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DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
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Cook Islands has its first mosque
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CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
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RAC to address mosque legality
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I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
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Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
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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
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MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
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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
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Housing crisis hits tourism industry
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MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
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Challenging ‘rape culture’
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Articles by Melina Etches
Ngatangiia’s 60+ residents celebrate the New Year
Wednesday 12 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
To celebrate the New Year in style, 120 residents in the village of Ngatangiia aged 60 and over, enjoyed a night of entertainment and tropical island kaikai last Friday night.
Matavera Kumiti Oire donates face masks to village churches
Wednesday 12 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
The Matavera Kumiti Oire (Matavera Disaster Risk Management Puna) have donated packs of disposable face masks to the five churches in the village to assist with the new regulations that come into effect when the international borders reopen tomorrow.
Beach Games’ thrills and spills
Tuesday 11 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Volleyball
Beach handball kicked off the Cook Islands Beach Games 2022 with fun, sand and spills yesterday afternoon at the Nikao beach courts.
Vaccine certificate delay "frustrating"
Tuesday 11 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Extensive and frustrating delays marred the issuing of the free vaccination certificates at the National Auditorium Domes yesterday morning right through to the afternoon.
Church agrees to allow unvaxed members to attend Sunday services
Tuesday 11 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Unvaccinated members of the Avarua CICC (Cook Islands Christian Church) are overjoyed at the decision of its committee to allow them to continue to attend church services when the country’s border reopens this Thursday.
No medical exemption for unvaxed visitors: TMO
Monday 10 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health (TMO) have said no medical exemptions will be given for unvaxed visitors, laying down grounds for unvaccinated tourists and Cook Islanders when the country’s border reopens this Thursday.
JP retires after two decades of service
Saturday 8 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
After 20 years on the bench, Justice of the Peace (JP) Rima David retired from court duties in September last year. She shares her experience with senior journalist Melina Etches.
The story of Tapuaetai
Friday 7 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Driven by the passion to share historic Aitutaki stories in a ‘modern way’, a proud Cook Islander has written a book to inspire others to rekindle their memories of the stories they used to hear in their young days back on the island.
Training on how to perform Covid-19 tests underway
Friday 7 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Tourism operators, private and public service sectors have started training on how to perform Rapid Antigen Tests (R.A.T) for Covid-19, in preparation for the opening of the borders next week on January 13.
Reduced health clinics when border reopens
Thursday 6 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
In preparation for the reopening of the border next week Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health have released a series of new rules, regulations, and information to keep the public informed of the health measures and general public guidelines designed to keep the community safe.
Eastern Stars end 2021 with mixed netball tournament
Wednesday 5 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Netball, Sports
For the first time, the Ngatangiia Matavera Eastern Stars Netball Club hosted a successful mixed netball competition with the participation of 12 teams.
Improving coordination of emergency services
Wednesday 5 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
To strengthen the National Institutional Arrangement for Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in the Cook Islands, a contract was awarded to and signed with lawyer Tai Nicholas’ consulting firm a week ago.
First baby of 2022 born at Rarotonga hospital
Wednesday 5 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Rarotonga’s first baby born in 2022 has arrived to proud and happy parents Sevarna Ngatamariki and Ngatokorua Tonorio.
Church to reconsider decision on unvaxed
Wednesday 5 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
A special meeting will be held for the Avarua Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Ekalesia this Sunday morning, to discuss if unvaccinated members will be seated outside or inside the church when the borders reopen on January 13.
Aitutaki’s Koni Raoni events raise close to $150k
Wednesday 5 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Aitutaki’s customary Koni Raoni, a traditional exchange between villages that is held over the Christmas and New Year season, has raised an incredible $147,964.30.
Vendors excited for opportunities in 2022
Friday 31 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, National
Today is the last opening day for the Punanga Nui Market, so pop in and visit the regular vendors who have all sorts of fresh produce and locally made products to sell.
Tamariki Kanga crowned Mauke Volleyball champs
Friday 31 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Volleyball
The Mauke Volleyball Tournament got underway at the Taunganui hard courts situated at the harbour, “blessed” with some cooling light showers, on the morning of Boxing Day.
Your guide to the perfect New Year’s weekend
Friday 31 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
A number of businesses will be open during certain days and times over New Year's weekend.
MOU strengthens relationship between agencies and village communities
Thursday 30 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National
A revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed with the 10 Puna (village community) on Rarotonga that updates the relationship with Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI).
Mauke gets into festive spirit with annual ‘teretere’
Thursday 30 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
On the island of Mauke or Akatokamanava, sisters, Joanne Stevens (left) and Ngavaine Makitai representing the village of Oiretumu, danced and sang with families and friends as they walked through the village of Kimiangatau on Christmas day for the island’s ‘teretere’ or ‘roni’.
