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
Maeva crowned Pukapuka’s ‘Zumba Queen’ after losing 14.7 kilos
Tuesday 26 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
After 11 weeks of moving to funky beats Nane Maeva took out the top award in the Pukapuka Zumba exercise programme. She lost an impressive 14.7 kilograms.
Call to legalise medicinal use of cannabis
Tuesday 26 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A former law enforcement officer has welcomed Government’s decision to run a referendum on cannabis during this year’s General Election.
Keeping busy to beat the ‘winter blues’
Tuesday 26 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
School students Tarani Omao (left), Pati Estall, Gina Vaine Keu, Adyn Paige (NZ-based rugby player), Paige Anguna and little Cassius Anguna, who likes to be part of the family team, keep busy at the start of their holidays working part time “devanning” boxes.
Strings of Maute hits the right cord
Tuesday 26 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Eight teams performed in the first Cook Islands Game Fishing Club (CIGFC) string band competition on Saturday which saw Strings of Maute representing the island of Atiu taking home the top prize.
First time political candidate a 'chip off the old block'
Monday 25 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
The political domain is not something new to Nicholas Royle Henry, better known as Nick, who grew up in the ‘olden days’ of politicking when campaigns leading up to election day were full of celebrations and fun filled late nights of flowing conversation, an abundance of food, flowers, music and song.
Pa Enua residing Permanent Residents receive awards
Monday 25 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Kiribati residents on the island of Pukapuka – Toakarawa Kabuta, Karanga Ukeria-Taoroba and Toaki Taoroba – are proud to have been officially sworn in as Cook Islands Permanent Residents (PR) via a Zoom session on Thursday.
Singing their hearts out
Monday 25 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Fisherman Kirikavaka Tutavake showed off his musical talent strumming and singing away in the Nga Oire e Rua string band during the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club String Band competition on Saturday.
Strumming the heartstrings
Saturday 23 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Island string bands are not about harmonious pitch perfect songs – it’s about singing loud, joyously and expressively straight from the heart, radiating emotions to the audience.
Renowned Cook Islands academic passes away
Saturday 23 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
One of the Pacific region’s most respected authors and academic, Cook Islander Dr. Marjorie Tuainekore Crocombe née Hosking OBE passed away on Thursday night aged 92.
Excitement builds for Te Maeva Nui celebrations
Friday 22 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The popular annual Te Maeva Nui national cultural festival starts next week, however, this year the number of nights showcasing performances have been scaled down and adjusted due to the General Election to be held on Monday, August 1.
Leaving no stone unturned in soldier search missions
Thursday 21 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The search continues to locate 34 Cook Islands World War I (WWI) veterans who are believed to be buried on Rarotonga.
Te Kukupa legacy lives on
Thursday 21 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The crew of Te Kukupa II, who spent four months away from their families and friends, reunited with their loved ones yesterday after bringing home safely the newly gifted police patrol boat from Cairns, Australia.
Te Kukupa II welcomed home
Thursday 21 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The sleek and stealthy Te Kukupa II patrol boat glided into Avatiu harbour yesterday morning fittingly welcomed by a rainbow, light showers, family, friends and dignitaries who made up the hundreds waiting patiently for the vessel to berth.
Police patrol boat Te Kukupa II arrives today
Wednesday 20 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Te Kukupa II is expected to arrive this morning at 10am at Avatiu harbour where she and the crew will be officially welcomed by Prime minister Mark Brown, the Queen’s Representative Sir Tom Marsters and Cook Islands Police personnel.
Promoting Cook Islands language and culture
Wednesday 20 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Determined to keep the language and traditions of Reo Maori thriving, Pa Tepaeru Teariki Upokotini Marie Ariki has welcomed the start of Te Vānanga Are Tapere O Takitumu (Takitumu Performing Arts School), which has a first cohort of 10 students.
'Acting for change’
Tuesday 19 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Nearly 40 years ago Atina Sawtell raced around the Tereora National Stadium winning the 1985 South Pacific Mini Games gold medals for the nation in the 800 metres and 1500m races.
CIGT wins tender for removal of barge
Saturday 16 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Cook Islands General Transport Ltd (CIGT) has been awarded the successful tender to remove the decommissioned Pa Ariki barge (pictured) in Aitutaki after receiving the Ports Authority Board approval.
Isamaela gunning for third term
Saturday 16 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
A former parliamentarian who lost his seat in the last election is making a comeback with a new party, determined to regain his place in Parliament.
King tides hit Penrhyn and Manihiki
Friday 15 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Mama Jemima Tekena of Penrhyn is well and safe having already moved to another home to the middle of the island the night before exceptionally high king tides washed through, damaging her home.
Sally Hosking: 'A resilient and industrious woman'
Wednesday 13 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
Teremoana Sally Hosking (nee Papera) better known as ‘Mama Sally’ was a resilient and industrious woman and well-known in the village of Matavera/Rangiatea.
