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DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
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Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
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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
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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’
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Articles by Melina Etches
Swimming and Lego Masters programme for autistic kids announced
Monday 20 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Autism Cook Islands (ACI) is excited to announce their swimming and Lego Masters programmes for preschool/primary aged children and the 12 years + age group, some of which started last week.
Vaka launch ‘a learning curve’
Sunday 19 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
A couple of the vaka launched last week under the Mana O Te Vaka project started sinking, and master carver Ta’unga Mike Tavioni BEM says he wasn’t surprised at the mishap.
Daring to dream: Young women turn ‘side hustles’ into fulltime businesses
Saturday 18 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Features, In Depth, Local, National, Weekend
Businesswoman Ana File-Heather who is the founder of the Taki Tahi ‘start-up’ project facilitated a free online business incubator ‘Dreambuilder’ course for Cook Islands women last week.
Resort to host annual Te Mire Atu cultural composers competition
Saturday 18 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development will be presenting Te Mire Atu cultural composers competition for the first time at The Edgewater Resort and Spa on March 16.
Water authority acknowledges Japanese government for new wheels
Saturday 18 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Board of To Tatou Vai (TTV), the authority managing, maintaining and operating the water supply network on Rarotonga, yesterday acknowledged the kind assistance of the Government of Japan for the donation of much needed vehicles “that will enormously assist with the management of the water network”.
Promoting good hygiene habit
Friday 17 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
Thirty-one wall mounted wash points were installed in community-based clinics and disability centres in the Cook Islands – 22 in Rarotonga, five in Aitutaki and four in Mangaia – in an effort to promote good hygiene habits.
Setting sail for a sustainable future
Friday 17 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Thirty years ago, vaka from across the Pacific and the islands of the Cook Islands sailed to Rarotonga for the 1992 Pacific Festival of Arts. Yesterday, Te Mana O Te Vaka canoe building project blessed nine locally carved vaka at Avarua Harbour, embarking on a new journey of cultural revival and sustainable livelihood.
Six prefects inducted to lead Manihiki schools of Tukao and Ruamanu
Thursday 16 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
Sixty children have enrolled in the Manihiki schools of Tukao and Ruamanu for the 2023 academic year which started two weeks ago.
Women entrepreneurs pushing forward
Thursday 16 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Local, National
The number of women in business in the Cook Islands has increased within the past three years indicating that during times of adversity women persevere.
Workshop to ‘scope’ Cook Islands’ World Heritage status
Thursday 16 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development and the Government of Australia have engaged a specialist to conduct a scoping on the status of World Heritage in the Cook Islands.
Five-star cruise ship visits Aitutaki and Rarotonga
Wednesday 15 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Local, National
The five-star service liner stopped over in Aitutaki on Monday where 248 passengers disembarked to tour around the island, snorkel and enjoyed the local cuisines. They also visited the islands of Maina, One Foot and Honeymoon.
Koutu Nui welcomes reduction in Land Court fees, brochures
Wednesday 15 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Culture, Local, National
Te Koutu Nui, the group comprising Cook Islands sub-chiefs, has welcomed the reduction in Land Court fees announced by the Ministry of Justice earlier this month.
Court application to determine the future of Nukupure Park
Tuesday 14 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, National
The future of the Ngatangiia Matavera Sports Club Field (Nukupure Park) in Muri is up in the air following applications in court.
Amplifying the voice of indigenous women in science
Tuesday 14 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Climate Change Cook Islands celebrated International Day of Women and Girls in Science, on February 11, 2023, acknowledging the indigenous women who are key members of the team, key partners and have contributed to the organisation over the past few years.
Vaka building project canoes to be launched on Thursday
Tuesday 14 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Te Mana o te Vaka boat building and sailing project will launch nine single-hull dugout canoes at Avarua harbour this Thursday at 4pm.
Roster for the 2023 Paunu health clinics released
Monday 13 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
Toddler Keanu Tupou-ote-Rangi Napa Iakimo and his mother visited the Kiikii Clinic Paunu Day run by the Cook Islands Child Welfare Association.
Telling it like it is –Framhein’s 90-year journey
Saturday 11 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane
Sharp, witty, wizened and well groomed, 90-year-old Apai Raropua Mataiapo Tutara Tekeu Emil Framhein still tells it like it is, good naturedly with no filter. Affectionately known as Apai or Papa Keu, Framhein shares some of his life’s journey with Cook Islands News senior journalist Melina Etches.
Manihiki Airport land matter adjourned
Friday 10 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, National, Outer Islands
The land court matter between Government and Manihiki landowners to allow works on the island’s airport upgrade project to proceed was heard yesterday morning via Zoom.
‘Seafood rich’ Takutea harvested and shared amongst Atiu residents
Friday 10 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Environment, National, Outer Islands
The people of Atiu shared the bounty of the seas and land following a rare harvest of seafood rich Takutea island late last month.
Vaka Paikea to get whale art as tribute to legendary Maori ancestor and his journey
Thursday 9 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
According to Māori legend, Paikea, a great fisherman from the island of Mauke who gets lost at sea, landed on Aotearoa New Zealand on the back of a whale many centuries ago.
