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
Te Maeva Nui ō Aotearoa hits the stage next month
Friday 18 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
Te Maeva Nui, the pinnacle of Cook Islands cultural performance, has been influential in fostering the cultural identity of Cook Islanders in Aotearoa New Zealand since 2019.
‘Crouching Tiger’ grabs gold
Thursday 17 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Boxing, Sports
Cook Islander Tiana Baker-Echegaray, nicknamed the ‘Crouching Tiger’, has emerged victorious at the Australian Amateur Boxing Championships, winning gold in the bantamweight division over the weekend.
‘Be vigilant, look out for your neighbours’
Thursday 17 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Crime, Local, National
No one was hurt in a fire that destroyed a shed on private property in Nikao on Tuesday afternoon.
Cook Islands soldier’s sacrifice remembered at memorial event
Wednesday 16 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
In a deeply emotional and poignant ceremony, the memory of a fallen soldier from Mangaia was honoured in the memorial unveiling of his headstone at the Nikao Cemetery.
Te Puna Marama begins traditional voyaging and navigation programme
Wednesday 16 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, National, Tourism, Weekend
Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation has launched its Teretereanga Vaka programme on Mauke, providing educational opportunities for youth on the island to participate in a course that promotes and preserves the art of traditional voyaging and navigation.
Medals for Cook Islands Oe Vaka at World Champs
Wednesday 16 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Team Cook Islands achieved podium finishes at the 2023 International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Paddling Distance Championships in Apia, Samoa.
Bowling Club unveils $51k equipment
Tuesday 15 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Bowling, Sports
After a four-year delay, caused by the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Rarotonga Bowling Club is celebrating the arrival of their long-awaited equipment worth $51,000 for their bowling greens.
Antique English clock returned home
Monday 14 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Resting magnificently in its timeless beauty on a brand new cabinet in the Makea Karika Ariki palace is the long-lost antique English made clock.
Cook Islands’ outfits draw compliments at World Paddling Championships opening
Saturday 12 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
The 2023 International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Paddling Distance Championships officially opened in Apia, Samoa yesterday morning with a spectacular fleet of canoes paddling into the harbour and a powerful dance by Samoan warriors.
Historic images highlight Cook Islands’ journey to self-government
Saturday 12 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
The Cook Islands High Commission in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand commemorated the nation’s 58th anniversary of self-government on Constitution Day with a captivating celebration which transported viewers back in time.
Teremoana gets Wale support
Friday 11 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Boxing, Sports
Heavyweight boxer, Cook Islander Teremoana Junior Teremoana is fighting for a spot in the Australian team at the 2023 Boxing National Championships/Pacific Games Qualifiers being held in Perth, Australia.
Mobile-to-satellite service to offer connectivity to ocean travellers
Friday 11 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Technology
In a ground-breaking collaboration, Vodafone Cook Islands and Lynk Global, Inc. (Lynk) have joined forces to introduce an unprecedented mobile-to-satellite service that offers ‘seamless connectivity’ to users out in the ocean.
Cook Islanders in Hawaii help with relief efforts
Friday 11 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Features, In Depth, Local, National
Hawaiians residing on Rarotonga are devastated by the loss of lives and destruction of historic sites and friends’ properties in the wildfires that have ravaged Lahaina, Hawaii.
Cook Islands athletes achieve top 10 finish at Commonwealth Youth Games
Thursday 10 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Commonwealth Games, Sports
The Cook Islands athletes participating in the 7th Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago are performing extremely well having placed in the top 10 rankings in their respective events.
First-ever BMX track in Ngatangiia taking shape
Thursday 10 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A long-awaited dream is turning into reality for BMX enthusiasts as the construction of the first-ever track in Ngatangiia gains momentum, thanks to the tireless efforts of New Zealand-based Cook Islander Tony Takurua and the Cook Islands Cycling Federation.
Women’s Council to Revisit Organisation Structures in Public Sector
Wednesday 9 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Looking ahead, the Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) new executive committee and members anticipate to revisit the organisation structures set up in the public sector to facilitate women’s affairs, issues, positions, and platforms.
‘Fittest’ Oe Vaka squad to World Sprints
Tuesday 8 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
The Cook Islands is sending its largest ever squad to the International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Paddling Distance Championships to be held from August 10-19 in Apia, Samoa.
Vaka Paikea’s challenging sail home
Tuesday 8 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, Weekend
After two months in Samoa and 15 challenging days at sea voyaging back home, Vaka Paikea arrived at Te Ava Tapu marae Avana harbour on July 22, relieved, safe, and sound.
Historic timepiece returns to Rarotonga after 90 years
Tuesday 8 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
In a remarkable turn of events, the long-lost ‘Bledisloe Clock’ has finally found its way back to Rarotonga, after 90 astonishing years.
‘Tired of being at home’: Students return to school with a smile
Tuesday 8 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
As the morning sun finally made its longed-for appearance after so many days of rain, lunches and writing utensils were being packed, and uniforms thrown on as kids prepared for their first day back at school for Term 3, which will run for eight weeks.
