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.
Rituals and reasons many and varied
The reasons for haircutting ceremonies and its history in the Cook Islands vary from island to island and family to family. One thing that is for sure is that the ceremony brings extended families and communities together in honour of ancestors past and futures yet to be written. Puna Rakanui, emcee at the recent haircutting […]
Ezekiels lineage upheld in tradition
Five-year-old Ezekiel Tuatea Tatuava-Enjoy is still getting used to his new shorter haircut after the young Atiu warrior had his locks cut in a traditional ceremony on Saturday, January 7. While Ezekiel, the son of Annabelle and Masterton Enjoy, understands that cutting his hair for the first time was a special occasion and big deal […]
Auditions for best singer
Auditions for talent contest The H Factor will begin next weekend, launching the competitions search for the Cook Islands best singer. The first round of auditions will be held at Hidies Bar from 2pm, giving hopefuls two chances at impressing the competitions judges and being selected for the competitions live shows. Contestants are being asked […]
Nikkis backyard on big screen
Aitutaki hits Berlins big screen next month. Filmmaker Nikki Siulepa, daughter of Island Hoppers Ronnie Siulepa, will be attending the 62nd Berlinale Film Festival, to which her film Snow in Paradise has been accepted. Snow in Paradise, which was shot on location in Aitutaki last year using a local cast and crew, has been chosen […]
Theres an alligator in me
In this week’s Kids Page column we feature more creative writing by Apii Te Uki Ou students published in the school’s 2011 end of year magazine. Schools and teachers are invited to contribute to this page by emailing: matariki@cookislandsnews.com Snappy teeth to chew people. Strong feet to swim. Needs to be big to scare people. […]
Thanks from clinic
Its been another great year at the Esther Honey Foundation and we want to say meitaki maata to all those who have supported the clinic whether it was in financial support, adopting a new friend, offering your time and so on. We really appreciate all the help we get. When I talk to tourists who […]
Roadhouse donates $1500
The housie mamas from Roadhouse in Arorangi have donated $1500 to the Esther Honey Foundation. Volunteer workers are pictured above accepting the donation. Proceeds from Wednesday night Housie games go toward caring for the animals of the Cook Islands this is not a one-off occurrence, says Gregg Young of Esther Honey Foundation. Roadhouse Housie also […]
Disneyland, here I come!
Eight-year-old Yvette Turua received the Christmas present of her life this December, winning $10,000 through the Tupapa-Maraerenga Panthers rugby league clubs major annual fundraiser. Having found out on Christmas Eve that her ticket was the winner, Yvette and her family spent all Christmas Day letting the win from a $20 ticket sink in. The inevitable […]
New salon offers permanent makeup
Make-up application can be a tedious process, and in the summer months when its hot enough to melt the make-up off many a face can feel hopeless. But Motea Spa & Salon is offering a new service for those who want to look made-up but are tired of doing the making-up. Moteas beauty consultant Irene […]
Climate change is Anas sole focus
Ana Tiraa was looking for a challenge and she got one directing the new climate change division within the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Tiraa began working at the OPM in October last year, and is still in the process of determining exactly how the new climate change unit will be established. Her appointment […]
Tourism wants stories for Australia
Tourism operators looking to raise awareness of their products in Australia are being asked to put their cooking hats on, prepare for take-off, ready the spas and think green. Cook Islands Tourism Corporation Australia office is currently searching for tourism industry members who want their story included in the markets trade newsletter. Tourism operators are […]
Atiu weapon could fetch $100,000
A Cook Islands artefact is the leading display piece on auction at Bonhams, a private San Francisco auction house, next month. It is part of Bonhams first auction devoted solely to Oceanic art, which launches on February 11. The Cook Islands artefact will join 150 other pieces from Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Indonesia and Australia at […]
First haircut special all over the world
The first haircut for a child has special significance in certain cultures and religions. It can be considered a rite of passage or a milestone. Here we highlight some of the haircutting rituals by different cultural groups around the world sourced from Wikipedia. A Chinese baby often receives its first haircut at the end of […]
Drumming out new year's greeting
Drumming group Te Vaerua Kuki Airani from Tereora set out to circle the island with drums beating and wishes of a prosperous New Year on Monday, January 2. The drummers were one of a number of groups that circled the island to celebrate the New Year in customary style.
Crab munching on Mauke visit
In today’s Kids Page we feature more wonderful and creative writing by students of Apii Te Uki Ou in Turangi. Travelling lions all know that a Sensible lion must not ride on a boat. Boats are not for big sharp teeth, Imagine all the people running and Screaming! I wonder how many people hide and […]
Is it time to look at the end result of the freedom we take for granted?
There is a freedom to life in the Cook Islands and much of this is what makes people want to live here. There is a feeling of safety, enough to let children wander out of sight when in other countries they would never leave your side, and to enjoy the wind blowing through your hair […]
New cookbook of the year has Rarotonga links
A cookbook written by Paddy Walkers daughter Michal McKay has been awarded Cookbook of the Year at New Zealands Gourmand Awards, making it a contender for the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris in March. Yesterday McKay, who is holidaying with her mum for the festive season, received advice that the book has been shortlisted […]
Ngaro enters NZ parliament
Following the National Partys landslide win in New Zealands recent government elections, list MP Alfred Ngaro has become the first Cook Islander in Aotearoas parliament. Ngaro (45), who was born in Auckland to Cook Islands parents, delivered his maiden speech in the Beehive on December 21, New Zealand time. Chanting a pe’e and honouring his […]
The year that was - Entertainment
Local DJ Eddie Eddilicious Chambers DJs at Big Day Out, one of Aucklands biggest music festivals. Samoan hip-hop legend King Kapisi releases a music video for Salvation, which was shot on location at Pacific Resort Rarotonga, the Punanga Nui marketplace and in Muri lagoon. A Japanese film crew from Osakas MBS, which broadcasts a Saturday […]
Te Uki Ou yearbook poetry
If I was one of, The ALL BLACKS Id run down the field And score a try against South Africa And the ALL BLACKS Will win! I am in my house reading a Good book then a noise started. My tired dad snoring away. My busy my washing the dishes. My scary dogs barking noisily. […]