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
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.
Commemorating Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Wednesday 8 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
February 6, marks the day Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi or Te Tiriti, was signed in 1840.
Avarua Wharf’s wastewater system installed
Tuesday 7 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The new Avarua Wharf Wastewater Improvement System located at the Maire Nui Park (across from the Margarita’s Bistro and Bar) in town is completed.
Steel ‘Guardrail Fence’ replaces removed toa trees at Apii Takitumu
Tuesday 7 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
The installation of the new “Guardrail Fence” by the Cook Islands Building Supplies at Apii Takitumu is expected to be completed this week.
12 inducted to lead Apii Takitumu
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Twelve students from Apii Takitumu were inducted as the school’s 2023 prefects in a special ceremony yesterday morning at the Holy Spirit Revival church in Matavera.
Serving with dignity and respect
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
After three years on watch as the Police Maritime Surveillance Advisor, Lieutenant Commander Mark Te Kani MNZM, departed Rarotonga last month with his wife Deb and grandson. He has been described as a ‘true gentlemen’ one with mana, who carried himself with quiet dignity and respect for maritime and the crew.
Preserving Cook Islands culture
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands performing arts classes are starting next week to give children the opportunity to identify with their heritage in a nurtured, cultural environment.
New Te Kopapa Reo Maori board members receive their warrants
Sunday 5 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Te Kopapa Reo Maori board members were presented with their new three-year warrants by the Minister of Tauranga Vananga, George (Maggie) Angene on Friday.
Empowering women entrepreneurs through free business education course
Friday 3 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Seventeen industrious women have signed up for the Taki Tahi Entrepreneur Development programme which starts next week on Monday, February 6 through to Sunday, February 12.
Children on dyslexia spectrum can now be assessed here
Friday 3 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Parents with children who are struggling with reading, writing and spelling are encouraged to make an appointment with the Cook Islands Dyslexia Society Incorporated (CIDSI).
Land court to determine Manihiki Airport Upgrade project
Friday 3 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, National
The land court matter between Government and Manihiki landowners to allow works on the island’s airport upgrade project to proceed on terms that have been provisionally considered, will be heard next week.
Young Cook Islander authors children’s book
Thursday 2 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
During the Covid-19 pandemic when children around the world were being forced into virtual learning, nine-year-old Leilani-Rose (Lalu) decided to work with her mother, Cook Islander Dr Selena Nicholas-Bublick, on a book that would review fun facts about the continents.
Radiothon for Auckland floods
Thursday 2 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A radiothon will be held today to fundraise for Cook Islanders and Niuean families who have been affected by the devastating Auckland floods last week.
Identifying buildings for disaster response
Wednesday 1 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) surveying team are conducting an exposure survey on all existing buildings including businesses and homes in Rarotonga, and later in Aitutaki.
‘We are one family on this vaka’: Tereora College welcomes new principal
Tuesday 31 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
It was back to school for students of the country’s national college, Tereora, yesterday morning with a special welcome assembly at the Princess Anne Hall.
Fire hydrants and valves to be exposed to enable access
Tuesday 31 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Fire hydrants and valves which have been buried along the main road from Matavera towards Tupapa have been marked and will be raised.
Podcaster launches digital card to help people ‘save money’
Monday 30 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, National
Businesswoman and podcaster, Chantal Napa launched Chantal’s Digital Card earlier this month with the aim to help people save money on Rarotonga when shopping, dining and enjoying activities.
Unlocking dyslexia
Saturday 28 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Health, National, Weekend
Early childhood school days for some children have been and are a real struggle. It is particularly harder for those with dyslexia – a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words.
Redefining ‘sexagenarian’
Saturday 28 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Aging is not an option, it is inevitable. However, what aging looks and feels like is definitely a choice. Close friends Elizabeth (Etu) Chase and Deb Te Kani who are aged in their early sixties have transformed their body shapes and sizes and mastered the art of incorporating health and fitness into their daily lives, redefining their expectations of a sexagenarian.
Understanding locally protected areas
Thursday 26 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Committed to achieving 25 per cent of Cook Islands land as a protected area under National Sustainable Development Agenda 2020+, the first ever ‘Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures’ (OECM) workshop came to a close on Wednesday.
