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
Australia commits to ongoing collaboration with Cooks on transnational crime threats
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Australia, Crime, Economy, National, Regional
Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Phoebe Smith is confident that through the Te Kukupa II maritime patrol vessel, Cook Islands with the support from Australia can tackle transnational crimes such as drug trafficking.
Police decry ‘high tolerance’ of careless, dangerous driving
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
The Cook Islands Police Services stressed that there seem to be a high tolerance of drivers’ carelessness and recklessness on the road, as car crashes continue to emerge.
Rarotonga tattoo artist warns of fake bookings, leaving tourists needled
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Art, Features, Local, National
A growing number of tourists are falling victim to fraudulent tattoo bookings in Rarotonga, with scammers impersonating local artists and collecting deposits through social media.
Religious debate heats up
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
The spokesperson for the Rarotongan Muslim community has weighed in on the ongoing religious debate following the establishment of the new Christian movement and its plans to challenge the Cook Islands Government.
Bail denied for motorcyclist in Arorangi fatal hit-and-run
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, Crime, National
A 24-year-old father of two, charged with negligent driving causing death following a fatal hit-and-run in Arorangi last week, was denied bail by the Criminal Court in Avarua over the weekend.
Man, 24, arrested and charged in connection with fatal hit-and-run
Saturday 1 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that took place in Arorangi on Tuesday night.
Passion for education: Mangaia’s daughters answer the call to teach
Saturday 1 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, Features, National, Weekend
Driven by a passion for education and a desire to serve their community, two Mangaia teenagers are among the first trainees at the newly launched Cook Islands Teacher Development Centre.
PM: Hit-and-run investigation being conducted ‘thoroughly’
Friday 31 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
The investigation into the tragic hit-and-run that claimed the life of an elderly woman is being conducted “professionally and thoroughly”, Prime Minister Mark Brown told Cook Islands News last night.
Dream come true: Aspiring teachers join new training programme
Friday 31 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
A 15-member cohort of aspiring teachers was welcomed yesterday by the Ministry of Education officials, coinciding with the official opening of the Cook Islands Teacher Development Training Centre.
Teacher training centre opens, welcomes new cohort
Friday 31 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The Cook Islands Teacher Development Centre officially opened yesterday and welcomed 15 new members and aspiring teachers of its first cohort, with one recruited from overseas.
Ministry confirms 46 per cent pass rate for NCEA Level 1
Monday 27 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The Secretary for Education, Owen Lewis has confirmed that the NCEA Level 1 pass rate is 46 per cent which can eventually change as the results are only preliminary at the moment.
Nukutere inducts 14 new prefects
Saturday 25 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Families, friends and loved ones of 14 Nukutere College students gathered together yesterday to celebrate their induction as newly-selected prefects for this academic year.
First 2025 cruise ship - tourists explore Rarotonga’s beauty
Thursday 23 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
The first cruise ship for the year, Viking Sky arrived safely on Rarotonga’s shores yesterday, bringing over 800 tourists excluding the crew members to explore the island. Tour operators and businesses were seen lining up around the Avatiu wharf welcoming the tourists.
Tourist apologises after getting lost on mountain trek
Wednesday 22 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
A tourist who found himself stranded in a bush after a solo mountain trek has publicly acknowledged his mistakes and apologised to local authorities.
NCEA results reflects lack of creativity and ambition: Opposition
Wednesday 22 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Opposition leader, Tina Browne has criticised government’s response through the Ministry of Education, regarding the NCEA dropping results saying it reflects a ‘worrying’ lack of creativity and ambition.
2024 sees hottest ocean temperature on record in Cook Islands waters
Wednesday 22 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
The Sea Surface Temperature (SST) around the Cook Islands reached a scorching milestone in 2024, with a record-breaking high of 29.5°C in March, marking the hottest ocean temperature ever recorded since 1970.
Two women rescue lost tourist after six-hour mountain search
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, Local, National, Tourism
A male tourist was safely rescued early Sunday morning after a six-hour search, having become lost during a mountain trek on Rarotonga.
Peñahermos achieves NCEA success despite challenges
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Tereora College’s second-best student from 2024, Ferdane Peñahermos, is among those who made the cut in the NCEA exams, having passed all of his subjects following the release of the results last week.
66 per cent pass rate: NCEA Level 1 success rate lower than previous years
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The preliminary 2024 NCEA results for the Cook Islands show a 66 per cent pass rate across all levels, with the Ministry of Education remaining silent on the Level 1 pass rate.
Police urge for community support following alleged knife-point robbery
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
Cook Islands Police Service is calling for community support following a concerning incident in which a Rarotonga resident was robbed at knife-point in front of an ATM at night.