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
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.
Cook Islands doctors to be trained on prescribing medicinal cannabis
Tuesday 2 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, Local, National
Cook Islands doctors will undergo a special training on how to prescribe medicinal cannabis (marijuana), confirmed Secretary for Health Bob Williams.
Fisheries revenue to double
Saturday 30 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands’ fisheries revenue is projected to double following the historic Tuna Treaty between the Pacific Island States and the United States reached this week.
Small businesses in Cook Islands face squeeze as NZ economy falters
Tuesday 26 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Small and medium enterprises are likely to get hit hard by the New Zealand recession before consumers start feeling the pinch, says Cook Islands Government chief economist.
Government agencies spend over $150,000 on directors’ course
Thursday 21 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Local, National
Government agencies have spent over $150,000 on a five-and-a-half-day directors’ course being held at The Rarotongan Beach Resort this week.
‘Hazardous’ Gold Country scuttled at sea after environmental approval
Tuesday 19 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Business, Environment, National
A hazardous Cook Islands commercial vessel, MV Gold Country, was towed out to sea and scuttled last month after approval from environmental authorities due to safety concerns.
Underdogs triumph in Pairs Classics
Sunday 17 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Golf, Sports
Underdogs rose to the occasion and claimed victory in the 2023/24 Rarotonga Golf Club Pairs Classics tournament, which concluded last Saturday at the Nikao golf course.
Sarakura declared new Penrhyn MP
Saturday 16 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Outer Islands, Politics
The wife of the former deputy prime minister, recently convicted of corruption charges and awaiting sentencing, is the new Member of Parliament for Penrhyn.
Rental car flips into creek, driver okay
Thursday 14 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, Local, National
A 43-year-old driver escaped serious injury after the rental car he was driving rolled off into the creek by the Nikao seawall early yesterday morning.
Penrhyn ‘ready to vote’
Tuesday 12 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands, Politics
Voters in the Cook Islands’ northern group island of Penrhyn head to the polls today for a by-election.
Opposition leader calls for review of treaty obligations after immigration ruling
Tuesday 12 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Politics
The Leader of the Opposition is calling on Government to review and reconsider its approach to treaty obligations and the legislative process, to ensure that future legislation fully complies with the constitutional requirements and principles of separation of powers.
A novel idea: Rankin considers Raro romance after Rebus rest
Saturday 9 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Features, Weekend
Renowned Scottish novelist Sir Ian Rankin with some of his books at the Cook Islands Library and Museum yesterday. RASHNEEL KUMAR/24030863
U-turn on electric vehicles: Government retains unsold vehicles due to lack of bids
Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Government will retain and distribute eight electric vehicles (EVs) it previously tried to sell due to lack of bids likely caused by affordability concerns.
Cook Islands grapples with highest childhood obesity rates in the world
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, National
Cook Islands has the highest childhood obesity rate, with over 30 per cent of children having obesity, a recent study on worldwide trends in underweight and obesity reveals.
Man sues Police for $275,000
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, National
A Tupapa resident has filed a civil claim of $275,000 against the Cook Islands Police for alleged wrongful arrest and detention.
