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
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
National
Aircraft back in air after repair
The Hawaiian airline’s Airbus A321, which was grounded for almost two weeks, is finally back in the air and has returned to service after undergoing repairs.
Schools umu competition hailed a success, set to become annual fixture
The traditional slow steam cooking event not only retains nutrients and enhances taste, it brings together family, friends and the community, nurturing a sense of belonging and celebration while preparing and sharing a meal of soul food.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms to persist: Met
The ongoing heavy rain and thunderstorms affecting both the Northern and Southern Cook Islands are expected to continue, warned the Cook Islands Meteorological Service.
Seven home cooks vie for kuru crown
Rarotonga residents are in for a treat tomorrow morning when home cooks in the community battle it out in the Takurua tiopu kuru (breadfruit stew) competition at the Punanga Nui Market.
Decades-old Cook Islands ID cards invalid, says Minister
The decades-old Cook Islands identification card, once used for travel before Cook Islanders gained access to New Zealand passports, are now invalid, confirmed the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration.
Hunter reappointed Public Service Commissioner
Public Service Commissioner Carl Sean Hunter has been reappointed to the role for another two years by the King’s Representative Sir Tom Marsters.
Court briefs
Maika Nateru, who appeared before Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning at the Criminal Court in Avarua yesterday, has been ordered to pay a fine of $300 for excess blood alcohol.
Cook Islands and China go halves in $6 million inter-island vessel purchase
Government has allocated $3 million in its supplementary budget to co-fund a new shipping vessel from China, aiming to establish a nationalised shipping service and improve inter-island connectivity, a move that has been met with concern from an existing private shipping operator.
Govt roundtable reinforces commitment to financial service industry growth
A Policymakers Round Table brought together government agencies and industry experts to discuss the future of the financial services industry in the Cook Islands.
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.
