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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
Vaka Paikea launched, ready to set sail
Saturday 22 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
After months of being on dry dock for intensive maintenance work and the recent renaming and blessing ceremony, Vaka Paikea was launched into the water on Thursday afternoon at Avatiu Harbour.
Gone but not forgotten: France acknowledges Cook Islands WWI soldiers
Friday 21 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Cook Islands soldiers who worked in the tunnels of Arras, France during World War I have not been forgotten.
Atui'anga Ki Te Tango school holiday programme popular
Thursday 20 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
The teeming rain hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of over 100 students who are attending Te Kōrero o te 'Ōrau's Junior 'Ātui'anga Ki Te Tango 2023 (AKTT) school holiday programme.
Atiu’s first kids fishing competition a success
Thursday 20 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
More than 30 kids joined the first Atiu Fishing Club youth competition last Friday when boat owners and skippers took time to teach youths the art of traditional and modern techniques of bottom fishing, and using a rod and reel.
Cook Islands hairdresser expands business
Wednesday 19 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
A Rarotonga businesswoman has opened her second hair salon business to give local and visiting customers another grooming option to choose from.
Cook Islanders join event to honour Māori Pioneer Battalion tunnellers
Wednesday 19 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands was represented at the hosting of Arras mayor Frédéric Leturque and his delegation at Te Papaiouru Marae in Rotorua, Aotearoa New Zealand this week.
‘Save Nukupure Park’ gets majority support
Wednesday 19 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Majority of landowners who attended the ‘Save Nukupure Park’ public meeting this week want the Park kept for the community.
Mayor of Arras to visit descendants of Cook Islands World War I soldiers
Tuesday 18 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The mayor of Arras, Frédéric Leturque is scheduled to arrive today to meet the descendants of Cook Islands soldiers who were sent to assist the New Zealand Tunnelling Company at Arras, France during World War I from July 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918.
Disaster preparedness for people with disabilities
Tuesday 18 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Advocating for the rights of persons with disability, capacity building and the preparations for pre and post disaster events were discussed at a workshop hosted by the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) at the New Hope Church building yesterday.
Pride and joy for Cook Islands Māori culture
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
The successful Rarotonga Schools Cultural Festival held earlier this week demonstrated the joy and pride children of the Cook Islands have for Maori culture.
‘A new legacy of Paikea’ launched and ready to serve
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Vaka Paikea is a long-time dream come true for Cook Islands master navigator Peia Patai.
Heather reels in winner
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
For the first time, experienced fisherman Gordon Heather has taken out the top two prizes in the heaviest fish category at a local fishing competition, taking home over $1000 in cash.
Loud and proud: Nootai wows crowd with powerful pe’e
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Education, Features, National
Nukutere College Year 9 student leader Elijah Nootai proudly showcased his love of culture on stage in front of a packed National Auditorium during the annual Rarotonga Schools Cultural Festival on Wednesday night.
‘Persevere always’: Tribute to Reverend Oirua Rasmussen
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Reverend Oirua Rasmussen was man of the cloth – a Minister who provided spiritual leadership and enlightenment to members of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Ekalesia for over 25 years. He passed away last month on March 29, aged 60.
Manihiki’s young seafarers
Wednesday 12 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
At the age of five Kaina Isaia Karaponga Jnr was out fishing with his uncle in Manihiki when the boat’s engine broke down and with no form of communication they were at the mercy of the sea for two days and two nights before being found.
Schools culture festival starts tonight
Wednesday 12 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Education, National
Rarotonga’s biggest and best school culture festival will grace the stage at the Are Karioi National Auditorium over two nights starting this evening at 6pm.
Cook Islands student orators deliver kōrero with confidence
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Pride in Reo Māori was evident from the students on stage in the Tārērē Kōrero Māori ā te au 'Api'i Tuarua ō te Kūki 'Airani (Reo Māori Schools Speech Competition) which was held over two nights at the National Auditorium Domes earlier this week.
Community embraces ‘Blue Day’ in support of World Autism Awareness Day
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The local community embraced “Blue Day” on Thursday by dressing up in the colour to demonstrate their support for Autism Cook Islands and its initiatives and programmes.
Remembering the suffering and death of Christ
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Roman Catholics observed Good Friday yesterday by praying the Stations of the Cross, silencing their church bells, and leaving their altars bare as the Church mourns the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Churches to celebrate resurrection of Jesus with special events
Thursday 6 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Local churches are organising special events to mark Easter weekend.
