More Top Stories
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
Cook Islands passport proposal
6 January 2025
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
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Matthew Littlewood
Man, 34, gets 15-month prison sentence for series of offences
Tuesday 23 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man who threatened to burn down a house and car has been sentenced to 15 months’ prison time for a series of offences.
Accused bailed to family home on strict conditions
Tuesday 23 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man facing a charge of common assault has been granted bail to his grandfather’s house.
Favourable treatment: PERC report on Penrhyn cyclone shelters project
Tuesday 23 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A report into the awarding of a construction tender for two Penrhyn cyclone shelters has found there was ‘favourable treatment’ in the tender and construction process.
Momentous occasion: Cooks welcomes Hawaiian Airlines
Monday 22 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands tourism industry is hailing the return of flights from Hawaii as a ‘momentous’ occasion.
Budgetary wish list: Stakeholders share their expectations
Saturday 20 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Features, National, Weekend
The Cook Islands Budget arrives at a precarious time for the country as it takes gradual steps to economic recovery. Senior journalist Matthew Littlewood talks to those interested to find out what they want from it.
Hawaiian Airlines ‘big deal’ for local tourism industry
Saturday 20 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands tourism industry is looking forward to the arrival of Hawaiian Airlines which makes its inaugural flight into Rarotonga tonight.
Roundabout causes confusion, Court hears
Saturday 20 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man has blamed the layout of the new Avatiu roundabout for a careless driving incident.
JP surprised at offending
Saturday 20 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A Justice of the Peace has expressed surprise at one man’s sudden spate of offending.
NZ ‘study tour’ to finalise medicinal cannabis policy
Saturday 20 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
Members of the Cook Islands cannabis referendum committee will soon be travelling abroad to get a handle on the New Zealand market.
Court briefs
Friday 19 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A matter involving the stealing of lemons has been adjourned again.
Petrol prices rise again, diesel drops
Friday 19 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Local, National
Petrol prices have risen for the first time in several months in the Cook Islands, but diesel continues to drop.
Business Support Grants for Cook Islands SMEs
Thursday 18 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Grants of up to $30,000 are now available to Cook Islands businesses, as the New Zealand Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) looks to stimulate growth.
Cook Islands and Hawaii look to expand co-operation
Thursday 18 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Hawaii State Senator Dru Kanuha and his delegation arrived at the Rarotonga International Airport yesterday afternoon for a series of engagements with government, business, and resident Hawaiians in Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
Matavera MP Tupa elected Public Accounts Committee deputy chair
Thursday 18 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held its first meeting of the year last week to discuss their working programme and reports from various Government Ministries.
Govt mum on details of new security policy
Thursday 18 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Government is keeping tight-lipped over details of a new national security policy.
Mental illness should not be the reason for going to prisons: Daniela-Wong
Thursday 18 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
People affected with mental health issues will no longer be sent to Cook Islands Prison for treatment as long as they aren’t offenders, according to a leading clinical psychologist.
Calls to formally allow foreign workers to take up second job
Thursday 18 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands hospitality businesses are calling on the Government to re-introduce the right for foreign workers to take up secondary employment in a bid to ‘reduce the appeal of seeking other employment in New Zealand or Australia’.
PM Brown calls for fairer response to climate change
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, Features, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has again called on larger nations to help smaller nations in dealing with climate change issues.
PM’s trip to PNG to go ahead as scheduled
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown will continue his trip to Papua New Guinea as initially planned despite the announcement that US President Joe Biden has cancelled his visit.
Murder accused remanded, police probe continues
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man charged with the murder of his stepson has been remanded in custody.