More Top Stories
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
16 February 2025
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
15 February 2025
No-confidence motion against PM and his Cabinet faces delays
15 February 2025
Ruta Mave: People’s Republic of China red flag
10 February 2025
No debt in China deal
8 February 2025
Thomas Wynne: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?
8 February 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
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
Articles by Melina Etches
Matavera Cook Islands Christian Church prepares for 34th General Assembly
Thursday 18 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
The Matavera Ekalesia Church are preparing for the 34th Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) General Assembly which will be held from July 9-16, 2023.
46.1 kilo yellowfin tuna wins Weighmaster fishing event
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Despite the unpleasant and moderate wind conditions of about 16 knots over the weekend, the fishermen competing in the Cook Islands Games Fishing Club Weighmasters competition reeled in good catch on Saturday.
Nukupure Park to host second Cook Islands Rage Concert
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Ngatangiia’s Nukupure Park will be hosting a special music concert tomorrow (Thursday) featuring the Luna Boys – a mix of talented and popular Cook Islands artists from Aotearoa New Zealand.
Airport departure terminal reopens after fire, investigation continues
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Rarotonga International Airport departure terminal was back in full swing on Monday including the re-opening of the duty-free shops, since the roof fire which broke out on Wednesday last week.
Renowned LGBTQI+ rights activist arrives for IDAHOBIT Day event
Tuesday 16 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Phylesha Brown-Acton MNZM, the executive director of F’INE Pasifika Aotearoa Trust, arrived in Rarotonga yesterday afternoon for the first time.
Rarotonga women set up weekly stalls to sell fresh farm produce
Tuesday 16 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Mata Eli (left), Mata Manuela and Ngapoko Strickland will again be selling their fresh farm produce on the road side opposite the CITC Supermarket this Friday.
Dazzling performances bring down the curtains on 2023 Te Mire Ura
Monday 15 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Fabulous presentations from the 26 Te Mire Ura dancers at Rehab Nightclub on Friday night drew thunderous applause from the audience who enjoyed an evening of dazzling performances from local and expatriate dancers.
Bond wins Experts title in Te Mire Ura return
Monday 15 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Kathleen Bond was “shocked and ecstatic” to win the 2023 Te Mire Ura Experts female title at Rehab Nightclub on Friday night. She was still reeling from the win yesterday afternoon.
‘Biggest charity ball’ rakes in $30k
Saturday 13 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
Two hundred and forty-four guests attended the extravagant Cook Islands Red Cross Society Crowning Ball fundraising event last Saturday which raised a whopping $30,000.
Solar panels removed, investigation into ‘sudden’ airport fire continues
Friday 12 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Local, National
The cause of a sudden fire that broke at Rarotonga International Airport terminal on Wednesday is still unknown as authorities yesterday removed the solar panels from its roof for ‘safety reasons’.
‘Our Nurses, Our Future’: Cook Islands to celebrate International Nurses Day
Friday 12 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
The 113 nurses in the Cook Islands will be celebrating International Nurses Day with special birthday cakes today and a church service at the LDS church in Avarua on Sunday.
Mother's Day: Treasure your mum
Thursday 11 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
Supermom Lotiola Mateariki is the driving force behind the success of her children’s Te Mire Ura achievements with five of her children getting crowned the Cook Islands cultural dancing champions.
Tupa ready for Culture’s most entertaining dance comp
Thursday 11 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Ministry of Culture’s most entertaining annual dance competition will be held tomorrow night featuring 26 dancers on stage at Rehab Rarotonga Nightclub.
Authorities investigate Rarotonga International Airport blaze
Thursday 11 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
A fire broke out at Rarotonga’s International Airport terminal midday yesterday which was swiftly contained by the Airport Authority Crash Fire stationed next door.
New televisions for learning
Wednesday 10 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Entertainment, Features, National
Apii Nikao has received four smart mobile television systems which will allow their students to engage in learning in the different spaces throughout the school.
Hapū Wānanga shares with Nui Rarotonga
Wednesday 10 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Women from Hapū Wānanga, Waikato New Zealand are visiting Rarotonga to assist with the new Pregnancy Care Centre ‘Nui Rarotonga’ - a free community based course focused on empowering women with knowledge and support about pregnancy, birth and baby arrival.
Former Cook Islands resident missing in Torres Strait
Tuesday 9 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Local, National
The search for a popular local identity in the Torres Strait, Denne Bourke, who is a former resident of the Cook Islands, has been scaled down.
Cook Islands Red Cross Society to mark 21st anniversary with ‘open office day’
Tuesday 9 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Wear “red” on Wednesday and visit the Cook Islands Red Cross Society in Tupapa to mark the organisation’s 21st birthday.
Resilience is key in military: Turua
Monday 8 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Cook Islander Sergeant Daniel Turua would like to encourage young people on the island to join the Defence Force of Aotearoa New Zealand. Turua and his family visited Rarotonga earlier this month with the New Zealand Army current and ex-servicemen for the Ngāti Tūmatauenga (The Tribe of the God of War) Reunion held on the ANZAC Day.
World Youth Day on Rarotonga
Monday 8 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Catholics in the Pacific region will be hosting their own World Youth Day with each respective diocese leading their own programme from August 2.
