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
‘We are all equal in the eyes of God and the law’
Monday 17 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
Of all amendments to Cook Islands laws, Friday’s passing of changes by Parliament to ‘what was a seriously outdated’ Crimes Act, is one of the best and most civilised advances made in recent times to existing legislation, says a delighted Democratic Party Opposition Leader.
Rethink tourism approach, Opposition leader tells govt
Monday 17 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Opposition leader Tina Browne has called on the Government to rethink its approach to tourism.
Decriminalising homosexuality: Opposition MPs say new Bill contravenes God’s law
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Sweeping changes to the Crimes Act, including the decriminalising of homosexuality, were passed in Cook Islands Parliament, despite some strong views that the changes will contravene God’s law.
Parliament passes $60k tax free threshold for Pa Enua
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands, Politics
People living in the Pa Enua won’t be paying tax unless they earn over $60,000 a year, thanks to the passing of a new Bill.
Pride Cook Islands: ‘We have made history’
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
The Crimes (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill 2023 was passed in Parliament on Friday.
Parliament debates ‘Pa Enua $60k tax-free threshold’ Bill
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands, Politics
Debate on the Bill creating a tax-free threshold of $60,000 for the Pa Enua residents is underway.
$216m debt ‘modest’: PM
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is satisfied with the country’s ‘modest’ debt levels, but the Opposition are concerned about the fiscal future.
Airlines required to file departure tax returns monthly under new Bill
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Technology, Tourism
A Bill requiring airlines to file Departure tax returns monthly has been passed with unanimous support in Parliament.
$6m programme to improve Rarotonga’s back and side roads
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
The Cook Islands Government is in the process of a $6 million programme to improve Rarotonga’s backroads and sideroads.
Budget to address inflationary pressures and cost of living issues: PM
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says June’s Budget will go some way to addressing inflationary pressures and cost of living issues for the vulnerable.
Opposition raises concern over Government’s push for seabed mining
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Opposition leader Tina Browne has spoken out in Parliament about her concerns with the Government’s pace in pushing ahead with seabed mineral exploration.
Air NZ legal costs top $365k
Wednesday 12 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The decision to challenge Air New Zealand for tax has cost the Cook Islands taxpayer more than $93,000 in legal fees and $275,000 in costs orders.
Cook Islands United Party faces hefty legal bill
Wednesday 12 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
The Cook Islands United Party could be facing a costs order of more than $30,000 for their failed electoral petitions, but the party leader says he has “no regrets”.
Cooks-US diplomatic relations likely to be finalised ‘by the middle of this year’
Tuesday 11 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands are a step closer to forming formal diplomatic arrangements with the United States.
Evans heads to Harvard for yearlong sustainable development studies
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Weekend
Jacqui Evans will soon depart for the United States for a year-long course on planning for the new environment. She talks to Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood about her passion for the environment, and what she would like to see changed.
Vodafone increases landline rentals
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Technology
Vodafone Cook Islands is raising their business landline costs significantly this month, in an effort to pay for fibre network upgrades, and absorb rising costs.
Cyclone Gabrielle fundraising appeal tops $50k
Thursday 6 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
“Operation Tauturu Aotearoa” fundraising organiser Norman George confirmed the amount, which was raised through several events, including a radiothon and a special charity dinner at Coastal Kitchen, and told Cook Islands News that more money was expected to roll on in.
Easter weekend provides timely boost for Aitutaki
Thursday 6 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Local, National
Tourism operators in Aitutaki are preparing for a busy Easter break, with locals taking advantage of the long weekend.
Short, sharp sentence for reckless driver
Wednesday 5 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man facing multiple counts of refusing a blood or breath-alcohol test has been given a “short, sharp” sentence of one month in jail.
Term limits eased for Cook Islands Democratic party leaders
Wednesday 5 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
A new remit for the Cook Islands Democratic Party will relax the four-year term limit for its leaders.
