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Articles by Melina Etches
Voices of Rakahanga
Saturday 30 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Voices of Rakahanga will be singing loud and proud in the 2022 Te Maeva Nui cultural festival next week in the Ute, Imene Tuki and Choir performances.
Celebrating Vairakau Maori
Saturday 30 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Teariki Pureau (pictured), Iriea Tangapiri and Puna Kamoe from the Ministry of Agriculture portrayed the making of “vairakau ati” and “maoro akairi kumu” at the official opening of the 2022 Te Maeva Nui and float parade yesterday.
‘Made in Cook Islands’ products a big hit at Expo
Friday 29 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Larry Tumai has spent months collecting, cleaning and preparing shells to create new jewellery designs for the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) Trade Days Expo being held at the Punanga Nui Market.
Final touches before cultural festival gets underway
Friday 29 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The young dancers of Pukapuka’s Te Maeva Nui team are excited and looking forward to their performances in the Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Cultural Development) organised cultural festival which starts today with the official opening and float parade at the Constitution Park.
Marjorie Crocombe OBE laid to rest
Friday 29 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Under the sombre veil of nightfall, bright lights shone with the presence of hundreds, to farewell the country’s exceptional brilliant star – the late Marjorie Tuainekore Tere Crocombe nee Hosking OBE (19 June 1930 - 21 July 2022) – yesterday evening.
Mauke ready to rock at Te Maeva Nui 2022
Thursday 28 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Mauke is going all out this year participating in all five items – choir, Imene Tuki, Ute, Action Song and Ura Pau – at this year’s Te Maeva Nui cultural festival which starts with the float parade tomorrow.
Trade Days off to a busy start
Thursday 28 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The three-day Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) Trade Days Expo kicked off yesterday with much fanfare allowing vendors to showcase locally made products and home grown produce.
‘The struggle is real’: Mitiaro prepares for Te Maeva Nui
Wednesday 27 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
For most teams participating in Te Maeva Nui cultural festival, “the struggle is real” to acquire enough dancers to perform in next week’s event, says the leader of Mitiaro’s cultural group, Matavaine (Tuvaine) Numanga.
Record vendors for popular BCI Trade Days
Wednesday 27 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, National
A record number of 64 vendors will feature in the popular three-day BCI (Bank of the Cook Islands) Trade Days event which starts this morning from 9am to 2pm at the Punanga Nui market.
Maeva crowned Pukapuka’s ‘Zumba Queen’ after losing 14.7 kilos
Tuesday 26 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
After 11 weeks of moving to funky beats Nane Maeva took out the top award in the Pukapuka Zumba exercise programme. She lost an impressive 14.7 kilograms.
Call to legalise medicinal use of cannabis
Tuesday 26 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A former law enforcement officer has welcomed Government’s decision to run a referendum on cannabis during this year’s General Election.
Keeping busy to beat the ‘winter blues’
Tuesday 26 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
School students Tarani Omao (left), Pati Estall, Gina Vaine Keu, Adyn Paige (NZ-based rugby player), Paige Anguna and little Cassius Anguna, who likes to be part of the family team, keep busy at the start of their holidays working part time “devanning” boxes.
Strings of Maute hits the right cord
Tuesday 26 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Eight teams performed in the first Cook Islands Game Fishing Club (CIGFC) string band competition on Saturday which saw Strings of Maute representing the island of Atiu taking home the top prize.
First time political candidate a 'chip off the old block'
Monday 25 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
The political domain is not something new to Nicholas Royle Henry, better known as Nick, who grew up in the ‘olden days’ of politicking when campaigns leading up to election day were full of celebrations and fun filled late nights of flowing conversation, an abundance of food, flowers, music and song.
Pa Enua residing Permanent Residents receive awards
Monday 25 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Kiribati residents on the island of Pukapuka – Toakarawa Kabuta, Karanga Ukeria-Taoroba and Toaki Taoroba – are proud to have been officially sworn in as Cook Islands Permanent Residents (PR) via a Zoom session on Thursday.
Singing their hearts out
Monday 25 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Fisherman Kirikavaka Tutavake showed off his musical talent strumming and singing away in the Nga Oire e Rua string band during the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club String Band competition on Saturday.
Strumming the heartstrings
Saturday 23 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Island string bands are not about harmonious pitch perfect songs – it’s about singing loud, joyously and expressively straight from the heart, radiating emotions to the audience.
Renowned Cook Islands academic passes away
Saturday 23 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
One of the Pacific region’s most respected authors and academic, Cook Islander Dr. Marjorie Tuainekore Crocombe née Hosking OBE passed away on Thursday night aged 92.
Excitement builds for Te Maeva Nui celebrations
Friday 22 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The popular annual Te Maeva Nui national cultural festival starts next week, however, this year the number of nights showcasing performances have been scaled down and adjusted due to the General Election to be held on Monday, August 1.
Leaving no stone unturned in soldier search missions
Thursday 21 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The search continues to locate 34 Cook Islands World War I (WWI) veterans who are believed to be buried on Rarotonga.
