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.
‘People are leaving the country and not coming back’
Close to 1000 people, mostly Cook Islanders, have left the country since the one-way travel bubble opened, sparking fears of another exodus of labour overseas.
Celebrating 200 years of Christianity
The epic journey of seeking and saving those who are lost took 36 years, to cover the whole of the Cook Islands not without challenges from the natives, writes Rev. Vakaroto Ngaro of Ekalesia Avarua.
RECIPE: Vegan sushi with tomato ‘tuna’
Most people may think that a diet without dairy cream or cheese or without meat is boring and tasteless. They haven’t tried the alternatives. By Alana Nanai-Fonmanu.
A WHO Researcher on His Trip to China Seeking Origins of the Virus
Peter Daszak recently returned from Wuhan, China as a member of the World Health Organisation team that was sent to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. He recently spoke with The New York Times, shedding light on the team’s work. By James Gorman via The New York Times.
‘Sons for the return home’
New Zealand Maori plans to resettle Rarotonga. As a land-war brewed in the Waikato in 1863, a New Zealand ngāti, befriended by Kainuku ariki, looked to Rarotonga as a possible site for refugee resettlement.
A journey of modern Pacific art
The logistics of taking part in an international art fair when you are an art gallery based on a small island in the Pacific is challenging at the best of times. When you add the year that has been into the mix, it all gets very interesting. By Rachel Smith.
Whale Songs Could Reveal Deep Secrets Beneath the Oceans
A team of American scientists are using whale songs to study the earth's deep interior. By Robin George Andrews via The New York Times.
CHURCH TALK: The secret of restored blessing and prosperity - Te Muna Akaokianga Meitaki e te Puapinga
The life and story of Job is proof that man usually has no idea what God has in store for those who believe in Him.
Will nodule mining impact animals that live on the ocean floor?
A closer look at the potential impact of nodule mining on the megafauna associated with nodules in the Cook Islands EEZ from Penrhyn southward to Aitutaki and Palmerston. By Gerald McCormack, Director of the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust.
Tacos with a twist
A Mexican classic with an Indian (local) twist, Flying Turtle Café’s fresh fish roti tacos is a dish not to be missed. By chef Shivnesh Chandra.
Cook Islands-based NCD research looks at early-life health for wellbeing
Siobhan Tu'akoi discusses her groundbreaking research into non-communicable disease risk in the Cook Islands.
From hunters to watchers – whaling in Raro waters
Commercial shore-based whaling began on Rarotonga in 1865 with the help of Rarotongan whaler Jimmy Pi’i and members of a Ngāpuhi family from New Zealand. With whale numbers already in decline, it soon became clear a commercial industry was not viable. Yet a local taste for whale-meat meant opportunistic whale-hunting continued off Rarotonga and Aitutaki for almost another century.
Pooch perfect! Dog groomer at your service
Keeping your dogs healthy by brushing their teeth, cleaning their ears, trimming their nails and brushing their coats is essential but it can never be easy. For Victoria Teio, her dog grooming business ‘Kuri Cutts’ can do all this for you.
CHURCH TALK: The origin of Valentine’s Day
I have been a Catholic priest for 46 years and have never preached a sermon on St. Valentine. I find it strange that businesses have taken over the feast day, February 14th and in our church, you will not hear any mention of St. Valentine on that day, writes Bishop Paul Donoghue of the Catholic Church.
Island life showcased in fashion wear
While growing up, Cook Islands fashion designer and aspiring school teacher Toka Toka has always carried his mother’s advice: “In all that you do, do not forget God. He is the reason you are blessed with your talent.” This has become his mantra for success.
Pursuing pizza perfection
It’s been a long road for Adam’s Pizza to get their business to where it is today. Along the way, owners and married couple Adam and Sabrina Connelly have caught some lucky breaks, but the backbone of their business is a steely determination to do things right.
Trusting God in the lion’s den
You might be enduring your own personal ‘den of lions’ right now, but remember that no matter what your circumstances are, God loves you, writes John Mateara of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
‘When Chantal is quiet, she’s learning’
The permanent smile on her face shows that Chantal Napa is a go-getter. In partnership with American Haydn Adams, she turned a bad situation initiated by Covid-19, into a golden opportunity.
Globetrotter says ‘ka kite’ to Cooks and its infamous canines
After an extended stay in the Cook Islands, tourist-turned-volunteer Karolina Szelag is saying goodbye today to a country that gave her so much more than she ever expected.
First wedding of the year
Rarotonga businessman Stephen Lyon and his long-time partner Lovelyn Gatchalian exchanged their vows in front of family and close friends this week. The wedding held at Ra Mura in Betela, Arorangi, was a special one – it was the first wedding of the year.