More Top Stories
$12.9m approved for solar battery project, NZ confirms
12 March 2025
Crown Law Office on track for record number of lawyers
12 March 2025
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
16 February 2025
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
15 February 2025
No-confidence motion against PM and his Cabinet faces delays
15 February 2025
Ruta Mave: People’s Republic of China red flag
10 February 2025
No debt in China deal
8 February 2025
Thomas Wynne: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?
8 February 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
Cook Islands passport proposal
6 January 2025
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
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Articles by Talaia Mika
Police reopen investigation into teen assault case on Mauke
Thursday 20 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Crime, National, Outer Islands
More than a year after a shocking assault on a teenage girl with an intellectual disability in Mauke, police have confirmed they are re-investigating the case.
MFEM defends plans to nationalise domestic shipping
Wednesday 19 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) has defended the government's plan to take over domestic shipping, citing years of policy development and expertise within the ministry.
Concerns mount over ‘national security’ amid China’s influence
Tuesday 18 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Politics
Concerns over China’s growing influence in the Pacific, including in the Cook Islands following recent agreements between the two countries, have prompted calls from the Opposition for greater transparency and assurances regarding national security.
Rarotonga residents urged to prepare for Tutaka
Tuesday 18 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Health, National
Rarotonga residents are being urged to prepare for the upcoming Tutaka, a biannual public health inspection initiative, aimed at ensuring clean and safe living environments.
Man sentenced to additional 10 months for assault charges
Tuesday 18 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
A Rarotonga man guilty of assaulting a female has been sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for two assault charges, to be served consecutively with his current sentence.
Solar power project to boost hospital’s sustainability
Tuesday 18 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Health, Local, National
A new solar power system is set to be installed at Rarotonga Hospital, marking a significant step toward renewable energy use in the Cook Islands’ healthcare sector.
Manihiki residents show resilience amidst isolation and shipping delays
Monday 17 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Outer Islands
Over 200 residents of Manihiki continue to demonstrate resilience as they adapt to a lifestyle shaped by isolation, shipping delays and resource constraints.
Donor funds can be redirected for ‘additional activities’ with approval
Monday 17 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands
Government has clarified that while donor funds cannot be used for entirely new projects, adjustments within existing projects are possible with donor approval.
Sands of Rarotonga opens with new perks
Saturday 15 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Business, Features, Go Local, National
The former Wellesley Hotel accommodation in Tutakimoa has been rebranded as Sands of Rarotonga, offering a more welcoming experience with new perks like free airport transfers and relaxed pool access for Lazy Trout diners, aiming to attract both tourists and locals.
Tereora College revives decade-old flag-raising ceremony, unite students
Friday 14 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Tereora College’s student leaders have started the year on a high note by reviving a significant old practice, the flag-raising ceremony, which was last held about a decade ago.
No delays to solar battery project from NZ funding: MFEM
Friday 14 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) says the funding for the Northern Group Battery Replacement Project was approved in March 2024 and that no delays can be attributed to New Zealand, despite recent discussions in Parliament suggesting otherwise.
Opposition decries delay cost for battery replacement project
Thursday 13 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands, Parliament
Opposition leader Tina Browne has criticised the delay in the Northern Group Battery Replacement Project, saying it is costing taxpayers as island governments continue to spend large amounts on diesel to keep power running.
Ministry of Education warns public of fake scholarship scam on Facebook
Thursday 13 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The Ministry of Education is warning the public about fraudulent social media posts claiming the Ministry is offering free scholarships to people aged 18-65.
Crown Law Office on track for record number of lawyers
Wednesday 12 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, Local, National
The Crown Law Office is on course to have its highest number of lawyers ever, a significant improvement from just five lawyers in August last year.
Former NZ police prosecutor joins Cook Islands Crown Law
Wednesday 12 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
A 44-year-old former New Zealand police prosecutor of Samoan ethnicity is the newest addition to the Cook Islands Crown Law Office
$12.9m approved for solar battery project, NZ confirms
Wednesday 12 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands, Technology
New Zealand says it approved $12.9 million for the Northern Group Battery Replacement Project a year ago, after Prime Minister Mark Brown told Parliament they were still working with the NZ government to start the project.
Four students head to Japan for cultural exchange
Tuesday 11 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, Education, Local, National, Outer Islands
Four Cook Islands students are heading to Japan for a cultural exchange programme, where they will immerse themselves in Japanese culture while sharing their knowledge of Cook Islands culture.
Police investigate burglary, assault and numerous traffic incidents
Tuesday 11 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, Local, National
After having to deal with several car crashes keeping an understaffed police force busy, police later tended a burglary incident in Vaimaanga and an assault incident on Sunday.
Manihiki welcomes government initiative to nationalise shipping
Tuesday 11 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
As the Pa Enua continues to endure the ongoing increase in its cost of living due to shipping challenges and transportation, it was music to their ears to hear that plans are in place for the government to enter shipping service.
Ministry explores new strategies to enhance mathematics education
Monday 10 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The Ministry of Education is exploring new strategies to enhance mathematics education in the Cook Islands, following comments from New Zealand-based academic Professor Jodie Hunter, who emphasised the need for local context in teaching resources.
