More Top Stories
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 April 2024
Police shortage leads to drop in checkpoints
9 April 2024
Sarakura declared new Penrhyn MP
16 March 2024
Govt says $1.3m invested in Lady Samoa charter
22 February 2024
Mass milkfish die-off in Penrhyn raises concerns
3 April 2024
Regulator defends Starlink users
9 April 2024
Aitutaki’s heritage preserved in new anthology
4 January 2024
Avatiu Eels retain Nines title
8 January 2024
Beddoes crowned top athlete
8 January 2024
NRL player Dargan dies in Aitutaki motorcycle crash
24 December 2023
‘Please heed the signs’: resident makes plea to tourists
20 December 2023
Cook Islands set to play in new World Series
10 October 2023
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
Corruption in the Cook Islands?
21 January 2023
Moana target 2025 World Cup
11 November 2022
Articles by Melina Etches
Public up in arms over proposed expansion of Cabinet, proxy voting
Thursday 14 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Parliament
Parliament is holding public meetings to discuss proposed amendments to the Constitution, with Rarotonga residents strongly opposing an increase in Cabinet Ministers and a measure allowing MPs to vote by proxy.
Fishing vessel Zambucca hauled out of water for inspection
Wednesday 13 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Curious onlookers gathered at Avatiu Harbour yesterday to watch the precarious operation of fishing vessel FV Zambucca being lifted out of the water by two cranes.
JPs enhance skills in decision- making and judgment writing
Wednesday 13 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Local, National
Justices of the Peace (JPs) practicing in Cook Islands Court are undertaking training in a workshop focused on decision-making and judgment writing.
Katuke takes top prize at Mama’s Reef Fishing Competition
Tuesday 12 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Sports
The Cook Islands Game Fishing Club’s Mama’s Reef Fishing Bamboo Rod Competition on Saturday drew a respectable number of 27 enthusiastic women.
Ashton brothers facilitate return of heirlooms, seek to build museum on Aitutaki
Tuesday 12 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Priceless stone pre-European artefacts will be returned to the Cook Islands later this year.
Seizing opportunities and daring to dream big
Monday 11 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A young Cook Islands entrepreneur, overcame challenges to build a successful fitness business that empowers women and celebrates Cook Islands culture.
Celebrating progress: Cook Islands women share stories of success
Saturday 9 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
The International Day of Women was celebrated across Rarotonga including workplaces celebrating the theme of ‘Te Vaine kia turu’ia: Tupu’anga kia Tere – Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress and Inspire Inclusion’.
Cook Islander returns home to bridge tech gap and empower youth
Saturday 9 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Vaipunu Ian Tairea, a software developer on the island of Mauke, is excited with the prospect of computer technology becoming the biggest employment opportunity for the Cook Islands, especially the Pa Enua.
Cook Islands celebrates International Women’s Day with ‘Inspire Inclusion’ talks
Friday 8 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Today is International Women’s Day and the Cook Islands is celebrating with events featuring prominent women speakers.
$10 million project aims to reduce single-use plastics
Friday 8 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
A project to reduce the number of plastics entering the country, focused on the food and beverage sector, was discussed during a workshop in Rarotonga this week.
Rarotonga sailors shine at Nationals, youngsters set for NZ challenge
Thursday 7 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sailing, Sports
The Rarotonga Sailing Club (RSC) has had a great start to the year, hitting the ground running with several activities.
Pensioner donates ‘Back to School’ promo winnings to families in need
Thursday 7 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Recognising the increase in cost of living and the families who are struggling to make ends meet, a kind-hearted pensioner has returned his CITC Back to School Anchor competition $500 cash winnings.
‘Vegetable Planting Evenings’ programme empowers families to grow their own food
Thursday 7 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
The Cook Islands Child Welfare Association (CICWA) has launched a new programme to promote healthy living and self-sufficiency among young families.
Rarotonga schools receive free oral health education kits
Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Health, National
Gearing up for World Oral Health Day and committed to promoting oral health awareness and education on the island, CITC has partnered with Colgate to distribute oral health education kits to school students.
Baby Teeth Matters programme brings oral health care to Cook Islands children
Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health’s “Baby Teeth Matters” programme is making its way around the island, aiming to improve the oral health and wellbeing of mothers and young children up to the age of five.
Te Are Pa Metua welcomes back seniors for activities and socialisation
Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Te Are Pa Metua centre for the elderly is back in full swing, resuming their usual programmes and activities on February 1.
Balancing motherhood and studies: Tatuava-Taripo’s inspiring journey to serve her community
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
From early motherhood and years of perseverance and sacrifice, inspiring and determined Aleyna-Joy Tatuava-Taripo, 34, has triumphed in law after being admitted to the bar in the Cook Islands High Court last week.
Rakahanga School sees enrolment rise with families returning to island
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
Rakahanga School, located on one of the Cook Islands’ most isolated islands 42 kilometres south of its sister island Manihiki, has seen its roll number increase to 22 this year compared to last year’s roll of 15.
New book explores Ma’uke’s connection to the London Missionary Society
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
Author Moana Moeka’a has launched his fourth book, “Ma’uke Mission 200 Years”, a story about the island’s connection, his father’s homeland, to the London Missionary Society (LMS).
Education takes flight as Manihiki and Penrhyn learners graduate for first time
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI) is expanding its reach to offer accredited qualifications to learners in the Pa Enua, with this week’s graduation ceremony celebrating the achievements of students from Manihiki and Penrhyn.
