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Alleged rapist in remand
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Police shortage leads to drop in checkpoints
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Sarakura declared new Penrhyn MP
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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
Learning the art of traditional canoe building
Wednesday 26 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Features
Using a traditional canoe for fishing will soon become a reality for the youth of the Kōrero o te 'Ōrau 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango programme.
Resident ‘lucky’ to escape damage from flash flood
Tuesday 25 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Weather
Extreme flash floods on Friday from tropical depression TD05F affected low lying areas, wetlands and surrounding properties around Rarotonga. Affected residents were yesterday assessing the damage, some thankful the water did not enter their homes.
Cook Islands Aussies gear up for Australia Day
Tuesday 25 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
The worst of the tropical depression TD05F has passed by and after a big clean-up of clearing sand and debris yesterday morning, Vaiana’s Bar and Bistro is gearing up to celebrate Australia Day tomorrow afternoon.
Back into waters, fisherman shares ‘scary’ sea surge ordeal
Tuesday 25 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Weather
Fisherman Junior Ioapa made the most of the calmer seas early yesterday morning catching 10 decent sized and one weighing 15 kilo yellow fin tuna.
Dwindling tropical depression leaves trail of destruction
Monday 24 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Weather
The Tropical Depression TD05F extreme weather experienced over the weekend was not the worst the Cook Islands had experienced but it proved devastating enough, leaving behind a trail of destruction especially to properties in the coastal areas of Rarotonga.
$22,500 raised to support Tonga
Monday 24 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
In aid of the Tonga relief effort, $22,500 was raised from the Cook Islands Red Cross Society radiothon on Friday afternoon from 12pm-6pm on Radio Cook Islands.
Damaging high sea surge, heavy rain smash Raro
Saturday 22 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Weather
Heavy rain continued to pelt down yesterday evening with water level of the Empire Bridge threatening to spill over and areas prone to flooding around Rarotonga filling up rapidly and overflowing before the high tide at 11.30pm last night.
Unvaxed and unwelcomed
Friday 21 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Since the reopening of the borders on January 13 and implementation of new rules and regulations, some Rarotonga businesses and workplaces have come down hard on those who are unvaccinated against Covid-19.
Chances of tropical cyclone ‘moderate’, says Met Office
Friday 21 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Weather
The residents of Rarotonga and neighbouring Southern Group islands were last night bracing for a rough weather following multiple special weather bulletins on tropical disturbance TD05F from the Cook Islands Meteorological Services.
Fundraiser to help tsunami-hit Tonga
Friday 21 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
A radiothon will be held today in Rarotonga to support tsunami-hit Tonga amid water and food shortage.
Unvaxed returns negative tests
Thursday 20 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Close to 30 unvaccinated individuals have arrived into the country since the border reopening on Thursday last week.
Book on lost era of heroic Mangaian boatmen launched
Thursday 20 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
The Mangaian book Vaka E Te Poti Tari Kako that recalls the lost era of surf boat lighterage on Mangaia, bringing it to life through the memories of one of the boatmen and visually through 150 historic photos, was launched in Mangaia yesterday morning.
Rapid Antigen Tests to cost $10 from Monday
Thursday 20 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health has set the rate for the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for local residents and visitors heading to the Pa Enua from Monday, January 24.
Barber offers free haircuts for elderly and persons with disability
Thursday 20 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, National
When the Covid-19 related restrictions and new health safety rules started, Rarotonga barber William Atunaisa Nuku Wade felt he had to do something, anything to give back to the community, “especially for the vulnerable”.
No tsunami alert raises concern
Wednesday 19 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Grave concerns have been raised by members of the community as to why there was no tsunami alert on Friday, January 14, following a volcanic eruption in Tonga.
Face masks now compulsory at Punanga Nui Market
Wednesday 19 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Everyone must now wear a mask when visiting the Punanga Nui Market, says manager William Taripo.
Prayers and hope for loved ones in Tonga
Tuesday 18 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
Cook Islanders who are in the dark about their families and friends in the tsunami-hit Tonga are praying and hoping they are safe.
Tribute to well-loved educator the late Lionel Brown
Tuesday 18 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local
Lionel Brown, a fun-loving teacher, storyteller and leader to the countless number of students who passed through his classrooms, and a mentor to his work colleagues, passed away in Auckland Hospital on December 7, 2021 at the age of 82.
The search for Te Mire Atu composer
Monday 17 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, National
In celebration of Cook Islands compositions, new and experienced song writers are encouraged to register for the Mire Atu composer’s competition in March.
Vendors facing confusion over health measures
Monday 17 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Confusion regarding the ‘recommended’ or ‘compulsory’ new regulations of the wearing of masks at the Punanga Nui Market on Saturday was widespread.
