More Top Stories
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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
Youth market a big success
Monday 15 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
Industrious primary school and college students dominated the 25 stalls at the successful International Youth Day ‘Night Market’ celebration held at the Constitution Park on Friday evening.
Keeping Cook Islands culture alive in Aotearoa
Saturday 13 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
In a blaze of pride, the spirit of Cook Islands cultural performing arts in Aotearoa New Zealand sprung to life as pulsating drums, heartfelt songs, mesmerising dances moves and vibrant colours took centre stage at the inaugural Kapa Nui festival last week.
Angling for a big surprise
Saturday 13 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The chase is on for the heaviest pa’ara (wahoo) and mahimahi fish (10 kilogram and over) in the country’s biggest two-day fishing competition.
Supporting aspiring entrepreneurs
Saturday 13 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Hundreds turned out to support and help promote young and aspiring entrepreneurs in celebration of International Youth Day yesterday evening at the Constitution Park.
Taonga: An Artist Activist to premiere in Rarotonga tonight
Friday 12 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
The premiere of the much-anticipated short film documentary, Taonga: An Artist Activist will be held tonight at the Gallery Tavioni in Atupa.
Market extravaganza to celebrate International Youth Day
Friday 12 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
In celebration of International Youth Day, a special night market extravaganza will be held this afternoon from 5pm at the Constitution Park to promote young and aspiring entrepreneurs.
For the love of culture
Thursday 11 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
As teams struggled to get numbers for this year’s Te Maeva Nui, Tupapa-Maraerenga received a boost from a New Zealand-based Cook Islander who returned home to participate in the annual festival which concluded last Friday.
Ministry launches ‘A Guide to Beekeeping in the Cook Islands’
Thursday 11 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Cook Islands has “unbelievably feisty bees,” according to Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) beekeeping advisor David Cramp.
French fries are back!
Thursday 11 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
After seven days waiting out at sea for favourable weather conditions, MV Imua managed to berth at Avatiu Port yesterday morning to unload containers of cargo including frozen potato chips that Rarotonga had run out of.
Te Maeva Nui’s ‘high standards’ please Tauranga Vananga
Wednesday 10 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Despite being scaled back for the second consecutive year due to cuts in the Budget, Te Maeva Nui cultural festival is still maintaining its high standards, says Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Culture) Secretary Anthony Turua
A tribute to principals of Apii Arorangi
Wednesday 10 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Apii Arorangi primary students from 1984 reunited a fortnight ago to unveil a plaque at the school in honour of its former principals since the establishment of the school in 1915.
Celebrating Cook Islands language in New Zealand
Tuesday 9 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The Cook Islands Language Week was celebrated last week right across Aotearoa New Zealand, with each Cook Islands community hosting a week of activities targeting the celebration of language and culture.
Paunu returns with minor changes
Tuesday 9 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
The Cook Islands Welfare Association (CIWA) will operate this month’s “Paunu” services to the community with minor changes.
Students head back to school
Tuesday 9 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Students around the country returned to school yesterday after two weeks of break for third term of studies.
Curtain falls on country’s biggest, best cultural event
Monday 8 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The countless hours of late nights rolling into the wee hours of the morning rehearsing and making costumes have come to an end for the hundreds who have participated in the county’s biggest and best cultural festival – Te Maeva Nui.
Tributes flow for fallen kapa haka icon
Monday 8 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The body of Te Arawa kapa haka stalwart Sally-Ann Roberts (Ngāti Hinemihi, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāpuhi) was repatriated back to Aotearoa New Zealand yesterday.
Call to conserve water as island enters dry period
Monday 8 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
To Tatou Vai water authority is asking people to conserve water as Rarotonga enters a three-month drought spell.
Atiu wins top Te Maeva Nui awards
Monday 8 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Atiu’s spectacular performances and creative costumes helped the southern group island’s dancing troops clean sweep the top awards in Te Maeva Nui 2022 cultural festival.
Te Maeva Nui: The gospel of healing
Saturday 6 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Teams taking part in the 2022 Te Maeva Nui cultural festival sang their hearts out in harmony in the Imene Pupu (Choir) and Imene Tuki (Traditional Hymn) categories on Thursday night at the National Auditorium.
Cooks manage top five finish
Saturday 6 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Tennis
Cook Islands Tennis represented the country at the Nations Cup Tennis Tournament in Lautoka, Fiji this week finishing fourth and fifth in men’s and women’s divisions respectively.
