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
Reo Māori thriving in the Pa Enua
Thursday 6 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Education, National
Te Reo Māori is well and thriving in the Pa Enua as demonstrated by the fluent and passionate senior student speakers who dominated the awards in the Tārērē Kōrero Māori ā te au 'Api'i Tuarua ō te Kūki 'Airani (Reo Māori Schools Speech Competition) on Tuesday evening.
Hundreds mourn Reverend Oirua Rasmussen
Wednesday 5 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Hundreds gathered to mourn and pay their last respects to the Reverend Oirua Peter Rasmussen (5 August 1962 - 29 March 2023) the Nikao CICC (Cook Islands Christian Church) Orometua who passed away last week.
18 students in Tārērē Kōrero Māori competition
Wednesday 5 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Young students proudly delivered their Tārērē Kōrero Māori (Reo Māori Speech competition) presentations in their respective native home island languages to an appreciative audience at the National Auditorium Dome on Monday evening.
Gearing up for Autism Blue Day
Wednesday 5 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Show your support for Autism Cook Islands (ACI) and celebrate Blue Day tomorrow Thursday 6 April by wearing something blue and making a donation.
Junior tennis team prepares for East Pacific Regional Championships in Samoa
Tuesday 4 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Tennis
Fourteen junior tennis players will be competing in the East Pacific Regional Championships (EPRC) in Apia, Samoa from April 17-22.
Tui Mauke o Araura raise $8000 for Bicentennial celebrations
Tuesday 4 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Tui Mauke o Araura families of Aitutaki held a successful Ambrose Gold Day fundraiser last week raising over $8000 for the upcoming Commemoration of the Gospel Bicentennial celebrations.
Whale artwork complete, Vaka Paikea prepares for blessing and naming ceremony
Monday 3 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
The whale artwork on the starboard hull of Vaka Paikea is now complete and artist Tuaine “Katu” Teiti has started working on the port hull.
The secret to sporting success: ‘Work hard, run and eat well’
Saturday 1 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby Union, Sports
Cook Islander Saphire Abraham who plays in the Hurricanes Poua, a New Zealand women’s professional rugby union team based in Wellington, is visiting Rarotonga conducting rugby skill sessions, with her partner Barbra Auva’a, New Zealand’s U72 power lifting open champion who transitioned to rugby about three years ago. The women have been sharing their training skills and technique with local talent.
The journey to becoming Cook Islands’ first dental surgeon
Saturday 1 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local, Weekend
A visit to the dentist or dental therapist doesn’t have to be something to dread.
Vaipae celebrates Christian legacy
Saturday 1 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National, Outer Islands
Under the glow of the rising sun on Thursday morning, the village of Vaipae was bustling and humming with activity preparing for their commemoration day of ‘Te Arikianga o te Evangelia – the Arrival of the Gospel’ 200 years ago on March 30, 1823.
Tupapa Health Facility to undergo $641k upgrade
Saturday 1 April 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
The Tupapa Health Facility (Outpatients) will be refurbished and upgraded to include additional consultation rooms and repositioning the layout to better support Covid-19 screening and primary care services.
Netball campaign
Friday 31 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Netball, Sports
Netball Cook Islands has started their campaign for the Pacific Games and upcoming events with skills and games play trials yesterday.
‘Embracing the amazing’ for Autism
Thursday 30 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
For Autism Cook Islands (ACI) family networking is all about families coming together for fellowship in a fun and safe environment.
Aitutaki Gospel commemorations continue
Thursday 30 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Te Arikianga o te Evangelia, the Arrival of the Gospel to the village of Vaipae, Aitutaki will be commemorated today with a special plaque unveiling to mark the date the Gospel was received on March 30, 1823.
Parliament to sit for more than 40 days
Thursday 30 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Politics
Over 40 days - a massive improvement on the number of Parliament sittings, have been marked down in the ‘Draft Sitting Programme’ calendar which has been set by the Business Committee.
Apii Te Uki Ou claims Kau Swimming Competition title
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming
Over 200 students participated in the Cook Islands Aquatics Swimming Federation Kau competition held last week at Vaiana’s beach in Nikao.
ICI confirms $90,000 spent on Apii Takitumu ‘Guardrail Fence’
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) has likely spent close to $90,000 to install a protective fence on Apii Takitumu grounds.
Rarotonga farmers battle over potential sludge trial
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
A meeting to discuss potential use of sludge from the new water treatment system came to an abrupt halt yesterday afternoon when tempers erupted between farmers who opposed and supported the idea.
‘Team work makes the dream work’: Potini elected Aitutaki’s Sports Association president
Tuesday 28 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
The Aitutaki Sports Association held it’s 2023 Annual General Meeting on March 13 to elect its executive board members.
Vaipae gears up for the ‘big day’ of Te Arikianga o te Evangelia
Tuesday 28 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Family and friends from overseas have gathered in Vaipae, Aitutaki to celebrate the 200 years of ‘Te Arikianga o te Evangelia - the Arrival of the Gospel’ this week.
