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 Losirene Lacanivalu
Patience wearing thin: Residents demand answers after third night of power outage
Friday 28 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Technology
Rarotonga residents and businesses endured a third consecutive night of darkness as another island-wide power outage hit last night, lasting over two hours.
Man found guilty of theft for selling 40-foot container without ownership
Thursday 27 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man has been found guilty of theft for selling a 40-foot container to another person.
Assault accused denied bail due to safety concerns
Thursday 27 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man who is under interim name suppression due to his mental illness has been denied bail.
CIIC defends in-house projects after ‘high’ private sector bids
Tuesday 25 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Local, National, Parliament
Cook Islands government is prioritising keeping project costs affordable and will use the public sector model or engage private sectors selectively to deliver projects within budget.
PM pledges return of community policing to tackle ‘rising crime’
Tuesday 25 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Local, National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the Minister for Police, says he will ensure the re-establishment of community police to tackle the rising crime rate in Rarotonga.
Public Accounts Committee to elect chair and deputy ‘following Standing Orders’
Monday 24 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
Public Accounts Committee’s newly appointed chair Teokatai Herman confirmed that the committee will be convening soon to elect both the chair and deputy chair, following the proper process outlined in the Standing Orders.
PM Brown: ‘Police portfolio is under my responsibility and I take that very seriously’
Monday 24 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National, Parliament
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will retain control of the Police portfolio despite a request from another Minister and will focus on improving police standards and staffing.
CINAT team having a blast in Hawaii, dismisses stranded rumours
Saturday 22 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Art, Entertainment, Entertainment, Features, Local, National
Cultural expert and one of the team leaders of the Cook Islands National Arts Theatre (CINAT) performing arts team, Mark Short says the team is fine and enjoying their time in Hawaii.
Parliament cuts debate time to pass $328 million Budget
Saturday 22 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Parliament yesterday expedited the process to pass the $328 million 2024/25 Budget after only five half-days of debate on the appropriations.
PM: Free water for households
Saturday 22 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
Government will not charge households for ‘reasonable’ water usage, assures Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Man with ‘urge to steal’ receives suspended sentence for pig theft
Friday 21 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A 35-year-old man has been convicted and given a 12-month suspended sentence for stealing a male and female pig this year.
Minister Angene makes ‘humble request’ for Police portfolio to address youth crime
Friday 21 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, Local, National, Parliament
Minister for Corrective Services George “Maggie” Angene has asked Prime Minister Mark Brown to consider giving him the Minister for Police portfolio.
Pay rise for teachers, Concerns remain about quality and qualifications
Friday 21 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Education, National, Parliament
Parliamentarians discussed the Education Ministry’s budget increase, with some welcoming the teacher salary rise but highlighting the need for improved quality and qualified teachers, especially in the outer islands.
Airport upgrades key to unleashing economic potential of Pa Enua: PM
Friday 21 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown emphasises that the Manihiki Airport upgrade is not a political promise or a vote buying attempt but a project designed to improve the lives of people in the Pa Enua (outer islands).
Parliament News
Friday 21 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Minister for Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) and Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) Albert Nicholas says they are surveying the Rutaki foreshore area.
Inmates enjoying ‘high standard’ of living
Thursday 20 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Minister for Corrective Services George “Maggie” Angene says the inmate numbers at the Corrective Services in Arorangi have decreased since he took on the minister’s role in 2018.
Former PAC chair calls for scrutiny of both overspending and underspending
Thursday 20 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Minister for Parliamentary Services, Foreign Affairs and Marine Resources Tingika Elikana says he hopes that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will ensure that money appropriated by government will be spent accordingly.
Ombudsman awaits police updates on six complaints
Thursday 20 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Minister for Ombudsman Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa says the Office of the Ombudsman has received eight complaints from the 2017-2024.
Cook Islands Cricket gears up for T20 World Cup Qualifier
Wednesday 19 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Cricket, Sports
The Cook Islands Cricket Association men’s team has already begun their training for the International Men’s T20 World Sub-regional Qualifier in Samoa in August.
Taikoko honours fellow nurses with King’s Birthday Award
Wednesday 19 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, Local, National
Being nominated to receive the King’s Honours Award in the coming year is a recognition of nurses in the Cook Islands, says director of Te Kainga O Pa Taunga, Mereana Taikoko
