More Top Stories
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
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Melina Etches
Glorious Avarua Cook Islands Christian Church reopens
Saturday 8 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
Faith and community celebrated the restoration and rebirth of the glorious Avarua CICC Ziona Tapu church after a year of extensive renovations, which culminated in a joyous reopening yesterday morning.
An exemplary and prolific writer, author and educator
Thursday 6 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Fiji, National, Regional
Tributes flowed at a special celebration, a “Festschrift” (volume of tributes) for the late Dr Marjorie Tuainekore Crocombe (née Hosking) OBE (19 June 1930 – 21 July 2022), who was an exemplary author and academic of the nation.
Students design turtle shell replicas for fundraising effort
Thursday 6 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Education, Features, National
Titikaveka Students are channelling creativity in their art classes having crafted replica turtle carapace (shell) designs which are now on display.
Health and Beauty: Indulge and Relax at Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa
Wednesday 5 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, Go Local
Indulge, relax and revitalise your body and inner being at the secluded Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa, nestled on the sandy shores of stunning Muri Lagoon.
Cooks darts team named as competition heats up
Wednesday 5 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Twenty-six Niue dart players will be flying in to compete in a dart competition in Rarotonga.
Hundreds of Pacific academics gather on Rarotonga to connect and share research
Wednesday 5 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Education, National
Hundreds of delegates from across the blue Pacific have gathered on Rarotonga for the Pacific Island Universities Research Network (PIURN) conference.
Church renovation nearing completion
Tuesday 4 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The Avarua (Cook Islands Christian Church) CICC Ziona Tapu is nearing the completion of an extensive renovation project that has breathed new life into the historic church.
Hundreds of delegates gather in Raro for Pacific research meetings
Tuesday 4 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The biggest Pacific Island Universities Research Network (PIURN) conference starts this morning with an opening ceremony from 9am at Te Are Karioi (National Auditorium) Dome.
Apii Avarua and Anau Maungaroa: Tangi Kaara champions
Monday 3 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
The captivating sounds of traditional drums in the ‘CITC Pump the Beats’ Emo’anga Tangi Kaara 2023 drumming competition on Friday night, pounded through the filled Are Karioi (National Auditorium). Melina Etches was there.
Good Rugby Exchange between Papeete and the Panthers
Saturday 1 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby league, Sports
Tupapa Maraerenga Panthers defeated visitors Papeete Rugby club 28 – 20 in a friendly match this week. Melina Etches reports.
Titikaveka’s CICC reopens in sun shining glory
Saturday 1 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The Titikaveka Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Betela, stands tall once again in its renewed splendour, reopening its doors in the blaze of sun shining glory on Friday.
Tangi Kaara beats tonight
Friday 30 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Tonight, the vibrant sounds of drumming will reverberate through Te Are Karioi (National Auditorium) as schools from around the island gather for the eagerly awaited ‘CITC Pump the Beats’ Emo’anga Tangi Kaara 2023 drumming competition.
Inaugural Jetstar Sydney flight arrives to a warm welcome
Friday 30 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Jetstar celebrated a significant milestone as its inaugural flight from Australia touched down yesterday in Rarotonga on a clear crisp morning, arriving to a warm cultural welcome and island hospitality.
Titikaveka’s Betela Ready to Reopen
Thursday 29 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Culture, Features, National
The village of Titikaveka is excited as the Ekalesia’s Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Betela reopens its doors tomorrow, following months of detailed renovations.
Jetstar launches new route to strengthen tourism and connectivity
Thursday 29 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Jetstar, one of the leading low cost airlines made history this morning with the launch of its first direct flight from Sydney, Australia to Rarotonga.
Papeete Rugby Club team in Raro
Wednesday 28 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Regional, Rugby Union, Sports, Tahiti
After more than three years without travelling abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Papeete Rugby Club from Tahiti have finally arrived in Rarotonga.
USP Cook Islands to host 5th Pacific Islands Universities Research Network Conference
Wednesday 28 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands Campus with Te Puna Vai Marama (Cook Islands Centre for Research), is hosting the 5th Pacific Islands Universities Research Network (PIURN) Conference next week.
PIFS Secretary-General home on first official visit
Tuesday 27 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Pacific Islands Forum, Regional
Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Henry Puna, received a warm welcome home on Monday, on his first official visit to the Cook Islands since becoming the Secretary-General in 2021.
Air Tahiti direct flights resume
Tuesday 27 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Air Tahiti is reuniting families with the resumption of their non-stop flights between Papeete, Tahiti and Rarotonga which started over the weekend.
New Zealand-based Cook Islands group promotes culture in Italy
Monday 26 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
In a captivating display of cultural exchange, the Cook Islands group Te Mana Māori from Aotearoa New Zealand embarked on a journey to Bergamo, Italy to showcase and share their heritage.
