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
Cook Islanders urged to apply for sports leadership programme
Saturday 3 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Other Sports, Sports
Applications are being sought from Cook Islands emerging female leaders in sport, physical activity, dance, and traditional physical activities to attend the Pacific Women’s Sports Leadership Programme in 2023, delivered in partnership with Pasifika SIS Sisters in Sport.
40 Years Behind Bars: A love letter to the Cook Islands
Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
A striking carved memorial stone sits atop Jack Cooper’s grave at the Ngati-Raina cemetery in Titikaveka – fitting for a man who had dedicated half his life to his businesses and tourism in the Cook Islands.
Paikea arrives in Samoa
Thursday 1 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
After eight days at sea and seven nights, Vaka Paikea arrived into Apia Samoa on Tuesday night (Samoa) with its Captain, Master Navigator Peia Patai and nine crew safe and well.
Operation Tui Moana - 20 vessels intercepted
Thursday 1 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Crime, National
Operation Tui Moana 2023 (15th - 26th May), a regional fisheries surveillance operation covering the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu as well as associated high seas, closed successfully last Friday.
Drummers embrace culture
Thursday 1 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Tereora College had the blessing ceremony for their brand new set of drums yesterday in time for rehearsals for the upcoming ‘CITC Pump the Beats Emo’anga Tangi Kaara 2023’ drumming competition which will be held on 30th June.
Sharing the dream of Apii Te Uki Ou
Wednesday 31 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Thirty years ago a group of dedicated parents had a dream.
Arorangi CICC on track for June rededication
Wednesday 31 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, Local, National
The Arorangi CICC church renovations team are steaming ahead in their preparations for the 200-year Arrival of the Gospel commemoration in Arorangi, which will be completed in time for the rededication of the church on Thursday June 22.
Suwarrow park rangers to monitor visiting vessels
Tuesday 30 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The Cook Islands Suwarrow National Park will open its maritime borders to visiting international vessels tomorrow after having closed its entry for a few years since the outbreak of Covid-19.
Agronomist Purea awarded OBE for public and community service
Monday 29 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, Weekend
Dr Teariki (Mat) Matairangi Purea, an agronomist by profession, was conferred and presented with the Queen’s Award – “Officer of the British Empire” (OBE) – in the King’s Chamber at the Cook Islands Consulate in Tamaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand for his services to public services, community and the pacific region.
Stitching together friendships – Vainetini in good and bad times
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Tuitui (sewing), creating tivaivai and textile crafts is a time for sharing. It is a communal activity when women gather to share, to build friendships, to talk and share a meal while working on their designs. Melina Etches reports.
Apii Te Uki Ou celebrates 30th anniversary
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Te Uki Ou started its journey in 1993 with one teacher, Kathy Nooroa and 15 students, using the LDS hall in Avatiu as their classroom.
Avarua CICC collects $520k
Friday 26 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Donations from CICC Ekalesia members, Cook Islanders and families in Australia and New Zealand have raised $520,900 towards the re-build of the Avarua CICC Ziona Tapu which is on track for its opening on July 7.
Quilting group sew bonds of friendship
Friday 26 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
The women in the Vaimaanga Vainetini sewing group meet each week to chat, share a meal and sew together.
Cook Islands chefs prepare for global challenge
Thursday 25 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, Food
Cook Islands chefs will feature in the Global Chefs Challenge Pacific Rim Semi Final event at the Arena in Auckland, New Zealand during the Fine Foods Festival next month from Sunday, June 25 to Tuesday, June 27.
Supermarket to close for power upgrade
Wednesday 24 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
CITC Supermarket shoppers are being asked to purchase their essentials in advance in preparation for the store’s closure next week for its major power upgrade.
Cook Islander crowned World Fire Knife Dance champ
Wednesday 24 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
A Cook Islands born female fire dancer has been crowned the World Fire Knife Dance champion in Hawaii.
Paikea sets sail for Samoa
Tuesday 23 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features, National, Tourism
Vaka Paikea is on its way to Apia, Samoa travelling the 800 nautical miles using traditional voyaging knowledge under the captaincy of master navigator Peia Patai.
Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade proves the Sky’s the limit in charity challenge
Tuesday 23 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade members have again done and dusted no ordinary climb after taking part in the Firefighters Sky Tower Challenge in Aotearoa New Zealand on Friday to raise $18,721 in support of Kiwis living with blood cancer.
The church that built Arorangi
Saturday 20 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Church Talk, Features, Weekend
Renovations are well underway and nearly complete at the Arorangi Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) in preparation for the 200-year commemoration of the arrival of Christianity to Arorangi on July 26. Tinomana Enuarurutini Ariki accepted the gospel to Puaikura on 26 July, 1823. Secretary of the Arorangi CICC, Okirua Teokoitu shares the church history with senior journalist Melina Etches and updates on the renovations.
Questions over spending : Vaka Puaikura receives $423k in donations
Saturday 20 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Economy, National
Overseas donors who contributed over $420,000 towards the hosting of the Vaka Puaikura Bicentennial Gospel celebrations in July this year are questioning how the money will be spent after it was revealed the funds collected will not cover the renovation of the church.
