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Local

New Zealand rejects Cook Islands passport plan

Government’s proposal for a Cook Islands passport as a “national identity” to mark the country’s 60th anniversary in 2025 has been rejected by New Zealand.

Cook Islands debt surpasses quarter billion mark with new ADB loan

Cook Islands has signed a US$30 million (NZ$49.7m) loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) “to manage its debt and cash portfolios over the coming years”.

Police to increase visibility during holiday season: PM Brown

Prime Minister Mark Brown has emphasised the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening community policing following a recent attempted burglary in Avarua.

Local

Police clarify fees for reports

Cook Islands Police Service has clarified that fees for police reports, which contribute to operational funding, are charged for administrative services.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Cook Islands passport - personal ambition or national interest?

Dear Editor, Here’s my observation of this focus on the Cook Islands Passport, designed I might add, to draw attention away from seabed mining.

National

Local

Government partners with communities to improve safety shelters

National

Cook Islands and China discuss enhanced cooperation

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Features

New mammography machine offers improved breast cancer detection

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Court

Expat ordered to pay $5000 in reparations

Business

Cousins bring cool treats

Tiki Ice Cream Café, the new ice cream shop located near the airport in Nikao, is offering a refreshing addition to the area’s food scene.

Local

Social Impact Fund awards $199,825 to 14 community projects

The Cook Islands Social Impact Fund approved 14 proposals totalling $199,825.20 from 21 applications, supporting community initiatives across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, with a focus on sports, wellness and youth development.

Sports

Cook Islands volleyball team gains valuable experience

Despite the results, the Matariki Volleyball Cup 2024 campaign was a great success for Team Cook Islands.

Rugby league

Cook Islands hold top 10 spot

The Cook Islands men’s and women’s rugby league teams are both ranked 10th in the latest International Rugby League world rankings released this week.

Rugby Union

Cook Islands Rugby Union hosts ‘She’s a Ruckstar’ Christmas beach rugby festival

The Cook Islands Rugby Union (CIRU) is hosting the ‘She’s A Ruckstar’ Christmas beach rugby fun festival for girls to provide a safe and fun learning space to start their rugby journey in a less intimidating environment.

Cycling

BMX enthusiast pushes for skate park

Dedicated BMX enthusiast Cook Islander Tony Takurua whose passion for the sport extends beyond his personal pursuits is on a mission to advocate for the construction of a skate park.

Sports

Movember ride raises $2000 for men’s health

Cook Islands Triathlon Association held its annual community Movember rides last month to promote men’s health.

Opinion

Ruta Mave: A call for peace and justice this Christmas

It is the eve of Christmas eve, where shopping for last minute Santa presents, food and drinks intensity is creeping to stratospheric proportions, writes Ruta Mave.

Opinion

Virtues in Paradise: The best present you can give

Christmas is nearly here, and there is so much to do – preparing for visiting family, finding gifts for the children, serving the church, writes Linda Kavelin-Popov.

Opinion

Thomas Wynne: Recognising the signs of spiritual manipulation

Should any religion be free to travel like a vine as it pleases? Or should we learn to discern between something that bears good fruit and something that chokes, kills, and destroys? Thomas Tarurongo Wynne writes.

Opinion

Coconut trees, too much of a good thing

Coconut trees are often called the ‘Tree of Life’ in the Cook Islands and other Pacific islands because every part of the tree is useful. But too many coconut trees can be a problem.

Opinion

Church Talk: The 2024 festive season and what it truly means

The festive season is a time of celebration, family gatherings, and joy. For many in the Cook Islands, this period is about reconnecting with loved ones, sharing meals, and participating in cultural and spiritual traditions, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa from the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Features

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Features

New mammography machine offers improved breast cancer detection

The arrival of the new mammography machine in the Cook Islands marks a significant advancement in women’s health, enabling earlier detection of breast cancer and potentially saving lives.

Features

Collaborative efforts to a rat-free, thriving ecosystem on Takutea

In a monumental stride in conservation for the Cook Islands, Takutea Island is on its path to becoming rat-free.

Entertainment

Christmas in the Park brings festive cheer to Rarotonga

Hundreds of locals, visiting families, and tourists gathered at the National Auditorium and Domes on Thursday evening for the annual Christmas in the Park event, hosted by Rotaract Rarotonga.

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Culture

Divided legacy: Arioka invested as Pera Mataiapo Tutara amidst controversy

Patrick Arioka has been invested with the traditional title of Pera Mataiapo Tutara in the second investiture for the same title this year, little over a week after another claimant, Ana Andrew, was invested on November 27, 2024.

Art

A night of music and culture

The annual Kīnura Music Festival, hosted by local NGO Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau (KO), took place at the National Auditorium on Friday, December 6, attracting a large audience of over 1000.

Education

Imanuela Akatemia honours top students

In the spirit of faith and community, the Imanuela Akatemia (God With Us Academy) gathered yesterday to celebrate their prizegiving day, singing songs of praise and gratitude.

Pacific

Economy

Cooks and Australia superannuation MOU

Cook Islands government has signed a superannuation agreement with Australia allowing returning Cook Islanders to retire and transfer their superannuation savings easily to the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund.

Health

Western Pacific to miss UN goal to cut early deaths from lifestyle diseases: WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Western Pacific countries including the Cook Islands will likely miss out on the United Nations’ goal to reduce premature deaths from lifestyle-related diseases such as cancer and diabetes, as a result of alcohol and tobacco intake.

Economy

First Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) Council Meeting in Cook Islands

Council members of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) from 16 Pacific States gathered in the Cook Islands for the first time for the fourth PASO Council Meeting on November 4-6.

Education

USP Student body represents 14,000 students

The University of the South Pacific Students’ Association (USPSA) from 14 campuses spanning 12 member countries convened in Rarotonga yesterday representing the voice of 14,000 students.

Economy

Investment forum oversees assets of $100b

The two-day Pacific Islands Investment Forum (PIIF) opened on Tuesday serving as a platform for stakeholders across the Pacific Islands to gather, share insights, and work together on investment opportunities that can drive sustainable growth in the region. Together, the PIIF industry group of 20 Superannuation, Provident, Trust, and Sovereign Funds in 12 countries across […]

Sailing

New Caledonia's President Mapou says French territory is at a "turning point"

New Caledonia's President Louis Mapou says the French territory is at a "turning point" after the three-day fact-finding mission, headed by three Pacific leaders wrapped up in Nouméa. RNZ Pacific Presenter/Bulletin Editor Lydia Lewis reports.