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
The fight against NCDs
Saturday 9 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Weekend
The Cook Islands is facing another health crisis on top of the Covid-19 pandemic, with nearly half of its adult population affected by some form of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD).
Cooks to receive labour boost
Saturday 9 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Labour shortages are still affecting the Cook Islands, with estimates that as many as 900 new workers are needed in the island nation as the Government announces it will be opening up the country to migrant workers.
Covid-19 cases in Raro ‘levelling off’, says PM
Saturday 9 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in
Hospitilisations for Covid-19 in the Cook Islands remain at zero, with Prime Minister Mark Brown saying the island nation could become a ‘case study’ for the rest of the world.
Aitutaki expected to cross 1000 Covid-19 cases: Lush
Friday 8 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands
A public health advisor is predicting Aitutaki will reach more than 1000 Covid-19 cases as the pandemic makes its way through the island.
Covid puts pressure on road projects
Friday 8 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands government will be embarking on an extensive capital roading project over the next 12 months, but Covid-19 has led to significant delays.
Covid-19 outbreak looms for Aitutaki
Thursday 7 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands
With a total of 28 Covid-19 cases of which 16 are active, Te Marae Ora prepares for a ‘more significant outbreak’ in Aitutaki in the coming days.
Free health checks available
Wednesday 6 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
Screening sessions for non-communicable diseases will be held today as part of World Health Day.
Accountancy skills workshopped
Wednesday 6 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
The Business Trade and Investment Board (BITB) of the Cook Islands has helped some small to medium businesses learn some much-needed accountancy skills.
Brakes on face-to-face learning as Covid spreads through schools
Wednesday 6 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Education, National
As Covid-19 makes its way through the community, several schools are having to stop face-to-face learning to protect both staff and students.
New high Covid-19 case count: TMO staff ‘being really pushed’
Wednesday 6 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
Cook Islands has recorded its busiest day for Covid-19 with 189 cases recorded on Monday.
Red Cross delivers over 850 government funded welfare packages
Tuesday 5 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
Close to 900 welfare packages have been delivered to isolating and quarantining families since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
Health ministry wary of influenza cases
Tuesday 5 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
Health authorities are preparing for a likely spike in influenza cases not long after Covid-19 numbers peak.
Businesses reduce services as Covid numbers increase
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, National
Hospitality and food providers in the Cook Islands are struggling with the spread of Covid-19, with many shutting doors or drastically reducing their services.
Household contacts to take charge of Covid healthcare
Saturday 2 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Household contacts of Covid-19 cases are being asked by the Government to take more ownership of their own Covid-related healthcare as the island nation’s hospitalisation rate for the virus remains at zero.
No grace period for vehicle registration
Friday 1 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Police and Bank of Cook Islands (BCI) are not allowing a ‘grace period’ for vehicle registrations as they acknowledge there is a ‘bottleneck’ of people doing it at the last minute.
New Empire Bridge opens to traffic
Friday 1 April 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
The new Empire Bridge is now complete and has opened nearly a month ahead of schedule.
Pressure on public service
Thursday 31 March 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Covid-19 numbers continue to climb, putting pressure on all aspects of the public service, forcing Ministries to job share in order for the health services to keep afloat.
Fishing delight with the return of ‘big eyed scad’
Wednesday 30 March 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands
Aitutaki fishers got the chance of catching the unusual “big eyed scad” over the past week, with some people fishing morning to night.
Prime Minister wants “more governance” before calling election
Wednesday 30 March 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown remains cagey about setting an election date, but opposition MPs are predicting it will be the latest time possible.
Covid-19 numbers hit new peak in Rarotonga, Aitutaki
Wednesday 30 March 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
Covid-19 has returned to Aitutaki just one day after all cases had recovered.
