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Crime

Police struggle to attract recruits

Police recruitment for new intakes launched over a month ago has received a disappointing response, with the starting salary at the minimum wage rate considered a major challenge.

Driver ordered to pay over $11,500 in reparations after crash

Terea Ngatokorua Maruaau, who appeared in court yesterday, has been ordered to pay over $3000 in reparations to the Te Aponga Uira (TAU) after falling asleep while driving a rental vehicle and crashing into a power pole in Nikao last month.

Visitor arrivals on track to rival record numbers

Visitor arrivals in 2024, with December figures yet to be released, have surpassed the total arrivals of 2023 and are on track to rival the record number set in 2019.

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Court

High profile suspect named: Sporting executive released on bail

A high-profile sporting executive charged in connection with the highly publicised property intrusion incident on Boxing Day 2024 has been released on bail and is scheduled to reappear in court next month.

National

Ngatoko takes helm as chief of staff for Prime Minister

A new chief of staff to the Office of the Prime Minister has been appointed to lead the team in advancing key national initiatives, including the National Sustainable Development Agenda.

National

Education

Tereora’s induction day and teachers’ conference to commence next week

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Te Mire Atu composers competition goes global

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Crime

No charges laid in Aitutaki fatal crash

Education

Former Tereora College principal to head revived teacher training centre

Business

Matavera’s new two storey commercial hub to open soon

In Matavera, the smallest district by land size on Rarotonga, a new two storey building “Te Waka” is set to redefine the local landscape with its mix of culinary delights, island apparel and commercial opportunities.

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Te Mire Atu composers competition goes global

The Ministry of Cultural Development is expanding the prestigious Te Mire Atu National Māori Composers competition to include overseas Cook Islanders to celebrate the country’s 60th anniversary of self-governance.

Sports

Talent on display at beach volleyball

Developing talent and strong teams are featured in the beach volleyball competition as the sport continues to grow in popularity.

Rugby league

‘Electric atmosphere’ at Cook Islands League Nines despite technical glitches

Following the successful hosting of the 9th League Nines in Paradise tournament last weekend, Cook Islands Rugby League has begun receiving interest for the 10th edition next year.

Rugby Union

Cook Islands 7s team unveils ambitious plan to elevate performance

The Cook Islands men’s sevens team plans to implement a series of initiatives this year to become competitive at international tournaments.

Other Sports

National darts team eyes gold in South Pacific Championship

Ten top players from the “golden” Darts Cook Islands Association are set to defend their historic gold medals at the 4th South Pacific Darts Championship (SPDA) to be held at the Metro Gym in Suva, Fiji, from January 20-26.

Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Vacancy for new Police Commissioner

Dear Editor, I write to the Minister of Police and to the public, for the position of Commissioner of Police. This application is out of despair, sadness and desperation to help.

Editorials

Te Ipukarea Society: How removing rats can protect Cook Islands native vegetation and wildlife

From birds to plants, invasive rats have wreaked havoc on island ecosystems worldwide, and the Cook Islands are no exception.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Honouring our young heroes

Dear Editor, May I request through your column for Government to consider and approve the recommendation for an award MBEs, OBEs or something of that nature or higher to be granted, bestowed or given to the team of young Cook Islanders who won the world competition for some robotic or similar thing that was in the newspaper some months ago.

Editorials

Ruta Mave: American drama of the wild wildfires

Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world and home to many of the celebrity elite, is currently starring in an unfolding American drama of the wild wildfires of the west, writes Ruta Mave.

Features

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Environment

Protecting Aitutaki’s ‘beating heart’ using traditional conservation method

Aitutaki residents gathered at their prized lagoon this week to continue the custom of protecting their marine environment through the re-establishment of the traditional ra’ui, a temporary fishing ban within the lagoon.

National

Discover Palmerston: A slice of paradise in the Pacific

Palmerston sits like a delicate necklace in the blue body of the Pacific, its coral reef and white beaches strung with six sandy motu scattered through it and a surrounding vast lagoon.

Entertainment

Overseas contestants to compete for Miss Cook Islands title, announces MCIPA

The two pageant organisations in the Cook Islands are planning to host separate pageant events this year.

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Features

Family duty calls: Youngest councillor navigates life on remote Palmerston

At 23, Julianna Marsters is Cook Islands’ youngest Island Government councillor. However, she was elected not by her own choice, but because she was the only family member of eligible age.

Entertainment

Aitutaki’s Maoate to fly Cook Islands flag at Miss Pacific Islands Pageant

Ngatepaeru Marie Maoate of Aitutaki will represent the Cook Islands at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2025 in Honiara, Solomon Islands next month, marking the country’s return to the regional pageant after a hiatus since 2019.

Features

Love in paradise: Fijian couple weds in Rarotonga

On December 21, 2024, Rarotonga became the backdrop for a heartfelt celebration of love as Losirene Dasalusalu and her newly wedded husband, Ratu Osea Dasalusalu, tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony.

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.

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Local

PM Brown confident in Pacific Islands Forum leadership despite political change in Tonga

The sudden resignation of Tonga’s former prime minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni had left a temporary gap in the leadership of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), but Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown remains confident that the situation will soon stabilise.

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.

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.