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 Talaia Mika
Email scam hits resort, owner raises cybersecurity concerns
Wednesday 20 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
An email phishing scam which targeted companies including The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium has highlighted growing cybersecurity challenges facing businesses in the Cook Islands.
Govt consultation ‘misleading’
Wednesday 20 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National
The government-led seabed mining consultation held on Monday night with the Cook Islands community in Auckland has come under fire for what critics have described as a "one-sided consultation" filled with "misleading information."
Trade policy framework revised after nearly a decade
Tuesday 19 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands Trade Policy Framework (TPF), last reviewed in 2015, is undergoing a revision to reflect the country’s evolving economic priorities.
RAC to address mosque legality
Tuesday 19 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Chairman of the Religious Advisory Council (RAC), Thomas Willie, has confirmed that the concerns raised by members of the public about Rarotonga and the Cook Islands having its first-ever mosque will be addressed at a RAC meeting during the first week of December.
Airline on-time reliability and worst cancellations revealed
Monday 18 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
The reliability of Air New Zealand and Jetstar flights has seen improvement as spring approaches, though around 20 per cent of flights remain delayed, with a notable number of cancellations.
Smartie App a digital payment solution
Monday 18 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Technology
The eagerly-awaited Smartie app, deemed as the Cook Islands’ first digital payment solution, was launched on Friday at the Edgewater Resort, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of businesses, government representatives, and individuals.
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
Saturday 16 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, National
Tatiana Kautai, a Cook Islander Muslim, has shared her personal journey into Islam and her experiences living as a Muslim in the Cook Islands. Talaia Mika reports.
Renowned ‘artivist’ to star at Rarotonga ball
Friday 15 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Entertainment, Features
Celebrated New Zealand artist and “artivist” Moana Maniapoto (Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) will take centre stage as the master of ceremonies at the upcoming Ribbons of Hope: Early Detection Ball.
Police destroy 4 dogs after attacks
Friday 15 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
Four dogs were destroyed by police following a complaint of a pack of seven reportedly behaving menacingly.
NZ Starlink users to face signal cut-off without converting, says regulator
Thursday 14 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Technology
Cook Islands residents using New Zealand’s Starlink service will lose their signal if they don’t switch to the new local Starlink plan by mid-December, according to Telecommunications Regulator Bernard Hill.
New money app launched
Thursday 14 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Business, National, Technology
Smartie to launch as the first digital payment solution in Cook Islands. Talaia Mika spoke to the developer yesterday
Cook Islands has its first mosque
Thursday 14 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, Local, National
The Cook Islands’ first and only mosque is quietly serving Rarotonga’s Muslim community, reports Talaia Mika who yesterday followed a Google satellite map to find the local Islamic headquarters.
Starlink users face mandatory shift to new service
Tuesday 12 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Technology
The satellite internet provider, Starlink has mandated that users with New Zealand-based Starlink accounts must switch to Cook Islands Starlink accounts, a change expected to impact connectivity and lower subscription costs for residents.
Government and private sector targets growing cyber threats
Tuesday 12 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Technology
The government, businesses and the private sector are preparing and gearing up to tackle the increasing risks posed by cybercrime which has victimised many locals while some do not even realise these risks.
Religious cults incompatible with Christianity, says local pastor
Tuesday 12 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Pastor Johnathan Cargill of Celebration Church Rarotonga is cautioning Cook Islanders about the activities of two alleged cults in the country, urging the community not to confuse their doctrines with Christianity.
Teacher turnover a challenge
Monday 11 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Tereora College is reportedly seeing an increase in teacher departures, with suggestions that as many as nine teachers are set to leave the school this year.
CICC defends Council for World Missions
Saturday 9 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
The Secretary General of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Ken Ben has defended the Council for World Mission (CWM) after claims that a new religious group is pressuring residents in Rarotonga to be baptised.
Justice refutes allegations
Saturday 9 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, Local, National
The Ministry of Justice has refuted public claims that the legal process which deals with juvenile criminals continuously lets young perpetrators dodge their crimes and punishment.
CI aims to improve early childhood education
Friday 8 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Cook Islands’ is seeking to improve the quality of its Early Childhood Education (ECE) by establishing standards and support system essentials for ECE educators and their training needs.
Man charged for contempt of court
Friday 8 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
Tereapii Greg Mose, who is behind bars and is represented by lawyer Michelle Tangimama, had his case adjourned to November 29.