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
Let the Cook Islands Games begin!
Saturday 1 October 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports
The National Stadium came alive with cheer, colour and culture for the opening ceremony of the Cook Islands Games 2022 last night.
Paddlers ready to dig deep in Cook Islands Games Oe Vaka sprint races
Thursday 29 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
All participating island teams (10) will be digging in deep and fast with their paddles in the Oe Vaka sprint races for the 2022 Cook Islands Games on Saturday at Muri Beach.
Lawn Bowls get the 2022 Cook Islands Games rolling
Wednesday 28 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports
The 2022 Cook Islands Games got underway yesterday afternoon with the Lawn Bowls teams dressed proudly in their respective islands’ uniforms starting off the first round of the competition.
Island teams ready for 2022 Cook Islands Games
Wednesday 28 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Three thousand people including athletes, managers and coaches have signed up to participate in the 2022 Cook Islands Games which kicked off yesterday afternoon with the bowling competition.
Stage set for traditional games
Tuesday 27 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
The revival of traditional games like rore (stilt) races and peipei tiporo (juggling with limes) were among the highlights of the 2020 Cook Islands Games. The Emo’anga Peu Tupuna or the Traditional Sports events are set to return in the 2022 Games which will get underway this Friday.
Amazing Grace: Toroma wins Karaoke Idol competition
Tuesday 27 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
Grace Toroma is the new 2022 Karaoke Idol, wowing the audience and judges with her powerful voice on Saturday night taking out the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club organised competition.
Auckland Cook Islands community’s ‘beating heart’ as good as gold
Monday 26 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
Cook Islander Selina Roimata Vainerere-Patia is the ‘beating heart’ of the Cook Islands community in Auckland, and is admired by many for her generous and kind hearted soul, always giving up her time for others. Last week she received the ASB (Auckland Savings Bank) ‘Good as Gold’ award in New Zealand. TVNZ’s Seven Sharp rocked up unannounced to a community meeting surprising Vainerere-Patia with the news.
‘An amazing honour and privilege’ – PM shares Queen’s funeral experience
Saturday 24 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
Her Majesty the Queen’s funeral service was attended by Heads of State and Overseas Government Representatives, Foreign Royal Families, Governors General and Realm Prime Ministers, including the Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. PM Brown shares his extraordinary experience attending the symbolic and historical event with Cook Islands News senior journalist Melina Etches.
Dates announced for Vaka Puaikura’s Bicentennial Gospel celebrations in 2023
Friday 23 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The 200-year commemoration of the arrival of the Gospel to Arorangi will be a significant event for the Tinomana Ariki tribe.
National ceremony in NZ to honour Coastwatchers
Friday 23 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A national commemoration in honour of all Coastwatchers who served in the Pacific during the Second World War will be held at on Saturday, October 15 at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in New Zealand.
Community steps up to help fire victims
Thursday 22 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Over $3000 was raised by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) charity group ‘Give A Little Aroa’ in aid of the Ahiao family, whose home was completely destroyed in a fire last week.
Closer to her Olympic dream
Wednesday 21 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Boxing, Sports
Cook Islander Tiana Baker-Echegaray is committed to and focused on reaching her Olympic Games dream after winning another two titles in Australia recently.
Reviving traditional vaka building
Wednesday 21 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
Thirty years ago, vaka/canoes from across the Pacific and the islands of the Cook Islands sailed to Rarotonga for the 1992 Pacific Festival of Arts. These days the traditional art of building a canoe from tree logs is rarely seen, however, things are about to change.
Toka’s Cook Islands inspired garments a big hit
Tuesday 20 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
After a successful whirlwind trip to Paris and London for the Pacific Fashion Week shows, emerging designer Toka Toka is on his way home.
Raising the bar
Tuesday 20 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
An overwhelming number of 94 weightlifters have registered to participate in the upcoming Cook Islands Games which starts in two weeks.
Exploring new ways of doing business
Monday 19 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, National
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the borders closed in 2020, Aitutaki businessman Tearaia Maoate had to reassess his plans.
Tereora students showcase powerful performances at annual dance show
Saturday 17 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Tereora College Turangavaevae Performing Arts show thrilled the strong audience of several hundred at the National Auditorium on Thursday night.
School celebrates athletics success
Saturday 17 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Apii Takitumu students are chuffed to have won the Junior Overall Champion Trophy at the annual Prince of Wales Primary School athletics sports event this week.
Tribute to the protector of Peu Maori
Saturday 17 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The late Mauri Toa believed in the strength of the three pillars of the nation – the Government, the Church and Traditional leaders – and how they interacted with each other and affected the lives of the people.
Tauira’s dance of faith
Saturday 17 September 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Like the rest of the world, when the Covid-19 pandemic emerged, the Cook Islands came to a standstill. To capture the resilience of the nation in the face of such adversity, the Ministry of Finance and Economic management (MFEM) commissioned a song as part of this year’s annual budget themed ‘Keep the Faith’. The official video for the song was released this week.
