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
‘Study hard and do your best’
Saturday 10 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Avarua’s dux of the year Teiva Nanai is pictured with her younger Year 5 brother Avaikibo – who won an award for the most outstanding student in his class – and their proud parents Teeiau and Teava Nanai.
Swimming Legend ‘Thorpedo’ Visits
Friday 9 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in
Ian “Thorpedo” Thorpe, a legendary Australian Olympic Gold medallist and World Champion Swimmer, now retired, gives high fives to school kids in the Cook Islands Aquatics Federation (CIAF) programme at the Social Centre beach.
Swimming pool in pipeline for Raro
Friday 9 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming
The assumption is made that in the Pacific Islands, the people know how to swim, but most don’t, they grow up collecting seafood in the sea and just hanging out in the water.
Thrills and spills at Atiu fishing comp
Thursday 8 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Local, National, Sports
There were plenty of thrills and spills at Atiu Fishing Club’s inaugural five-day ocean fishing competition which saw 11 boats competing.
Knockout stages arrive for grassroots football.
Wednesday 7 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Football, Sports
The Semi-Finals week will kick off with the grassroots division today, the last step before teams get themselves ready for the upcoming Finals Week.
Art work brightens up Apii Mauke
Wednesday 7 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Mauke is looking bolder and brighter thanks to the 55 students who completed their art curriculum for Term 4, designing and painting murals, fabric and crafts.
Atuanga Rakei to inspire designers
Wednesday 7 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands mu'umu'u and cultural costume designers have expressed their creativity and passion wowing the audience with their exhibits at the Atuanga Rakei competition in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Tropical Christmas starts festive activities
Tuesday 6 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Local, National
The season of giving and sharing the wonders of Christmas is upon us and the Tropical Christmas Committee members are in full swing organising festive activities for the community.
Traditional master navigators lead mission to pass on the art of voyaging
Monday 5 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Traditional navigator Tua Pittman is back on the island taking a break from sailing around the world on Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic cruise ships which deliver programmes in education, empower local artisans and protected wild areas.
Sizzling reboot to Netball in Paradise
Monday 5 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Netball, Sports
Saturday saw a sizzling start to the ninth edition of the BSP Netball in Paradise tournament – both on and off the courts!
‘Give us the respect and dignity you want for yourself’
Saturday 3 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Dancing away wearing their hearts on their sleeves, persons with disabilities joyfully celebrated the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” to the sweet sounds of local band Harry and Tina Tumupu.
Motu2Motu draws impressive numbers of internationals
Saturday 3 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
One hundred and sixty-eight (168) international Oe Vaka paddlers and spectators from around the globe have made the pilgrimage to Aitutaki, to paddle in arguably the world’s most picturesque paddling event.
Renowned Tumu Korero passes away
Saturday 3 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Taunga, Tumu Korero, orator of Cook Islands language and culture, Taraeka George Paniani fondly known as “Captain Gee” on Radio Cook Islands, passed away on Thursday, December 1 at Rarotonga hospital.
Intakes in dire situation
Friday 2 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Due to the extreme dry spell, To Tatou Vai urgently advises people on Rarotonga, particularly in Arorangi and Vaka Puiakura, to use water sparingly.
Battle of the string bands: Six to compete for top prize
Friday 2 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Six local bands will be vying for the top prize at the inaugural The Edgewater Resort and Spa String Band Competition tonight.
Women’s rugby gains momentum
Friday 2 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby Union, Sports
Exposing more women and girls to rugby and hopefully inspire them to take up the sport was one of the drives for the ‘train and play’ rugby game held last week.
Blue marlins steal the show at fishing comp
Thursday 1 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Twenty-seven boats registered for the final Cook Islands Game Fishing Club tournament of the year over the weekend.
$0.5m budget for Gospel celebration
Thursday 1 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
The Arorangi Cook Islands Christian Church has started preparations for the 200-year commemoration of the arrival of the Gospel in July next year, setting a budget of just under half a million dollars.
Kids join in for good catch at Mauke fishing event
Wednesday 30 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
The first Don Beer Akatokamanava/Mauke Reef and Open Water fishing competition has seen the weighing in of good yellow fin tuna catches.
Black Ferns share World Cup joy, promote women’s rugby
Tuesday 29 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby Union, Sports
Fresh from guiding the Black Ferns to Women’s Rugby World Cup victory, Cook Islanders who were part of the team’s campaign are here on a well-deserved break.
