More Top Stories
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 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
Imanuela Akatemia promotes healthy eating habits
Thursday 7 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Imanuela Akatemia students devoured juicy, appetising fruit in celebration of the World Health Day that was held in Rarotonga yesterday.
Mitiaro’s Akaoki’anga Kaka event
Wednesday 6 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
One hundred and forty woven kikau baskets filled with harvested crops like puraka (yam), taro, tinned meat, chicken and fish was shared out to the community of Mitiaro/Nukuroa on Sunday in celebration of the islands annual Akaoki’anga Kaka (Returning the glory) event.
Volunteers giving service to the community
Wednesday 6 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Red Cross volunteer Mii Estall or ‘Aunty Mii’ became emotional thinking of the large families who are affected by Covid-19 in isolation and struggling to make ends meet and feed their families.
‘Be informed, be prepared’
Tuesday 5 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Over 600 positive cases of Covid-19 have been recorded with the Tupapa Maraerenga Puna Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) who are also responsible for monitoring the village of Takuvaine through to Karekare in Upper Tupapa.
Raro fisherman reels in 63.5kg Opah on a handline
Tuesday 5 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
Local fisherman Jason Tuara has done it again, reeling in an impressive 63.5-kilogram Opah fish (moonfish) using the “poito” (handline) bottom fishing method.
Shortage of manpower amid rising Covid cases
Monday 4 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
As Covid progresses with more people becoming infected, one of the challenges the Murienua Puna Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is faced with is the ‘shortage of manpower’.
Cook Islander thrives in real estate business
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features
From a broke single dad of five living in South Auckland to getting ranked among the best in New Zealand real estate business, Cook Islander Charlie Brothers shares his rag to riches journey with Cook Islands News journalist Melina Etches.
Be proud of te reo Maori
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Ngatamaine Teaka began speaking Cook Islands Maori from a very young age, she is comfortable conversing in the language and encourages other kids to “learn your Maori language and be proud of it”.
Easing Covid restrictions
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Government has started issuing Essential Worker Pass and Post Covid Freedom Pass in a bid to take pressure off the local workforce.
BTIB appoints new chairperson
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, National
The Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) has appointed existing board member Eirangi Marsters Insimo as the board’s new chairperson.
Cook Islands model wants to ‘empower indigenous women’
Friday 1 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
African Cook Islander Ernestina Bonsu-Maro has placed second runner up in the 2022 Miss Top Model Pageant.
Titikaveka Puna overwhelmed by surging Covid-19 cases
Friday 1 April 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
From the 79 Covid RAT tests conducted yesterday at the Titikaveka Puna Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), 17 returned a positive result bringing the total number of those who have tested positive so far to 123.
‘Sauce Boyz’ win NZ battle of the drums event
Thursday 31 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The riveting pounding of cultural drums echoed throughout the Manihiki Hall in Auckland, New Zealand over the weekend.
Over 600 Rapid Antigen Testing officers certified
Thursday 31 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
A decent number of 613 individuals from Rarotonga and Aitutaki have completed the RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) practical trainings and are now certified Covid-19 Health and Safety Officers.
Are Pa Metua ready to welcome back members
Thursday 31 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The newly-built Are Pa Metua is set to resume its services but members will have to undergo a Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) test and health check prior to the start of their gatherings at the Punanga Nui Market centre.
Empire Bridge undergoes final testing
Wednesday 30 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Final tests to ensure the join between the new Empire Bridge and the road leading up to it is strong enough before its seal have been conducted by engineers.
New traps to survey Dengue mozzies
Wednesday 30 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
New mosquito traps have been placed and surveys in the community will be conducted to understand the local mosquito population and the impact of Dengue on health and the economy of the country.
Avarua Squash Courts back in the groove
Tuesday 29 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Squash
After a lapse of 10 years, the Avarua Squash Centre located at the St Joseph’s Catholic Hall have come alive again with reopening of the sports facility in late January.
Following in the footsteps of her grandmother
Saturday 26 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Following in the footsteps of her paternal grandmother, Eileen Story has launched her political career and will stand in the 2022 general elections as a candidate on the island of Mauke.
Apii Niua reinstates prefect scheme
Saturday 26 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Pukapuka’s Niua School has reinstated their Prefect Programme after a lapse of 15 years.
