More Top Stories
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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 gears up for St. Patrick’s Day
Sunday 17 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The members of the Irish community in Rarotonga and their supporters will celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day to be observed tomorrow.
Fish, feast, and fun: Traditional event brings Pukapuka together
Saturday 16 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
A two-day traditional fishing competition on Pukapuka island saw villagers compete and celebrate with a community feast.
Training boosts Cook Islands’ access to justice
Friday 15 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Education, Local, National
The Pacific Justice Sector Programme is providing training and resources to the Cook Islands to improve access to justice, including a new Bench Book for JPs, a Case Tracking System, and a Land Court Bench Book in development.
Clean up day at Apii Nikao
Friday 15 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Parents and guardians of Apii Nikao are kindly asked to pack their grass cutters, blowers, rakes, sponges, rags, brooms, and cleaning products, ready for tomorrow’s (Saturday) deep clean working bee.
Public up in arms over proposed expansion of Cabinet, proxy voting
Thursday 14 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Parliament
Parliament is holding public meetings to discuss proposed amendments to the Constitution, with Rarotonga residents strongly opposing an increase in Cabinet Ministers and a measure allowing MPs to vote by proxy.
Fishing vessel Zambucca hauled out of water for inspection
Wednesday 13 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Curious onlookers gathered at Avatiu Harbour yesterday to watch the precarious operation of fishing vessel FV Zambucca being lifted out of the water by two cranes.
JPs enhance skills in decision- making and judgment writing
Wednesday 13 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Local, National
Justices of the Peace (JPs) practicing in Cook Islands Court are undertaking training in a workshop focused on decision-making and judgment writing.
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.
