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Local

Farmers angry at produce thieves

A Rarotonga grower says farmers on the island are getting ‘angry’ as they have noticed some of their produce missing.

PM Brown ‘not surprised' at Treaty Principles Bill opposition

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is not surprised at the swell of opposition against the Treaty Principles Bill in Aotearoa.

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Environment

Govt consultation ‘misleading’

The government-led seabed mining consultation held on Monday night with the Cook Islands community in Auckland has come under fire for what critics have described as a "one-sided consultation" filled with "misleading information."

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Lopsided misleading consultation

E-communications between us and attendees at Monday night's government lead SBMA presentation to the Auckland Cook Islands community describes yet another, lop sided consultation, which also included misleading information.

National

Education

Nukutere’s “superpower” kids auction art pieces

Crime

Email scam hits resort, owner raises cybersecurity concerns

Economy

Shared Cook Islands and France legacy honoured

Crime

“Copouts’ destroy police says lawyer

Church Talk

Nauru Assembly of God visit Rarotonga

Thirty-five members of the Assembly of God youth ministry from Nauru are visiting Rarotonga for two weeks. The worship delegation came to celebrate the 21st birthday celebration of Tinka Marsters, a Nauruan girl who was raised by CICC Reverend Tere Marsters and his wife in the Cook Islands. Reverend Evi Agir, leader of the group […]

Economy

Trade policy framework revised after nearly a decade

The Cook Islands Trade Policy Framework (TPF), last reviewed in 2015, is undergoing a revision to reflect the country’s evolving economic priorities.

Sports

Rugby Union

Cooks 7s team prepare for Oceania Comp

Cook Islands national 7s team are now in the red zone as they physically and psychologically prepare for the Oceania Rugby 7’s in Honiara, Solomon Islands on December 7.

Badminton

U15 badminton team ready for Pacific Comp

Cook Islands U15 badminton team is set to compete in the 2025 Pacific Invitational, hosted by Badminton Oceania.

Athletics

Aitutaki Liftoff 2024 Draws almost 100 athletes

The Aitutaki Liftoff (7 – 10 November) functional fitness sports event drew a record number of almost 100 local and international athletes.

Basketball

Cooks U15 brave the Oceania Basketball Cup

Cook Islands U15 basketball teams delivered spirited performances at the FIBA U15 Oceania Cup 2024, where the men secured an impressive victory over New Caledonia, and the women faced a tough 50-32 loss to Fiji in their final placements in Canberra.

Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Letter: What is this RAC?

The article in your Tuesday, 19 November edition (RAC to address mosque legality) raises a number of interesting issues.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Lopsided misleading consultation

Editorials

Thomas Wynne: Gratefulness should not mean silence on the past

Our Ariki ceded our sovereignty in 1900 to a curious Great Britain and a sub-empire-building New Zealand colony for many reasons, and some suggest we should simply be grateful for this. Thomas Wynne writes.

Opinion

Pet talk: Pets impact on mental health

Pets have long been considered beloved members of the family, offering unconditional love and companionship. In recent years, scientific research has validated what pet owners have always felt: the positive impact of pets on mental health is profound.

Editorials

Te Tuhi Kelly: We did not cede sovereignty

Britain colonised my other country Aotearoa in the early 1840's. At that time Maori held sovereignty over land, sea and air. We are known by our tribal names and the area that we have sovereignty over.

Editorials

Ruta Mave: Modern pentathlon, a way to add a cross training aspect

Salam Alaykum which means peace be upon you all the way from Saudia Arabia. After 35 hours of flights travel and transit times I made it to my destination of Riyadh the site of the original capital city of the first state of Saudia Arabia over three hundred years ago, writes Ruta Mave.

Features

Art

Four Cook Islands artefacts at Berlin Museum

The Ethnological Museum of Berlin houses four Cook Islands artefacts, including a ceremonial adze, headgear and two drums. However, local experts believe that one of the artefacts, a tall and thin wooden and fibre drum, actually belongs to the Austral Islands. Cook Islands News editor Rashneel Kumar was in Berlin, Germany.

Entertainment

Renowned ‘artivist’ to star at Rarotonga ball

Celebrated New Zealand artist and “artivist” Moana Maniapoto (Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) will take centre stage as the master of ceremonies at the upcoming Ribbons of Hope: Early Detection Ball.

Church Talk

Church talk: “Do not look back”

Have you ever wondered why some people are successful and others aren’t? writes Kayla Kaimarama Willie of the Latter-day Saints.

Art

Master carvers to attend Moanaroa Artists Residence 2024 programme

Pacific Arts Centre is hosting Cook Islands artist and master carver Mike Tavioni and his wife Mama Awhitia Tavioni as part of their Moanaroa Artists in Residence 2024 programme.

Entertainment

Ribbons of hope early detection ball

Get ready to have a ball! The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation is bringing glitz and glamour to Rarotonga, while raising vital funds and awareness about breast cancer.

Features

Defying the Odds: 2 women excel in male domain

For years, women have been side-lined in sports administration, especially in rugby—a domain long dominated by men. However, local trailblazers like Francis Toa and Harriet Tuara are breaking barriers, proving that women can excel in leadership roles and transform the rugby landscape. Their stories serve as powerful examples of resilience, passion, and dedication in the face of challenges. Sports reporter Solomone Taukei profiles the pair.

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.

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 […]

Economy

Airport offers support to Samoa amid CHOGM rush

The Airport Authority Cook Islands (AACI) is open and ready to assist Samoa, which is hosting the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia this week.

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.