More Top Stories
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
BRO CHECK campaign: ‘Reach out, you’re not alone’
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’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
21 September 2024
3000 companies at risk due to Act oversight: Browne
23 September 2024
Police apprehend four juveniles in connection with motorcycle thefts
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
Helmet safety concerns raised amid enforcement challenges
2 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
STI cases on the rise
2 September 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
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
8 August 2024
Everyone is a winner, says Culture
7 August 2024
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
8 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Tapaitau appeal dismissed
17 July 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Melina Etches
Pu Tapere for Maraerenga in dispute after second election
Thursday 3 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The recent election for the Pu Tapere (village leader) for Maraerenga has been marred by controversy and competing claims, with two individuals claiming the position after separate elections with differing outcomes.
Community urged to be mindful of fire safety after Ngatangiia incident
Thursday 3 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
A raging inferno fuelled by coastal winds that propelled flames up to the heights of nearby coconut trees in Ngatangiia was fortunately doused before reaching nearby properties this week.
Primary school athletic competition concludes with record participation
Wednesday 2 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Athletics, Sports
Proud parents and families attended the annual CITC Prince of Wales Primary School Athletic Championship, a two-day event that concluded yesterday at the National Stadium in Nikao.
Cook Islands artist honours ancestral home with 100th exhibition
Wednesday 2 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Cook Islands artist Sylvia Marsters returns to Rarotonga for her 100th career exhibition project with a new collection of paintings and prints, on Tuesday next week at the Bergman Gallery in Rarotonga.
14 years in a row: Apii Avarua students jump, run and leap to victory – once again
Wednesday 2 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Athletics, Sports
Apii Avarua has done it again, taking home the coveted CITC Prince of Wales Primary Schools Athletic Championship overall trophy.
Mama Ra is Cook Islands Has Talent 2024 Star
Tuesday 1 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
Delightful and talented Terā-'itirere-ki-Avaiki Rongo affectionately known as “Mama Rā,” won the 2024 Cook Islands Has Talent final competition on Saturday night.
Lawn Bowls rolls off the green today
Tuesday 1 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Bowling, Sports
Lawn Bowls (pōrotaka), the first sport in the 2024 Cook Islands Games, will be rolling across the green this afternoon by 110 bowlers at the Rarotonga Bowling Club from 5pm.
Prime Minister opens Cook Islands Games Lawn Bowls
Monday 30 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Bowling, Sports
The Cook Islands Games Lawn Bowls official opening ceremony festival was declared open on Saturday afternoon by Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Raising awareness on gender-based violence
Monday 30 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fiji, Local, National, Regional
A representative from Punanga Tauturu Inc., the Cook Islands Women’s Counselling Centre, recently attended a regional training programme on Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls/Children, gaining valuable knowledge and skills to combat gender-based violence in the local community.
Cook Islands makes history with FIRST Global gold
Monday 30 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Technology
The extraordinary Cook Islands Robotics all-girls team made history after winning gold medal alongside the People’s Republic of China, Republic of Moldova and Madagascar in the FIRST Global Winning Alliance category of the 2024 FIRST Global Challenge in Athens, Greece, over the weekend.
Excitement builds as over 3000 prepare for Cook Islands Games
Saturday 28 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports
The excitement for the third Cook Islands Games will reach a fever pitch as the much-anticipated biennial event kicks off with a grand opening ceremony marching parade on Friday, October 4, at 6pm at the National Stadium in Nikao.
Ombudsman reflects on 40 years of advocacy
Saturday 28 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The 40th anniversary of Te Mata Akamoeau/Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday reflected on the four decades of dedicated service, advocacy and commitment to upholding the rights of Cook Islands citizens.
Cook Islands Ombudsman Office celebrates 40 years
Friday 27 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National
The Cook Islands Ombudsman Office yesterday celebrated 40 years of serving its responsibility for investigating complaints against Government Ministries and Crown Agencies under the Ombudsman Act 1984.
Cook Islands Clean-Up Day reveals alarming amounts of trash
Friday 27 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Te Tu’anga Taporoporo/National Environment Service witnessed an “alarming” amount of waste collected during Clean Up Cook Islands Day held earlier this month, which has more than doubled from previous years.
Visiting group Te Mana O Te Rima offers health services to Rarotonga elders
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Elderly people in Rarotonga will join the world in celebrating the United Nations International Day of Older People on Tuesday next week.
Mangaia youth embrace traditional voyaging skills
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation has successfully completed their Teretereanga Vaka programme in Mangaia, providing educational opportunities for youth on the island to participate in a course that promotes and preserves the art of traditional voyaging and navigation.
Top 10 ready to rock the stage in Cook Islands Has Talent finale
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features
The top 10 performers are polishing their acts to rock the Cook Islands Has Talent stage in the finale this coming Saturday at the Staircase Bar.
By election date set for vacant councillor seats
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A vacancy exists for a council member for the village of Ivirua in Mangaia, and two council members for the village of Tetautua in Penrhyn.
Mauke’s new mayor wants to get the community into planting crops
Wednesday 25 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
The island of Akatokamanava/Mauke celebrated its elected Island Council members during the swearing-in ceremony yesterday morning at the Government Representative building site.
Aquatics to host international open water swimming events
Wednesday 25 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming
Cook Islands Aquatics Federation (CIAF) is planning to host its first international open-water swimming event next year in March, with another planned for September/October 2025.
