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
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
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
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.
Kermode soars towards dream
Saturday 23 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Weekend
Fuelled by a passion for aviation and a relentless drive to conquer the skies, a determined 18-year-old Kanoa Kermode has set his sights on joining the Australian Defence Force (ADF) next month, with the ultimate goal of becoming a pilot.
Cook Islands celebrates World Water Day despite ongoing shortages
Friday 22 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands joins the world in celebrating World Water Day today, despite recent challenges with water shortages in homes, especially those living in the Pa Enua.
Fertiliser shortage threatens crops, says former Agriculture minister
Friday 22 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands growers face a crisis as fertiliser and spray shortages threaten crops across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua islands.
Schools ban fizzy drinks in bid to improve children’s health
Thursday 21 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Health, Local, National
As of today, fizzy drinks will be banned in the primary schools who have signed an agreement with Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health.
Aussie nursing students get a tropical dose of healthcare
Wednesday 20 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, Health, National, Regional
Eight University of South Australia Bachelor of Nursing third-year students are visiting Rarotonga for a two-week study programme, immersing themselves in a different culture, a different health setting, and acquiring unique experiences.
12 compete for Te Mire Atu Composer of the Year
Wednesday 20 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
In celebration of original Cook Islands compositions, 12 upcoming and experienced song writers will be battling in the esteemed Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development Te Mire Atu Composer of the Year competition next week.
Cook Islands cracks down on junk cars
Wednesday 20 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
“Te Titā ki te Titā kore – Legacy Waste Collection” campaign towards a cleaner, more sustainable future continues to take action with its end-of-life vehicle (ELV) collection beginning next month.
Preschool encourages healthy habits with daily fruit breaks
Wednesday 20 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The adorable Imanuela Akatemia pre-school children enjoy a refreshing, healthy fruit break every morning at 10am, embracing good eating habits.
Takitumu Conservation Area set to become first OECM in Pacific
Tuesday 19 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
In a first for the Cook Islands as well as the rest of the Pacific, the Takitumu Conservation Area (TCA) will be submitted to be internationally recognised as an Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure (OECM).
Dr Tuaine Unuia appointed new Clerk of the House of Ariki
Tuesday 19 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Crime, Local, National
Dr Tuaine Unuia, clinical manager of Te Marae Ora Dental Clinic, has been appointed the new O-Tari-Kura o te Are Ariki (Clerk of the House of Ariki).
Cook Islanders cast line in world’s biggest fishing tourney
Monday 18 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Sports
In amongst the 2000 fishers in the world’s largest fishing competition in terms of the number of boats participating, the Kubota Classic Billfish Tournament in Whitianga, Aotearoa New Zealand, were Cook Islands very own fishermen Junior Ioapa and Poe Poila from Rarotonga.
Retired judge shares expertise with Cook Islands Justices of the Peace
Monday 18 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Local, National
Retired judge John Adams from Aotearoa New Zealand is facilitating this week’s orientation workshop for three Justices of the Peace (JPs) from the Pa Enua (one from Aitutaki and two from Atiu).
The monumental task of fixing our land laws
Sunday 17 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Features, Local, National, Parliament, Weekend
The Cook Islands Ministry of Justice is reforming land laws to deal with issues like absentee landowners and fragmented ownership, but the proposals are facing criticism for not being clear and for not respecting traditional customs.
