More Top Stories
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
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 Talaia Mika
Ministry confirms 46 per cent pass rate for NCEA Level 1
Monday 27 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The Secretary for Education, Owen Lewis has confirmed that the NCEA Level 1 pass rate is 46 per cent which can eventually change as the results are only preliminary at the moment.
Nukutere inducts 14 new prefects
Saturday 25 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Families, friends and loved ones of 14 Nukutere College students gathered together yesterday to celebrate their induction as newly-selected prefects for this academic year.
First 2025 cruise ship - tourists explore Rarotonga’s beauty
Thursday 23 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
The first cruise ship for the year, Viking Sky arrived safely on Rarotonga’s shores yesterday, bringing over 800 tourists excluding the crew members to explore the island. Tour operators and businesses were seen lining up around the Avatiu wharf welcoming the tourists.
Tourist apologises after getting lost on mountain trek
Wednesday 22 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
A tourist who found himself stranded in a bush after a solo mountain trek has publicly acknowledged his mistakes and apologised to local authorities.
NCEA results reflects lack of creativity and ambition: Opposition
Wednesday 22 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Opposition leader, Tina Browne has criticised government’s response through the Ministry of Education, regarding the NCEA dropping results saying it reflects a ‘worrying’ lack of creativity and ambition.
2024 sees hottest ocean temperature on record in Cook Islands waters
Wednesday 22 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
The Sea Surface Temperature (SST) around the Cook Islands reached a scorching milestone in 2024, with a record-breaking high of 29.5°C in March, marking the hottest ocean temperature ever recorded since 1970.
Two women rescue lost tourist after six-hour mountain search
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, Local, National, Tourism
A male tourist was safely rescued early Sunday morning after a six-hour search, having become lost during a mountain trek on Rarotonga.
Peñahermos achieves NCEA success despite challenges
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Tereora College’s second-best student from 2024, Ferdane Peñahermos, is among those who made the cut in the NCEA exams, having passed all of his subjects following the release of the results last week.
66 per cent pass rate: NCEA Level 1 success rate lower than previous years
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The preliminary 2024 NCEA results for the Cook Islands show a 66 per cent pass rate across all levels, with the Ministry of Education remaining silent on the Level 1 pass rate.
Police urge for community support following alleged knife-point robbery
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
Cook Islands Police Service is calling for community support following a concerning incident in which a Rarotonga resident was robbed at knife-point in front of an ATM at night.
Atiu cannabis cultivator remanded in custody pending psychiatric assessment
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
Chris-Mayne Paiere Mokoroa, the man arrested last week in Atiu for alleged cannabis cultivation, possession of cannabis, and possession of drug utensils, has been remanded into custody following a court appearance on Thursday.
Court briefs
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
A number of cases were heard before Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro on Thursday this week.
Cook Islander returns home to lead Aitutaki’s Araura College
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, Features, National, Weekend
James Kora, the newly appointed principal of Araura College in Aitutaki, is excited to return home to the Cook Islands after spending most of his life and career in New Zealand.
Driver ordered to pay over $11,500 in reparations after crash
Friday 17 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, Crime, National
Terea Ngatokorua Maruaau, who appeared in court yesterday, has been ordered to pay over $3000 in reparations to the Te Aponga Uira (TAU) after falling asleep while driving a rental vehicle and crashing into a power pole in Nikao last month.
Tereora’s induction day and teachers’ conference to commence next week
Friday 17 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, Local, National
The atmosphere around Rarotonga is buzzing with the back-to-school energy, as parents are spotted shopping for school supplies and uniforms with their children.
High profile suspect named: Sporting executive released on bail
Friday 17 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, Crime, National
A high-profile sporting executive charged in connection with the highly publicised property intrusion incident on Boxing Day 2024 has been released on bail and is scheduled to reappear in court next month.
A gust of laughter: Cook Islands Met Service uses humour to brighten up forecasts
Wednesday 15 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
The Cook Islands Meteorological Service has been adding a dash of humour to its weather updates on Facebook, and the strategy is paying off.
Cool waters and fast movement cause ex-TC Pita to weaken, says Vaiimene
Wednesday 15 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
As the Cook Islands weathered what was initially anticipated to be a more severe storm, Tropical Cyclone Pita, formerly a Category 1 storm, unexpectedly downgraded and spared the islands from major impacts.
Former Tereora College principal to head revived teacher training centre
Wednesday 15 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The Ministry of Education is working to strengthen the local education system by reopening the Teacher Development Centre (TDC), which has lacked a formal teacher training institution since 2005.
Education ministry welcomes new teachers for 2025 school year
Tuesday 14 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, Local, National
The Ministry of Education has welcomed a group of new teachers to the Cook Islands ahead of the start of the 2025 school year.
