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 invites King Charles III
Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
Members of Parliament finally got the chance to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on day two of Parliament yesterday with the Prime Minister revealing an invitation has been sent for King Charles III to attend the Rarotonga International Airport’s 50th Anniversary next year.
New MPs get the nod: Committees established
Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Parliamentary committees were established on day two of sitting with several new faces on board.
Cook Islands to participate in 2024 Pacific Arts Festival
Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Culture, Local, National, Regional
Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Cultural Development) Secretary Anthony Turua attended the 36th Council of Pacific Arts and Culture (CPAC) and Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FESTPAC) Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii last week.
United MPs raring to go
Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Politics
The Members of Parliament (MPs) of the newly formed Cook Islands United Party are raring to go now that Parliament is finally sitting.
‘Getting things done’: Tamarua MP
Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands, Politics
Cook Islands Democratic Party’s Tetangi Matapo, one of the longest serving MPs in Parliament, says you can get things done from the Opposition benches.
Productive visit from Japan Foreign Affairs Minister
Tuesday 21 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
The first-ever visit to the Cook Islands by a Foreign Affairs Minister from Japan has opened up talks of further bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Calls for more leniency on medicinal cannabis
Tuesday 21 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Crime, Health, Local, National
A special committee on medicinal cannabis law reform is asking the Secretary of Health to use his powers to “waive” certain products through.
Coming back for more . . .
Tuesday 21 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Tourism
A woman who is celebrating her 29th visit to the Cook Islands doesn’t want to see our nation change.
Fundraising challenge laid down to Cooks Government
Tuesday 21 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Culture, Local, National
An organizer of a Cyclone Gabrielle relief fund is calling on the Cook Islands Government to match their efforts “dollar for dollar”.
College faces financial difficulties
Monday 20 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Education, National
Tereora College is asking the Ministry of Education to increase its funding after suffering ‘major’ financial pressures.
Court briefs 19.03.23
Monday 20 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in
A businessman pleaded for leniency, after being convicted for driving careless and driving with excess breath alcohol. Hewett Napa, who appeared before JP Taoro on Thursday, pleaded guilty to the two charges. He was stopped by police on March 11 after crashing his vehicle on the backroads of Nikao. He was breath-tested and blew a […]
Community service for breaching probationary conditions
Monday 20 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in
A man on probation has been placed on a community service order after failing to adhere to his probationary conditions.
Court briefs 17.03.2023
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man who was found driving nearly six times over the legal breath alcohol limit will be sentenced by three Justices of the Peace. Ngatokoa Terepo appeared before Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro at the Criminal Court on Avarua on Thursday. He pleaded guilty to charges of driving with excess breath alcohol. Terepo was […]
Sharing the Cook Islands’ human rights story at World Pride event
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
Val Wichman was a special guest at Sydney’s World Pride earlier this month. She talks to senior journalist Matthew Littlewood about the experience, and what Te Tiare Association, the Cook Islands LGBTQ+ advocacy organisation, wants to see happen in the Rainbow Community here.
Woman faces arson charge in connection to house fire
Friday 17 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
A 39-year-old woman has appeared in Court charged with arson in connection to a house fire in Arorangi on Sunday night.
Cook Islands Football Association leadership dispute lands in court
Friday 17 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Football, National, Sports
The Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) leadership dispute has landed in Court, with ‘dismissed’ president Tiraa Arere filing for an immediate interim order to restore him to the top role.
Parliament: Discussion on key Bills ruled out
Thursday 16 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
There will be no debate of new and existing Bills in Parliament next week, as the 10-days’ notice has not been filed by Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Family and friends help Aunty Odee’z realise her takeaway dream
Thursday 16 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Aunty Odee’z Takeaway in Aitutaki has become popular among locals who visit them for hearty meal of crispy battered fresh fish served with chips and salad and the breath taking view of the beautiful lagoon.
Tourist arrivals slump in Feb
Thursday 16 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Local, National
Tourism operators have been bracing themselves for the downturn after a quiet couple of months.
PM says shortage of housing in Cooks: Loan scheme still under construction
Wednesday 15 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says there is a shortage of housing as government prepares its discount home loan scheme for first time buyers.
