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.
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.
Recipe: Taste of paradise
Local meals are incomplete without coconut cream sauces, which add unique flavour to Cook Islands dishes. Here are four of the most favoured. By Mereana Hutchinson.
‘Tourism desperate but it must learn from this crisis’
News of successful Covid-19 vaccine trials have raised hopes in the Pacific that the hard-hit tourism industry will begin to re-open in 2021, yet questions remain as to how it should be revived in general.
The best things in life are often right under our noses
The internet has brought the world closer together. If you want to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Statue of Liberty in New York, Google will show you the way in a matter of seconds. However, nothing compares to going to a place for the very first time and feeling, smelling, hearing and tasting everything around you as Katrina Tanirau found out in Nga Pu Toru (Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke) and Mangaia.
The queen of happiness
At 92, Te Maeu O Te Rangi Teikamata Ariki Mii O’Bryan is the oldest and one of the longest reigning royals in the Cook Islands. Mama Mii hesitantly accepted the title in 1985 but has grown into the role, doing her best for the people. Losirene Lacanivalu met the island’s queen on her first-ever visit to Mitiaro.
Time to turn on the tap, but it’s not that simple
It has been a bumpy ride, but work on Rarotonga’s revamped water system is nearing an end. From the outset, elected leaders were committed to delivering potable water to residents. Cleaner water is now coming through the taps, but it’s not up to international drinking standards yet. Te Mato Vai project manager Peter Free is committed to seeing the ultimate goal become a reality. Emmanuel Samoglou reports.
Born again into the kingdom
There is no question that Jesus believed that all who were given to Him by the Father would come to Christ. By Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro.
Keeping art of tivaevae alive
The outer island travel experience is helping revive traditional art making in the Pa Enua.
Welcome aboard this Air NZ flight
For Addrienne Hosking-Tinirau it’s still sinking in that she will soon take over as the Air New Zealand country manager in Rarotonga – the first woman of Cook Islands descent to hold the position. By Katrina Tanirau.
The secret to happier, healthier life
Henry Tupa is not afraid of death and when the fear of it beckons, he believes and trusts in his Catholic faith to guide him through.
