More Top Stories
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
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Features
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.
Matu rori – the best tasting spaghetti from the sea
The fatty spaghetti-like tissue inside the sea cucumber is a Cook Islands delicacy, writes Mereana Hutchinson.
Inclusion for all members of our society
Parents and families of children/adults with disabilities or genetic conditions have battled for some time for their loved ones to be included and accepted in society.
2020: The year that was
It goes without saying that Covid-19 is the story of 2020, hands down. The virus dominated the headlines during the year, with many of the most popular stories shedding light on the impact it has had on all of us. But Covid-19 wasn’t the only story of the year. Cook Islands News takes a look back at the pandemic and other stories that defined the year 2020 …
‘You try and fit your life into a paragraph’
When former Cook Islands News editor Jonathan Milne and his family visit Atiu Villas, the story-telling rambles late into the night, and beyond.
'We are all in this together'
Let us all continue to share our joys with one another, our concerns with one another, challenges with one another, needs with one another, outreach sharing and compassion with one another, writes Bishop Tutai Pere.
The most popular online stories of 2020
Here’s the top 10 online stories of 2020 from Cookislandsnews.com.
The unforgettable serenity of the north
During a trip to the Northern Cook Islands, journalist Emmanuel Samoglou saw places of incredible beauty but facing isolation, a lack of resources, and economic hardship. Yet at the same time, he met residents who often described a freedom that comes from choosing to live life on modest terms. In this second of a two-part series, he moves on from Pukapuka to visit Manihiki and Penrhyn atolls of the Northern Cook Islands.
An Oxford University professor’s ‘Eureka!’ moment on Rarotonga
A collision between a Rarotonga hire-bike and a coconut tree led to a Eureka moment for an Oxford professor, who passed away last week. Rod Dixon pays tribute to the distinguished human geneticist.
Rarotonga: Home away from home
Coral Seath was holidaying in Rarotonga when NZ went into lockdown. Instead of rushing home, she and her partner Carlie Paterson chose being ‘happily stranded’ in the Cooks. She left months later, looking forward to seeing her family but sad to say goodbye to Rarotonga – her second home.
Pukapuka – a place filled with hidden treasures
During a trip to the Northern Cook Islands, Cook Islands News journalist Emmanuel Samoglou saw places of incredible beauty but facing isolation, a lack of resources, and economic hardship. Yet at the same time, residents enjoy a freedom that comes from choosing to live life on modest terms. In this first part of a two-part series, he writes about the island of Pukapuka.
Rarotonga’s forgotten rugby league pioneer
George Mitchell, born and brought up on Rarotonga, played with the New Zealand Maori team that defeated the touring Kangaroos in 1937 and is credited as the first ‘Polynesian’ to be included in a New Zealand Maori representative squad.
A season with a purpose
Regardless of what has occurred over the last nine months or so, it is not all doom and gloom. Many positives have emerged from some of the negatives that have taken place, writes John Mateara (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
‘Our elderly deserve to be honoured and respected’
The decision to leave her job and look after her grandparents was easy for Verokura Andrew and she quickly realised that to care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honours.
The rich history of Mitiaro’s infamous water caves
Mitiaro tour guide Julian Aupuni Junior treasures the island’s legendary history that has been passed down from generation to generation.
The day ‘the Don’ and ‘Phar Lap’ visited Rarotonga
Zane Grey “the father of the American cowboy novel’ was one of the many celebrities who visited Rarotonga on the Union Steamship Company’s trans-Pacific liner service. Others included the English novelist D.H. Lawrence, the composer Percy Grainger, several All Blacks squads, the Australian cricket legend Don Bradman, the actor Peter Lawford, the 1932 New Zealand Olympic Team, and the great New Zealand-born Australian racehorse Phar Lap.
A pleasant tasty surprise
Traditional fermented mitiore is by far the easiest to enjoy of our traditional fermented food flavours, especially for the uninitiated palate.
Heaven on earth: Six days of pure bliss in the Pa Enua
For those wanting to satisfy a travel itch during these unprecedented Covid-19 times, it could be a good idea to look a little closer to home. In this second of a two-part series, Katrina Tanirau explores the islands of Mauke and Mangaia.
Former national rugby star Francis Smith's heart is set on giving back to people
Francis Smith first visited Mitiaro when he was six or seven years old. That was the first time he saw an itiki – the island’s famous fresh water eel. Almost three decades on, he reconnects with the itiki and calls the southern group island his new home.
The man in charge of maintaining law and order in Cook Islands
In 1976, a 15-year-old boy from Mauke was about to sail out into the world. Up until then Mauke was his world; he’d never been anywhere else, and for 15 years had enjoyed an idyllic island boy life.
The reason for the season
At the end of a year that has meant different things for all of us, I want to bring some encouragement to our readers. By Pastor Paul Kauri of the Arepua Gateway Church.
