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
National
Social Impact Fund awards $199,825 to 14 community projects
The Cook Islands Social Impact Fund approved 14 proposals totalling $199,825.20 from 21 applications, supporting community initiatives across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, with a focus on sports, wellness and youth development.
Christmas in the Park brings festive cheer to Rarotonga
Hundreds of locals, visiting families, and tourists gathered at the National Auditorium and Domes on Thursday evening for the annual Christmas in the Park event, hosted by Rotaract Rarotonga.
Te Aponga faces scrutiny over handling of workplace incident
The government-owned electricity provider, Te Aponga Uira (TAU), is remaining silent on the internal investigation into a workplace incident that resulted in four staff members being electrocuted in mid-August this year.
Creative Centre extension provides safe learning space for members
The handover ceremony of Creative Centre’s new extension of its vocational learning facility was held last week. It was funded by Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Project.
Shell-shocked: Environmentalists outraged by attempted turtle theft
A teenager and a woman were caught “stealing” a Pacific green sea turtle in the early hours of Tuesday, raising concerns among environmentalists and the public about the harassment of marine life.
Child assault results in two-month prison term
A man who slapped, punched and stomped on a child’s chest in an outer island has been sentenced to two months of imprisonment.
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
A fifth weekly flight between Sydney and Rarotonga will be added next year, providing a significant boost to tourism in the Cook Islands.
Cook Islands youth ambassadors to attend High School Summit in Japan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) last week held a final orientation session for the five students selected to represent the Cook Islands at the High School Summit on World Tsunami Awareness Day 2024 in Japan.
Ministry addresses education gaps with curriculum update
Cook Islands Ministry of Education is undertaking a curriculum refresh to update the outdated curriculum and better align it with New Zealand, with the aim of implementing all changes by 2027.
Air NZ passenger offloaded for intoxication
Cook Islands Police received reports of minor incidents over the weekend with one involving an Air New Zealand passenger who was offloaded for allegedly being drunk.
PAC urges NES to waive fees for public projects
The National Environment Service (NES) has been advised by the Public Accounts Committee to consider waiving permit fees for community projects by adopting a social responsibility approach.
Health minister becomes first female to chair WHO meeting
Cook Islands made history this week when Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown, the country’s Minister for Health, became the first female to chair a regional World Health Organization (WHO) meeting.
Faster response times expected as Puaikura fire station expands
The volunteers and members of the Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade are celebrating the expansion of their fire station, which is expected to boost their response service to fire incidents around the island.
Court briefs
A man, who was alleged to have been the mastermind behind a major cannabis operation in Rarotonga and sentenced in 2022, appe
Cost-benefit analysis of seabed mining shared at symposium
Professor Christopher Fleming, who specialises in natural resource economics and tourism economics, among other areas of research, at Australia’s Griffith University, will share two cost-benefit analyses of seabed mining at the Deep Ocean Symposium in Rarotonga on October 31.
CIIC to begin tree rehabilitation and beautification work at Panama Reserve
The Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) has announced the tree trimming, pruning and rehabilitation at the Panama Reserve will commence on Monday (today) as part of the Te Tau Papa o Avarua/Avarua Town Plan.
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
Several former and current directors of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) have filed defamation lawsuits against George Pitt of the Cook Islands Herald and Elijah Communications.
Celebrating food and handmade treasures
Local produce, handicrafts and hot meals were showcased at the 2024 World Food Day celebration held at Terevete Park in Avarua yesterday.
Te Marae Ora on alert amid XEC surge in NZ
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health has encouraged anyone with flu-like symptoms to practice good public health measures after a new, highly transmissible Covid-19 subvariant, XEC, has been detected in New Zealand.
Cook Islander named manager of country’s largest department store
A former sales assistant, who has worked diligently for a decade, has been promoted to the manager position of the country’s largest department store.
Fire brigade strained by fires and water shortage
The Teimurimotia Volunteer Fire Brigade has responded to five fire incidents on the island within two weeks, amid low water pressure that raises concerns for the brigade.
Court briefs
A man who was sentenced a week ago for driving related charges, was before the Court on Thursday for breaching community service and his probationary licence.