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
Standing to make a change
Monday 11 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
At the age of seven, Piltz Tetevano Napa dreamed of becoming a pilot flying high in the skies.
Locals meet former All Black skipper ‘Buck’ Shelford
Saturday 9 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
All Black great Sir Wayne “Buck” Shelford KNZM MBE has conquered the rugby field and while holidaying in Rarotonga yesterday, he hit the Rarotonga Golf Club green with Lieutenant Commander Mark Te Kani.
Discovering the art and joy of writing
Saturday 9 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Artist Nanette Lela’ulu authored and published her very first book – a little book with a big message titled “Can you see what I see?”, sharing her inspiration and journey navigating through the uncharted waters of writing and publishing.
Manihiki sharpens up for Darts Ambrose fundraiser
Friday 8 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Dart players in Rarotonga are being asked to sharpen up and prepare for an afternoon of wonderful things all rolled into one this Saturday for the first Manihiki Darts Ambrose tournament.
Traditional healers share knowledge
Friday 8 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The production and natural healing qualities of Vairākau Māori traditional remedies, body scrubs and oils, appealed to a small audience who attended the Te Rēo ō te vairākau programme yesterday.
Akararangiʻanga i te 'Epetoma ō te Rēo Māori: ‘Te Rēo ō te Vairākau’
Thursday 7 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Tumū Tāpura: Te rēo ō te Vairākau, Monite Rā 4 – Varaire Rā 8 no Tiurai 2022.
Avarua Ekalesia undergoing major renovation works
Wednesday 6 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
One of the oldest churches in the Cook Islands is undergoing major renovations in preparation for next year’s Bi-Centennial Celebrations in Rarotonga.
Vaka Marumaru Atua back home from Suwarrow trip
Wednesday 6 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Vaka Marumaru Atua and her crew arrived home in Rarotonga late Thursday night after 23 days away on a voyage to Suwarrow.
Rookie focuses on land, family welfare
Monday 4 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands Party’s newest candidate Doreen Tuainekore Boggs (nee Kavana) says stepping into the political arena ‘has been a long time coming’.
Apii Avarua retains Te Tangi Kaara title
Saturday 2 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Apii Avarua has proved their drumming skills are still the best after winning again the Tangi Kaara Juniors drumming competition on Thursday night.
Honouring our traditional leaders
Saturday 2 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Aronga Mana, Ekalesia, dignitaries, family and friends attended Te Ra o te Ui Ariki yesterday with their respective Ariki in recognition of the nation’s traditional leaders’ public holiday.
Message in a jar discovered in church
Thursday 30 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A message in a jar written by the late Eric Vincent Browne (known as Papa Man) nearly 30 years ago in 1995 was discovered in the Avarua Ekalesia CICC when workers were stripping upstairs of the church.
Traditional leaders call for 'respect' on Ui Ariki Day
Thursday 30 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands traditional leaders want people to start respecting and observing the Ui Ariki public holiday instead of playing sports and doing other activities.
The battle of the drums
Wednesday 29 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The battle of the drums Te ‘Emo’anga Tangi Kaara (drumming competition) for juniors, is geared up to hit the big stage inside the National Auditorium tomorrow night.
Tournament helps educate youth
Tuesday 28 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports
Approximately 650 netball and rugby players making up 56 teams from primary and secondary schools across Rarotonga competed in the 2022 Rising Stars Championship which closed last Friday at Raemaru Park in Arorangi.
Bergman Gallery opens in Auckland
Tuesday 28 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The new Bergman Gallery Auckland in New Zealand was officially opened over the weekend by Cook Islander Caren Rangi, Chair of the Arts Council of New Zealand, Toi Aotearoa.
Kiwis celebrate Matariki in the Cooks
Monday 27 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
New Zealand High Commission staff have hosted an inaugural Matariki Ball in line with Māori New Year becoming a national holiday in Aotearoa.
Imene o te Au Vairakau: Songs of Healing
Saturday 25 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Eight talented composers old and new shared their knowledge and experiences of Te au Vairakau Tupuna o toku Matakeinanga/Enua - the Traditional Medicine of my Community/Island through song, in Te Mire Atu competition which was held on Thursday night at the National Auditorium.
MV Seasurveyor at Avatiu Harbour
Saturday 25 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The first of the Seabed Minerals research vessels berthed at Avatiu Harbour this week.
National Environment Service launches communications strategy
Saturday 25 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, National
The National Environment Service has launched their Environmental Communication (Comms) Strategy, the start of a journey to deliver communication and updates of the agency to the public.
