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
National
MPs’ travel expenses exceed $350,000 in six months
Cook Islands MPs spent over $350,000 on overseas travel in the first half of the 2024/25 financial year, with a significantly increased budget allowing for further expenditures and calls to upgrade MP travel classes.
Court news
Chief Justice Patrick Keane presided over several criminal matters through an audio-visual link at the Cook Islands High Court yesterday.
Chamber of Commerce and Tourism welcome immigration policy changes
The Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce welcomes the recent immigration policy changes, though some of their proposed revisions were not adopted.
Frontline workers tackle stress and anxiety
“Anxiety presents in physical sensations, thoughts and behaviour. It’s something most people will experience at some point in life. Shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, and sweating can be signs of anxiety. Thoughts may turn to dread, terror, doom and apprehension. It can disrupt routine and relationships when behaviour changes, causing irritability and difficulty sleeping.”
Trio found guilty in high profile corruption case
Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, former National Environment Service (NES) director Nga Puna, and his wife and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), Diane Charlie-Puna have been found guilty of “all or most offences” following a judgement given by Chief Justice Patrick Keane.
Trio guilty in high-profile corruption case
Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, former National Environment Service (NES) director Nga Puna, and his wife and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), Diane Charlie-Puna have been found guilty of “all or most offences” following a judgement given by Chief Justice Patrick Keane.
Cook Islands and Japan co-chair Senior Officials Meeting
The Cook Islands, in its capacity as chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and Japan co-chaired the first Senior Officials Meeting for the upcoming 10th Japan-Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM).
Cook Islanders seek change in mental health attitudes
“Neneva, avouvou, ka’a ka’a.” These are some of the terms used towards and about Cook Islanders that experience mental illness.
No health without mental health: Tackling mental health stigma in the Cook Islands
A mental health workshop for frontline workers aims to tackle stigma and promote community awareness through cultural integration and improved access to services. Candice Luke reports.
Police probe Nikao brawl, video shows violent attacks on teenager
The Cook Islands Police are investigating a brawl that took place on Sunday outside the Super Brown store in Nikao.
Cops cagey about China visit
Cook Islands Police are keeping quiet about the visit of a senior officer to the People’s Republic of China.
Cruise season kicks off with 500+ visitors on Europa 2, Star Breeze
More than 500 cruise ship passengers arrived in Rarotonga, with the Europa 2 inaugurating the year’s cruise season on Saturday, followed by the Star Breeze on Monday.
Cabinet approves eight Immigration policy changes
Eight Immigration Policy changes, initially proposed by the National Labour Advisory Board (NLAB) in September, have been approved by the Cook Islands Cabinet, addressing concerns raised by businesses after the new Immigration Regulations were implemented last year.
37 complaints spark environmental action
The National Environment Service (NES) received 37 complaints between 2022 and 2023 regarding environmental concerns, according to their annual report for the year ending June 30, 2023.
Cops urge motorists to make the change
Last year ended with December recording the highest number of monthly road incidents on Rarotonga, including a fatal in Aitutaki, for 2023, and cops say they are ‘under-resourced and under-staffed’ in being able to tackle the figures.
Assault accused fails bid for bail
A man charged with multiple assaults on a female has failed in his bid to be released from custody.
JCPC delay frustrates Police as backlog of cases piles up
Police seek swifter activation of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee to address a backlog of cases, including a burglary involving a 13-year-old suspect. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Brown prepares for busy 2024
With parliament’s first sitting set to start on February 19, government is planning to work full on once February commences with the supplementary budget.
Chamber of Commerce steps in with immigration concerns
Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce says it is working behind the scenes to get immigration concerns addressed.
Reported burglaries on the decrease
Despite the extent of publicity generated by incidents of burglary and theft on Rarotonga, these crimes have actually been trending lower than previous years, according to Police statistics.
Recidivist offender fails in bid for freedom
A man with a lengthy list of alcohol related offending has pleaded for his freedom without success.
Covid-19 test kits made available
As of January 22, Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health reported eight Covid-19 cases.
