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
A festive fusion of cultures at Nukutere College celebration
Saturday 14 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, Education, National
Nukutere in the Evening, the school’s end of the year Christmas programme, was a celebration filled with performances, joy and community spirit.
Festive season security concerns
Saturday 14 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
There are growing calls for increased police presence, particularly during the upcoming festive season, but the government’s plan to reintroduce community policing is not expected to be fully implemented until next year.
Strong wind warnings remain in force
Saturday 14 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
Strong winds and hazardous conditions continue to affect the Cook Islands, as a strong wind warning remains in effect for both the Northern and Southern groups.
Retired mothers promote cheaper and healthier options
Friday 13 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Agriculture, National
Three retired mothers on Rarotonga have turned to farming to not only make ends meet but also to promote healthy eating in their small paradise.
Fuel supplier takes legal action against Tribunal over pricing
Friday 13 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands fuel and gas supplier TOA Petroleum has initiated legal proceedings against the Price Tribunal, disputing the methodology used to determine fuel and LPG prices.
Online immigration system to streamline processes, says Minister Elikana
Thursday 12 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Technology
Minister for Immigration Tingika Elikana has shared insights about the move to transition its services online starting next month, emphasising ongoing efforts to improve efficiency although uncertain about potential changes to application fees.
Cook Islands Rugby Union pilots healthy living programme to combat NCDs
Thursday 12 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Health, Local, National, Rugby Union, Sports
About 50 students of Apii Arorangi participated in a three-week pilot healthy living programme organised by the Cook Islands Rugby Union, which entailed progressive activity built into a tournament.
Tribunal revokes price order, raises fuel costs after ‘error’
Thursday 12 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Business, Economy, National
The Price Tribunal has issued a new price order for petrol and diesel almost a month after issuing the previous one, increasing wholesale and retail prices across the board.
Public input sought on proposal to make Cook Islands a Christian nation
Wednesday 11 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Parliament
A proposal to amend the Constitution and declare the Cook Islands a Christian nation is being considered by a Special Select Committee established by Parliament a week ago to address the ongoing debate on religious organisations.
Climate crisis erodes Cook Islands’ cultural identity, Wichman tells ICJ
Wednesday 11 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands has highlighted the impact of climate change on cultural heritage, particularly for women, during its historic participation at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings in a landmark climate change case.
Government agencies fail to submit reports: PAC chair calls for action
Monday 9 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament
Nearly half of Cook Islands government agencies have failed to submit their mandatory reports to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and majority of those submitted are deemed substandard, according to PAC Chair Teokotai Herman.
Positive feedback from cruise ship tourists
Saturday 7 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
The third cruise ship of the season docked in Rarotonga on Friday, bringing hundreds of tourists eager to explore and spend in the Cook Islands.
Alumni group frustrated with USP's failure to release Rarotonga meeting outcomes
Saturday 7 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Concerned alumni of the University of the South Pacific (USP) have expressed frustration over the delay in the release of outcomes from the 98th USP Council's meeting that was held in Rarotonga last month.
Cooks 7s team determined to make their mark at Oceania tournament
Friday 6 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Rugby Union, Sports
Cook Islands Sevens men’s team carries the hopes of the nation as they head into the Oceania Rugby tournament determined to make their mark on the regional stage.
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
Friday 6 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament
Deputy Prime Minister, Albert Nicholas has defended Cook Islands Investment Corporation’s (CIIC) financial practices and travel policies which were raised in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) annual review report for 2022-2023.
Bike rally for White Ribbon awareness
Friday 6 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Health, Local, National
The Ministry of Internal Affairs hosted a bike rally on Thursday as part of its 16 Days of Activism for White Ribbon, a global movement to end domestic violence.
New cargo-passenger vessel to arrive in July 2025, confirms PM
Thursday 5 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced that the new cargo-passenger vessel funded by the Japanese government is set to arrive in July 2025.
Year-long legal battle ends in $100 fine for nightclub brawl
Thursday 5 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
After a year on bail and seven days in custody, local plumber Tangimetua Tangimetua, a father of two, has been convicted and fined $100 for his involvement in a nightclub brawl in November 2023.
Govt to revive community policing
Thursday 5 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in
Cook Islands Government will reintroduce community policing in response to growing concerns over increasing crime rates, particularly juvenile crime, exacerbated by a police officer shortage.
Parliament forms committee to examine religious restrictions
Wednesday 4 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, National, Parliament
A special select committee has been formed to examine the Religious Organisations Restrictions Act 1975 and address issues related to the introduction of new religious organisations in the Cook Islands.
