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
PM assured AUKUS deal will not breach Rarotonga Treaty
Tuesday 4 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National, Politics
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has said he has received assurances that the recent Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) proposals will not contravene the Treaty of Rarotonga.
Regulations on smoking, vaping
Tuesday 4 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
New regulations to address vaping and smoking in the Cook Islands will soon be rolled out in a Public Health Bill, but Te Marae Ora is not yet revealing what they are.
‘Positive’ economic outlook
Monday 3 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A leading regional economist is projecting a ‘positive’ 12 months for the Cook Islands economy.
‘Several more months’ of significant price increases
Saturday 1 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A leading Pacific economist says the inflation rate in the Cook Islands skyrocketed to as high as 15 per cent in 2022, adding continued inflationary pressures remain.
Careless driving results in hefty reparations bill
Friday 31 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man who pleaded guilty to careless driving could face a reparations bill of about $18,000.
Suspended sentence for slap
Friday 31 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man who slapped an acquaintance for tying his pigs to a neighbouring tree has received a six-month suspended sentence.
Cook Islands welcomes UN resolution on climate justice
Friday 31 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
The Cook Islands Government has welcomed a landmark resolution calling for the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the world’s highest court, to issue an advisory opinion on climate change.
PM Brown meets US Secretary of State in Washington, DC
Friday 31 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday met the United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in a whistle-stop visit to Washington, DC.
Reports of ‘overcrowding’ as turtle tour guidelines still pending following delays
Thursday 30 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
Turtle tour operators are worried about overcrowding as the Ministry of Marine Resources is still in the final stages of signing off guidelines.
Managing tourism ‘better’
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
A consortium will travel to Hawaii to learn about implementing the concept of regenerative tourism.
Vandal claims his drinks were spiked
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man given a suspended sentence for damaging the entrance of the Bank of the Cook Islands in a drunken state claims his drinks were spiked.
Man who defended himself in High Court found guilty
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man who defended himself against multiple violence convictions has been found guilty on all counts.
Hotelier releases business proposal for year-round charter flight service
Tuesday 28 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The owner of the Rarotongan Resort and Lagoonarium is calling for a year-round charter flights service in Rarotonga.
Japan invites PM Brown to G7 summit
Tuesday 28 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands has been invited to attend the international Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima, Japan in May.
New Mauke MP ‘humbled’ to be part of Government
Monday 27 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Independent MP Stephen Matapo, who is part of the Cook Islands Party led coalition government, is looking forward to getting Mauke on the move.
AUKUS deal concern: PM raises caution over nuclear submarine project
Monday 27 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Politics, Technology
Prime Minister Mark Brown has sounded a word of caution about the planned Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) nuclear submarine project.
New Australian diplomat ready to embrace Cook Islands culture
Saturday 25 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Weekend
Australia’s new High Commissioner to the Cook Islands is looking forward to embracing the local culture.
‘Remember that the people put you in this position’
Saturday 25 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Parliament resumed this week after a delay of several months due to electoral petitions. Cook Islands News senior journalist Matthew Littlewood talks to the Party leaders about their hopes and aspirations for this term.
PM Brown defends $5.4m Air NZ tax decision
Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown faced a grilling in Parliament on the $5.4 million the Government has had to pay back in tax to Air New Zealand.
Man facing assault and violence charges represent himself
Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man with multiple assault and violence charges is representing himself in Court.