More Top Stories
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
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
Queen’s Baton journey continues throughout Cooks
Monday 7 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Baton for the Commonwealth Games will spend an hour from 9am to 10am at the Punanga Nui Market for anyone who wants to take a closer look.
Queen’s Baton officially welcomed
Monday 7 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Commonwealth Games, Sports
A small official ceremony for the arrival of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Baton for the Commonwealth Games to the Cook Islands was held at the Queen’s Representatives Residence in Titikaveka over the weekend.
'Do the mahi, get the treats'
Monday 7 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Eighteen-year-old Heath Mokoroa-Heather was inducted as one of the 24 hostel and school prefects at the Sacred Hearts Boys College (SHC) in Auckland, New Zealand a week ago.
Manihiki student leaders pledge ‘to do their very best’
Saturday 5 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The Manihiki schools of Ruamanu and Tukao held a combined prefect investiture ceremony earlier this week hosted by Tauhunu.
Young leaders advised to do their best
Saturday 5 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Rutaki held its prefect investiture ceremony under strict Te Marae Ora Covid-19 restrictions which saw the newly inducted student leaders pin their badges onto their uniforms.
Tereora College to inspire future leaders
Saturday 5 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Tereora College student leaders’ investiture was held last Friday at the Princess Anne Hall with limited attendance in line with the present Covid-19 Te Marae Ora regulations.
RAT sessions for nominated health officers
Saturday 5 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Over four sessions in two days, 69 nominated Covid-19 health and safety officers participated in Te Marae Ora’s Rapid Antigen Testing (R.A.T) trainings.
MOU seals agreement to co-manage sporting facilities
Friday 4 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) and the Cook Islands Sport and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) last year, agreeing to co-manage the National Stadium and Sports Arena is now in operation.
Inconsistent advice leaves Raro resident exasperated
Thursday 3 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
A Rarotonga man, who is a close contact of a Covid-19 positive case, says inconsistent information from Te Marae Ora health ministry staff has left him feeling exasperated.
A piece of trash a day could change the world
Thursday 3 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
In half of an hour, 410 pieces of carelessly discarded trash was collected along the main road and sea side area at Avatiu’s western harbour.
Prefects – a voice for all students
Wednesday 2 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
For the first time, the Tereora College ‘Student Leaders Investiture’ was held without the huge presence of the school students, families, friends and the towers of abundant of scented ei that usually adorn the prefects.
Food parcels for homes affected by Covid-19
Wednesday 2 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Since the first positive Covid-19 case was announced in February, more than 25 food parcels have been packed and distributed to affected residential households on Rarotonga.
Thorp wins popular fishing contest
Tuesday 1 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Cameron Thorp won the 2022 Gordon Murray Memorial Fishing Tournament after landing a 183.6kg Blue Marlin – the heaviest fish of the tournament – and an impressive catch of 165kg in the aggregate section.
Girls outnumber boys in Apii Arorangi student leader’s group
Tuesday 1 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Girls have dominated the selection of prefects for Apii Arorangi with eight receiving the badges of distinction from 12 inducted into leadership roles.
Record participation at annual fishing comp
Monday 28 February 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A record number of 41 boats registered and took part in the annual Gordon Murray Memorial Fishing Tournament that was held on Saturday.
Record rise in Covid cases
Monday 28 February 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Three schools – Te Uki Ou, Tereora College and Nikao Maori – will be closed today after ‘at least one new positive Covid-19 case each’ have been identified at these schools yesterday.
Setting example for others
Friday 25 February 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Newly-inducted Imanuela Akatemia prefect is looking forward to the responsibilities and challenges that comes with the role.
Apii Avarua inducts thirty student leaders
Friday 25 February 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
With the largest primary school roll of just under 400 students, Apii Avarua inducted their 30 prefects at the school’s Punanga o Matakura Dome on Thursday morning.
Passion for language and people
Friday 25 February 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Cook Islands broadcaster Tauraki Rongo is determined, and wants to ensure that young Cook Islanders know their identity and culture, take pride in their heritage, and how they connect to the land.
On a mission to preserve Cook Islands culture
Friday 25 February 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
The Intangible Cultural Heritage workshop participants now feel “more confident” to train field workers in the collection and recording of living documentaries focusing on the Cook Islands peu karioi (performing arts).
