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
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
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Features
The migratory mysteries of Cook Islands’ Green turtles
Turtle tourism has become a popular year-round activity in Rarotonga, with both government and civil society groups working to ensure it is safer for turtles and people. In a two-part series, Gerald McCormack of the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust writes about the distinct lifecycle of the Green sea turtle, which has a distinct lifecycle compared to Hawksbill turtles, the two types of ‘resident’ turtles that local turtle tourism is built around.
Church Talk: ‘Fearfully and wonderfully made’
Psalm 139:14 serves as a powerful reminder of the dignity, value and purpose of human life as created by God. It also sums up about human existence, divine creation, intentionality in creation, and the relationship between God and humanity, writes Bishop Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado msp of the Catholic Church.
A beacon of progress: First transgender mayor hopes to inspire local community
Six months into her term, Mauke’s new mayor Joanne Rongoape Stephens is celebrated as the Cook Islands’ first transgender mayor, inspiring the LGBTQ+ community and aiming to foster growth and unity in her island.
Rarotonga marks World Down Syndrome Day
A World Down Syndrome Day fundraiser held at Rarotonga’s Punanga Nui Market raised over $1000 for the Cook Islands Down Syndrome Association.
Chasing the horizon: Cook Islanders rise through the ranks to command luxury yachts
In the Cook Islands, where the sea is both a livelihood and a way of life, two Cook Islanders have transformed their childhood dream into reality, becoming captains of luxurious super yachts.
Church Talk: Recognising and embracing God’s blessings in our lives
Often, we focus on what we lack – whether it’s confidence, friends, or opportunities – and forget all the blessings God has already given us, writes Kayla Kaimarama-Willie of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Miss Cook Islands inspires Atiu youth through mentorship programme
Reigning Miss Cook Islands and Maine Kūki ʻAirani Aotearoa 2024, Ngatepaeru Marie Maoate, is visiting the island of Atiu, connecting with youths through a mentorship and community engagement programme.
Twenty local actors cast in groundbreaking Cook Islands film project
In an exciting development for the local film industry, 20 aspiring Cook Islands actors have been cast in pivotal roles for six new short films set to be filmed in Rarotonga.
Sands of Rarotonga opens with new perks
The former Wellesley Hotel accommodation in Tutakimoa has been rebranded as Sands of Rarotonga, offering a more welcoming experience with new perks like free airport transfers and relaxed pool access for Lazy Trout diners, aiming to attract both tourists and locals.
Gospel song wins big at Te Mire Atu composers’ comp
In a showcase of outstanding talent, composer Thomas Peyroux has once again won the prestigious Tauranga Vananga/Ministry of Cultural Development Te Mire Atu national composers competition.
Church Talk: We are called to live out Jesus’ love
In John 13:34-35, Jesus gives us a powerful command: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Minister Mokoroa stresses need to ‘accommodate’ diverse faiths
Cook Islands needs to consider how to support and accommodate people of other faiths living here, says the Minister for Justice, as a parliamentary committee reviews submissions on a proposal to declare the country a Christian state.
Nga-Moeara returns to Māori Composers’ comp after 14 years
Recording artist and popular singer, Teata Hauavaine Nga-Moeara, will showcase her talent on stage tonight in the prestigious Te Tae Pae Nui Te Mire Atu original Māori composers’ competition.
Sixteen composers for Te Mire Atu
Te Pae Tai Nui Mire Atu composers competition will hit the stage this week with a line-up of 16 exceptional, talented Cook Islands Maori creatives and singers.
The best sunrise view – Arore Mountain
Seeing the sunrise and the three motus of Muri, Ngatangiia from Arore Mountain gives you an overwhelming sense of victory as you see the beauty of God’s creation, writes Losirene Lacanivalu.
A beacon of faith and unity
Cook Islands became a beacon of faith and unity as they hosted the International World Day of Prayer service for the very first time.
National Council of Women encouraged to write an Alternate Report to UN CEDAW
The Uikaraurau Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) summit addressed issues such as climate justice, Te Reo Maori revitalisation, and combating violence against women, with robust discussions and an outcome of outlined future action plans.
CITC Patai promises enhanced shopping experience
Titikaveka welcomed its newest addition to the local shopping scene this week with the opening of the CITC Patai Store, a facility boasting a $4.2 million investment.
Students gather for lent season
Students of St Joseph’s School and Nukutere College gathered at the St Joseph’s Cathedral in Avarua with teachers and parents marking the beginning of the lent season.
Cook Islands women summit sets action plans for key issues
The three-day Cook Islands National Council of Women’s Uikaraurau summit, which concluded on Wednesday, addressed issues like climate justice, Te Reo Maori revitalisation, NCD prevention and combating violence against women, and outlined future action plans.
Cook Islands hosts global World Day of Prayer event
Every year on the first Thursday in March, Cook Islands Women Christian Church groups throughout the country join a worldwide movement known as the World Day of Prayer (WDP)/Te Rā Pureanga Maata a te Vainetini o Teianei Ao.
‘Journey towards better character’: Children and faithful join Ash Wednesday mass
The pouring rain did not dampen the spirits of Catholics in Rarotonga as they joined millions of faithful followers around the world yesterday to mark Ash Wednesday, celebrating the start of the Lent season.
