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
Turama: A time to remember and honour departed loved ones
Wednesday 1 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Today marks Turama or All Souls Day, a significant occasion in the Cook Islands where families commemorate their departed loved ones by decorating their graves with fragrant flowers, candles, and lights to remember and honour those who have passed on.
A reel deal: Participants get hooked on fun at Annual Reef Fishing Competition
Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Fishing, Sports, Weekend
Despite unfavourable weather conditions, 74 participants took part in the popular Mama Reef Annual Bamboo Rod Fishing Competition held a week ago on Saturday, October 21.
Growers collaborate with NZ company to develop business plan for farmers’ co-operative
Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The Kai Natura Taokotai (KNT) group is moving ahead in their co-operative mission to establish a Cook Islands growers’ company (Farmers Co-op) to support, upskill, manage risk, and innovate our primary producers’ farm businesses.
$1.7m Hyundai Ioniq EVs charge up for the Pacific Islands Forum
Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
A motorcade of brand-new Hyundai Ioniq electric vehicles, valued at $1.7 million landed cost, purchased by the Cook Islands government for the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting next week, underwent its first drive trial around the island last week.
New pilot programme to provide in-homecare support to elderly and vulnerable in Rarotonga
Monday 30 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
Rarotonga Home Healthcare ‘Toku Nei Ora’anga Ora – My Health, My Life’, a local privately owned health care service provider on the island is pleased to announce a recent new partnership with Pacific Homecare, a Charitable Trust organisation providing home-based health care and Whānau Ora services in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Nuku Day brings joy to attendees
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
More than 600 members from the six Ekalesia of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) on Rarotonga came together on Nuku Day (Gospel Day) celebrations to commemorate and celebrate the arrival of Christianity.
A century of grace: Whitta credits God for her long life
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
One of the Cook Islands oldest living persons says there is no secret to long life, other than the ‘Amazing Grace of God’.
Whitta’s 100th birthday a Royal affair
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Weekend
As a delightful surprise during her 100th birthday party on Wednesday, October 25, Tepaeru Whitta nee Araitia was presented with a special birthday card from both King Charles III and the Governor General of New Zealand, courtesy of the King’s Representative, Sir Tom Marsters.
Enhancing boating safety in Aitutaki
Friday 27 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
The Iceberg motor yacht and Flying Cloud sailing boat have both made generous donations to the Aitutaki Boating Education (ABE) while recently visiting the island.
Rarotonga celebrates Nuku Day with biblical dramas and joyous singing
Friday 27 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
A good crowd of over 200 visitors and locals gathered at Teimurimotia Park in Titikaveka yesterday to witness the wonderful Nuku Day (Gospel Day) biblical drama presentations celebrating the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands.
Artists wanted for 2024 Hawaii Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
Next year the world's largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders is to make a spectacular re-appearance at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC) which will convene in Honolulu, Hawaii, 6–16 June 2024.
Nuku Day commemorates Christianity
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Each year on Gospel Day draws an assembly from each of the six Ekalesia of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) on Rarotonga to perform their gospel dramas, or nuku to commemorate the Arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands.
Cook Islands documentary ‘Taonga’ continues to wow global film festivals
Monday 23 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Taonga, a short documentary film about Cook Islands artist and activist Mike Tavioni, directed and produced by local filmmaker Glenda Tuaine, has been screened worldwide and most recently at the Hawaii International Film Festival.
Early detection is key: Breast cancer survivors celebrated
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers found in women. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also known worldwide as Pink October, and the Cook Islands joined the world in raising awareness of the disease with a special event on Thursday.
Lured in by love: Groom-to-be reels in big on wedding eve
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Ryan Young and his group of 12 friends and family from New Zealand were thrilled to have a successful fishing trip on board Akura Fishing Charters yesterday morning.
Aitutaki search and rescue effort highlights need for safety gear
Friday 20 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Boat operators in the Pa Enua are being reminded of the importance of having reliable communication equipment while at sea, after two Aitutaki fishermen were recently rescued over 20 kilometres away from the island.
Kicking off a love of sport: Tuakau Terrabulls Club donates sports balls to Apii Nikao
Friday 20 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
The visiting Tuakau Terrabulls Golden Oldies Rugby Union Club from Aotearoa New Zealand has donated sports balls to Apii Nikao to help foster an interest for sports amongst the students.
A gateway to the past: New digitising kit to preserve Cook Islands’ recent voyaging history
Thursday 19 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Technology
The Cook Islands Voyaging Society as well as Tauranga Vananga were gifted a Rokirokitia Digitising Kit by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, the New Zealand’s audiovisual archive.
Aitutaki residents frustrated by ‘chronic’ water shortage crisis
Thursday 19 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Health, Local, National, Outer Islands
Aitutaki residents are frustrated by the ongoing water shortage crisis on the island, as some households face extended periods of water cuts lasting up to four weeks and more.
Ngamaru Tupuna Ariki wins court case to confirm her title
Wednesday 18 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Tupuna Moeroa Ngamaru has been granted her application to the High Court to be confirmed as the elected Ngamaru Ariki of the Ngati Te Akatauira tribe, of Enuamanu Atiu.
