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.
Prime Minister Brown committed to New Caledonia mission
Prime Minister Mark Brown is committed and looking forward to partake in the high-level Pacific Islands Forum Troika-led mission to New Caledonia.
TTV recommends drastic cut to proposed free water allocation
The Rarotonga water agency has slashed the Government’s proposed free water allocation by 75 per cent, recommending a daily limit of just 100 litres per person.
Pacific’s first: A doctorate and a deeper connection to home
When Cook Islander Dr Antony Vavia walked off the stage earlier this month with a piece of paper he had worked hard for six years, he achieved more than just becoming the first Pacific Islander to earn a doctoral degree in marine biology from Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
Te Ipukarea Society: Cook Islands Seabed Mining Regulations premature
Te Ipukarea Society urges the Cook Islands Government to delay the adoption of seabed minerals mining regulations due to insufficient scientific information and the ongoing negotiations at the International Seabed Authority.
Cook Islands MPs claim $200,000 in allowances during overseas trips
Cook Islands Members of Parliament claimed over $200,000 in allowances while representing the country at international meetings and events during the 2023/24 financial year.
New mayors confirmed in Southern Group islands
The 2024 Island Government Election final count was revealed this week by the Elections Office, and the new mayors who had led in the preliminary count were declared the winners.
Court briefs
Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning presided over a number of matters at the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday.
Cook Islands ‘not invited’ to CHOGM
Cook Islands will not be attending the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa because the country has not been invited, and efforts to gain membership are ongoing.
Nine candidates vie for CINSF members’ representative role
Nine candidates are vying for the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund (CINSF) members’ representative position on the Board for the next three-year term.
Brown set to hand over Forum chair, focuses on local economy
Prime Minister Mark Brown, the outgoing chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, is delighted to officially hand over the chairmanship of the region’s political decision-making body to his successor, the Prime Minister of Tonga, at the 53rd Leaders Meeting next week.
Avarua burglary duo remanded, potential for additional charges
The two men alleged to have been accomplices in the recent break-ins reported around Avarua have been remanded in custody and are likely to face more charges.
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
Prime Minister Mark Brown has defended the over $650,000 spent on MPs travel and allowance and responded to Opposition leader Tina Browne’s criticism by accusing her of preferring to ‘hog all the trips for herself’.
Cultural exchange fosters connections between Cook Islands and Hawai’i
A delegation from environmental non-governmental organisation Kōrero o te 'Ōrau’s 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango (AKTT) young ambassadors have returned from an enriching successful cultural exchange experience in Hawai’i.
Man hit with hefty fines for drink driving and assault
A 33-year-old man has been sentenced and ordered to pay reparations of $4259.12 to electricity company Te Aponga Uira and around $700 in court fines and court costs for three separate charges.
Constitution Review Committee gathers feedback from Pa Enua
The Constitutional Review Special Select Committee will be conducting public consultations in Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke, all in a single day.
Government to upgrade security after recent break-ins
The National Security Directorate within the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has secured funding to engage a local contractor who will work directly with key frontline agencies to assess and upgrade their security needs.
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
The annual travel and allowances for Cook Islands Members of Parliament exceeded $650,000 in the last financial year, a significant increase of approximately 51 per cent from the previous year. Losirene Lacanivalu and Rashneel Kumar reports.
Construction begins on new Niue Fale
Work has officially begun on the new Niue Fale in Tupapa, opposite the Ministry of Health administration building.
First-of-its-kind early childhood Māori learning centre founded
A pioneering early childhood learning centre, the first of its kind, has been established with a focus on immersing young children in Māori language and culture from a very early age.
SPC supports Cook Islands in implementing effective education strategies
The Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) team from the Pacific Community (SPC) conducted a mission in the country, which included school visits and understanding the teaching practices.
