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
Cook Islander crowned Aussie boxing champ
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Boxing, Sports
For Cook Islander Tiana Baker-Echegaray, boxing has been one of her hardest challenges. She is now the Australian Boxing 54kg Bantamweight Champion, winning the title last week in Adelaide, Australia.
Small school with big heart
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The sweet voice of Elijah Nootai singing the National Anthem with such passion and pride rang soundly at the Nukutere College prizegiving ceremony on Friday.
Cook Islands step up campaign to end violence against women
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Local, National
The Cook Islands Police Service marked White Ribbon Day in a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Internal Affairs (INTAFF) starting with a 7am Mass at the St Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral on Friday.
Paddlers battle extreme conditions
Friday 25 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
There were 24 paddlers on the start line in Wednesday’s Oe Vaka Nationals Singles event which was raced in very challenging ocean conditions with strong south easterly winds and swell.
Black Fern home to share rugby knowledge
Friday 25 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby league, Rugby Union, Sports
Cook Islander Maiakawanakaulani (Maia) Roos, who played an instrumental role in Black Ferns’ Women’s Rugby World Cup win, arrived on the island on Wednesday.
Facebook post prompts thieves to return stolen watermelons
Friday 25 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Thanks to social media and a caring community, watermelon thieves who raided a family plot in Arorangi were identified on Wednesday – the same afternoon the awareness notice was posted.
Water intakes ‘under stress’: Unsupervised scrub fires resulting in unnecessary usage
Friday 25 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The recent ‘light rain’ had no impact on the water intakes due to the extremely dry weather, and some areas on the island are without water due to the lack of flows in the catchment stream intakes.
Young voyagers ready to put knowledge and skills into action
Wednesday 23 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Outer Islands
Vaka Marumaru Atua will set sail for Atiu on Wednesday, with many of the younger members onboard putting all their practice into action.
Young paddlers impress
Wednesday 23 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
There were ‘gutsy’ performances by the Junior Under-16 paddlers in the five-kilometre ocean race from Avarua harbour up to Club Raro and back, in the Oe Vaka Nationals on Monday afternoon.
‘Strive and stay true to yourself’
Wednesday 23 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National, Rugby Union, Sports
The lively Rarotonga school girls were squealing with excitement to have Black Ferns, Krystal Murray and Cook Islander Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, deliver coaching sessions at primary schools yesterday.
Black Ferns star gives back to community through mentoring
Tuesday 22 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby Union, Sports
Women’s Rugby World Cup champion Black Fern’s Krystal Murray and former Black Fern, Tekura Aerengamate are visiting Rarotonga this week. While on holiday, the women have kindly offered to give back to the community and will run rugby clinics for school children throughout the week starting this morning at Apii Nikao. To end the week […]
Scrub fire warning
Tuesday 22 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
People lighting fires in high winds and extremely dry conditions are not paying attention to warnings from the fire services who are calling them to be mindful of the weather and to stay with their fires until it dies out.
Oe Vaka races thrill the crowds
Monday 21 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
A thrilling finish, paddling furiously for first place between the Cook Islands Te Tupu O Te Manava and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pineula in the Open Men’s V6 18km race, was a highlight of the Oe Vaka Nationals.
Top paddlers here for Nationals
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Seventeen teams will be battling it out on the ocean this afternoon in the Cook Islands Oe Vaka National V6 Iron race which starts from Avarua harbour.
Reiner’s declaration of love for Raro
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane
Reiner Gatermann’s love for Rarotonga has brought him back to the island an incredible 21 times. He chats with senior journalist Melina Etches.
Toa Samoa Rugby League World Cup parade unites
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Local, National, Rugby league, Sports
In true Pacific style, flags of the Pacific islands including the Cook Islands, Niue, Fiji and Tonga billowed amongst the deep red of Samoa’s, united in their support for Toa Samoa, in yesterday’s parade.
Local non-government organisations receive hygiene packs
Friday 18 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Hygiene packs sponsored by the New Zealand High Commission Office were well received by non-government-organisations (NGOs) earlier this week.
From the river to the ocean
Friday 18 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Living nowhere near the ocean, the River Runners paddling team from Ottawa, Canada who are here for the first time, are looking forward to their very first ocean race in the Oe Vaka Nationals tomorrow.
Tairi reels in 58.2kg yellowfin tuna to win annual fishing comp
Thursday 17 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Sports
An impressive haul of yellowfin tuna dominated the species of fish weighed in at the CITC Liquor and Woodstock Fishing Competition held over the weekend.
Call to conserve water as intake levels drop again
Thursday 17 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in
A good steady downpour in the central high country for several days to a week is needed to recharge the water intakes and stream.
