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
Maoate ready for Miss Pacific Islands Pageant
Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association (MCIPA) is proud of Miss Cook Islands Ngatepaeru Marie Maoate’s commitment to building a strong campaign at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Church Talk: Overcoming fear through faith in Christ
Fear is a powerful emotion that many experience throughout their lifetime. Unfortunately, its impact can keep us from stepping forward in faith, rob us of joy, and make us doubt God’s promises, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
A sweet scent of success
Lafala Turepu set up Turepu Vanilla with an aim to produce a viable export product. Five years on, she says it was an ambitious and difficult goal but one that is not impossible. By Melina Etches.
Hope, faith and love unite Muri Night Market’s vendors
The Muri Night Market has been revived this week following a long break. Those behind the operation say there is hope, faith and love as they look to the future.
Friends honour a living legend of music
Renowned musician Garth Young was treated to a special lunch by his friends who came together to honour his talent and musical contribution to the Cook Islands. By Alana Musselle.
CHURCHTALK: The ‘Pontius Pilate’ in us
Pontius Pilate who sure had power and authority to fight for the release of an innocent Jesus, instead released him for death because he feared more for his own life and stooped down to Jewish Religious bigotry, injustices, jealousies and lies, writes Bishop Tutai Pere.
Artists are ready for Jon Lindsay memorial
The Jon Lindsay Memorial Concert tonight at 6pm will feature 30 musicians inspired by the work of the renowned musician who passed away late last month.
Reliving memories of Mangaia’s boatmen shooting the reef
Taking cargo over the reef in the outer islands involved extraordinary seamanship. Boats and canoes crossed the edge of the reef on the crest of a chosen wave. But when the sea was rolling from the wrong direction, a crossing could be fraught with danger. By Rod Dixon on Mangaia.
A family of kayakers
Cook Islands 2020 Sportswoman of the Year Jane Nicholas was back on Rarotonga this week for a brief break in a busy schedule before the upcoming Olympic Games. Al Williams caught up with Nicholas and her family.
Keanui’s biodiversity bonanza
Residents often talk about Cook Islands biodiversity, but few have discovered as many unrecorded species as six-year-old Keanui Selam. His recent insect-catching expeditions led to the discovery of eight unrecorded species of Heteroptera, a group of insects known as true bugs, or typical bugs. By Gerald McCormack of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Cook’s buses get smart
The wheels keep turning for the Cook family who have been providing public transport on Rarotonga for more than 30 years. Al Williams caught up with them at their Nikao operation.
The challenges of drafting legislation in microstates
A decade ago, the powers that be decided the Cook Islands needed updated companies legislation and a digital registry of companies allowed to do business in the country. It was a ‘smart government’ initiative, where services offered by the state are efficient, cost-effective, and allow people to avoid the agony of long queues. But sometimes the best of intentions can lead to unintended consequences.
CHURCH TALK: A message of encouragement – something’s better than nothing
Sometimes the enormity of the task in front of us is so daunting, so overwhelming, that getting started and staying with it can feel impossible, writes Angaroakau Williams – second counselor in the District Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Will deep sea mining destroy what the ocean already provides humanity?
A precautionary approach of two concurrent nodule mines has the potential to provide a major new revenue stream for the Cook Islands of around US$90 million (NZ$124m) per year, writes Gerald McCormack, Natural Heritage Trust.
Life hasn’t been all rosy but Blake rises above it all
Like the bright colourful trademark ei katu she proudly wears, Rosie Blake – or Aunty Rosie, the former Consul General of the Cook Islands in New Zealand – is cheerful, bubbly and smilingly proud to be a Cook Islander. On a recent visit to Rarotonga she shared her experiences as the Consul General, a post she held from 2013 until October 2020.
Diving back into business
It’s been a tough 12 months for local tour operators who are now welcoming back guests. Al Williams reports.
Living the Good Samaritan’s legacy
Most of the time, we are so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget about our duty of care for the less fortunate brethren, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa.
Super Flower Blood Moon tonight
Some people will still remember the solar eclipse in July 2010. For the next one we must wait until the morning of April 8 2024, but it will be only a partial eclipse from all islands of the Cook Islands, when the sun rises. But it’s not only solar eclipses that can beautify the local sky. Another opportunity to see something special is coming tonight. By Petr Horálek.
Pandemic a blessing in disguise
The local wedding industry witnessed the first international wedding in over a year on Thursday afternoon at the Pacific Resort Rarotonga.
Bubble gives Kiwi journalists a week in paradise
Kiwi journalists flooded into Rarotonga this week as the Cook Islands travel bubble with New Zealand inflated. They shared their Cook Islands experiences with senior journalist Al Williams.
Work with nature ‘not against it’
When it comes to permaculture, it’s all about how much you want out of it. If you want a small change you do a little, but if you want a lot to change, you do a lot.
Local musician Jarome Pare gives NZ a taste of home
Covid-19 left Cook Islands musician Jarome Pare stranded in Auckland, but opened opportunities for him to perform all around New Zealand. Caleb Fotheringham reports from Auckland.
