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 Losirene Lacanivalu
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
PM Brown expresses optimism for Cook Islands’ 2032 FestPAC bid
Wednesday 19 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Culture, Entertainment, National, Parliament
Cook Islands government is keeping its fingers crossed as it awaits the decision of the Pacific Arts Council regarding the host of the 2032 Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture.
Demos have ‘no desire’ to rejoin Government-dominated Public Accounts Committee, says Browne
Wednesday 19 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
Opposition leader Tina Browne says the Democratic Party MPs have no desire to re-join the ‘Cook Islands Party/Coalition Public Accounts Committee’ after resigning last month over difference of opinion.
Over 120 pigs and goats dewormed in Rarotonga
Wednesday 19 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, Local, National
Livestock deworming is the most requested assistance made to the Ministry of Agriculture from livestock farmers and so far, over 120 pigs and goats have been dewormed in Rarotonga.
‘Focus on policing’: MFEM to take over Cook Islands Police finances
Wednesday 19 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown says police will now focus on policing matters while the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) manages their finances to improve budget management and staff retention.
Five crashes in one weekend
Tuesday 18 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Weekend driving on Rarotonga continues to be a hit or miss game of carelessness or drunkenness, says Cook Islands Police.
