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
Champion dancer planning to bring the ‘wow’ factor
Thursday 19 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands cultural dancers will hit the stage tonight for the best, competitive and most entertaining Te Mire Ura Senior dance competition.
New President of Badminton Oceania to visit next week
Wednesday 18 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Badminton, Sports
Ten teams will be competing in the Oceania Masters in Paradise 2022 – a badminton masters tournament for players aged over 35, next week.
Acceptance and equality for LGBTQ+
Wednesday 18 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
IDAHOBIT is the International Day against homophobia, biphobia, interphobia and transphobia, it is the day against LGBTQIA+ discrimination which is commemorated on May 17.
Joy as Tereora holds first assembly post Covid-19 restrictions
Saturday 14 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The Princess Anne Hall at Tereora College was packed with students for the first full assembly since the outbreak of Covid-19.
Red Bulls smash Titans
Saturday 14 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports
The inaugural Women’s Rugby League ‘Conan’s Cup’ series kicked off yesterday afternoon with Countryside proving too strong for the hapless Town side.
Netball season gains momentum
Saturday 14 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports
Earlier this week on Wednesday saw the Arorangi and Tupapa clubs both field an Open 1s and Open 2s team – a pleasant surprise in comparison to last week when both clubs only fielded an Opens 1s team.
Women gear up for Conan’s Cup
Friday 13 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby league, Sports
Local rugby league fans are in for a treat following the launch of the Women’s Rugby League ‘Conan’s Cup’ – a Town versus Country tournament which kicks off today, in honour of a man who had a passion for league, the late Colin (Conan) Ngari Munokoa-Tini.
Young swimmers prepare for NZ event
Friday 13 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National
Swimming enthusiasts, from left, Rebecca Tangiataua, Itirangi Pennycook, Taunga Miller and Esther Miller are looking forward to participating in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Swimming Competition which will be held on July 31.
Matutu, the new Teava Mataiapo
Thursday 12 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
A pe’e led by Turori (Matutu’s son), chanted by the family tribe and accompanied by drums, led the entourage of warriors, taunga and Mataiapo (a hereditary chiefly title) to the marae during yesterday’s investiture ceremony at the Ko Oro Vena marae in Arai-Te -Tonga.
Biting pig’s ear marks Teava Mataiapo succession
Thursday 12 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Teava Mataiapo George Matutu bites the ear of a large cooked pig to mark his succession as the new Teava Mataiapo.
Clubs struggle with numbers as netball season kicks off
Wednesday 11 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Netball, Sports
The Rarotonga Netball Season has kicked off to a shaky start with the open grades.
GEF7 funding will support grass roots projects
Wednesday 11 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
A validation workshop facilitated by the National Environment Service (NES) for the GEF7 funds (Global Environment Facility) of $7 million which starts early next year for a period of six years, was held yesterday with the project team and partners at the Crown Beach Resort.
Nikao seawall mural continues to delight
Wednesday 11 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Te Marae Moana’s bright ocean-themed mural at the seawall in Nikao continues to delight passing motorists, and yesterday 107 metres of the artwork was completed.
NZ rugby reps promote healthy living
Tuesday 10 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Rugby Union
New Zealand Rugby Pacific Sporting representatives visiting Rarotonga to help promote healthy lifestyles, meet with stakeholders and share their skills.
Great turnout for netball
Monday 9 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Netball, Sports
Netball got off to a great start on Saturday with an excellent turnout by both teams and supporters.
Golfer has plenty of tricks up her sleeve
Monday 9 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Professional golfer and trick shot artist, Cook Islander Tania Tare can balance a golf ball, knock it off her knee and then smash it with a driver in mid-air.
Netball teams scramble to find right number of players
Saturday 7 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Netball, Sports
The Rarotonga netball season hit off earlier this week on Wednesday, seeing clubs scrambling for players in the 11th hour to make up their teams.
Colleagues recall man with passion for nature
Saturday 7 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Skilled botanist Joseph (Joe) Lawrence Brider passed away on May 1, at the age of just 41. His sudden passing, shocked family and friends locally and in the Pacific region who had worked with the man who had such “a passion” for the natural heritage of the Cook Islands.
Red Cross an ever-present help
Saturday 7 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Red Cross, which has operated in Rarotonga for many years, was born out of the simple, but vital, humanitarian idea of helping those wounded in battle, The founder, Henri Dunant, was deeply moved by the suffering he encountered on and around a battlefield in 1859.
Ridge Ponini’s incredible journey
Friday 6 May 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The strong and sweet tenor vocals on the classic song Unchained Melody floated through the music class of Tereora College yesterday afternoon, silencing the room.
