More Top Stories
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
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
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
10 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Melina Etches
Pukapuka’s Apii Niua dux to attend Tereora College in 2025
Saturday 7 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Pukapuka’s Apii Niua, the biggest school in the Northern Group boasting a roll number of over 180 students, held its annual prize-giving day on Wednesday which was celebrated by the whole community.
Goldsworthy shines at Apii Te Uki Ou prize giving
Thursday 5 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Yesterday, Te Are Karioi Nui domes came alive with entertaining cultural performances by the Apii Te Uki Ou students and academic award presentations to celebrate the school’s Prize Giving Day.
Evening Paunu sessions prove popular
Thursday 5 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
More than 70 babies and toddlers aged 10 weeks to five years received Paunu health checks at the various clinics across the island last month.
Autism students serve up a delicious experience
Thursday 5 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Autism Cook Islands (ACI) is forging ahead with their student training programme at their Studio Blue centre in Nikao having catered for 17 invited guests.
Cook Islands bowlers ranked in top 10
Wednesday 4 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Bowling, Sports
Cook Islands Bowls is extremely proud of national reps Royden Aperau and Tai Jim who were ranked in the top 10 at the 2024 World Singles Champion of Champions tournament that was hosted at Browns Bay, Auckland, New Zealand, late last month.
Gribble named Dux of Apii Takitumu
Wednesday 4 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Takitumu held its annual prize giving awards yesterday, bringing together parents, families and the community to celebrate the achievements of their students.
Fishermen question fairness of Port Authority’s $50 monthly water fees
Wednesday 4 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
For the first time, fishermen operating out of the Avatiu harbour will be required to pay for water usage, a move driven by the newly established water tariffs set by the local water authority, To Tatou Vai.
Netball fever grips Rarotonga
Monday 2 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Netball, Sports
The biggest netball tournament in the Cook Islands – ‘BSP Netball in Paradise’ – kicked off on Saturday morning with a traditional turou by Danniel Daniel at the Multi Sports Arena in Nikao.
Iro inspires next generation
Monday 2 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby league, Sports
A young Cook Islander rugby league prodigy is making waves in the NRL, honouring his family’s legacy and inspiring the next generation of Cook Islands rugby league players.
Aitutaki water crisis: Government and contractor clash over solutions
Monday 2 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands, Technology
A local contractor and the government disagree on the best solution to Aitutaki’s water shortage, with the government favouring pump upgrades and the contractor advocating for additional water galleries.
Paddlers honour friend with donation
Saturday 30 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Paddling, Sports
The Dennes Boys Vaka Eiva crew from Australia has generously donated stationery supplies, sports equipment and t-shirts to Apii Takitumu in Matavera.
Family feud erupts at investiture ceremony
Saturday 30 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
In an emotional display of cultural tensions, families gathered in a noisy fervent and physical ‘pato’i’ (protest) during the ‘akauru’uru’anga’ (traditional investiture ceremony) for the Pera Mataiapo Tutara title of Vaka Puaikura at the Kainganui Marae this week.
Te Tupu reigns supreme
Saturday 30 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
The celebrated 2024 Cook Islands Canoeing Association Vaka Eiva concluded yesterday with the Round Rarotonga Relay V6 open men and women’s oe vaka races, showcasing the endurance and skills of the paddlers, and uniting local talent and international teams.
Juniors impress in marathon races
Friday 29 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
The Cook Islands Canoeing Association Vaka Eiva junior paddlers hit the lagoon again in Muri for the marathon two-kilometre and six-kilometre V6 races yesterday.
Legacy lives on: Tekeu honoured with ancestral Mataiapo title
Friday 29 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National, Weekend
Fifty-six years after his late father held the title, Tekeu Maki Tekeu, 68, was yesterday invested with the Ta Mataiapo title of Matavera.
Local crews dominate Vaka Eiva V6 Mixed Relay races
Thursday 28 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
The good conditions of the ocean blue made for good racing around Rarotonga for the Vaka Eiva V6 Mixed Relay Round Raro oe vaka races.
‘We want to stay’: Blackrock Preschool community dismayed over relocation
Thursday 28 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
Concerned parents and grandparents of children attending Blackrock Preschool have expressed dismay over Cook Islands Investment Corporation’s decision to relocate the beloved preschool to prioritise the development of sporting codes.
Next generation of paddlers impress at Vaka Eiva Junior Sprints competition
Wednesday 27 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
The Cook Islands Canoeing Association (CICA) Vaka Eiva Junior Sprint Races, set against the stunning backdrop of Muri beach lagoon, showcased an exciting talent of sportsmanship.
Confirmation ceremony brings together Rarotonga Catholic community
Wednesday 27 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
The Avarua St Joseph’s Cathedral and Matavera Sacred Heart Parish gathered together on Sunday to celebrate in the spiritual journey of Catholic students as they received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Vaka Eiva paddlers unitefor charity
Wednesday 27 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Thirty-four paddlers united for the Vaka Eiva 750-metre Boiler Swim, a charity event that involved swimming out to and around the iconic “boiler” at Avarua Wharf and back.