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Articles by Melina Etches
Vainetini Ekalesia to exhibit tivaevae
Saturday 11 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
An exhibition will be held next week of intricately hand sewn tivaevae, pillows, cushions and other handicrafts made by the Rarotonga Vainetini Ekalesia of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC).
Fundraiser for Aitutaki’s 200th Bi-Centennial
Friday 10 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National
Tasty fresh barbequed fish direct from Aitutaki will be on sale on Friday at Constitution Park to raise funds for the island’s historic 200th Bi-Centennial Anniversary of Christianity’s arrival, next month.
Red Cross marks World First Aid Day
Friday 10 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands Red Cross Society will today join the rest of the world in celebrating the World First Aid Day.
Answering the ‘call of duty’
Thursday 9 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A Cook Islander stranded in New Zealand due to suspension of inward travels has joined the country’s health team in an effort to contain the dangerous Delta variant.
Toa logs to help school
Thursday 9 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Expressions of interest are being sought for the logs of toa (ironwood) trees that have been gifted to Apii Takitumu by the Matavera community, to benefit the school.
Candidates line up for CINSF member representative role
Wednesday 8 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund (CINSF) is seeking a contributors representative on the Board for a new three-year appointment. Melina Etches reports.
Penrhyn students get into the spirit of Literacy Week
Tuesday 7 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
The Tetautua and Omoka school students of Penrhyn (or Tongareva island), the northernmost island of the Cook Islands group, yesterday celebrated the start of the ‘Literacy Week’.
Techie says she does it for the love of engineering
Monday 6 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Technology
The opportunity to perform a variety of work attracted systems engineer Tania Apera to Avaroa Cable Ltd. Her job is to ensure Cook Islanders enjoy uninterrupted and reliable internet service.
Plant Whispers celebrate success
Saturday 4 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
In a colourful gathering, Rarotonga women who love plants donned island style dresses and scented ei katu to celebrate the ‘Plant Whispers’ first year anniversary on Tuesday.
New Tararo Ariki of Mauke invested
Saturday 4 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Hundreds celebrated the investiture of Ngamata Tapoki Tararo with the title of Tararo Ariki – Tararo Ngamata Ariki, yesterday at Marae O Rongo on the island of Mauke.
CICC General Assembly cancelled
Friday 3 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
The Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) 34th Bi-Centennial General Assembly scheduled for next month has been cancelled and will take place in 2023 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity on Rarotonga and other islands of the Pa Enua.
Girls Guide: ‘Walking together, walking far’
Thursday 2 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Girl Guides Association Cook Islands participated in the first ever virtual World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) Conference.
Avake assist with MMR lagoon health project
Wednesday 1 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Concerns had been raised from residents in Muri regarding cages holding sea urchins locally known as “avake” (Tripneustes gratilla) in Muri lagoon.
National Disability Council meets PM Brown to discuss inclusivity
Tuesday 31 August 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has welcomed proposal to include a disability representative to the National Disaster Committee.
Aitutaki prepares for ‘Liftoff’
Tuesday 31 August 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
The organisers of the Aitutaki Liftoff are hoping the postponement of the inaugural event due to Alert Level 2 restrictions would help build momentum and possibly attract more participants.
Resting in sunlit seas
Saturday 28 August 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Olly Silk sailed into Rarotonga in 1959 and 62 years later she was returned to the deep big blue, with her burial at sea on Wednesday.
Golf event cancelled
Friday 27 August 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports
Due to the current Alert level 2 Covid-19 restrictions, the Aitutaki Golf Ambrose that was scheduled to take place today at the Rarotonga Golf Club, has been cancelled.
Seal found on Aitutaki ‘starved to death’, resident says
Friday 27 August 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
The young New Zealand fur seal that was discovered on Amuri beach in Aitutaki on Friday last week, has died.
Koutu Nui must return to their tribes, says Are Ariki
Thursday 26 August 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The group comprising the country’s sub-chiefs are ‘just too demanding and don’t want to listen’, says president of the House of Ariki.
Family and friends farewell Mama Olly Silk
Thursday 26 August 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Olly Silk, the last surviving partner of the Silk & Boyd Ltd shipping company and veteran golfer, was buried at sea yesterday. She passed away on Saturday, a year shy of her 90th birthday.
