More Top Stories
$12.9m approved for solar battery project, NZ confirms
12 March 2025
Crown Law Office on track for record number of lawyers
12 March 2025
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
16 February 2025
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
15 February 2025
No-confidence motion against PM and his Cabinet faces delays
15 February 2025
Ruta Mave: People’s Republic of China red flag
10 February 2025
No debt in China deal
8 February 2025
Thomas Wynne: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?
8 February 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
$541.7m tourism earnings
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
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Articles by Rashneel Kumar
Record-breaking tourist arrivals signal strong year
Friday 28 March 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Tourism arrivals in the country soared to a record high in the first two months, with a 23 per cent increase in visitors compared to the same period last year.
Online scammers impersonate friends, fake banks in Cook Islands
Monday 17 March 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Business, Crime, Local, National, Technology
Vulnerable Cook Islanders are being targeted by online scams involving fake prizes and fraudulent financial documents, leading to financial losses and potential security risks.
Unbeaten Panthers lead as Rarotonga League 13s competition enters Round 2
Tuesday 11 March 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby league, Sports
The Tupapa Panthers premier men’s team finished round one of the Cook Islands Rugby League Rarotonga 13s competition unbeaten and at the top of the standings after a massive win over the weekend.
MPs’ travel expenses exceed $350,000 in six months
Saturday 8 March 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Cook Islands MPs spent over $350,000 on overseas travel in the first half of the 2024/25 financial year, with a significantly increased budget allowing for further expenditures and calls to upgrade MP travel classes.
Bulldogs and Eels battle for second place
Friday 7 March 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League, Sports
An exciting battle looms this afternoon in the final leg of round one of the Rarotonga League 13s competition, when the Titikaveka Bulldogs take on the Avatiu Nikao Eels at Victoria Park in Tupapa.
Cook Islands eyes China investment in blue economy
Saturday 22 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands and China have agreed to cooperate on blue economy investments, including new port wharves and deep sea minerals development, under a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU).
‘Very little detail’: PM Brown explains vague China agreement
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
The comprehensive agreement the Cook Islands has signed with China “deliberately” contains few details because the Government has not yet committed to any specific projects, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Cook Islands secures $4 million ‘one off’ grant from China for future projects
Monday 17 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National
Cook Islands will receive a “one off grant” of approximately $4 million from China, following the signing of the Joint Action Plan for the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last week.
MPs’ travel costs double in $68 million Supplementary Budget
Monday 17 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Supplementary Budget seeks an extra $68 million, including doubling of MP travel allowances, sparking criticism of wasteful spending and misplaced priorities. Rashneel Kumar reports.
China deal won’t raise concerns, says PM
Monday 17 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown is ‘confident’ there will be no areas of concern with the agreement the Cook Islands has signed with China once the documents are available to the public ‘very shortly’. Rashneel Kumar reports.
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
Sunday 16 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Local, National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown has reaffirmed his commitment to publishing the Joint Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 agreement with China.
Cook Islands, China to sign comprehensive strategic partnership on Friday
Wednesday 12 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in BREAKING NEWS, National
The comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the Cook Islands and China will be signed this Friday (Thursday, Cook Islands time).
PM Brown ‘should be taken at his word’ on China deal: Mahuta
Tuesday 11 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional
New Zealand’s former foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta says the Cook Islands Prime Minister “should be taken at his word” that the comprehensive agreement he’s signing with China will not affect the constitutional arrangements with New Zealand.
No debt in China deal
Saturday 8 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Local, National
The comprehensive deal the Cook Islands will sign with China in the coming week will not involve any borrowing, the Prime Minister confirmed this week.
Opposition leaders declare ‘no confidence’ in Prime Minister
Friday 7 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Local, National, Politics
Cook Islands Opposition leaders say they have lost confidence in the Prime Minister, despite his U-turn on the controversial passport proposal that drew disapproval from the New Zealand Government and the ire of Cook Islanders.
No security deal with China, assures PM Brown
Thursday 6 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands’ agreement with China will not include any security aspects, Prime Minister Mark Brown assured yesterday.
EXCLUSIVE: Cook Islands ditches passport plan after New Zealand ‘ultimatum’
Thursday 6 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Economy, Editor's Pick, National
Cook Islands has dropped the controversial passport proposal, Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed yesterday, after discussions to convince New Zealand that it would not affect their constitutional relationship fell flat. Rashneel Kumar reports.
PM to China on state visit
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown will be accorded a state visit to China this month, highlighting growing cooperation between the two countries.
Debt servicing a concern
Thursday 30 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands faces rising debt servicing costs, projected to reach 16 per cent of revenue by 2029/30, prompting concerns about cash flow and the management of its $253.8 million public debt.
ADB dominates Cook Islands debt portfolio
Tuesday 28 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided the largest proportion of lending to the Cook Islands, accounting for 81 per cent of the debt portfolio in 2024/25.
