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
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
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
National
MFEM reforms aim to prevent repeat of costly Sheraton project
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) has taken valuable lessons from the controversial Sheraton deal, reinforcing its financial policies and procedures to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.
Facebook group admin responds to police caution on posting personal IDs
The administrator of the private Facebook group, Rarotonga Community and Beyond, has clarified the group’s stance on posting personal identification items online, following a police caution about the potential risks of such posts.
Absentee landownership: Crossroads for Cook Islands
The Cook Islands, celebrated for its vibrant traditions and pristine landscapes, is facing a challenging issue tied to its most treasured resource—land.
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
Prime Minister Mark Brown has reaffirmed his commitment to publishing the Joint Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 agreement with China.
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
Cook Islands Government defends its new partnership agreement with China, emphasising its alignment with national interests and the continued importance of existing relationships, while facing calls for greater transparency.
No-confidence motion against PM and his Cabinet faces delays
A motion of no confidence against the Cook Islands Cabinet, filed on February 11, faces delays due to parliamentary procedure, specifically the 14-day notice requirement and the precedence of an Appropriation Amendment Bill.
Rarotonga braces for more rain,flood risk
The weekend and the beginning of next week are expected to experience brief showers due to an active cloud band approaching Rarotonga from the east.
Census reveals decline in Cook Islands Māori speakers in New Zealand
Despite a growing Cook Islands population in New Zealand, the number of Cook Islands Māori speakers is declining, raising concerns about the language’s future, and prompting calls for greater support for language revitalisation efforts.
Tereora celebrates student excellence at endorsement assembly
Tereora College yesterday held its annual Endorsement Assembly, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of its students.
Apii Avarua inducts 25 prefects
A total of 25 students, including 14 girls and 11 boys, were inducted as the 2025 prefects for Apii Avarua yesterday.
Faith vs rights: Cook Islands debates declaring itself a Christian nation
Parliament is considering a constitutional amendment to declare the nation a Christian state, sparking debate about religious freedom, human rights and the separation of church and state, with various religious leaders and legal experts presenting their views to a special committee.
Cook Islands and China ink agreements, details pending
Cook Islands signed a number of bilateral cooperation documents with China following a meeting between Prime Minister Mark Brown and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday in Harbin, China.
SBMA to engage public on deep-sea exploration findings
Seabed Mining Authority (SBMA) says it will be reaching out to the community, especially older generations, to consult with them about their preliminary findings from the ongoing seabed minerals exploration.
ILO reaffirms commitment to Cook Islands
International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Martin Wandera presented his credentials to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Tingika Elikana on Monday.
Cook Islands’ century-long plan praised by UN as world-leading
Cook Islands and its government have been commended for being one of the few nations in the world to craft a century-long strategic vision by the visiting United Nations Resident Coordinator Themba Kalua.
Court briefs
A man facing a charge of cannabis possession has been ordered not to purchase or consume alcohol.
Environment groups demand clarity on seabed mineral partnership with China
Local environment groups are calling for clarity and transparency regarding the Cook Islands’ collaboration with China on seabed mineral exploration.
China to aid Cook Islands’ seabed mineral plans
Cook Islands is collaborating with China on seabed minerals exploration following discussions led by Prime Minister Mark Brown during his state visit this week.
Cook Islands advocates for development funding reform
Cook Islands officials advocated for fairer development financing mechanisms, emphasising the need for alignment with the Pacific’s 2050 Strategy and consideration of Small Island States’ vulnerabilities, during a meeting with South Korean representatives to review cooperation progress.
Religious groups and CI Law Society weigh in on Christian nation proposal
A special select committee is reviewing submissions on a proposed constitutional amendment to declare the nation a Christian state.
Bail denied once again for Arorangi fatal hit and run
The bail application for the alleged Arorangi fatal hit and run accused has been denied for the third time by the Criminal Court with the Crown emphasising the seriousness of the case.
Prime Minister confident Govt will defeat no confidence motion
Prime Minister Mark Brown remains undeterred by the no-confidence motion filed against him and his Cabinet, despite increasing criticism of the government’s decision-making and initiatives.