More Top Stories
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
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 Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
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
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Joanne Holden
New builds springing back after pandemic slowdown
Saturday 24 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National
The number of new builds in the Cook Islands are approaching pre-pandemic levels after dropping nearly 70 per cent in two years to hit a 10-year low in 2021.
Cashier pockets more than $1000 from till
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
A mother-of-six who stole more than $1000 while working as a cashier at a Rarotonga supermarket has received a suspended sentence.
Cooks community ‘angry and bitter’ over rise in public fighting
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
Public fighting is on the rise in the Cook Islands, a Justice of the Peace says.
Couple reconcile after husband attacks wife, wife’s car
Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
Intoxicated and “full of anger”, a 33-year-old man struck his wife in the head and stomach before inflicting nearly $6000 worth of damage on her car in Rarotonga.
Child bruised, bloodied in assault
Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
A Rarotonga woman who repeatedly slapped a 9-year-old girl about the head as punishment for stealing has been sentenced for assaulting a child.
New building rules proposed in response to climate change
Saturday 17 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
New rules for building in the Cook Islands are expected to be tabled in Parliament this year in an effort to keep up with a “changing climate and technological progress”.
Love in the tropics: Businesses prepare for Valentine’s Day rush
Friday 9 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Business, National
Cupid will be soaking up the sub-tropical climate of the Cook Islands this Valentine’s Day.
Prison time for drink driver
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
A recidivist drink driver has been jailed after crashing his motorcycle while more than eight times the legal alcohol limit.
Man smashes car in retaliation
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
An 18-year-old man retaliated to being knocked off his motorcycle in a two-vehicle crash in Rarotonga by inflicting more than $2000 in damage on the opposing driver’s car.
I want to continue what he started: Widow remembers a Rarotonga tourism trailblazer
Monday 5 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend
When Kave Tamaariki booked for his two sons and their families to visit him in Rarotonga in the new year, it was meant to be his first time showing his four grandchildren his island home. Instead, their first trip to the sub-tropical paradise came a few months early – for their grandfather’s funeral.
Cafe revived, Italian-style pizzeria opened by two Cook Islands chefs
Monday 29 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Food, Go Local
Two Cook Islands cooks have teamed up to revive and expand a Rarotonga café by transforming it into a traditional Italian pizzeria at night.
Running Rarotonga loop for charity
Thursday 25 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
A New Zealand social justice advocate has raised nearly $2000 to help struggling Kiwi youth with the promise of running the 32-kilometre loop around Rarotonga.
One of Rarotonga’s few classic cars for sale
Wednesday 24 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Go Local
Cruising the Rarotonga loop road in one of the only classic cars on the island could soon be a reality for a keen Cook Islands petrol head.
Pause on Sydney flights estimated to cost national economy $2.21m
Monday 22 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, Local, National, Tourism
The Cook Islands economy is bracing for a more than $2 million loss in revenue when direct flights from Australia are suspended for the final month of summer.
Rarotonga on sale: ‘Spike’ in flight bookings amidst slow tourism season
Tuesday 16 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Airfares between Auckland and Rarotonga have dipped to under $300 as New Zealand’s flag carrier airline launches a flash sale in the midst of the Cook Islands’ slow tourism season.
Cook Islands to the world : Nations will ‘disappear’ without action on climate change
Saturday 30 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, Features, National, Weekend
Climate change activists from around the world are itching to team up with a Cook Islands film crew to raise awareness about the global crisis after a music video about its impact on the Pacific debuted at a United Nations conference. Joanne Holden reports.
Decades of dedication: Beloved doctors bid farewell to Cooks
Sunday 24 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Weekend
After more than 30 years treating the Cook Islands community and making their mark on its health system, doctors Zaw Myo Aung and Yin Yin May are returning to their home country of Myanmar. Joanne Holden reports.
Call for comprehensive arts curriculum in the Cook Islands
Wednesday 20 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Art, Education, Features, National
The principal of a Rarotonga primary school wants to see a comprehensive arts curriculum developed for the Cook Islands after a successful first year for the country’s only contemporary dance class.
C+ to cinematic success
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features
From a C+ on the only film paper he sat in university to writing and directing shorts and feature films, Hamish Bennett says developing a “unique voice” is the key to standing out in the entertainment industry. Joanne Holden reports.
Big turnout for festive park event
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features
Rarotonga’s annual Christmas in the Park has enjoyed its “best turnout” in years with more than 2000 people coming together for an evening of festive cheer. Joanne Holden reports.
