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16 May 2024
Alleged rapist in remand
27 April 2024
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12 April 2024
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4 May 2024
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 April 2024
Cook Islands poised for highest Pacific growth
29 April 2024
Ex-DPM appeals ‘excessive sentence’, hearing date set
26 April 2024
Mass milkfish die-off in Penrhyn raises concerns
3 April 2024
Regulator defends Starlink users
9 April 2024
Cook Islands set to play in new World Series
10 October 2023
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
Moana target 2025 World Cup
11 November 2022
Articles by Melina Etches
Stakeholders prepare for 2022/2023 cyclone season
Monday 14 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National, Weather
The Cook Islands Meteorological Service facilitated the National Climate and Oceans Forum Workshop with its stakeholders on Friday to prepare them for the 2022/23 cyclone season which runs from November to April.
Managing, minimising and preventing sports injuries
Saturday 12 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National, Sports
The Cook Islands Games may be over, however, several sports codes on the island including cricket, rugby 7s, football and several gym exercise programmes are still active leading up to Christmas. And with sport comes injuries. Visiting sports physiotherapist Tanya Browne shares some tips on caring for sports injuries.
Lest we forget: WWI veterans remembered
Saturday 12 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A solemn ‘Remembrance Service’ commemorated Armistice Day at the Returned & Services Association Cook Islands (RSA) in Nikao yesterday morning.
Hungry mouths gather for fundraising feast
Saturday 12 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Six pigs, 50 cartons of chickens and hundreds of steaks kept the crowds fed at the biennial St Joseph’s Primary School Gala in Taua Terevete Park on Friday.
Suwarrow park rangers return home
Thursday 10 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
After five months of living on Suwarrow – the Cook Islands National Heritage Park – park rangers Harry Papa’i and Teina Vakapora returned safely to Rarotonga onboard Te Kukupa II on Monday morning.
Joseph family donates spectacular drum to Cook Islands National Museum
Thursday 10 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
A fascinating giant drum which measures four metres in circumference sits grandly in the Tauranga Vananga/Ministry of Culture Cook Islands National Museum.
Aliki Makirai Henry new Ariki for Pukapuka
Wednesday 9 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Pukapuka’s new Aliki Makirai Henry (Ariki) attended Te Ulu O Te Watu society Labour Day celebrations in Auckland, New Zealand earlier last week.
Local personality Ronnie Si'ulepa passes away
Wednesday 9 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Local photographer and popular island personality Ronnie Si’ulepa passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 5 at Rarotonga Hospital.
Unwanted dogs need new homes: SPCA shelter at full capacity
Tuesday 8 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Lonely, unwanted, abandoned puppies and dogs are desperately in need of owners and new homes.
Tropical Christmas in Raro committee looking for Santa
Tuesday 8 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The season of giving and sharing the wonders of Christmas is nearly upon us and the Tropical Christmas in Raro committee is in full swing organising events and activities to bring joy to island residents especially children.
Niue hostel construction set to start in 2023
Monday 7 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Plans are in the pipeline for the Niue Community of Rarotonga to lay the foundation for their new hostel in Tupapa, next year.
Tereora College anticipating ‘excellent’ 2022 NCEA results
Saturday 5 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education
The year 2022 has progressed well for Tereora College in light of Covid-19, particularly for its senior students.
Sendito receives Tereora College Dux award
Friday 4 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Vannes Sendito received the prestigious top scholar award – the 2022 Dux of Tereora College – to a big round of applause from the students at the national college prizegiving ceremony yesterday morning.
Parliamentary rugby clash ends in 15-all draw
Thursday 3 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby Union, Sports
The closely hard-fought rugby match between the New Zealand Parliamentary and the Cook Islands side over the weekend ended in a 15-all draw.
Eleven women referred to New Zealand for breast cancer treatment
Thursday 3 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in
Eight hundred and nine (809) women attended the four-week mammogram breast screening programme which was held throughout August until September 13 at the Rarotonga hospital.
Action plan for low rainfall
Thursday 3 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in
The agriculture and tourism sectors have been identified as vulnerable to the impacts of low rainfall.
Turama: in memory of those who have passed
Wednesday 2 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local
Amanda Blake-Pauka arranges fresh flowers for the grave of her late brother, Remy Blake who passed away suddenly at a young age in 1973, for All Saint’s Day or Turama which falls on November 1 every year.
‘We are resilient’
Tuesday 1 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, Memory Lane
On November 1, 1997, Cyclone Martin struck the island atoll of Manihiki with waves higher than the highest coconut tree, claiming 19 lives. Today marks the 25-year anniversary of the destructive cyclone – the most catastrophic storm to hit the Cook Islands. Anna and Willie Katoa and their daughter Katarina are some of the survivors. Ana was five months pregnant when the waves struck, tragically they lost their seven-year-old daughter Maureen (older Maureen) who was presumed drowned. ‘Resilience’ is the word that springs to Anna’s mind when she emotionally recollects the surreal fight for survival during their three days at sea from the devastation of Cyclone Martin.
Battle of the MPs: Cooks host New Zealand Parliamentary First XV
Monday 31 October 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby Union, Sports
Former Cook Islands and Kiwi rugby league star Kevin Iro and former national 15s and 7s player Clive Nicholas featured for the Cook Islands Parliamentary side against New Zealand Parliamentary First XV on Saturday at Nukupure Park in Muri.
Long serving staff recognised
Monday 31 October 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Local
Cook Islands’ largest private sector organisation recognised and rewarded its long serving staff at a special event this month.
