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
It’s a long drive to the top
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Golf, Sports
Ranked number one in the world for women’s long drive, Cook Islander Phillis Meti MNZM, a New Zealand golfer, visited Rarotonga last week with her mother Phillis Sr.
Blackrock the first back to school
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Blackrock, the country’s first and oldest early childhood education centre was the first to kick off the 2023 academic calendar for schools in the Cook Islands opening on Monday.
The young and the bowled
Tuesday 24 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Bowling, Sports
The highlight of the Cook Islands Bowls 2022 season prizegiving awards was the battle of the “young and bold” for the title of the singles championships.
Vaka project reaches halfway mark
Tuesday 24 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The art of building a canoe from tree logs is rarely seen, however, in a bid to revive the traditional practice, last September, Te Mana O Te Vaka boat building and sailing project was launched. Now the head of the project plans a traditional canoeing race and vaka fishing competition to bring his vision to life.
Double gold for Darts
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Darts Cook Islands have made a golden history, winning gold medals in the men’s and women’s competition, at the third South Pacific Darts Championships held in Tonga this week.
Educator extraordinaire
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
After 19 years of being an educator at Tereora College, including the past eight years as its principal, Tania Morgan stepped down last year to take on a new role as the director of the Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute.
A leader, mentor and respected man with many talents: leaving a lasting legacy
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Uirangi Mataiapo Rei Jack Enoka (OBE) was a respectable leader – a traditional leader, a former politician and Leader of the House, and a man with many skills including a grower, a businessman, a Boys Brigade brass band master and a boxing representative.
Darts CI going for gold
Friday 20 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Darts Cook Islands are set for podium finish in the third South Pacific Darts Championships being held in Tonga.
Puaikura firefighters join Sky Tower Stair Challenge for charity
Friday 20 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade members are doing it again, competing in the 2023 Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge in Auckland in support of Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.
$6700 raised for Aitutaki house fire victims
Friday 20 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Aitutaki 88FM radiothon has raised $6700 for the Ben Tati family who lost their house in a fire in November last year.
Cook Islands represented in Pasifika Village opening in NZ
Thursday 19 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islanders were among 1500 people who attended the momentous opening ceremony of the K’aute Pasifika Village in Aotearoa New Zealand earlier this week.
Promoting traditional navigation
Wednesday 18 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Tourism
Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation will continue its Iriiri Kapua No Runga i te Tuku Kaveinga Maori a te Ui Tupuna (workshop series and discussions on how our ancestors navigated), early next month.
Matavera road work starts for hot mix seal
Wednesday 18 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) have started work at the Matavara Packing Shed main road area yesterday to facilitate prospective upgrades of utility service lines.
Darts set for international debut
Tuesday 17 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Darts Cook Islands is making history with a team of 31 in Tonga to compete in their first ever South Pacific Darts Championships from January 16 - 21.
Engaging youth in church
Tuesday 17 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The declining numbers of Catholics in the Cook Islands is one of the several issues facing the church which needs urgent attention.
Taking children ‘out of their comfort zone’ to fish
Monday 16 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Around 100 kids accompanied by their patient parents and adult family members congregated at the beach in Tupapa on Saturday for the annual Cook Islands Game Fishing Club (CIGFC) Tamariki (kids) Fishing Competition.
In honour of a man of faith, catechist and tribe leader
Saturday 14 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A unique unveiling ceremony for the late Te Ariki Rauru (Anautoa Rangatira) of Ruatonga was held at the Rauru family homestead in Ruatonga on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
Families and friends remember ‘hero’ mum
Saturday 14 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Cook Islander Memory Kimiora Peu, aged 52, tragically died at sea on Monday, January 2, 2023. She had been attempting to help her 11-year-old daughter, who was being swept out by the current near Arorangi jetty.
Rarotonga kids encouraged to join annual fishing competition
Friday 13 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Kids are being encouraged to give their smart phones a rest this weekend and get outdoors to enjoy fishing like the old days using a bamboo (stick) rod.
Avarua CICC renovations on track, says Poila
Friday 13 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Renovation work on the Avarua Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Ziona Tapu at Taputapuatea is moving along smoothly and now features a solid new concrete upstairs floor balcony which can seat up to 100 persons.
