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
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.
Inspiring women in maritime
Thursday 9 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Bank of the Cook Islands yesterday hosted female crew members of the visiting US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) William Hart. The ship’s commander Cynthia S. Travers spoke at the event, sharing her experiences to inspire local women in maritime.
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.
