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
PM Brown writes to NZ PM Luxon: Time to sit and discuss matters through diplomatic channels
Wednesday 26 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown says it is time for the New Zealand and Cook Islands government to sit together and discuss matters through their diplomatic channels.
PM Brown and Cabinet survive vote of no confidence
Wednesday 26 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown has welcomed the democratic process that took place in Parliament yesterday after he and his Cabinet successfully defeated a vote of no confidence by 13 votes to nine.
Aircraft back in air after repair
Tuesday 25 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Tourism
The Hawaiian airline’s Airbus A321, which was grounded for almost two weeks, is finally back in the air and has returned to service after undergoing repairs.
PM accuses NZ media, experts of thinking ‘we are too dumb’
Tuesday 25 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament
Cook Islands Prime Minister has hit out at the New Zealand media and experts for their ‘ludicrous’ and ‘ignorant’ perspectives on the Cook Islands’ recent deals with China, implying they view the island nation as ‘too dumb’ to understand the implications of its own decisions.
‘Not enough’: Opposition MPs call for more police funding
Tuesday 25 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National
Opposition MPs have strongly criticised allocations in the $68 million Supplementary Budget, calling for greater prioritisation of the police force and less spending on government travel.
Protesters rally for new leadership amid no-confidence delay
Tuesday 25 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament
A small group of women protesters, who supported last week’s rally against the government and its decision-making on key national issues, were out again with their placards, calling for new leadership.
Hunter seeks shorter term as PSC head
Saturday 22 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
Public Service Commissioner, Carl Sean Hunter, recently reappointed to his position, has confirmed that he requested a two-year term.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms to persist: Met
Friday 21 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
The ongoing heavy rain and thunderstorms affecting both the Northern and Southern Cook Islands are expected to continue, warned the Cook Islands Meteorological Service.
Decades-old Cook Islands ID cards invalid, says Minister
Friday 21 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
The decades-old Cook Islands identification card, once used for travel before Cook Islanders gained access to New Zealand passports, are now invalid, confirmed the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration.
Hunter reappointed Public Service Commissioner
Friday 21 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
Public Service Commissioner Carl Sean Hunter has been reappointed to the role for another two years by the King’s Representative Sir Tom Marsters.
Cook Islands and China go halves in $6 million inter-island vessel purchase
Friday 21 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands
Government has allocated $3 million in its supplementary budget to co-fund a new shipping vessel from China, aiming to establish a nationalised shipping service and improve inter-island connectivity, a move that has been met with concern from an existing private shipping operator.
Court briefs
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
Two men were sentenced on Tuesday in the Criminal Court in Avarua following separate assaults on women. One of the men was also found guilty on three counts of assaulting a child.
Lack of updates frustrates victims in vehicle incident
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
Visitors left with severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Rarotonga in May 2024 is still waiting for answers, with police failing to provide updates despite multiple follow-ups.
Concerns on new Teacher Development Centre raised
Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The recent opening of the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Teacher Development Centre, housed in an upstairs space of Tereora College’s main building, has sparked concerns from some members of the community questioning the decision to repurpose it. Talaia Mika reports.
PM: Cook Islands passport no longer being pursued
Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown has reaffirmed that the controversial Cook Islands passport proposal is no longer being pursued and has assured the public that the country’s relationship with New Zealand remains strong.
Students take on real-world challenges in Solve for Tomorrow competition
Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National, Technology
The first phase of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Innovation Challenge took place yesterday at Calvary Hall in Arorangi, bringing together young minds from across the Cook Islands to tackle real-world issues through design thinking.
Cook Islanders rally to protect NZ citizenship, protest government decisions
Tuesday 18 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Parliament
As hundreds gathered in protest against the government yesterday at Parliament in Nikao, one of the main concerns for many protesters was the fear of losing their New Zealand citizenship, or “risking” it, due to the government’s decisions.
Climate change top priority as UN strengthens Cook Islands partnership
Monday 17 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Weather
Cook Islands welcomed a partnership with the United Nations, whose representatives visited Rarotonga last week, to address critical issues, particularly climate change.
Rarotonga braces for more rain,flood risk
Saturday 15 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
The weekend and the beginning of next week are expected to experience brief showers due to an active cloud band approaching Rarotonga from the east.
Tereora celebrates student excellence at endorsement assembly
Saturday 15 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Tereora College yesterday held its annual Endorsement Assembly, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of its students.
