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
Henderson gears up for eighteenth Ironman NZ
Wednesday 22 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Triathlon
Kevin Henderson is gearing up for his 18th Ironman New Zealand in Taupō, Aotearoa next weekend, an extraordinary achievement for the 67-year-old triathlete from Matavera, Rarotonga.
World Heritage sites need community support
Wednesday 22 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
World Heritage Specialist Dr Anita Smith facilitated a scoping workshop on the status of world heritage in the Cook Islands, presenting the processes on submitting “tentative lists”, properties which are considered to be cultural and/or natural heritage of outstanding universal value.
Historical first lift at Justice
Tuesday 21 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Local, National
Accessibility issues for the elderly and disabled to access the Ministry of Justice building in the Avarua township, will finally be addressed as work begins on the building’s new lift project.
Research ship arrives in Cooks to explore seabed
Tuesday 21 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Environment, Local, National
The impressive scientific equipped seabed explorer vessel Anuanua Moana ship docked at Avatiu Harbour yesterday morning, having started her maiden journey to the Cook Islands from Amsterdam, Netherlands in August 2022.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
