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
Parliament clerk Vainerere explains bill process
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
Clerk of Parliament Tangata Vainerere says there is a process for each bill that goes through Parliament before it becomes law.
Decision on top cop delayed as force faces staffing crisis
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Local, National
The decision on renewing the Cook Islands Police Commissioner’s contract has been further delayed amidst concerns about a major staff shortage in the force.
Stage set for annual Sports Awards
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) is anticipating a good turnout at the 2023 Cook Islands Sports Awards to be held tomorrow night.
Cook Islands passes Health Bill to improve health outcomes
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, Parliament
The Cook Islands Public Health Bill 2024 that aims to protect and promote the health of all people of the Cook Islands by reducing the incidence of disease and ill-health was passed on Thursday.
Cook Islands hosts PASAI Congress, set to assume leadership role
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands will assume the chair of the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions at the 25th PASAI Congress to be hosted in Rarotonga next week.
Service and sacrifice: Puna keeps an ‘open mind’
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth, Local, Memory Lane, National, Outer Islands, Pacific Islands, Regional, Weekend
Former Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna, who ends his term as Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General later this month, is planning to retire to his island home of Manihiki. But the 75-year-old is keeping an open mind and hasn’t ruled out a return to local political scene just yet. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Parliament fixes ‘oversight’ on preferential residency for Kiwis
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, New Zealand, Parliament, Regional
Parliament has passed a bill to amend the Immigration Act in order to comply with a court ruling that found a residency regulation giving preferential treatment to New Zealand citizens to be invalid.
Man who stole pigs to face justice
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man who has admitted to stealing a male and female pig this year in Rarotonga will be sentenced on June 19.
Cook Islands bans vapes, raises smoking age to 21
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, Parliament
Cook Islands Parliament passed a bill banning imitation tobacco products like e-cigarettes and raising the smoking age to 21.
Parliament briefs
Thursday 16 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Six Bills were presented and tabled during yesterday’s Parliament sitting.
‘Budget prioritises vulnerable’
Thursday 16 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
In supporting the most vulnerable, the Government has allocated funds for caregivers, patient referrals, increasing the minimum wage, and supporting non-government organisations (NGOs) for the next financial year.
Government aims to stimulate economy through infrastructure spending
Thursday 16 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Government’s focus on infrastructure investment to deliver key projects such as roads, Manihiki Airport upgrades, and Aitutaki’s water project has been proposed in the 2024/2025 Budget. Yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the Minister for Finance, tabled the Appropriation Bill 2024 in Parliament where Government has proposed $328million for the 2024-2025 Budget. In […]
PM pledges ‘good budget’ despite inflation and debt challenges
Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
The 2024/25 Budget will be the “budget of perseverance”, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Cook Islands minimum wage to increase by 50 cents per hour
Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
Cook Islands minimum wage will increase by 50 cents to $9.50 per hour from July 1, 2024, despite some arguing it’s not enough to keep up with cost of living.
Puna honoured to end Pacific mission at home
Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Former prime minister Henry Puna, who ends his term as the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum this month, says he is humbled to have been the first Cook Islander to hold the post and fly the flag of his country.
Badminton masters tourney returns with record numbers
Tuesday 14 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Badminton, Sports
Nineteen teams including seven from the Cook Islands will be participating in the Badminton Oceania Masters in Paradise 2024 tournament to be held from May 23-28 in Rarotonga.
Govt set to amend immigration law following High Court ruling
Tuesday 14 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Parliament
Parliament will meet for its second session for the year tomorrow at 1pm, with a number of Bills on the agenda for presentation, including the 2024/25 Budget.
‘Showing off to get attention’: String of juvenile crimes raises concerns
Tuesday 14 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
Showing off to get attention is one reason juveniles are misbehaving, not just in Rarotonga, but worldwide, says men’s counselling organisation, Te Punanga Oraanga Matutu (TePOM).
$4 million investment aims to end Aitutaki’s water supply struggles
Monday 13 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands
An Aitutaki resident believes government investment in water management alongside responsible water usage by residents is key to solving the island’s water supply issues.
Panthers chase rare double
Saturday 11 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Rugby league, Sports
Tupapa Panthers are going for a rare double in the Cook Islands Rugby League Rarotonga 13s competition but standing in their way are the mighty Avatiu Nikao Eels and Arorangi Bears.
