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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
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CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
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Man found guilty of rape, burglary
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Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
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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
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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
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Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
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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
New cricket pitch for Amuri
Wednesday 1 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in
Since the closing of the Aitutaki Bicentennial celebrations work has quietly continued in the village of Amuri to complete the last of five remaining projects funded by donations from the Tokoroa Cook Islands community in New Zealand.
Men encouraged to speak
Wednesday 1 December 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
An overwhelming number of people an evening in celebration of Men's Health Month.
Are Pa Metua happy with new premises
Tuesday 30 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
The members of Rarotonga’s centre for the elderly is pleased with their new premises that will be ready for occupation next year.
Over 1000 students enrol for Fees Free courses at CITTI
Monday 29 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The number of Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI) students skyrocketed from 140 students to over 1000 following the Government’s “Fees Free” study scheme which was rolled out last year in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Celebrating business leaders of tomorrow
Saturday 27 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands Business and Professional Women received a record 81 nominations, nominating 24 different young entrepreneurs for the biennial 2021 Emerging Entrepreneur Awards.
‘Man up’ against violence
Friday 26 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
The annual White Ribbon Day parade yesterday through the town drew a respectable number of men, including the Arorangi Boys Brigade band, who joined in the campaign to end domestic violence in the Cook Islands.
Rise and Shine graduates reach for the stars
Thursday 25 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Features, National
Fourteen clients were presented with graduation certificates of the landmark pilot project aimed at preparing and supporting people with disabilities to enter safely and confidently into the workforce.
Pilot programme teaches youth art of traditional voyaging
Thursday 25 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Master navigator and captain of Vaka Marumaru Atua Peia Patai says vaka voyaging is a lost art and he wants to help revive the tradition our forefathers were renowned for.
237 kilo blue marlin wins top spot in fishing event
Wednesday 24 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Sports
With just under an hour to go for the final weigh time at 6pm, Gordon Heather pulled up to the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club (CIGFC) with a 237.2 kilogram blue marlin to win the heaviest fish section of the annual CITC Liquor and Woodstock fishing competition held on Rarotonga on Saturday.
Kosakifit on Penrhyn
Wednesday 24 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
The increasing number of people signing up for exercise programmes is not only happening on Rarotonga but also on Penrhyn - the northernmost island of the Cook Islands.
White Ribbon Day march to end domestic violence
Wednesday 24 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) was formed by a group of men in Ontario, Canada in November 1991, 30 years ago, as a response to the École Polytechnique massacre of female students in 1989.
Crimes Bill deferred again
Tuesday 23 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
The much-anticipated debate on the Crimes Bill 2019 in Parliament has been deferred again following delays in the delivery of the final draft by the Crown Law.
Demand for more caregivers
Thursday 18 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Vero Andrew is a caregiver for her 92-year-old grandmother Tapumanoanoa Andrew (Mama Tapu) – a responsibility she devotedly took on over 20 years ago.
Diabetes prevention better than cure
Wednesday 17 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Health, National
To commemorate World Diabetes Day Te Marae Ora (TMO) is conducting free diabetes screenings for anyone aged 18 years and above.
Cook Islander receives Medal of the Order of Australia
Wednesday 17 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islander Ngatuaine (Nga) Hosking’s hard work, community spirit and generosity have been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia.
Aitutaki One Cook Islands/Demo announce candidates for 2022 Elections
Wednesday 17 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands, Politics
One Cook Islands Party president George Turia has announced confirmation of their candidates for the nation’s 2022 General Elections.
Te Vaerua organises caregivers’ workshop
Tuesday 16 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
A practical and theory workshop targeted for caregivers and family members looking after the elderly and disabled starts today, hosted by the Te Vaerua Community Rehabilitation Inc.
Rarotonga prepares with prayer for upcoming cyclone season
Tuesday 16 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Close to 1000 people flocked to the National Auditorium on Sunday evening for the Cyclone Season National Thanksgiving Service.
Sailing with the mana of Ui Tupuna
Saturday 13 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
As a young child Arerau Maao Jr, now in his 30s, had visions of sailing on a vaka. Last week he accomplished just that, sailing on the Vaka Marumaru Atua for the first time from his home island of Aitutaki to Rarotonga.
‘Strong Mums’ encourage others to kick-start their own health and fitness journey
Saturday 13 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
Four mothers, Myland Lane, Tai Cummings, Kathy Numanga Wearing and Shona Kirikava, have committed to their Strong Mums Journey – an intense fitness and health programme that has improved and transformed their lifestyles for the better. They share their health journey on social media hoping it would inspire others to follow suit.
