More Top Stories
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’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
21 September 2024
Police apprehend four juveniles in connection with motorcycle thefts
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
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
8 August 2024
Everyone is a winner, says Culture
7 August 2024
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
8 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
Audit report reveals CIIC overspent budget by $2.7m
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) overspent their budgeted appropriation from Parliament by more than $2.7 million over the past five years.
Cook Islands tourism booms, early arrivals smash record
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals are trending towards a record this year, with the highest total in the first four months of 2024. However, Cook Islands Tourism says they will still fall short of the 2019 record.
Local vendor saves Mother’s Day with ‘Later Pay’ system
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Business, Local, National
Over a week ago, a number of local bank customers were left with zero balances in their accounts leading up to Mother’s Day on May 11. A local vendor stepped in to help put a smile on their faces.
Cops in crisis: Cook Islands Police understaffed by 30-40 officers
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, Local, National
Cook Islands Police face staffing shortages due to budget cuts and uncompetitive remuneration, prompting a restructuring effort to improve recruitment and retention.
Cook Islanders caught in food shortages amid Nouméa unrest
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, New Caledonia, Regional
Cook Islanders residing in Nouméa, New Caledonia, are concerned about food stocks as the violent unrest, which has claimed five lives, begins to subside.
Doubling GDP needed for NZ-level minimum wage: PM Brown
Thursday 16 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands can only afford a minimum wage similar to New Zealand’s if it more than doubles its gross domestic product to $1.2-$1.5 billion, according to Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Cook Islanders in Nouméa on ‘high alert’ as violence erupts
Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, New Caledonia, Regional
Cook Islanders residing in Nouméa are on high alert amidst the violent unrest unfolding in New Caledonia’s capital over proposed constitutional changes. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu report.
Coastal inundation alert issued for Rarotonga, Southern Cooks
Monday 13 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Weather
A coastal inundation alert was issued on Saturday for Rarotonga and the rest of the Southern Cook Islands, warning of potential sea flooding in coastal areas, particularly during high tides.
Transaction delays leave customers frustrated
Saturday 11 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, Technology
Delayed settlement of card transactions by the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) has left some of its customers broke heading into the weekend.
Organic farmers fear water tariffs could threaten food security
Friday 10 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National
The proposed water tariffs could cripple the Cook Islands’ agricultural supply, warns Natura Kuki Airani (NKA), the Cook Islands organic movement.
New Zealand family devastated by teenager’s sudden death
Tuesday 7 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Health, Local, National, New Zealand, Regional, Tourism
A teenager from New Zealand tragically died in his sleep during a family vacation in Rarotonga, leaving his family heartbroken and seeking support for repatriation costs.
‘Shocked and scared’: Family feels violated after motorbike stolen from garage
Monday 6 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, Local, National
A spate of motorcycle thefts in Rarotonga has left a Nikao family “shocked and scared” after their bike was stolen from their home.
US sanctions Cook Islands-flagged ships aiding Iranian drone shipment to Russia
Thursday 2 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National
Three Cook Islands-flagged vessels have been sanctioned by the United States for their involvement in the shipment of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Cook Islands poised for highest Pacific growth
Monday 29 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands is projected to have the highest economic growth and lowest inflation in the Pacific in 2024, but the government believes growth will be even higher than the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecast.
Health and visas top dissatisfaction list in Cook Islands public services
Monday 29 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Health, Local, National, Tourism
A Cook Islands public service satisfaction survey found that nearly half of respondents were dissatisfied, with the health clinic, visa applications and non-emergency police services being the least satisfying experiences.
Vodafone Cook Islands outage leaves local customers fuming
Monday 22 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Technology
A “power outage” on Saturday morning at its Aroa station disrupted key Vodafone Cook Islands services in Rarotonga and the outer islands, leaving frustrated customers without internet, landline and mobile data services over the weekend.
Strong first quarter fuels optimism for Cook Islands tourism industry
Saturday 20 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
International economists and leading resorts say the Cook Islands is on track for a record year in arrivals, buoyed by strong first-quarter figures.
Scammers use fake Cook Islands resort to lure overseas job seekers
Wednesday 17 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, Local, National, Technology, Tourism
International scammers have created a fake Cook Islands resort to lure people looking for jobs in the tourism industry. They deceive victims into paying an upfront fee of at least $280.
Browne calls for $12 minimum wage
Saturday 6 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Opposition leader Tina Browne is calling for a $12 minimum wage increase, criticising the government’s spending and suggesting to use the saved money for the wage increase.
Safe but shaken: Cook Islanders in Taiwan feel strong earthquake
Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National
A group of Cook Islanders visiting Taiwan had a close call with the strongest earthquake in a quarter-century that rocked the country on Wednesday morning, killing nine people and injuring more than 1000.
