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
Govt denies muzzling workers, despite environmentalist claims
Tuesday 3 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National
The Public Service Commissioner denies any government protocol restricting public servants from speaking publicly against seabed mining, after claims made by an environmental campaigner.
‘A fair game for all’: No return to ranking at Te Maeva Nui, says Culture
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Entertainment, Entertainment, Features, Local, National
Cook Islands Ministry of Cultural Development has ruled out the possibility of reintroducing the ranking system for Te Maeva Nui unless all participating teams agree, citing concerns about fairness and the preservation of cultural diversity.
Carr elected new president of Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council has elected Tere Carr, owner of Lagoon Breeze Villas, as its new president for 2024-2025 financial year.
Inflation eases but concerns remain
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National
The inflation rate in the Cook Islands has begun to ease, currently at 2.8 per cent annually, but concerns persist over the ongoing increase in prices, albeit at a slower pace.
Living off the land and sea
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
A 69-year-old father, Nato Temu Junior, and his 80-year-old sister, Fever Teira Tana, who live alone at their family home in Tupapa, are living happily and unbothered by the ongoing rise in inflation, which has increased by 2.8 per cent this year.
NES reviews national biodiversity strategy
Friday 30 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National
The National Environment Service (NES) will be seeking the public’s, government agencies and non-governmental organisations’ perspectives on plans to update the Cook Islands National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
A father’s wish: Naea’s unfulfilled dream
Thursday 29 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Features, Local, Memory Lane, National, Weekend
Okirua Naea’s greatest wish is that his children had met the man who raised him into the father he is today.
Tararo’s commitment to God and family
Thursday 29 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Features, Local, Memory Lane, National, Weekend
A 29-year-old father of two, Bernard Tararo, is setting an example for all young fathers in the Cook Islands that commitment and faith are key to building a successful family.
The General’s greatest gift
Thursday 29 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Features, Local, Memory Lane, National, Weekend
A former Cook Islands rugby star and grandfather of 11, reflects on his journey as a father and husband, emphasising the importance of love, support and equality in family relationships
PM Brown pushes for more funding for Pacific Resilience Facility
Thursday 29 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) which was initiated under Prime Minister Mark Brown’s leadership as the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, is currently sitting at approximately US$200 million (NZ$317.84m), only 13 per cent of the initial US$1.5 billion target.
Cook Islands named the world’s fastest-shrinking nation by CIA
Thursday 29 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands has been named as the fastest-shrinking nation among 40 countries globally with a 2.24 per cent annual population decline, according to the data collected by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Renowned artist celebrates Cook Islands legacy with new exhibition
Tuesday 27 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Art, Features, National
The “Godfather” of the Pacific contemporary art, Fatu Feu’u, has returned to the Cook Islands to work alongside a local artist and express his gratitude for the place that helped him launch his artistic career.
Female tattoo artist finds success close to home
Tuesday 27 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Art, Features, Local, National
Cook Islands female artists are thriving in the tattoo industry after overcoming several challenges over the years in what might be perceived as a male-dominated field, particularly in Polynesian culture.
Kiwi’s 63rd Rarotonga return
Monday 26 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
An 82-year-old New Zealander is visiting Rarotonga for the 63rd time after falling deeply in love with the island during an accidental visit in the 1970s.
AGM to elect new executives for Tourism Industry Council
Monday 26 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
New executive members for the 2024-25 financial year will be elected at the Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council annual general meeting on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Brown committed to New Caledonia mission
Monday 26 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, New Caledonia, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown is committed and looking forward to partake in the high-level Pacific Islands Forum Troika-led mission to New Caledonia.
Cook Islands ‘not invited’ to CHOGM
Saturday 24 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Cook Islands will not be attending the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa because the country has not been invited, and efforts to gain membership are ongoing.
Brown set to hand over Forum chair, focuses on local economy
Friday 23 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown, the outgoing chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, is delighted to officially hand over the chairmanship of the region’s political decision-making body to his successor, the Prime Minister of Tonga, at the 53rd Leaders Meeting next week.
Mast-erpiece: Historic ship Oosterschelde anchors in Rarotonga
Friday 23 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Features, Weekend
One of the most historic boats afloat across the world’s oceans has now visited the Cook Islands for the first time, carrying over 20 visitors.
Losacker’s 12th book features sailing adventures and medical missions
Thursday 22 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Features, Go Local, Memory Lane
A long-serving Cook Islands medical practitioner Dr Wolfgang Losacker has added another book inspired by the country to his collection called “Sailing Adventures in the South Seas”.
