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
‘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.
Eye-catching mural turns heads
Saturday 26 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The bright eye-catching Marae Moana mural at the Nikao Seawall keeps turning heads.
New vaccines for newborns
Saturday 26 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Two new vaccinations for children two years and under will be introduced and rolled out next month on April 7.
Cook Islands Voyaging Society sets new course
Friday 25 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Makea George Karika Ariki is the new patron of the Cook Islands Voyaging Society Inc. This was confirmed at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) that was held on Tuesday night.
Te Mire Ura in April
Thursday 24 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
The hotly contested Te Mire Ura dance competition is scheduled to start next month, to become the first cultural event of the year.
Penrhyn schools appoint student leaders
Thursday 24 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Four student leaders from the two schools of Penrhyn island were inducted earlier this month.
Aitutaki fishermen pay respects for missing Rarotonga fishermen
Wednesday 23 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
In a show of solidarity, the Aitutaki Rainforest Men’s Club fishermen gathered last week to pay tribute to the two missing Rarotonga fishermen Toru Ariki Miria and Tekou Enua Tipene.
Te Mire Atu postponed until June
Wednesday 23 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Due to some composers and singers being struck with Omicron and having to undergo mandatory isolation regulations, Te Mire Atu 2022 Maori composers competition has been postponed until June 23.
Climate Change negative trend expected to continue
Wednesday 23 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
In 2021 the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) published a report on disaster statistics for the past 50 years which showed that there were more than 11,000 disasters linked to weather, climate and water-related hazards, almost equal to one disaster per day; there were 2 million deaths – or 115 per day.
College staff and students donate to house fire victims
Tuesday 22 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The Titikaveka College prefect induction ceremony was marked with a special donation of funds to a family who lost all their possessions in a fire that destroyed their home earlier this month.
‘He loved and lived life at full speed’
Saturday 12 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Tributes flowed and the island mourned for the most popular, sociable and sporty ‘pa’paa lawyer of the Cook Islands’, who was buried yesterday at his home in Avaavaroa.
Ready to take on leadership challenge
Saturday 12 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Earlier this week Apii Mauke held its investiture ceremony for six of its senior leaders.
Owner calls for action after ‘Stray dogs’ maul pet cat
Saturday 12 March 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
The ongoing problem of stray dog packs mauling livestock has resurfaced again, in this instance a well-loved pet cat named ‘Georgie’ was mauled to death earlier this week.
