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Crime

Systemic medical neglect alleged in Mauke death case

A family spokesperson alleges systemic medical neglect of a deceased woman with intellectual disabilities, whose death is being treated as a homicide, and vows to fight any resulting charges.

Sea rescue launched for two fishermen heading to Aitutaki

A search and rescue at sea operation swung into action yesterday to locate local fishermen, Steven “Captain Moko” Kavana and Peter Brothers Jr.

New Zealand citizenship granted to five Cook Islands residents

Five Cook Islands residents have officially received New Zealand citizenship, celebrating a significant milestone in their lives.

Crime

March sees highest crime figures in two years

Rarotonga has recorded its highest number of reported crimes in over two years, with a sharp rise in road incidents, juvenile crime and domestic violence cases throughout March, according to Cook Islands Police.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: The last domino has fallen

Dear Editor, It’s been widely reported in many news outlets that after President Trump ripped into Ukraine President Zelensky, European leaders came to their senses, realising that America couldn’t be counted on to stand with them to counter Russian hostility.

National

Local

Facebook group admin responds to police caution on posting personal IDs

National

Pacific officials attend Paris Agreements Article 13 training

Business

CITC launches 60th Anniversary Campaign

Economy

MFEM reforms aim to prevent repeat of costly Sheraton project

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) has taken valuable lessons from the controversial Sheraton deal, reinforcing its financial policies and procedures to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.

Local

Public works model to drive outer island infrastructure projects, says PM

Prime Minister Mark Brown has indicated that the government has adopted the public works model to complete the Manihiki Airport upgrade as it enables them to stay within the budget allocation compared to awarding the project to a private contractor.

Sports

Cook Islands joins regional competition

The Cook Islands under-18 beach volleyball team left Rarotonga on Tuesday with head coach Brendon Heath to compete in the Oceania U18 Beach Volleyball Championships in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Other Sports

New CISNOC executive board member hopes to provide transparency and clarity in finance

Former national weightlifter, Luisa Peters is Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) new president with Jason Lindsay taking on the senior vice presidency role and Simone Fe’ao providing her expertise in finance as the new treasurer.

Football

Coaching duo leading Cook Islands U16 women’s team to OFC Qualifiers

As the Cook Islands prepares to host the U16 OFC Women’s Championship League Qualifying Stage, Cook Islands Football Association is thrilled to announce two highly respected and close-knit coaches leading the national team: Tupou Brogan (head coach) and Claudine Robati (assistant coach).

Netball

Arch-rivals Titikaveka and Avatiu set for intense clash

An exciting clash awaits this afternoon as unbeaten arch-rivals Titikaveka and Avatiu’s premier teams meet in week three of the Rarotonga Netball Competition.

National

Destination Stewardship Plan prioritises cultural integrity in sustainable tourism

The Cook Islands Destination Stewardship Plan aims to balance tourism growth with cultural preservation by addressing challenges like commodification and intellectual property protection through community-driven initiatives and responsible visitor engagement, focusing on authenticity, education and sustainable practices.

Football

Tupapa ready for OFC challenge

Tupapa Maraerenga FC has arrived in Honiara, Solomon Islands, ready to take on the region’s best in the 2025 OFC Men’s Champions League.

Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Let us not undermine our traditions

The recent investiture involving the Avatea Rangatira title and the opposition from the Takau Rangatira line has brought to light a deeper issue—one that calls for reflection and unity within our families and tribes.

Kata

Kata: Traditional title

Kata

Kata: Sentenced

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Cook Islands registered vessels

I would like to give the Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands an opportunity to clarify statements made in Parliament.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Where’s the justice?

Dear Editor, The conviction and jailing of Charlie Katu, father and husband, for shipping an illegal herb to Aitutaki goes to prove that everyone involved is doing their job.

Editorials

Thomas Wynne: Income divide

In the second and final part of “The Land of Milk and Honey” series, columnist Thomas Tarurongo Wynne continues his comparison of figures between Cook Islanders at home and in Aotearoa New Zealand, and examines what the data reveals about the two populations.

Kata

Kata: Cyberbullying

Features

Environment

The migratory mysteries of Cook Islands’ Green turtles

Turtle tourism has become a popular year-round activity in Rarotonga, with both government and civil society groups working to ensure it is safer for turtles and people. In a two-part series, Gerald McCormack of the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust writes about the distinct lifecycle of the Green sea turtle, which has a distinct lifecycle compared to Hawksbill turtles, the two types of ‘resident’ turtles that local turtle tourism is built around.

Australia

Australian High Commissioner Smith departs, Hodson to take over

The Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Phoebe Smith, has completed her two-year term and will return to Canberra today.

Premium content

Features

A beacon of progress: First transgender mayor hopes to inspire local community

Six months into her term, Mauke’s new mayor Joanne Rongoape Stephens is celebrated as the Cook Islands’ first transgender mayor, inspiring the LGBTQ+ community and aiming to foster growth and unity in her island.

Local

Author Tom Neale’s Suwarrow journals donated to National Library of NZ

The Cook Islands High Commission in New Zealand was delighted to attend the handover of renowned author Tom Neale’s journals to the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand in Wellington over a week ago.

Local

‘If no one speaks up, nothing changes’: Ombudsman Office

To ensure fair treatment, Te Mato Akamoeau/Office of the Ombudsman is changing its approach to better serve Pa Enua northern group residents by focusing on awareness raising and community capacity building.

Church Talk

Church Talk: ‘Fearfully and wonderfully made’

Psalm 139:14 serves as a powerful reminder of the dignity, value and purpose of human life as created by God. It also sums up about human existence, divine creation, intentionality in creation, and the relationship between God and humanity, writes Bishop Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado msp of the Catholic Church.

Pacific

Pacific Islands

Cook Islands participate in Troika Leaders discussions

Prime Minister Mark Brown joined with fellow Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Troika Leaders on Monday to address pressing regional matters and advance discussions for strengthened regionalism as envisioned in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

Fiji

Cooks reaffirm commitment to Pac-led leadership

The Cook Islands reaffirmed its commitment to Pacific-led leadership last week, joining fellow Troika Officials of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), as well as Officials from Fiji and Palau, to discuss regional priorities as part of considerations leading up to the annual Forum Leaders Meeting to convene in the Solomon Islands in September.