More Top Stories
$12.9m approved for solar battery project, NZ confirms
12 March 2025
Crown Law Office on track for record number of lawyers
12 March 2025
‘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
Lego builds bridges in Aitutaki
Autism Cook Islands’ LEGO programme, “We do Lego”, designed to encourage student interaction, was launched in Aitutaki for the first time at Apii Vaitau Primary School Hall last Friday.
Author Tom Neale’s Suwarrow journals donated to National Library of NZ
The Cook Islands High Commission in New Zealand was delighted to attend the handover of renowned author Tom Neale’s journals to the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand in Wellington over a week ago.
Atiu Harbour upgrade to address deterioration and safety concerns
The National Environment Service is seeking public input on an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed upgrade of Atiu Harbour, which involves dredging, makatea cliff removal and concrete repair to address deterioration and safety concerns.
Māori MP draws parallels between Cook Islands protest and Māori concerns
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says Cook Islanders’ protest against their government over key decisions resonate with the feelings of New Zealand Māori in Aotearoa “with a lot of decisions being made about us, without us”.
Court briefs
Two men were sentenced on Tuesday in the Criminal Court in Avarua following separate assaults on women. One of the men was also found guilty on three counts of assaulting a child.
Lack of updates frustrates victims in vehicle incident
Visitors left with severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Rarotonga in May 2024 is still waiting for answers, with police failing to provide updates despite multiple follow-ups.
Cook Islands Tourism prepares for Takurua culinary celebration
Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Karla Eggelton says the upcoming Takurua culinary festival gives an opportunity to share the nation’s food story in a way that “connects us to our past while also showcasing how our cuisine is evolving”.
Dollars and sense: Autism Cook Islands students learn financial literacy
Autism Cook Islands (ACI) has started their Term 1 programme teaching their transition group of seven students how to use money wisely.
‘Very little detail’: PM Brown explains vague China agreement
The comprehensive agreement the Cook Islands has signed with China “deliberately” contains few details because the Government has not yet committed to any specific projects, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Concerns on new Teacher Development Centre raised
The recent opening of the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Teacher Development Centre, housed in an upstairs space of Tereora College’s main building, has sparked concerns from some members of the community questioning the decision to repurpose it. Talaia Mika reports.
Culinary celebration of Takurua - Umu Cooking
To celebrate Cook Islands’ 60th Anniversary of Self-Governance celebrations, Te Mato Manava Turoto/Cook Islands Tourism will present the culinary celebration of Takurua – Taste of the Season, this week.
PM: Cook Islands passport no longer being pursued
Prime Minister Mark Brown has reaffirmed that the controversial Cook Islands passport proposal is no longer being pursued and has assured the public that the country’s relationship with New Zealand remains strong.
Students take on real-world challenges in Solve for Tomorrow competition
The first phase of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Innovation Challenge took place yesterday at Calvary Hall in Arorangi, bringing together young minds from across the Cook Islands to tackle real-world issues through design thinking.
Appropriation Amendment Bill tabled, referred to PAC
The Appropriation Amendment Bill for 2025 that was tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Mark Brown on Monday has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that is expected to scrutinise and report on the Bill when Parliament reconvenes on February 24.
Peaceful protest to Parliament House, Cook Islanders voicing their concerns and advocating for change
Hundreds of Cook Islanders marched in protest to Parliament, demanding that government prioritise their New Zealand citizenship, address concerns about the China agreement and listen to the people’s wishes. Reporter Melina Etches looks back at the rally that was held in front of Parliament on Monday.
PM emphasises ‘mutual’ relationship with NZ
Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is looking forward to his next discussions with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon “in due course” to promote and strengthen the countries’ collaboration while recognising and respecting the sovereign status of both countries.
‘I see you, I hear you: PM Brown promises greater consultation
Prime Minister Mark Brown has reiterated his message of welcoming robust discussion as well as making it clear that the government values transparency, consultation and open dialogue.
Cook Islanders rally to protect NZ citizenship, protest government decisions
As hundreds gathered in protest against the government yesterday at Parliament in Nikao, one of the main concerns for many protesters was the fear of losing their New Zealand citizenship, or “risking” it, due to the government’s decisions.
Govt publishes China agreement, Opposition still demands answers
Cook Islands Government yesterday released the China agreement text following criticism over a lack of consultation, with New Zealand now reviewing its implications.
Over 1200 water meters installed on Rarotonga
To Tatou Vai (TTV), the island’s water authority is progressing well with its water meter installation project for both residential homes commercial property. As of last week, just over 1200 meters have been installed – “a 50/50 split”.
Cook Islands secures $4 million ‘one off’ grant from China for future projects
Cook Islands will receive a “one off grant” of approximately $4 million from China, following the signing of the Joint Action Plan for the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last week.
MPs’ travel costs double in $68 million Supplementary Budget
The Supplementary Budget seeks an extra $68 million, including doubling of MP travel allowances, sparking criticism of wasteful spending and misplaced priorities. Rashneel Kumar reports.
