More Top Stories
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 Utopia Support
Children left home alone
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Local
An incident reported to the Cook Islands Police Service on Good Friday of Easter weekend has highlighted the issue of young children being left at home unsupervised.
Tereora boys into the Bowl decider
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Rugby Union
The touring Tereora College 1st XV have made it through to the Pacific Cup Rugby High School Championship Bowl final, which will be played today in Hawaii.
Big NRL influence in Kumuls for Kukis clash
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in League
Michael Marum’s Kumuls side to line-up against Cook Islands in the Pacific Test next week is set to have a heavy NRL influence, with a host of elite stars to be named for Papua New Guinea.
Children love their holiday programme
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Local
Youth with a Mission (YWAM) base was booming with fun and excitement this week during the three-day children’s holiday programme.
Leader, chief and war hero
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Local
With Anzac Day still fresh in peoples’ minds, CI News continues a series of stories compiled by freelance reporter Flo Syme Buchanan, honouring Cook Islanders who served in World War One.
Practicing the presence
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Opinion
One of the most powerful ways to invite a pace of grace is what I call “practicing the Presence” -connecting each day with the holy.
New breed of leaders steps forward
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Opinion
Io Totoro is my grandfather going back 11 generations and he would take a wife, Paparoaroa Taraarei – Itiao Ruatuitui Ruanaki and it is from his granddaughter that would derive the Ngati Kaena name, Kaena district and Kaena Mataiapo Tutara title.
No news is good news on delegation
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Soon coming to see us is a delegation from some city in China who want to build a casino,” a smoke signaller says. “Apparently this is being set up by a local man. Can you please tell us if this visit is supported by our government?”
Some up-to-date information on Muri lagoon
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Letters to the Editor
There have been a lot of questions in the public arena regarding Muri Lagoon, and exactly what is happening there.
Outcome of election not a sure thing
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Unlike the early predictions by many political punters for a two-way race, I believe it is very much possible that Albert Nicholas, the Cook Islands Party candidate in the upcoming RAPPA by-election, will need to triple his efforts to ensure he grabs the bigger chunk of the voters on election day.
'Papa Sir' served with humility
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Local
He was a humble, quiet man who never spoke of the war he volunteered to serve in.
Nature's systems vital to survival of our 'paradise'
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Environment
Te Ipukarea Society is completing an Ecosystem Valuation Report for the National Environment Service, as a part of the Cook Islands National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. This article aims to raise awareness about the value of our ecosystems, and some of it is adapted from information on the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment Website.
ZUU an inspiration for fitness fans
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Local
ZUU enthusiasts explain what they like about the challenging exercise programme:
Cash lures island fishermen
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Local
A record number of keen fishermen competed in the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club’s BSP-sponsored Easter competition.
Helmet law clogs up justice system
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Local
The new motorcycle helmet law is becoming a hot topic in the Avarua High Court. In criminal court last Thursday, 61 cases were scheduled for call-over, sentencing and updates Forty-two of these were unpaid fines for minor traffic infringements, all of them involving individuals between the age of 16 and 25 failing to wear a safety helmet. On April 6, Justice of the Peace John Whitta gave the same 42 people a second chance. “I will say it is your lucky day, because what we are going to do for all matters today, for minor traffic offences, is adjourn them for three weeks,” he said at the time. Police prosecutor Sergeant Fairoa Tararo suggested that the adjournment be made 14 days to allow time for those who are paid fortnightly to make the payment and Whitta agreed. “On the 27th (of April) all of you who have not paid your fines will come back to this court and you will face a fresh charge, a separate offence, of failing to pay your fine.” The leniency came after it was brought to the court’s attention that a large number of youngsters could incur their first criminal conviction at the early age of 16, all because of an unpaid fine. Three weeks passed, and as promised, last Thursday the court addressed each of the offences from April 6. JP Whitta first addressed those appearing for minor traffic offences. The court heard that the many traffic cases would be adjourned till 1pm so that major cases could be dealt with at the earliest opportunity. Those present for traffic charges were asked to leave and told to return at 1pm. Just two people stood up and left. As the court session continued, the number of people in the room decreased, and as 1pm approached it was apparent no-one was going to show up for their case. Whitta jokingly addressed the bare court room, “I will assume that as the court room is empty, everyone has paid their fines,” Whitta said. However, he soon learned this was not the case. Sergeant Tararo told the court that out of the 42 individuals, 14 had paid their fines in the three weeks allocated, 10 no longer lived on Rarotonga and their cases had been withdrawn, and a further six had appeared in court on April 6, were aware of the consequences, and had still failed to pay their fines. Tararo said four of the 42 people had been summoned on both occasions and had failed to appear and pay their fines and a further eight were yet to be summoned to court. The court heard that all those who had not paid their fines, including those who had been summoned and had appeared, and those who have yet to be summoned, would appear on a fresh charge of failing to pay their fine - a charge that comes with a criminal conviction. “The maximum fine on that charge is way above that of traffic offences. It’s $500. Plus, you will be charged with cost of your fine.” JP Whitta told the few charged with failing to wear a helmet who appeared in court on April 6. Defence counsel Short, a driving force behind the leniency granted to the young students with unpaid fines three weeks ago, spoke of his regret at the situation. “The last thing we need is to have 16-year-olds with convictions. “The act of not wearing a helmet isn’t a criminal offence; it becomes an offence when they don’t pay the fines.” Short said most of those charged for not wearing a safety helmet and other minor traffic infringements, had no form of income, and were unable to pay the fine. “These matters should not come to court because the majority of people charged with not wearing helmets and driving without mirrors or no warrant of fitness are young students who do not work and have no form of income. “There has to be an alternative way to address these matters. Parents need to take responsibility for their children and make arrangements with the police to pay their children’s fines. I am sure the police would be willing to work in with parents to have these fines paid off in instalments.” Short said most parents who cared for their children did not want to see them with a permanent mark next to their name. “They don’t want them getting convictions for failing to pay a fine, for a traffic offence, as this stays with them for the rest of their lives.” Many commentators, including Short, have suggested visits and presentations to schools may offer an alternative way of teaching Cook Island students the importance of abiding by the rules, and paying their fines if they are caught breaking the law.
Canterbury crusading on in Super
Friday 28 April 2017 | Published in Rugby Union
Round nine of Super Rugby was business as usual, as the top teams comfortably accounted for those looking to make a leap into contention.
Charity, the pure love of Christ
Friday 28 April 2017 | Published in Church Talk
In Matthew 22:35-40 it says: “Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Speeding risks lives of innocent people
Friday 28 April 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller has stern words for a person driving a white truck belonging to a well-known local company through the Tupapa area at around 9pm yesterday.
Thanks for great Anzac Day
Friday 28 April 2017 | Published in Letters to the Editor
On behalf of the Koutu Nui and its members, I would like to extend a big meitaki maata to the organisers of the Anzac Day parade.
Well done, Boys Brigade!
Friday 28 April 2017 | Published in Letters to the Editor
I would like to say Thank you and well done to the Boys Brigade brass band at the ANZAC Day Dawn parade.
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