More Top Stories
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 April 2024
Cook Islands poised for highest Pacific growth
29 April 2024
Alleged rapist in remand
27 April 2024
Ex-DPM appeals ‘excessive sentence’, hearing date set
26 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
Kayal Iro debuts as Cronulla Shark #555
Tuesday 30 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Rugby league, Sports
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks’ Matt Ikuvalu’s injury during training presented the opportunity for Cook Islands international Kayal Iro to become Shark #555 when he took to the field over the weekend to take on the Bulldogs at PointsBet Stadium in New South Wales, Australia.
Vaka Training Successful
Tuesday 30 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Vaka Marumaru Atua has completed a successful sustainable transport run returning from Aitutaki on Sunday with four lasers for Sailing Cook Islands which will be used for the Cook Islands Games in October.
A quarter of MPs are women, ‘half should be aim’
Tuesday 30 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
Six of our elected legislators are women – a quarter of the 24 seat Parliament – but the aim should be to have women make up half of the MPs, the National Council of Women (CINCW) says.
Western bank gabions stabilise Takuvaine stream
Monday 29 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Contractors are continuing the widening and stabilisation of the Takuvaine stream bank where it approaches the new Empire bridge in Avarua.
Celebrating Cooks’ culture in Perth, Australia
Monday 29 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands dancers in Perth, Australia dazzled the audience with their cultural expertise on stage recently in the 2022 Te Mire Ura competition.
‘Healthy lunch only’ Wednesdays for Penrhyn students
Saturday 27 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The northern island Penrhyn schools of Omoka and Tetautua are tackling the health of their children in earnest with its ‘healthy lunch only’ policy on Wednesdays.
Rangi Henry’s beautiful blessed songs of Gospel
Saturday 27 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
Music brings joy and unites people together and is a powerful medium the world over, says musician and composer Rangi Henry.
Paunu provides peace of mind for Rarotonga mums
Friday 26 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
An “amazing” turnout of 32 babies and toddlers from Vaka Puaikura attended the Paunu Day yesterday.
Vaka embarks on training voyage for new crew
Thursday 25 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Vaka Marumaru Atua captain Deon Wong and 13 crew members departed Rarotonga yesterday afternoon for the island of Aitutaki.
Community on edge after attempted break in
Wednesday 24 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Crime, National
An attempted break in at a residential property in Takuvaine Valley has left a young mother and her two children who were at home at the time terrified, and has caused alarm in the community.
Women encouraged to attend mammogram screening
Wednesday 24 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
An overwhelming number of approximately 800 women have booked in to have a mammogram screening for the early detection of breast cancer.
Pukapuka/Nassau unveil new national flag
Tuesday 23 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in
The new modified Pukapuka/Nassau “national flag” which has been endorsed by the islands Council of Chiefs will be raised for fiercely contested 2022 Cook Islands Games next month.
Voyaging Society crew to sail Palau’s Vaka Motu
Tuesday 23 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Master navigator (Pwo) and Vaka Marumaru Atua captain, Peia Patai along with three crew members from Rarotonga are preparing Vaka Motu in Palau for her journey to New Zealand.
Conducting research in indigenous communities
Monday 22 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islander Ulamila Kura-i-Marie Vakalalabure Wragg, a PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury, is working on a thesis focusing on gender, power and land innovation in the Cook Islands and Fijian culture.
Promoting the Cook Islands language with modern day music
Saturday 20 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islands singing sensations the Samson Squad are rocking Pacific music lovers the world over with their winning arrangements of modern, hip and groovy urban music and the traditional language of Reo Māori Kūki 'Airani.
Sad ending to save beached baby whale
Saturday 20 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Efforts to try and save a baby whale (calf) in Aitutaki’s lagoon on Wednesday ended sadly when the calf was discovered dead the following day.
Vaka Takitumu ‘Peu Māori’ Taunga laid to rest
Saturday 20 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The poignant traditional chants of the pe’e rang through the hills of Ngatangiia as pallbearers led the procession of the late Mauri Toa, Vaka Takitumu’s well-respected and admired Peu Māori taunga expert, to his final resting place.
Monitoring the growth and development of little ones
Friday 19 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Braving the winter morning chills, mothers, grandmothers and caregivers attended the Matavera ‘Paunu’ day yesterday.
Strengthening Takuvaine stream to protect nearby buildings from future floods
Friday 19 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Work continues in the Takuvaine stream with the placing and construction of gabion wired basket cages filled with rocks that helps prevent erosion, retain a slope and fortify the banks.
‘A New Beginning’ for renowned Cook Islands musician
Thursday 18 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
After 12 years away, well-known Cook Islands composer, musician and entertainer Rangi Henry is back “on the rock” for good, with his new album “A New Beginning” which will be launched next week.
