More Top Stories
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
21 September 2024
Police apprehend four juveniles in connection with motorcycle thefts
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
Inflation eases but concerns remain
31 August 2024
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
22 August 2024
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
13 August 2024
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
8 August 2024
Everyone is a winner, says Culture
7 August 2024
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
8 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Emmanuel Samoglou
Facebook blocks local news in Australia
Friday 19 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Local, National
Facebook has blocked the sharing of news content in Australia after its government drafted a law that would force tech giants to pay for content. Now thousands of Australia-based Cook Islanders can no longer see Cook Islands News content on their timelines.
Rain brings relief
Friday 19 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Weather
A wet Thursday provided much needed rain to replenish Rarotonga’s water supplies, but it’s too early to declare the summer’s water shortage to be over.
Improve dengue prevention measures, Opposition MP says
Thursday 18 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Health, National
As dengue fever continues to spread around Rarotonga, one Member of Parliament says the government needs to step up efforts to prevent outbreaks to protect public health.
Government sticking to target for travel bubble
Wednesday 17 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Despites key setbacks this week, Government is sticking to its target of opening the border to two-way quarantine-free travel with New Zealand by the end of next month.
Speaker's resignation catches MPs off-guard
Tuesday 16 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Politics
Opposition MPs said the resignation of veteran Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament Niki Rattle was unexpected, and the Prime Minister was only notified of the development over the weekend.
NZ delegation assists with bubble prep
Saturday 13 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Health, National
A delegation from New Zealand is in Rarotonga assisting with preparations for two-way quarantine-free travel, which officials said could be in place by the end of March.
Figures show Covid-19 hitting economy harder than expected
Friday 12 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Border closures in place to keep Covid-19 out of the country are taking a worse toll on the economy than forecasted, according to government’s latest figures.
Tacos with a twist
Thursday 11 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Food
A Mexican classic with an Indian (local) twist, Flying Turtle Café’s fresh fish roti tacos is a dish not to be missed. By chef Shivnesh Chandra.
Parliament reform hits snag
Thursday 11 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Politics
The Opposition Democratic Party says allowing travelling MPs to nominate a ‘proxy’ to stand in for Parliament votes during their absence isn’t a good option to increase the number of days the House sits every year.
Fractured Forum as Puna takes helm
Wednesday 10 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Politics
As Cook Islands politician Henry Puna prepares to assume the role of Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, he faces a monumental challenge in restoring the spirit of Pacific cooperation at a time when many say the region needs it most.
Progress on Penrhyn cyclone shelters
Tuesday 9 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Outer Islands
Construction work is continuing on two cyclone shelters for the Northern Group island of Tongareva.
Water situation bordering critical
Saturday 30 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Environment, National
Water supplies are reaching critical levels in Rarotonga, prompting authorites to plead with residents to conserve water.
Facility to improve mental health care
Saturday 30 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Health, National
The Cook Islands Government has allocated $1 million towards improving the quality of mental health services in Rarotonga through the creation of a dedicated facility for those in need.
Pursuing pizza perfection
Saturday 30 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Go Local
It’s been a long road for Adam’s Pizza to get their business to where it is today. Along the way, owners and married couple Adam and Sabrina Connelly have caught some lucky breaks, but the backbone of their business is a steely determination to do things right.
Gutted businesses cautious over travel bubble
Thursday 28 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
With Covid-19 once again in the community in New Zealand, local business owners and workers are conflicted over whether the time is right to relax borders further and pursue two-way quarantine-free travel with New Zealand.
Officials in NZ for health talks as community cases affect travel plans to Raro
Wednesday 27 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Health, National
As quarantine-free travel for Cook Islands residents gets off to a sputtering start, the country’s top two health officials are in New Zealand to meet their Kiwi counterparts as part of a broad itinerary.
Protecting and managing wildlife of Suwarrow
Tuesday 26 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Outer Islands
The isolated atoll of Suwarrow and a life of peaceful solitude awaits two adventurous souls who are expected to travel to the remote atoll today.
Water galleries installed in Penrhyn
Saturday 23 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Outer Islands
Government has completed the installation of water galleries in the villages of Omoka and Tetautua to help alleviate ongoing water issues in Penrhyn.
Hospital Covid ward ready for activation
Saturday 23 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Health, National
Protective gear is in stock, staff have been trained, and renovations are complete at a specially-equipped and segregated ward at Rarotonga Hospital, where severely ill patients will be treated should coronavirus arrive in the Cook Islands.
Globetrotter says ‘ka kite’ to Cooks and its infamous canines
Saturday 23 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Weekend
After an extended stay in the Cook Islands, tourist-turned-volunteer Karolina Szelag is saying goodbye today to a country that gave her so much more than she ever expected.