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16 February 2025
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15 February 2025
No-confidence motion against PM and his Cabinet faces delays
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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
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Articles by Melina Etches
Fundraiser to help tsunami-hit Tonga
Friday 21 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
A radiothon will be held today in Rarotonga to support tsunami-hit Tonga amid water and food shortage.
Unvaxed returns negative tests
Thursday 20 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Close to 30 unvaccinated individuals have arrived into the country since the border reopening on Thursday last week.
Book on lost era of heroic Mangaian boatmen launched
Thursday 20 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
The Mangaian book Vaka E Te Poti Tari Kako that recalls the lost era of surf boat lighterage on Mangaia, bringing it to life through the memories of one of the boatmen and visually through 150 historic photos, was launched in Mangaia yesterday morning.
Rapid Antigen Tests to cost $10 from Monday
Thursday 20 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health has set the rate for the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for local residents and visitors heading to the Pa Enua from Monday, January 24.
Barber offers free haircuts for elderly and persons with disability
Thursday 20 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, National
When the Covid-19 related restrictions and new health safety rules started, Rarotonga barber William Atunaisa Nuku Wade felt he had to do something, anything to give back to the community, “especially for the vulnerable”.
No tsunami alert raises concern
Wednesday 19 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Grave concerns have been raised by members of the community as to why there was no tsunami alert on Friday, January 14, following a volcanic eruption in Tonga.
Face masks now compulsory at Punanga Nui Market
Wednesday 19 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Everyone must now wear a mask when visiting the Punanga Nui Market, says manager William Taripo.
Prayers and hope for loved ones in Tonga
Tuesday 18 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islanders who are in the dark about their families and friends in the tsunami-hit Tonga are praying and hoping they are safe.
Tribute to well-loved educator the late Lionel Brown
Tuesday 18 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
Lionel Brown, a fun-loving teacher, storyteller and leader to the countless number of students who passed through his classrooms, and a mentor to his work colleagues, passed away in Auckland Hospital on December 7, 2021 at the age of 82.
The search for Te Mire Atu composer
Monday 17 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
In celebration of Cook Islands compositions, new and experienced song writers are encouraged to register for the Mire Atu composer’s competition in March.
Vendors facing confusion over health measures
Monday 17 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Confusion regarding the ‘recommended’ or ‘compulsory’ new regulations of the wearing of masks at the Punanga Nui Market on Saturday was widespread.
Cautious pineapple sellers take break following border reopening
Friday 14 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Expressing caution with the reopening of the borders yesterday, John and Anne Maoate – Rarotonga’s well-known pineapple farmers – will be taking a break from selling their popular pineapples and fresh produce from the road side in Avatiu.
Family members and vaccinated travelers arrive in Rarotonga
Friday 14 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Tourism
The arrival terminal at the Rarotonga international airport was a flurry of activity yesterday afternoon for the first flight to mark the border reopening from Auckland, with masked tourism operators and families waiting to welcome guests and their loved ones back.
Tea-keys claim Beach Games’ first gold medal
Thursday 13 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
The Tea-keys finished the beach handball competition at the Cook Islands Beach Games 2022 unbeaten, claiming the annual event’s first gold medal.
Cook Islander gains PhD in sports and exercise science
Thursday 13 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth
One of the first Cook Islanders to gain doctorate degree in sports and exercise science wants to investigate acceptable and effective methods of implementing exercise programmes into Pacific islands communities.
Rarotonga ‘masking up’ for border reopening
Thursday 13 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
After five months of a quiet and deserted arrival terminal at the Rarotonga international airport, this afternoon the borders will reopen and the first plane full of passengers will troop in from Auckland, New Zealand – since August 16, 2021.
Tea-keys seal top spot after day two of Beach Games competition
Wednesday 12 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Day two of the Beach Games 2022 handball competition saw another round of entertaining matches.
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.
