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
Sunset on the season: Final cruise ship for the year
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Features, Weekend
The final cruise ship for the year, AIDAsol, arrived in Rarotonga yesterday, carrying over 1400 passengers.
High growth, high prices: Economy bounces back, but inflation bites hard
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Cook Islands’ resurgent economic growth post-Covid-19 has been overshadowed by an unprecedented surge in inflation, with prices rising by 13 per cent over the past year. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Maritime Cook Islands denies vessels linked to North Korean smuggling networks
Wednesday 13 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) has shot down suggestions that Cook Islands-registered vessels are linked to North Korean “smuggling networks”.
PM defends Cabinet expansion
Wednesday 13 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Increased demands and workload prompt the government’s proposal to expand its Cabinet from six to eight members, says the Prime Minister. Rashneel Kumar reports.
WCPFC20 ends with mixed results
Tuesday 12 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Hosts Cook Islands expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the 20th Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC20), which concluded over the weekend.
T20 cricket showdown
Saturday 9 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Cricket, Sports
A new champion will be crowned in the Rarotonga T20 Cookie Sadaraka Cup men’s final, while Muri Creeps will be aiming for a third consecutive title in the women’s division today.
Government seeks more Ministers
Saturday 9 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Local, National, Parliament
The Cook Islands government is seeking to increase the number of Cabinet Ministers from six to eight through a proposed amendment to the Constitution, which will be tabled in Parliament next week.
Fisheries commission meeting ends today, decisions on key proposals expected
Friday 8 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
The 20th Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC20) concludes today at the National Auditorium, with decisions expected on several key proposals.
Santa’s coming to town (and he’s bringing fireworks!)
Thursday 7 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Art, Features, Local, National
Rotaract Rarotonga is gearing up for its annual Christmas in the Park event, which will be held on Thursday, December 14, at the National Auditorium.
CIFA ousts Arere after court decision, 10-year ban upheld
Tuesday 5 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Football, Sports
Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) has officially dismissed its president, Tiraa Arere, after months of a leadership dispute that ended up in court.
Fishermen, environment group seek solutions to dwindling fish stocks
Saturday 2 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National
Dwindling fish numbers and the potential impact of deep sea mining on fish are among the issues in Cook Islands waters that fishermen and an environmental group want to see addressed at an upcoming meeting in Rarotonga between the Pacific’s fisheries ministries.
CISNOC head’s remote work arrangement questioned
Saturday 2 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in
The Cook Islands Sport and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) has this week admitted that its secretary-general, Owen Lewis, had been granted permission to undertake contract work overseas while receiving full pay, six months after stating he was on approved leave.
Baby formula shortage spurs breastfeeding encouragement
Wednesday 29 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, Local, National
A shortage of baby formula (milk) in the Cook Islands has prompted calls for mothers to prioritise and practice breastfeeding.
October visitor boom: Tourism enjoys healthy bump in visitor numbers
Tuesday 28 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
The Cook Islands tourism industry has been buoyed by impressive visitor arrival figures for October, providing a much-needed boost as the low season approaches.
Conserve or be prosecuted: To Tatou Vai takes steps to address water scarcity
Thursday 23 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
Rarotonga’s water system agency, To Tatou Vai (TTV), has issued a warning that it has the authority to prosecute individuals for wasting water amidst concerns about declining levels at the island’s intakes.
Sovereign rights not enough, regional cooperation needed for deep-sea mining: TIS
Tuesday 21 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National
There needs to be a regional approach to deep-sea mining, as opposed to relying solely on the sovereign rights of individual nations, given the transboundary risks such activities can pose to the Pacific Ocean, says a Cook Islands environmental group.
Cook Islands eligible for ADB’s new ‘concessional funding’
Tuesday 21 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands is one of the eight small island developing states (SIDS) eligible for the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) “highly concessional funding”.
Stranded Pearl ready to shine on the big screen
Saturday 18 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Entertainment, Features
After months of perfecting, the makers of feature film Stranded Pearl are ready to release the Cook Islands shot and produced movie, set to premiere at the Empire Cinema on Thursday next week.
Cook Islands rugby league teams face long haul to Pacific Games
Thursday 16 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Pacific Games, Sports
The Cook Islands rugby league Nines teams heading to the Pacific Games are preparing for a lengthy journey to Honiara, Solomon Islands, after missing their connecting flight in Nadi, Fiji, yesterday morning.
Family appeals for help in locating missing teen
Wednesday 15 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National
The family of a 15-year-old Arorangi boy who has been missing for a week is pleading for support from the community to bring him back home safely.
