More Top Stories
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’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
21 September 2024
Police apprehend four juveniles in connection with motorcycle thefts
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
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
8 August 2024
Everyone is a winner, says Culture
7 August 2024
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
8 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
Cooks diaspora consultations in New Zealand
This week’s Cook Islands diaspora consultations in New Zealand have amounted to a shotgun approach to current affairs covering a variety of topics of national importance.
Cooks in plastics treaty negotiations
Heads of delegation for about 32 member states met in Glion, Switzerland, to share views and ideas in preparation for the fifth and final session of Intergovernmental Negotiations Committee (INC-5) to establish a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution, which will take place in Busan, Republic of Korea this November 2024.
‘A fair game for all’: No return to ranking at Te Maeva Nui, says Culture
Cook Islands Ministry of Cultural Development has ruled out the possibility of reintroducing the ranking system for Te Maeva Nui unless all participating teams agree, citing concerns about fairness and the preservation of cultural diversity.
Carr elected new president of Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council has elected Tere Carr, owner of Lagoon Breeze Villas, as its new president for 2024-2025 financial year.
Accused rapist admits to 47 charges, suppression lifted
Interim name suppression on a man who was charged with allegations of rape, indecent assault and inducing an indecent act on minors has been lifted.
Theft matter adjourned to October 25
The theft matter against Sina Daniel was adjourned to October 25 at the High Court call over before Chief Justice Patrick Keane on Friday.
Inflation eases but concerns remain
The inflation rate in the Cook Islands has begun to ease, currently at 2.8 per cent annually, but concerns persist over the ongoing increase in prices, albeit at a slower pace.
Living off the land and sea
A 69-year-old father, Nato Temu Junior, and his 80-year-old sister, Fever Teira Tana, who live alone at their family home in Tupapa, are living happily and unbothered by the ongoing rise in inflation, which has increased by 2.8 per cent this year.
Te Ipukarea Society: Ī’oi project takes flight
This week marked an exciting milestone for the Ī’oi project led by Te Ipukarea Society, as researchers successfully captured and tagged the first ī’oi in the Takitumu Conservation Area.
NES reviews national biodiversity strategy
The National Environment Service (NES) will be seeking the public’s, government agencies and non-governmental organisations’ perspectives on plans to update the Cook Islands National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
Paikea unveils new star compass and oe
Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation welcomed onboard Vaka Paikea outgoing New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Tui Dewes, for the blessing of their new carved etu marama star compass and the naming of their oe “inuinutai”.
Woman fined for drunk driving
A woman who has been convicted and ordered to pay a fine of $218 for excess blood alcohol and careless driving charges has also been disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Accused burglar denied bail
Nineteen-year-old Melvin Eli, one of the accused alleged to have been involved in the recent break-in reported around Avarua, has been denied bail as police prosecution revealed he could face up to nine burglary charges.
‘His legacy is one of unity and strength’: Cook Islands mourn the loss of Māori King
The Cook Islands community is deeply saddened by the passing of Kīngi Tūheitia Paki, the Māori King, who was a frequent and cherished visitor to the islands.
MoE committed to supporting students amid NCEA concerns
Cook Islands students are ‘outperforming’ the Pacific and Māori cohorts in New Zealand in the new National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) literacy and numeracy tests.
A father’s wish: Naea’s unfulfilled dream
Okirua Naea’s greatest wish is that his children had met the man who raised him into the father he is today.
Tararo’s commitment to God and family
A 29-year-old father of two, Bernard Tararo, is setting an example for all young fathers in the Cook Islands that commitment and faith are key to building a successful family.
The General’s greatest gift
A former Cook Islands rugby star and grandfather of 11, reflects on his journey as a father and husband, emphasising the importance of love, support and equality in family relationships
Dr Nio honoured for dental excellence
A proud dentist from Tai-Ote-Papa on the island of Pukapuka, Dr Kirianu ‘Dash’ Nio, has made history by becoming the first Cook Islander and the eighth in the Pacific region to be recognised as a Fellow of The International College of Dentists (ICD).
PM Brown pushes for more funding for Pacific Resilience Facility
The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) which was initiated under Prime Minister Mark Brown’s leadership as the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, is currently sitting at approximately US$200 million (NZ$317.84m), only 13 per cent of the initial US$1.5 billion target.
Sand build-up hampers Vaka Paikea’s return
Vaka Paikea arrived in Avana Harbour earlier this week after departing Aitutaki earlier than expected due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Alcohol-related crashes claim 25 lives between 2014 and 2023
Twenty-five people lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes in the Cook Islands in the last 10 years, according to a recently released Te Marae Ora’s (TMO) 2021-2023 National Health Bulletin report.
