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
Features
Coastwatcher honoured after 80 years
On a beautiful afternoon in the Ruatonga valley, a poignant ceremony unfolded as the ‘Last Post’ echoed through the gathering at the unveiling of a military plaque for a Cook Islands Coastwatcher.
Rarotonga tattoo artist warns of fake bookings, leaving tourists needled
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.
Protecting Aitutaki’s ‘beating heart’ using traditional conservation method
Aitutaki residents gathered at their prized lagoon this week to continue the custom of protecting their marine environment through the re-establishment of the traditional ra’ui, a temporary fishing ban within the lagoon.
Family duty calls: Youngest councillor navigates life on remote Palmerston
At 23, Julianna Marsters is Cook Islands’ youngest Island Government councillor. However, she was elected not by her own choice, but because she was the only family member of eligible age.
Church talk: From chaos to cosmos – Mako takore i te Makokore
By allowing God’s Holy Spirit to move freely in our lives creates and transforms chaos into cosmos, disorderliness to orderliness, darkness to light and mortal to immortality, and perishable to imperishableness forever, writes Bishop Tutai Pere of the Apostolic Church.
Overseas contestants to compete for Miss Cook Islands title, announces MCIPA
The two pageant organisations in the Cook Islands are planning to host separate pageant events this year.
Aitutaki’s Maoate to fly Cook Islands flag at Miss Pacific Islands Pageant
Ngatepaeru Marie Maoate of Aitutaki will represent the Cook Islands at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2025 in Honiara, Solomon Islands next month, marking the country’s return to the regional pageant after a hiatus since 2019.
Church groups request to amend constitution: PM
Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed that there have been requests from church groups to amend the constitution that will recognise the Cook Islands as a Christian nation.
Mateariki’s emotional return after pageant triumph
Maine Etu Kura 2024/Miss Akatokamanava Pivai Ambushia Mateariki was crowned the first runner up in the Maine Kuki Airani Aotearoa beauty pageant held over a month ago in Auckland, New Zealand.
Love in paradise: Fijian couple weds in Rarotonga
On December 21, 2024, Rarotonga became the backdrop for a heartfelt celebration of love as Losirene Dasalusalu and her newly wedded husband, Ratu Osea Dasalusalu, tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony.
Church Talk: The Holy Family - A model of love, faith
We just celebrated Christmas 2024. We meditated the birth of the Messiah, the unwavering faith of Mary and the righteous Joseph. Together they comprise the Holy Family. The Holy family of Nazareth serves as the most perfect example or model of a family, writes Bishop Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado msp of the Catholic Church.
Positive trends in the Cook Islands property market
November’s 2024 visitor arrivals and migration numbers are continuing on a positive trend, driving a solid economic recovery in the Cook Islands. Visitor numbers reached 13,419, showing a 7.7% increase over last year, with notable rises from Australia, Europe, and the USA. Beyond tourism, the return of 732 Cook Islanders and a net gain of […]
SIF grants address critical social needs across the Cook Islands
The Cook Islands Social Impact Fund distributed $199,825.20 to 14 successful applicants, including organisations focused on child welfare, education, youth development, women’s empowerment and community health, to support their vital work in addressing social issues and improving the well-being of Cook Islanders.
‘Toughy’ bids farewell to 45-year banking career
After a remarkable 45-year career spanning four different banks in the same building, a respected bank employee has retired, leaving a legacy of dedication and service to the community.
Walking for ‘Dear Love’: A journey of reflection and love
A Cook Islands businesswoman walked the Camino de Santiago in memory of her late husband, finding solace and healing on the ancient pilgrimage route while honouring their shared love and dreams.
Tracing Polynesian roots
In a significant occasion that celebrates heritage, Pa Marie Upokotini Ariki attended the opening ceremonies of the Austronesian Cultural and Art Exhibition and the Keqiutou Site Museum in Pingtan Island, China, reflecting on the shared heritage of Austronesian peoples and emphasising the importance of understanding their origins, including those of the Cook Islands.
Church Talk: Let Christ’s light shine all year long
As we wrap up the Christmas season and look ahead to the new year, let’s take a moment to think about the true meaning of Christmas – the light of Jesus Christ that came into the world that night in Bethlehem, writes Kayla Kaimarama-Willie of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Staying on budget in Cook Islands construction
Embarking on a construction project in the Cook Islands is an exciting venture, but it comes with its own set of financial challenges. While sticking to a construction budget is indeed possible, it requires more than relying solely on square meter cost estimates. Some key basic knowledge is necessary at the start of your project […]
Collaborative efforts to a rat-free, thriving ecosystem on Takutea
In a monumental stride in conservation for the Cook Islands, Takutea Island is on its path to becoming rat-free.
New mammography machine offers improved breast cancer detection
The arrival of the new mammography machine in the Cook Islands marks a significant advancement in women’s health, enabling earlier detection of breast cancer and potentially saving lives.
Divided legacy: Arioka invested as Pera Mataiapo Tutara amidst controversy
Patrick Arioka has been invested with the traditional title of Pera Mataiapo Tutara in the second investiture for the same title this year, little over a week after another claimant, Ana Andrew, was invested on November 27, 2024.
Celebrating investment in healthcare workforce with graduation ceremony
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of Bachelor of Nursing students and other healthcare professionals, recognising their dedication and the importance of investing in local healthcare education to improve community health services.
