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Cook Islands poised for highest Pacific growth
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Ex-DPM appeals ‘excessive sentence’, hearing date set
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Regulator defends Starlink users
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Cook Islands set to play in new World Series
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Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
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Moana target 2025 World Cup
11 November 2022
Articles by Melina Etches
Small school with big heart
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The sweet voice of Elijah Nootai singing the National Anthem with such passion and pride rang soundly at the Nukutere College prizegiving ceremony on Friday.
Cook Islands step up campaign to end violence against women
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Local, National
The Cook Islands Police Service marked White Ribbon Day in a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Internal Affairs (INTAFF) starting with a 7am Mass at the St Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral on Friday.
Paddlers battle extreme conditions
Friday 25 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
There were 24 paddlers on the start line in Wednesday’s Oe Vaka Nationals Singles event which was raced in very challenging ocean conditions with strong south easterly winds and swell.
Black Fern home to share rugby knowledge
Friday 25 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby league, Rugby Union, Sports
Cook Islander Maiakawanakaulani (Maia) Roos, who played an instrumental role in Black Ferns’ Women’s Rugby World Cup win, arrived on the island on Wednesday.
Facebook post prompts thieves to return stolen watermelons
Friday 25 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Thanks to social media and a caring community, watermelon thieves who raided a family plot in Arorangi were identified on Wednesday – the same afternoon the awareness notice was posted.
Water intakes ‘under stress’: Unsupervised scrub fires resulting in unnecessary usage
Friday 25 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The recent ‘light rain’ had no impact on the water intakes due to the extremely dry weather, and some areas on the island are without water due to the lack of flows in the catchment stream intakes.
Young voyagers ready to put knowledge and skills into action
Wednesday 23 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Outer Islands
Vaka Marumaru Atua will set sail for Atiu on Wednesday, with many of the younger members onboard putting all their practice into action.
Young paddlers impress
Wednesday 23 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
There were ‘gutsy’ performances by the Junior Under-16 paddlers in the five-kilometre ocean race from Avarua harbour up to Club Raro and back, in the Oe Vaka Nationals on Monday afternoon.
‘Strive and stay true to yourself’
Wednesday 23 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National, Rugby Union, Sports
The lively Rarotonga school girls were squealing with excitement to have Black Ferns, Krystal Murray and Cook Islander Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, deliver coaching sessions at primary schools yesterday.
Scrub fire warning
Tuesday 22 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
People lighting fires in high winds and extremely dry conditions are not paying attention to warnings from the fire services who are calling them to be mindful of the weather and to stay with their fires until it dies out.
Black Ferns star gives back to community through mentoring
Tuesday 22 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby Union, Sports
Women’s Rugby World Cup champion Black Fern’s Krystal Murray and former Black Fern, Tekura Aerengamate are visiting Rarotonga this week. While on holiday, the women have kindly offered to give back to the community and will run rugby clinics for school children throughout the week starting this morning at Apii Nikao. To end the week […]
Oe Vaka races thrill the crowds
Monday 21 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
A thrilling finish, paddling furiously for first place between the Cook Islands Te Tupu O Te Manava and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pineula in the Open Men’s V6 18km race, was a highlight of the Oe Vaka Nationals.
Top paddlers here for Nationals
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Seventeen teams will be battling it out on the ocean this afternoon in the Cook Islands Oe Vaka National V6 Iron race which starts from Avarua harbour.
Toa Samoa Rugby League World Cup parade unites
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Local, National, Rugby league, Sports
In true Pacific style, flags of the Pacific islands including the Cook Islands, Niue, Fiji and Tonga billowed amongst the deep red of Samoa’s, united in their support for Toa Samoa, in yesterday’s parade.
Reiner’s declaration of love for Raro
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane
Reiner Gatermann’s love for Rarotonga has brought him back to the island an incredible 21 times. He chats with senior journalist Melina Etches.
Local non-government organisations receive hygiene packs
Friday 18 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Hygiene packs sponsored by the New Zealand High Commission Office were well received by non-government-organisations (NGOs) earlier this week.
From the river to the ocean
Friday 18 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Paddling, Sports
Living nowhere near the ocean, the River Runners paddling team from Ottawa, Canada who are here for the first time, are looking forward to their very first ocean race in the Oe Vaka Nationals tomorrow.
Samoa league fans to hit Raro streets as team prepares for World Cup final
Thursday 17 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in League, Local, National, Sports
In celebration of Toa Samoa making the Rugby League World Cup final for the first time, the Samoan community on Rarotonga will parade through town on Friday.
Tairi reels in 58.2kg yellowfin tuna to win annual fishing comp
Thursday 17 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Sports
An impressive haul of yellowfin tuna dominated the species of fish weighed in at the CITC Liquor and Woodstock Fishing Competition held over the weekend.
Call to conserve water as intake levels drop again
Thursday 17 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in
A good steady downpour in the central high country for several days to a week is needed to recharge the water intakes and stream.
