More Top Stories
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 Rashneel Kumar
$541.7m tourism earnings
Saturday 25 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals reached 170,315 last year, the second-highest number on record, just behind the 2019 peak of 171,550, contributing over half a billion dollars to the economy.
Government seeks funding boost for ‘critical priorities’
Monday 20 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Government will be tabling a supplementary budget in Parliament next month, seeking a top up to the $328 million 2024/25 budget to fund ‘critical priorities’ in the remaining half of the financial year.
‘Electric atmosphere’ at Cook Islands League Nines despite technical glitches
Thursday 16 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby league, Sports
Following the successful hosting of the 9th League Nines in Paradise tournament last weekend, Cook Islands Rugby League has begun receiving interest for the 10th edition next year.
Visitor arrivals on track to rival record numbers
Thursday 16 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Business, Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals in 2024, with December figures yet to be released, have surpassed the total arrivals of 2023 and are on track to rival the record number set in 2019.
Private members’ bills expose Govt’s legislative failures: Opposition leader
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
The three private members’ bills presented by the Opposition in Parliament in 2024 show the Government’s failure to address critical legal anomalies affecting people, says Tina Browne.
Family duty calls: Youngest councillor navigates life on remote Palmerston
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Features, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
At 23, Julianna Marsters is Cook Islands’ youngest Island Government councillor. However, she was elected not by her own choice, but because she was the only family member of eligible age.
Lady Panthers shock defending champs
Friday 10 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby league, Sports
The Lady Panthers are off to a flying start in the Cook Islands Rugby League Nines in Paradise tournament, having remained undefeated on day one at the National Stadium in Nikao yesterday.
Overseas teams join Rarotonga clubs in biggest ever League Nines in Paradise
Tuesday 7 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby league, Sports
The 2025 League Nines in Paradise is set to be the biggest event since its inception nine years ago, with nine men’s and five women’s teams from Cook Islands and New Zealand set to battle this week.
‘Lack of business’: Opposition slams Govt over Parliament sitting days
Monday 6 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Parliament
Cook Islands Parliament has been recommended to sit for 39 days this year, after sitting for only 14 days in 2024 – 28 days less than the number of sitting days originally planned.
Government takes allegation against Cook Islands-flagged vessel ‘very seriously’
Saturday 4 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National
Government takes the allegations made against a Cook Islands-flagged oil tanker under international investigation ‘very seriously’.
Cook Islands eases import ban on NZ poultry following bird flu outbreak
Tuesday 31 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Agriculture, National
Cook Islands temporarily suspended imports of poultry products from New Zealand following a bird flu outbreak on a single farm, but has resumed imports from unaffected regions with additional safety measures.
Police seek public cooperation for festive security
Tuesday 24 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, Local, National
Cook Islands Police are launching a community policing initiative with volunteer support from each vaka in Rarotonga to enhance safety and security during the festive season.
Opposition leader slams passport push as ‘reckless’: PM Brown assures ‘We will remain NZ citizens’
Tuesday 24 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown has assured Cook Islanders that they “will remain New Zealand citizens, and that will not change” as he continues to advocate for a Cook Islands passport as a “symbolic representation of national pride and identity”.
New Zealand rejects Cook Islands passport plan
Monday 23 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, Politics
Government’s proposal for a Cook Islands passport as a “national identity” to mark the country’s 60th anniversary in 2025 has been rejected by New Zealand.
Cook Islands debt surpasses quarter billion mark with new ADB loan
Saturday 21 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands has signed a US$30 million (NZ$49.7m) loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) “to manage its debt and cash portfolios over the coming years”.
Rarotonga residents urged to prepare for continued rain
Thursday 19 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, Weather
The rainy spell currently affecting Rarotonga is expected to continue throughout the weekend, according to the Cook Islands Meteorological Service.
Te Marae Ora prepares for potential whooping cough outbreak
Wednesday 18 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, Local, National, Tourism
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health is in ‘preparation phase’ as it continues to monitor the status of pertussis (whooping cough) in New Zealand.
Fears for families as Vanuatu reels from deadly earthquake
Wednesday 18 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Regional, Vanuatu
The devastating 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck Vanuatu on Monday, claiming the lives of at least 14 people and injuring more than 200, has sent shockwaves around the world, with Ni-Vanuatuans residing in Rarotonga praying for the safety of their loved ones at home.
Police urge responsibility after weekend of mayhem
Tuesday 17 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, Local, National
Police are urging individual responsibility after a spate of incidents over the weekend, including a hit-and-run in which a 70-year-old tourist was injured, receiving four stitches in her head and multiple abrasions.
Local heroes risk lives to save teens caught in stormy seas
Monday 16 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National
Two teenagers, aged 12 and 13, were rescued from Avarua Harbour after they went swimming during the heavy downpour on Saturday afternoon, which caused flash flooding in low-lying areas of Rarotonga.
