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 Rashneel Kumar
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.
Four Cook Islands artefacts at Berlin Museum
Saturday 16 November 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Art, Features
The Ethnological Museum of Berlin houses four Cook Islands artefacts, including a ceremonial adze, headgear and two drums. However, local experts believe that one of the artefacts, a tall and thin wooden and fibre drum, actually belongs to the Austral Islands. Cook Islands News editor Rashneel Kumar was in Berlin, Germany.
Codeshare partnership opens new doors for Cook Islands Tourism
Thursday 24 October 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
A new codeshare partnership between Air Rarotonga and Air Tahiti Nui is expected to enhance air travel connectivity between the United States and the Cook Islands via French Polynesia.
Cook Islands rugby league players get a taste of Fijian politics
Tuesday 22 October 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Fiji, Regional, Rugby league, Sports
The Cook Islands rugby league teams in Fiji for the Pacific Championships Men’s and Women’s tournaments this Friday took a break from the field yesterday to visit the Parliament of Fiji in Suva.
Breast Cancer Foundation disappointed over mammogram machine delays
Thursday 17 October 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, National
Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation is disappointed with the ongoing delays in procuring and getting operational a new mammogram machine following the revelation that an estimated 1900 women are waiting for mammography screening.
Cook Islands faces ‘reduced but not zero risk’ of tropical cyclones
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Weather
The chances of a tropical cyclone hitting the Cook Islands are unlikely but the local weather office is urging people to prepare as the country enters the cyclone season, which starts next month through to April 2025.
Tenants face water bill burden
Tuesday 8 October 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
Rarotonga rental tenants who do not have a water connection registered in their name will not be eligible for the government’s free water subsidy.
Environmentalists slam ‘premature’ seabed minerals harvesting regulations
Monday 7 October 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands has enacted seabed minerals harvesting regulations despite concerns about the lack of ‘meaningful consultation’ and the premature nature of the legislation, given that the exploration phase is still ongoing.
Chamber urges Govt to support tourism growth
Monday 30 September 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National
Government should focus on removing unnecessary barriers and costs that hinder further growth of the tourism industry, says the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber of Commerce questions TTV water quality and reliability
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National
The Rarotonga water authority is ‘confident’ in its ability to defend its water quality standards and delivery under the Consumer Guarantees Act, despite concerns raised by the Chamber of Commerce regarding pressure, reliability and potability.
Runners return for Round Raro Race
Friday 20 September 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Athletics, Sports
Over 270 runners and walkers across the 10 kilometre and 31km courses are set to hit the roads early tomorrow for the 2024 BSP Round Rarotonga Road Race.
Starlink launches in Cook Islands
Thursday 12 September 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Technology
Starlink officially launched its services in the Cook Islands yesterday, offering the most expensive residential plan in the South Pacific region but still competitive compared to other local providers.
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
Saturday 7 September 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National
An online opinion poll on deep sea mining has been criticised by the government regulator responsible for overseeing seabed minerals activities in the Cook Islands as “fundamentally flawed”.
Harmon refuses to pay $50k fine after appeal against football ban ‘dismissed’
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Football, Sports
The worldwide ban on all football-related activities imposed on former Cook Islands Football Association president Lee Harmon will continue to apply past its date of expiry until the fine and costs of over $100,000 are paid in full.
TTV recommends drastic cut to proposed free water allocation
Monday 26 August 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National
The Rarotonga water agency has slashed the Government’s proposed free water allocation by 75 per cent, recommending a daily limit of just 100 litres per person.