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 Matthew Littlewood
Marijuana possession laws ‘dated’, says PM
Monday 30 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Crime, Local, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says the country’s laws on cannabis possession are ‘quite dated’.
Pa Enua tax relief first order of business: PM
Saturday 28 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
One of the first businesses of the new Government in Parliament will be to introduce tax relief for those living in the Pa Enua, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Auckland flooding leaves travelling Cook Islanders stranded
Saturday 28 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Tourism
It was a surreal night for New Zealand-based Cook Islander Thomas Wynne as he came to the rescue of six Cook Islanders who were trapped in Wellington.
From Houston to Rarotonga: Tourists stranded in Cook Islands
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Tourists from as far as Houston are stranded in Rarotonga due to the massive flooding in Auckland.
‘Regenerative tourism’ focus for new tourism manager
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s new destination and development manager is looking forward to a new approach to tourism.
Economist hopeful for Cook Islands growth
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Ministry of Finance and Economic Management’s top economist says the Cook Islands is ‘on the comeback trail – but with some caveats’.
Solid but unspectacular growth in numbers expected
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s boss is expecting steady growth in visitor numbers this year, as the country looks to bounce back from Covid-19.
Warden employed despite Corrections aware of previous convictions
Thursday 26 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
Cook Islands Corrective Services employed a warden despite being aware that he had previous convictions for assault.
Puna’s re-election desire: Govt reaffirms support for Micronesian candidate
Thursday 26 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Fiji, Local, National, Regional
The Cook Islands Government has reaffirmed their intention to support a Micronesian candidate for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General role following reports that Henry Puna wants another crack at the top regional job.
Vets given warrants to enter properties
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
SPCA and Te Are Manu vets now have official legal rights to enter properties to desex or treat animals.
Cannabis found in underwear
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man who was found with a small amount of cannabis on him after being stopped for drink-driving has been sentenced to 12 months’ supervision.
‘Power imbalance’ between victim and attacker
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
Former guard with multiple convictions sentenced in alcohol-fueled, unprovoked and severe assault
Concerned turtle tour operators await ‘clear mandated guidelines’
Tuesday 24 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Tourism
Several months after it was first mooted, turtle tour operators are still waiting for clear mandated guidelines for their operations.
Cook Islands records 121k visitors in 2022
Tuesday 24 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Tourism operators are being advised to use the down time to prepare for the pickup ahead of the busy season, which starts in April.
Public consultation on chlorination
Monday 23 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown says there will still be a wait until Rarotonga’s main water supply becomes fully potable.
Corruption in the Cook Islands?
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A major report into perceptions of corruption in the Cook Islands and other Pacific Island nations has caused a ripple among agencies. Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood looks into what is being done to address the issues here.
Petrol suppliers clash over depot safety, call for audit
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The boss of Toa petrol is calling on its rival Triad to be audited for safety, and for a complete overhaul of the fuel pricing system.
Medicinal cannabis committee established
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has established a committee to look into the availability and possible production of medicinal cannabis in the Cook Islands.
Concerns raised about ‘algae in water system’
Friday 20 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
A former civil construction worker is concerned about the presence of algae in Rarotonga’s water supply, while island’s water authority acknowledges the main supply is not yet potable.
Petrol prices drop further
Friday 20 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Price Tribunal has announced another drop in petrol prices.
