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
Titikaveka seat recount returns same result
Monday 3 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
A recount of the hotly-contested Titikaveka seat has returned an identical result to the final count of the 2022 general election.
‘Approved’ medicinal cannabis products yet to be imported: Williams
Monday 3 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
Although Te Marae Ora health ministry can import approved medicinal cannabis product from New Zealand, there has been no one medically diagnosed in the Cook Islands to use it.
‘Bold and unexpected’ moves from United States as Cook Islands sovereignty recognised
Saturday 1 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
The United States’ moves towards recognising the Cook Islands as a ‘sovereign state’ is a sign they are looking to refocus their approach to the Pacific Islands, a foreign policy commentator says.
Driver disqualified after crashing into police patrol bike
Saturday 1 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A driver who crashed into a police Patrol Bike outside the Empire Cinema has been disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Driver pays more than $7000 in reparations after crash
Saturday 1 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man who crashed into the back of someone’s vehicle near Palace Takeaways has paid more than $7000 to the vehicle owner in reparations.
Cook Islands United Party to appeal Atiu petition decision
Thursday 29 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
The Cook Islands United Party are taking their electoral petitions alleging treating by two independent MPs all the way to the Court of Appeal.
US-Pacific summit: ‘Cooks deserve a seat at the table’
Wednesday 28 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
A New Zealand international relationships expert says that the Cook Islands should always have been part of the inaugural United States-Pacific Islands summit, after news that the US overturned its previous omission.
Repeat child sex offender sentenced to 14 years in prison
Wednesday 28 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
A former taxi driver who committed multiple sexual offences against four girls under the age of 12 has been sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment. Matthew Littlewood reports. (Warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of the offences committed by the defendant).
Atiu petitions struck out, United Party ‘looking to appeal’ decision
Tuesday 27 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National, Politics
Petitions alleging that two political candidates in Atiu were guilty of treating during the 2022 general election campaign have been struck out by Chief Justice Sir Hugh Williams.
Inflation hits hard: ‘The most vulnerable are hit the hardest’
Saturday 24 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features
The Cook Islands are facing serious inflationary pressures for the first time in several years. Senior journalist Matthew Littlewood looks into what could happen for both businesses and consumers as a result.
Cooks set to ban importation of ozone-depleting products
Saturday 24 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
The Cook Islands is pushing ahead with rules banning the importation of all ozone-depleting products by 2030.
$800 fine for motorcyclist over five times alcohol limit
Saturday 24 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
A motorcyclist who crashed into a colleague’s van was more than five times over the blood alcohol limit.
Electrical fault cause of fire
Saturday 24 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
Fire services believe a catastrophic fire which destroyed a family home behind the Ministry for Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) building was caused by overloading of electrical equipment.
Aitutaki crowned Oceania’s top island destination
Friday 23 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Tourism
Aitutaki has been recognised as one of the leading destinations in the South Pacific at a Tourism Awards ceremony.
Cruise tourism faces challenges despite removal of travel restrictions
Thursday 22 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
The removal of travel restrictions won’t have an immediate impact for the cruise ship tourism in the Cook Islands.
Kākerōri revitalisation project wins major conservation award
Thursday 22 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, Local, National
A project which has brought a native Cook Islands bird species back from the brink of extinction has won a major international conservation award.
Dates set for Titikaveka seat recount and hearing
Wednesday 21 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
A recount of the Titikaveka seat will take place on September 28.
CJ reserves decision on bid to strike out petitions
Wednesday 21 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
A lawyer representing the respondents to the Cook Islands United Party’s electoral petitions is asking for them to be struck out.
Increased likelihood of flooding
Wednesday 21 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National, Weather
People living in low-lying areas should brace themselves for the likelihood of flooding in the coming months, as the Cook Islands is due to experience another La Nina season.
TMO ‘can import’ medicinal cannabis
Tuesday 20 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
Cook Islands Secretary of Health Bob Williams says there is no ‘urgency’ to push on with legislation legalising medicinal cannabis because there is already one type available to access from New Zealand.
