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
Paunu provides peace of mind for Rarotonga mums
Friday 26 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
An “amazing” turnout of 32 babies and toddlers from Vaka Puaikura attended the Paunu Day yesterday.
Vaka embarks on training voyage for new crew
Thursday 25 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Vaka Marumaru Atua captain Deon Wong and 13 crew members departed Rarotonga yesterday afternoon for the island of Aitutaki.
Community on edge after attempted break in
Wednesday 24 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Crime, National
An attempted break in at a residential property in Takuvaine Valley has left a young mother and her two children who were at home at the time terrified, and has caused alarm in the community.
Women encouraged to attend mammogram screening
Wednesday 24 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
An overwhelming number of approximately 800 women have booked in to have a mammogram screening for the early detection of breast cancer.
Pukapuka/Nassau unveil new national flag
Tuesday 23 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in
The new modified Pukapuka/Nassau “national flag” which has been endorsed by the islands Council of Chiefs will be raised for fiercely contested 2022 Cook Islands Games next month.
Voyaging Society crew to sail Palau’s Vaka Motu
Tuesday 23 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Master navigator (Pwo) and Vaka Marumaru Atua captain, Peia Patai along with three crew members from Rarotonga are preparing Vaka Motu in Palau for her journey to New Zealand.
Conducting research in indigenous communities
Monday 22 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islander Ulamila Kura-i-Marie Vakalalabure Wragg, a PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury, is working on a thesis focusing on gender, power and land innovation in the Cook Islands and Fijian culture.
Promoting the Cook Islands language with modern day music
Saturday 20 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands singing sensations the Samson Squad are rocking Pacific music lovers the world over with their winning arrangements of modern, hip and groovy urban music and the traditional language of Reo Māori Kūki 'Airani.
Sad ending to save beached baby whale
Saturday 20 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Efforts to try and save a baby whale (calf) in Aitutaki’s lagoon on Wednesday ended sadly when the calf was discovered dead the following day.
Vaka Takitumu ‘Peu Māori’ Taunga laid to rest
Saturday 20 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The poignant traditional chants of the pe’e rang through the hills of Ngatangiia as pallbearers led the procession of the late Mauri Toa, Vaka Takitumu’s well-respected and admired Peu Māori taunga expert, to his final resting place.
Monitoring the growth and development of little ones
Friday 19 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Braving the winter morning chills, mothers, grandmothers and caregivers attended the Matavera ‘Paunu’ day yesterday.
Strengthening Takuvaine stream to protect nearby buildings from future floods
Friday 19 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Work continues in the Takuvaine stream with the placing and construction of gabion wired basket cages filled with rocks that helps prevent erosion, retain a slope and fortify the banks.
‘A New Beginning’ for renowned Cook Islands musician
Thursday 18 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
After 12 years away, well-known Cook Islands composer, musician and entertainer Rangi Henry is back “on the rock” for good, with his new album “A New Beginning” which will be launched next week.
Rising above the waves
Thursday 18 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Weather
A windsurfer made the most of strong winds and high seas in Muri lagoon yesterday afternoon.
Youngsters compete in annual College Badminton Tournament
Wednesday 17 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Badminton, Sports
The 7th Annual College Badminton Tournament was played last week at the National Auditorium with the Junior Year 7 and 8 taking the court on Thursday and the Seniors on Friday.
Weaving research with tradition
Wednesday 17 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Presenters at the Cook Islands Research Association symposium on Thursday last week discussed a range of concerns and issues when conducting research using indigenous knowledge and traditions.
Avatiu harbour prepares for ‘high waves’
Wednesday 17 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Four sailing vessels are berthed at Avatiu Port (as of yesterday afternoon) with three arriving from French Polynesia, on their way doing a world circuit.
Empowering young girls
Tuesday 16 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby league, Sports
The Women’s World Rugby trophy is making its rounds as part of Rugby World Cup’s Championing Oceania Programme to grow and support women and girls’ rugby in the Pacific.
Rarotonga reels in Gary Parlour fishing title
Tuesday 16 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Thirty-eight boats registered for the annual Gary Parlour and Goldie Mahimahi fishing competitions over the weekend with 58 fish weighing in at 682.30 kilograms caught over two days.
Inspiring the next generation of rugby stars
Tuesday 16 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
All-rounder sportsgirl and Cook Islands Rugby Under-18s women’s development squad member Mahana Sijp stands proudly with her aunt and former national rep Margaret Nena during the official opening ceremony of the touring Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy.
