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No debt in China deal
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Thomas Wynne: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?
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‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
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Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
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$541.7m tourism earnings
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Cook Islands passport proposal
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Top cop position advertised
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Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
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Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
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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
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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
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Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
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Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
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MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
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Articles by Melina Etches
Kurāmo’o flies away with Bird of the Year title
Friday 12 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Aitutaki’s Kurāmo’o (Blue Lorikeet or Nunbird) has won the Manu o te Mataiti 2021 (Bird of the Year) award having collected about 4500 votes with the 'Ī'oi (Rarotonga Starling) coming in runner up with nearly 3500.
Teeing off for men’s health
Thursday 11 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Golf, Sports
In appreciation of the essential services the frontline workers worldwide have provided to the general public in the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Rotary Club of Rarotonga have chosen ‘Frontline workers’ as their dress theme for the annual Bob Boyd Memorial Golf Ambrose Day.
Live-streaming brings overseas Cook Islanders closer to home
Thursday 11 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Up to 30,000 to 40,000 viewers followed each event of the Aitutaki Bi-centennial celebrations live feeds during the 10-day commemorations that concluded earlier this month.
Penrhyn schools receive free breakfasts
Wednesday 10 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
With the view of a clear blue lagoon nearby, Omoka School students of Penrhyn delightfully tucked into their special breakfast meals at school with big smiles on Tuesday morning.
Rainforest Men’s Club ‘pay’ their part at celebrations as focus grows on sustainability
Wednesday 10 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
One of Aitutaki’s renowned establishments locally known as the “Rainforest” or “Gentlemen’s Club” got into the spirit of the island’s Bi-centennial celebrations by contributing six bags of tarutarua root crops to the island of Palmerston.
Former Cook Islands international sevens rugby player in coma following brutal assault
Wednesday 10 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, Regional
Former Cook Islands international sevens rugby union player Kairan Mahia, 29, is in an induced coma in ICU at Royal Perth Hospital after he was allegedly hit from behind in a brutal assault on Sunday morning in Australia.
Church plans 2023 bicentennial events
Tuesday 9 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
A week after the conclusion of the Aitutaki Bi-centennial Arrival of Christianity celebrations, participants from Rarotonga are still raving about it as they look forward to more 200-year celebrations in 2023.
Wichman named on prestigious 40 Under 40 list
Tuesday 9 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Valery Wichman, a barrister and solicitor working as the director of Cook Islands Central Policy and Planning, is among 40 Pacific role models who have been selected by the University of Auckland for its 40 Under 40 list for 2021.
Last of 4 Aitutaki time capsules to be opened in 2221
Saturday 6 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
In remembrance of the 200th Bi-centennial celebrations of the arrival of Christianity to Aitutaki in 1821, four ‘time capsules’ were buried in an emotional ceremony in front of the memorial stone at Orongo Park.
Border reopening receives support from Are Ariki
Saturday 6 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
The House of Ariki fully support Government’s decision to re-open the borders with New Zealand on January 13 next year.
Stunning designs at mu’umu’u pageant
Friday 5 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Thirty-five contestants gracefully showcased ‘missionary’ and ‘pareu’ designed dresses for the Aitutaki Bi-centennial Mu’umu’u Pageant that was held on Thursday, October 28.
Govt body defends dredging works at Arutanga harbour
Friday 5 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
Any suggestion that work being undertaken at the Arutanga harbour in Aitutaki is being done without environmental approval, and contrary to the law, is incorrect, says Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC).
Family reunion in Aitutaki ends on a high
Thursday 4 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Members of the Matauia Family Reunion who travelled to Aitutaki for the Bi-Centennial celebrations have returned to Rarotonga exhilarated and with many precious memories.
Dredging causes alarm in Aitutaki amid EIA stink
Thursday 4 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
Aitutaki residents are questioning the legality of dredging work in the harbour basin for the Aitutaki Arutanga Harbour Project that started some weeks ago.
Aitutaki keeping fishing traditions alive
Wednesday 3 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
The successful Aitutaki Bi-centennial Manga (snake mackerel fish) and Vena (castor oil fish, ruvettus) Fishing Competition easily fed over 100 visitors on the island last week on Thursday, October 18, for its special Fish Breakfast.
‘I know he hasn’t broken or breached the MIQ law’
Tuesday 2 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The wife of the 35-year-old father of young children who was arrested last week and remanded into Arorangi Prison for 48 hours following incidents in Managed Isolation Quarantine (MIQ) for returning Cook Islanders from New Zealand, has spoken with Cook Islands News.
Turama- All Souls Day - remember and pray for loved ones who have passed on
Tuesday 2 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Turama or All Souls Day is the special time of the year when graves in the Cook Islands are decorated with artificial or sweet scented fresh flowers and candles to remember and honour deceased loved ones.
Aitutaki’s spiritual journey
Saturday 30 October 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Aitutaki’s Tamatoa Ariki Teao Tangaroa was overwhelmed, speechless, and happy at the island’s successful Bi-Centennial arrival of Christianity celebrations that was held on Gospel Day, October 26.
Mauke takes key notes from Aitutaki celebrations
Friday 29 October 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
On the morning of Gospel Day on Tuesday in Aitutaki, Reverend Michael Akava from the island of Mauke reflected on London Missionary Society evangelists John Williams, Papehia and Vahapata who were instrumental in delivering the news of Christianity to the island.
Emotional for 200 Year Aitutaki Gospel celebrations
Thursday 28 October 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Listening to the sombre peal of the church bells on Gospel day, Regina Potini was overwhelmed and overcome with emotion.
