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
Proposed policy to improve and strengthen social welfare services
Saturday 17 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Consultations have been held in Rarotonga and Aitutaki to share reviews and have discussions with members of the public on the proposed Cook Islands National Social Assistance Policy.
Koutu Nui elects new executives, discuss key national issues
Saturday 17 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Four new members were sworn in at the Koutu Nui 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday morning at Palmerston House.
CIGT barge undergoing extensive maintenance
Friday 16 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands
The MV Taunga Nui barge is undergoing a five-year class survey in Whangārei, Aotearoa New Zealand and is scheduled to return to Rarotonga towards the end of this month.
Young Cook Islands Catholics receive ‘Sacrament of Love’
Friday 16 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Catholic candidates across the nation received the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist – the first time when parishioners part take in the eating of consecrated bread and drinking of consecrated wine or Holy Communion – last Sunday.
Rower ‘Mahuta Hoehoe Asanga’ reaches Pago Pago 38 days after leaving Penrhyn
Thursday 15 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
After 38 days at sea spanning over a distance of 1500 kilometres, Australian rower Tom Robinson, who spent four months on Penrhyn, arrived in Pago Pago, American Samoa after leaving the northern group island in April.
Kiwi family returns Cook Islands artefacts gifted to their forefather
Thursday 15 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
A visiting New Zealand family yesterday returned Cook Islands artefacts owned by their forefather, entrusting them to the Cook Islands Library and Museum Society for future generations of Cook Islanders.
Meeting house gets new look
Wednesday 14 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Te Kapua'anga o te Evangelia Meeting House in Takuvaine is shining white and brighter as major renovation works on the building near completion.
The Howards reign supreme again
Tuesday 13 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Golf, Sports
Golfing champions, brother and sister William and Rotana Howard, have retained their respective open men and women Rarotonga Golf Open titles after claiming the 2023 Toa Group sponsored tournament – a World Amateur Golf Ranking event – on Saturday.
Cook Islands flagged super yacht pays home port its first visit
Tuesday 13 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Weekend
Masteka 2, an elegant Cook Islands flagged 37.19 metre motor super yacht, called in to its home port of Avatiu, Rarotonga on Sunday, June 4, for the first time.
Papatua, Akava receive their Queen’s Service Medals
Monday 12 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Two medals from the late Queen Elizabeth II were bestowed by the King’s Representative Sir Tom Marsters to Tuatiaki (Papatua) Papatua (MBE) –Member of the British Empire – and Vainepoto Michael Akava (BEM) – British Empire Medal – last week.
The driving force behind the revitalisation of te reo Maori
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Pa Ariki and Kainuku Ariki of Takitumu had the dream and foresight to see the establishment of a school to educate and strengthen the cultural knowledge of peu Maori. Her dream had come to fruition when the first batch of students graduated with their Diploma in Nga Toi (Peu Maori - Level 5) this week.
Students fulfil quest to learn more about language and culture
Friday 9 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The first cohort of students with a quest to enhance and develop further their knowledge of Cook Islands language and culture have graduated from Te Vānanga Are Tapere o Takitumu – Cook Islands (Takitumu Performing Arts School).
New Zealand Governor General receives warm Cook Islands welcome
Thursday 8 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional
New Zealand Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and her delegation were warmly welcomed to the Pa Ariki Palace with a traditional turou by Puati Mataiapo George Ngapare and Paitai Rangatira Steven Kavana.
Students get creative for Apii Avarua’s inaugural art show
Thursday 8 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The Apii Avarua Dome is a display of colour featuring art and craft pieces designed and made by the students.
EMCI to test emergency sirens
Thursday 8 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Don’t be alarmed when you hear the emergency sirens located around Rarotonga wailing tomorrow (Friday) at noon. Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) will be testing the sirens to identify which alarms are functioning and those that will need repair work.
Apii Avarua students create wearable arts from newspaper cuttings
Thursday 8 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Apii Avarua is holding its first school art exhibition project which features vibrant works of colour created by the students since the beginning of this term.
A hard day fishing – 9 kg tuna wins competition
Wednesday 7 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
It was a hard day of fishing on Saturday with a beautiful flat sea and no one claiming the $1000 heaviest tuna prize - which had to weigh in at least 20kg in the 14th Don Beer Snr Memorial Heaviest Tuna fishing competition.
Vaka Marumaru Atua back at sea
Wednesday 7 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Vaka Marumaru Atua is back in the water after seven months on dry dock during cyclone season when maintenance work is carried out by the crew.
New water station for kids’ safety
Saturday 3 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
The safety of young children participating in sports activities at the Tupapa Maraerenga field prompted the construction of the new Rangi Marumaru Water Station.
A lifelong journey of nurturing our people
Saturday 3 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Weekend
Pastor Tevai Matapo OBE known affectionately as Bobby is an ‘incredibly extraordinary’ man who has touched the lives of so many people.
