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Articles by Melina Etches
For the love of culture
Thursday 11 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
As teams struggled to get numbers for this year’s Te Maeva Nui, Tupapa-Maraerenga received a boost from a New Zealand-based Cook Islander who returned home to participate in the annual festival which concluded last Friday.
Ministry launches ‘A Guide to Beekeeping in the Cook Islands’
Thursday 11 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Cook Islands has “unbelievably feisty bees,” according to Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) beekeeping advisor David Cramp.
French fries are back!
Thursday 11 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
After seven days waiting out at sea for favourable weather conditions, MV Imua managed to berth at Avatiu Port yesterday morning to unload containers of cargo including frozen potato chips that Rarotonga had run out of.
Te Maeva Nui’s ‘high standards’ please Tauranga Vananga
Wednesday 10 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Despite being scaled back for the second consecutive year due to cuts in the Budget, Te Maeva Nui cultural festival is still maintaining its high standards, says Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Culture) Secretary Anthony Turua
A tribute to principals of Apii Arorangi
Wednesday 10 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Apii Arorangi primary students from 1984 reunited a fortnight ago to unveil a plaque at the school in honour of its former principals since the establishment of the school in 1915.
Celebrating Cook Islands language in New Zealand
Tuesday 9 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The Cook Islands Language Week was celebrated last week right across Aotearoa New Zealand, with each Cook Islands community hosting a week of activities targeting the celebration of language and culture.
Paunu returns with minor changes
Tuesday 9 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
The Cook Islands Welfare Association (CIWA) will operate this month’s “Paunu” services to the community with minor changes.
Students head back to school
Tuesday 9 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Students around the country returned to school yesterday after two weeks of break for third term of studies.
Curtain falls on country’s biggest, best cultural event
Monday 8 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The countless hours of late nights rolling into the wee hours of the morning rehearsing and making costumes have come to an end for the hundreds who have participated in the county’s biggest and best cultural festival – Te Maeva Nui.
Tributes flow for fallen kapa haka icon
Monday 8 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The body of Te Arawa kapa haka stalwart Sally-Ann Roberts (Ngāti Hinemihi, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāpuhi) was repatriated back to Aotearoa New Zealand yesterday.
Call to conserve water as island enters dry period
Monday 8 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
To Tatou Vai water authority is asking people to conserve water as Rarotonga enters a three-month drought spell.
Atiu wins top Te Maeva Nui awards
Monday 8 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Atiu’s spectacular performances and creative costumes helped the southern group island’s dancing troops clean sweep the top awards in Te Maeva Nui 2022 cultural festival.
Te Maeva Nui: The gospel of healing
Saturday 6 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Teams taking part in the 2022 Te Maeva Nui cultural festival sang their hearts out in harmony in the Imene Pupu (Choir) and Imene Tuki (Traditional Hymn) categories on Thursday night at the National Auditorium.
Cooks manage top five finish
Saturday 6 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Tennis
Cook Islands Tennis represented the country at the Nations Cup Tennis Tournament in Lautoka, Fiji this week finishing fourth and fifth in men’s and women’s divisions respectively.
Red Cross distributes vouchers to King Tide victims
Saturday 6 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Three homes so far have welcomed financial assistance to repair their houses damaged by the devastating king tides which reached as high as 4.5 metres on the south side of Rarotonga last month.
Songs of hope
Saturday 6 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The National Auditorium came alive this week with powerful songs of the Gospel and Vairakau Maori (traditional remedies) echoing through the hall.
Te Maeva Nui performers dazzle crowd
Friday 5 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Te Maeva Nui, the nation’s biggest and best cultural extravaganza, hit off to a great start with over 1000 people cheering and welcoming the first night of performers onstage at the National Auditorium on Wednesday.
Celebrating 57 years of self-governance
Friday 5 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Dignitaries, members of the public, Te Maeva Nui dance groups and visitors gathered at the National Auditorium yesterday to mark the Constitution Day – 57 years of self-governance from New Zealand.
Celebrating 57 years of self-governance
Wednesday 3 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Mangaia will feature dancers as young as 12 years of age in the 2022 Te Maeva Nui cultural festival tonight at the National Auditorium.
Atiu ready to hit the stage in Ura Pau category
Wednesday 3 August 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Atiu’s Te Maeva Nui cultural team is set and ready to hit the stage tonight in the Ura Pau category with a unique portrayal of the theme – “Te au Vairakau Tupuna o toku Matakeinanga/Enua or the Traditional Medicine of my Community/Island”.
