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Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
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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
Light it up blue for autism
Thursday 7 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Rarotonga residents are being asked to “light it up blue” tomorrow in honour of World Autism Awareness Day.
Imanuela Akatemia promotes healthy eating habits
Thursday 7 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Imanuela Akatemia students devoured juicy, appetising fruit in celebration of the World Health Day that was held in Rarotonga yesterday.
Mitiaro’s Akaoki’anga Kaka event
Wednesday 6 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
One hundred and forty woven kikau baskets filled with harvested crops like puraka (yam), taro, tinned meat, chicken and fish was shared out to the community of Mitiaro/Nukuroa on Sunday in celebration of the islands annual Akaoki’anga Kaka (Returning the glory) event.
Volunteers giving service to the community
Wednesday 6 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Red Cross volunteer Mii Estall or ‘Aunty Mii’ became emotional thinking of the large families who are affected by Covid-19 in isolation and struggling to make ends meet and feed their families.
‘Be informed, be prepared’
Tuesday 5 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Over 600 positive cases of Covid-19 have been recorded with the Tupapa Maraerenga Puna Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) who are also responsible for monitoring the village of Takuvaine through to Karekare in Upper Tupapa.
Raro fisherman reels in 63.5kg Opah on a handline
Tuesday 5 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
Local fisherman Jason Tuara has done it again, reeling in an impressive 63.5-kilogram Opah fish (moonfish) using the “poito” (handline) bottom fishing method.
Shortage of manpower amid rising Covid cases
Monday 4 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
As Covid progresses with more people becoming infected, one of the challenges the Murienua Puna Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is faced with is the ‘shortage of manpower’.
Cook Islander thrives in real estate business
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
From a broke single dad of five living in South Auckland to getting ranked among the best in New Zealand real estate business, Cook Islander Charlie Brothers shares his rag to riches journey with Cook Islands News journalist Melina Etches.
Be proud of te reo Maori
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Ngatamaine Teaka began speaking Cook Islands Maori from a very young age, she is comfortable conversing in the language and encourages other kids to “learn your Maori language and be proud of it”.
Easing Covid restrictions
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Government has started issuing Essential Worker Pass and Post Covid Freedom Pass in a bid to take pressure off the local workforce.
BTIB appoints new chairperson
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, National
The Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) has appointed existing board member Eirangi Marsters Insimo as the board’s new chairperson.
Cook Islands model wants to ‘empower indigenous women’
Friday 1 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
African Cook Islander Ernestina Bonsu-Maro has placed second runner up in the 2022 Miss Top Model Pageant.
Titikaveka Puna overwhelmed by surging Covid-19 cases
Friday 1 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
From the 79 Covid RAT tests conducted yesterday at the Titikaveka Puna Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), 17 returned a positive result bringing the total number of those who have tested positive so far to 123.
‘Sauce Boyz’ win NZ battle of the drums event
Thursday 31 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The riveting pounding of cultural drums echoed throughout the Manihiki Hall in Auckland, New Zealand over the weekend.
Over 600 Rapid Antigen Testing officers certified
Thursday 31 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
A decent number of 613 individuals from Rarotonga and Aitutaki have completed the RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) practical trainings and are now certified Covid-19 Health and Safety Officers.
Are Pa Metua ready to welcome back members
Thursday 31 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The newly-built Are Pa Metua is set to resume its services but members will have to undergo a Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) test and health check prior to the start of their gatherings at the Punanga Nui Market centre.
Empire Bridge undergoes final testing
Wednesday 30 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Final tests to ensure the join between the new Empire Bridge and the road leading up to it is strong enough before its seal have been conducted by engineers.
New traps to survey Dengue mozzies
Wednesday 30 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
New mosquito traps have been placed and surveys in the community will be conducted to understand the local mosquito population and the impact of Dengue on health and the economy of the country.
Avarua Squash Courts back in the groove
Tuesday 29 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Squash
After a lapse of 10 years, the Avarua Squash Centre located at the St Joseph’s Catholic Hall have come alive again with reopening of the sports facility in late January.
Following in the footsteps of her grandmother
Saturday 26 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Following in the footsteps of her paternal grandmother, Eileen Story has launched her political career and will stand in the 2022 general elections as a candidate on the island of Mauke.
