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
Descendants reunite across the Pacific
Saturday 24 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
Over 300 descendants from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti, Marquesas, Rarotonga, and Mangaia participated in the George Outher Brown Reunion this week at Te Are Kariori National Auditorium.
Avarua landmark falls: Iconic flamboyant tree cut down after 130 years
Saturday 24 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Memory Lane
The iconic flamboyant tree that graced the Avarua roundabout in town for around 130 years is no more.
Autism Cook Islands kicks off year with $4000 donation
Friday 23 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
Autism Cook Islands has gotten off to a great start for this year thanks to a generous $4000 donation from the Rarotonga Growers Association’s special dinner event.
Japan boosts Rarotonga agriculture with machinery donation
Friday 23 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Over 1000 hours of tractor services, including slashing and ploughing of farmland in Rarotonga, were provided by the Ministry of Agriculture in the past year.
Parliament of Western Australia tours Te Kukupa II
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, National, Parliament, Regional
The Parliament of Western Australia delegation visiting Rarotonga were delighted to take a tour on Te Kukupa II yesterday morning before leaving the island in the afternoon.
Apii Te Uki Ou inducts student leaders
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Te Uki Ou celebrated and commended their new school leaders for this year who represent the future leaders of the country, in a special school assembly yesterday morning.
Cooks swimmers achieve five new records
Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming
Cook Islands swimmers have done extremely well at the 2024 World Aquatics Championship, in Doha, Qatar, Saudi Arabia having achieved five new Cook Islands records out of seven events, and personal bests.
Shining brighter in Penrhyn
Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National, Outer Islands
Penrhyn is shining extra bright thanks to the kind donation of solar lights.
Buckley Jr reels in back-to-back wins at Gordon Murray Memorial
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Other Sports, Sports
Seasoned fisherman Buckley Buckley Jr, the champion of last year’s Gordon Murray Memorial Fishing Competition, has done it again, taking out this year’s trophy as well.
Western Australia gifts symbolic tables to Cook Islands Parliament
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, National, Parliament, Regional
The two “Table of the House” tables gifted by the Parliament of Western Australia (WA) were officially handed over to Cook Islands Parliament yesterday morning.
New trust aims to keep Cook Islanders home and skilled
Monday 19 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
In a heartwarming story of compassion and dedication, a pilot and his young family opened their home and hearts to a young child, raising her as their own.
‘You now have your new shepherd’: Cook Islands Catholic prepares for new bishop
Saturday 17 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
Pope Francis has appointed Reverend Father Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado, M.S.P., as the new coadjutor bishop of Cook Islands. Fr. Getalado is a Filipino priest who has served in various locations throughout his career, including Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Tuvalu. Melina Etches reports.
Tropical depression brings rain, wind, and minor damage to Southern Cooks
Saturday 17 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands, Weather
Tropical depression brought heavy rain and strong winds to the Southern Cook Islands, causing minor damages and prompting school closures.
Cervical cancer self-testing screens nearly 300 women
Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Despite facing registration dips and no-shows, Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health’s cervical cancer self-testing programme has successfully screened 290 women in Rarotonga.
Cook Islands swimmers set new national records
Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming
The Cook Islands swim team is making waves at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Youngsters reel in fun and prizes at Tamariki Reef Fishing Competition
Tuesday 13 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Sports
The popular Rarotonga 2024 Tamariki Reef Fishing Competition held last month saw 61 children between the ages of five and 14 years head out to sea, armed with their bamboo rods.
Year 6 students step up as leaders in Apii St Joseph’s investiture
Tuesday 13 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Thirteen keen students from Year 6 have taken on leadership responsibilities for St Joseph’s Primary School.
Ancestral homecoming: Ui Tupuna remains return to Mangaia after decades
Tuesday 13 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
The remains of over 100 “Ui Tupuna”, ancestors who were separated from their homeland for over three decades, have finally returned to their rightful resting place, at home in Mangaia, Au’au Enua. Melina Etches reports.
Cook Islands, NZ leaders celebrate Waitangi Day, pledge stronger ties
Saturday 10 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Weekend
Waitangi Day and the first visit of Aotearoa New Zealand’s new Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, and Minister of Health and Pacific Peoples, Dr Shane Reti, was marked with a special garden reception at Ngātipā, the official residence of New Zealand. New Zealand High Commissioner Tui Dewes hosted the special evening on Wednesday, February 7, attended by around 200 people.
Heather invested as new Tamakeu Mataiapo
Saturday 10 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National, Weekend
Joseph Heather was invested as the new Tamakeu Mataiapo of Teimurimotia, a traditional title also held by his late mother Puretu a Tangiiau Api Heather, in a ceremony attended by hundreds and marked by cultural significance.
