More Top Stories
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
16 February 2025
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
15 February 2025
No-confidence motion against PM and his Cabinet faces delays
15 February 2025
Ruta Mave: People’s Republic of China red flag
10 February 2025
No debt in China deal
8 February 2025
Thomas Wynne: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?
8 February 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
$541.7m tourism earnings
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
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Features
Film Raro2 casting call open to all ages
Fearless Cook Islands heroes and heroines of all ages are encouraged to audition for Film Raro2 who are back in Rarotonga looking for a cast of characters.
Seventeen composers for Mire Atu
Cook Islands composers are prepared to take centre stage this month in the prestigious Tauranga Vananga/Ministry of Cultural Development Te Pae Tai Nui Mire Atu original Māori song composers competition.
MMR collaborates with BTIB in Manihiki
The Ministry of Marine Resources is collaborating with the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) as part of the Business Advisory Service to the Pearl Farmers and the Manihiki Pearl Farmers Association. This collaborative work is part of the Cook Islands Pearl Industry Support Programme 2011-2013. Compliance to the Manihiki Lagoon Management Plan is important for […]
Chinese pearl expert willing to help farms
An eminent Chinese pearl expert who recently visited Rarotonga expressed willingness to assist our pearl industry if he is asked by the CI government. Professor Xie Shaohe was part of a Chinese delegation visiting the Cook Islands on March 3-7 at the invitation of Minister Teina Bishop to discuss fisheries and pearl development. The professor […]
La Nina linked to algae bloom
Survey findings of complete mortality of all bivalves including pearl oysters below 25 metres may be linked to the La Nina weather and the dark state of the lagoon that has persisted since winter 2011. Findings were presented to the Island Council and pearl farmers of Manihiki by MMR in March. The trigger for alarm […]
Farmers' association ready for action
The newly elected executive committee of the Manihiki Pearl Farmers Association (MPFA) is gearing up for work it will face in the next couple of years. The committee that was elected during the Annual General Meeting held in March has some new faces on board and at the helm. Former Mayor and active Association member […]
Passing - off still a problem
CIPA’s Pearl Inspector, Caroline Tiria, makes regular visits to the Punanganui Market and the Wharf on boat days to inspect the pearls on sale for authenticity, to make sure that Cook Islands pearls are being properly labeled and that pearls that are not genuine Cook Islands pearls are clearly marked to inform potential buyers. She […]
Avaiki success in Europe
Avaiki showed Europe what Cook Islands pearls have to offer at a recent international trade show. Described as successful by the Avaiki wholesale team, it was a chance to exhibit alongside the latest European trends in jewellery and watches. The annual Inhorgenta trade show was held in Munich in February, and is truly an international […]
Pearls of Romance
The romance of Cook Islands pearls is part of a celebration of wedding fashion currently taking place in Wellington. “Unveiled – 200 years of Wedding Fashion” from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, is showing over four months at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The Cook Islands Pearl Authority was invited […]
Retailers and wholesalers unite
A new organisation was incorporated in early January 2012 called the Cook Islands Pearl Retailers and Wholesalers Incorporated (CIPRWI) to represent the interests of retail, wholesale and jewellery establishments on Rarotonga. The members of CIPWRI included Fisher’s Pearls, Goldmine, Island Craft, The Pearl Lounge, Tarani’s Craft & Pearls, Bergman & Sons, Farm Direct Pearls, Classic […]
Song and dance at Avarua
This week at Avarua School was all about celebrating the language and culture of the Cook Islands. “Te Rito o te Reo te Peu Kuki Airani” has involved participation from students across the school, including the pre-school. Each island is represented, with students choosing which island group they wanted to be part of after discussion […]
It was a beautiful day for our school
Beautiful day The blessing of the Takitumu School Road Crossing last week Friday on the top field, was a beautiful day for our school. Papa Orometua started off with a long prayer. After that we were singing lovely songs from the church. The people that came to the blessing was Papa Kiriau, Papa Orometua, Papa […]
New printer loves his work
The newest member of the Cook Islands News team had “no idea what to expect from Rarotonga” before arriving last month. A printer at the Wellington-based Dominion Post, Mike Lees was looking for a change of pace and scenery. Eight months ago he applied for a job printing the Cook Islands’ daily newspaper, though he […]
New clothing line named after Vara
T-Shirt Factory proprietor Don Carlaw uses the same words to describe Vara Hunter, the namesake of Te Vara Nui Cultural Village, and his shop’s new clothing line – words like ‘classy’, ‘fashionable’ and ‘elegant’. Sure enough, T-Shirt Factory’s new line of clothing is being marketed under the Vara’s label. “We wanted to launch our own […]
Brother Love picks up
Edward Ru of New Zealand reggae band Sweet & Irie will be performing at the National Auditorium on Thursday, March 29, to raise money for the Miss Cook Islands pageant and mental health awareness. Opening acts include local singing sensations Emile Rima – who is gearing up to launch his first album – and Rose […]
Pop, rock, noise and folk in Raro
Their music has been called uplifting and inspiring, and they’re bringing it to the Cook Islands. Husband-wife duo Andy and Victoria Knopp are The Response, an indie pop-rock band that released its debut self-titled album in February. The son of Mauke’s June Hosking, Andy is bringing his wife – and his band – to Rarotonga […]
Best planet in universe
Avarua School’s Grade 6 class shares their work on the Kids Page today. Students were asked to write a story of what you think and feel about ‘The World We Live In’ for their English journal writing. The class has also been looking at the material world for science, with a focus on recyclable material, […]
Kids told to get moo-ving on art project
CITC is taking its green theme to Rarotonga’s schools this month to encourage students to reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink and be in the chance to win $3000. Students are being asked to create a cow sculpture out of recycled Anchor packaging to be in the chance to win the cash prize. CITC and Anchor have […]
Fingers crossed for good luck today
Manea Foods staff and customers will be crossing their fingers that the luck of the Irish will be on their side today as the food group celebrates St Patrick’s Day. Customers who have spent over $30 at the three Manea Food outlets on Rarotonga will find out at 1pm today if they are the winners […]
Pasifika – a fading festival?
Jason Brown looks at what is happening to one of the major calendar events for the Cook Islands, at home and overseas Over 20 years ago, a small group of islanders got together in Auckland and decided to celebrate themselves. Almost lost in the myths of legend, the original Pasifika Festival in 1992 now seems […]
International dancer returns
This year’s Dancer of the Year competition also hails the return and revival of the International Dancer of the Year contest. Dancers from the junior grade right up to golden oldies age and even visitors to the island are encouraged to register for the three main dance competitions this year. The first traditional dance competition […]
Student Army chief kicks back
Relaxation and swimming have been high on the agenda for Sam Gifford during his stay in the Cook Islands. Gifford is one of the ‘Christchurch Heroes’ who have been visiting the country over the past months. He was part of the core team who organised the highly successful Student Volunteer Army, which ran out of […]