More Top Stories
$12.9m approved for solar battery project, NZ confirms
12 March 2025
Crown Law Office on track for record number of lawyers
12 March 2025
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
16 February 2025
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
15 February 2025
No-confidence motion against PM and his Cabinet faces delays
15 February 2025
Ruta Mave: People’s Republic of China red flag
10 February 2025
No debt in China deal
8 February 2025
Thomas Wynne: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?
8 February 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
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
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Articles by Melina Etches
Seventeen composers for Mire Atu
Tuesday 4 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Cook Islands composers are prepared to take centre stage this month in the prestigious Tauranga Vananga/Ministry of Cultural Development Te Pae Tai Nui Mire Atu original Māori song composers competition.
Panthers and Eels draw in thrilling clash
Monday 3 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in League, Sports
In a match that left fans on the edge of their seats, the Tupapa Maraerenga Panthers and the Avatiu Nikao Eels engaged in a spectacular and intense clash in the weekly rugby league competition, culminating in an exhilarating 24-all draw.
Cook Islands explores untapped potential of creative industries
Monday 3 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Economy, National
The inaugural Cook Islands Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy Forum kicked off with great enthusiasm, bringing together a diverse group of over 60 participants from the creative industry.
Ngatangiia MP to hold community meeting post-China agreement
Saturday 1 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Parliament
Fresh from signing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) agreement between the Cook Islands and China, Associate Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Ngatangiia, Tukaka Ama, is calling a meeting for his constituency.
Tereora introduces new leadership model
Saturday 1 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The Princess Anne Hall echoed with uplifting song in a wonderful display of school spirit as hundreds of Tereora College students sang with pride to welcome their 30 new leaders.
Exciting opening round for Darts
Friday 28 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
In a thrilling opening round of the year, women’s darts teams clashed in close exciting matches on Tuesday night.
Open Day on the French monitoring frigate Prairial
Friday 28 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The French flagship vessel in the Pacific, the monitoring frigate “Prairial” is visiting Rarotonga for three days.
MSC Magnifica brings in hundreds of passengers
Thursday 27 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Tourism
Cruise liner MSC Magnifica, the largest cruise ship to visit the Cook Islands anchored just outside the Avatiu Harbour, Rarotonga bringing more than 2000 passengers yesterday.
New Ruatonga Pu Tapere honoured and humbled
Wednesday 26 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Te Rua O Te Tonga have welcomed their new Pu Tapere/Leader of their sub-district with a special feast at their meeting house celebrated by more than 100 of the tapere’s residents.
Marjorie Crocombe, Tavake of Enuamanu
Wednesday 26 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, Local, Memory Lane, National
Community spirit and literary enthusiasm filled the USP lecture room as a crowd gathered yesterday to celebrate the launch of a new book, Marjorie Crocombe – e va’ine toa, e rangatira, which honours the extraordinary life and contributions of Marjorie Tua’inekore Tere Crocombe (nee Hosking).
Shaping the future of our cultural, creative industry
Wednesday 26 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Aimed for the ‘Development of the Cook Islands Cultural and Creative Industry Strategy’, artists, performers, cultural practitioners, creative entrepreneurs, community leaders and cultural advocates are invited to a public consultation tomorrow, Thursday, February 27, 9am – 12pm, at Te Are Karioi Nui/National Auditorium.
Swim programme makes a splash in Aitutaki’s lagoon
Tuesday 25 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming
The Aitutaki Aquatics Club (AAC) has kicked off its community-focused, eight-week Learn to Swim Programme, making a splash in the island’s pristine, world-class lagoon.
Schools umu competition hailed a success, set to become annual fixture
Tuesday 25 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The traditional slow steam cooking event not only retains nutrients and enhances taste, it brings together family, friends and the community, nurturing a sense of belonging and celebration while preparing and sharing a meal of soul food.
Bears win intense rugby league battle
Monday 24 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby league, Sports
The intense battle between the Arorangi Bears and the Avatiu Eels in week three of the Cook Islands Rugby League (CIRL) men’s premiership thrilled the good crowd of fans.
Umu cooking: Embracing our cultural identity
Monday 24 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Tauranga Vananga secretary Emile Kairua says that in today’s fast-paced world dominated by convenience foods and modern kitchen gadgets there’s something incredibly grounding and culturally enriching about teaching young people the art of cooking using traditional methods like the umu - the underground oven.
Home cooks showcase kuru’s potential at Takurua competition
Monday 24 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Tourism
The home cooks in the Te Mato Manava Turoto/Cook Islands Tourism’s “Takurua – Taste of the Season”, Tiopu Kuru (breadfruit stew) competition at the Punanga Nui Market on Saturday did not disappoint.
Humble kuru dish wins hearts at Taste of the Season Cook Off competition
Monday 24 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Hundreds turned out to taste the delicious tiopu kuru (breadfruit stew) hearty meals prepared with love by our very own home cooks in the Takurua – Taste of the Season Cook Off competition on Saturday at the Punanga Nui Market.
Schools spice up Takurua event with cultural challenges
Saturday 22 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Students, teachers and guests yesterday enjoyed the tender, flavourful vegetables, fish and meat, slow-cooked with the heat of hot river stones and infused with the fragrant sweetness of banana leaves, steam and smoke.
Vietnam war gun finds home at Cook Islands Returned Services Association
Saturday 22 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, New Zealand, Regional, Weekend
In recognition of the men and women from the Cook Islands who have served in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), the Cook Islands Returned Services Association (RSA) have taken possession of the L5 Howitzer Light Gun now sitting at its entrance.
School roll swells, Apii Nikao inducts new prefects
Saturday 22 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Nikao celebrated the induction of 20 student prefects, who will serve as role models and leaders, while the school’s enrolment has increased from 339 to 389 since January.
