programme.
Cook Islands to celebrate first anniversary of decriminalisation with Anuanua festival
Thursday 1 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A week-long celebration of ‘love, acceptance and unity’ will mark the first anniversary of the Cook Islands decriminalising same-sex relations.
