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.
Man caught with cannabis during community service at Corrections Services premises
Ngatupuna Ngatokoono Teinakitama, 27, was ordered to pay a $500 fine and serve an additional four months of community service after being convicted of possessing cannabis – marijuana leaves.
Significant drop in mosquito breeding sites, finds Tutaka
Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health’s Tutaka campaign has made significant progress in reducing the mosquito and pest breeding sites with the coordinator reporting that the nation remains safe from mosquito and pest-related diseases.
Public Health investigates online vape black market
Cook Islands Public Health is investigating possible ‘online black market’ activity following the discovery of three social media accounts selling banned vapes locally
Pa Enua heads to the polls
Over 2500 voters are set to cast their ballots in the Island Government Election tomorrow across the nine outer islands of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manihiki, Mauke, Mitiaro, Penrhyn, Pukapuka and Nassau and Rakahanga.
Cook Islands to celebrate 60 years with extended festivities
The Government has started planning for the country’s big celebration of the 60th Constitution Day next year, including the budget. The celebration is expected to be slightly longer than this year’s event.
Court orders forfeiture of motor- bike purchased with stolen funds
The Cook Islands High Court has ordered that the motorcycle that was purchased with stolen government funds by recently convicted former civil servants to be handed over to the Crown.
Amended charges expected in drug case
An amended charge list against Christopher Denny, Charles Tuakana Katu and Tui Mantangaro Tupa is expected to be presented to Justice Dame Judith Potter on Thursday.
Cook Islands tops global travel charts as visitor numbers soar
Cook Islands has been named one of the top travel destinations in the world as visitor arrivals continue to skyrocket towards a record year, climbing 4 per cent compared with the previous record-breaking year of 2019.
Record number of women to contest Island Govt Election
A record number of candidates, including at least 15 women, will contest for the mayoral and council seats across the Pa Enua at the upcoming Island Government Election on Thursday, August 15.
Community group challenges Water Tariff Assessment, raises financial concerns
The Rarotonga water authority will lose over a million dollars annually, claims Te Vai Ora Maori (TVOM), after its review of the June 2024 Water Tariff Assessment.
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
Prime Minister Mark Brown is looking forward to handing over the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders chairmanship to Tongan PM as he focuses on his roles back home.
11 months jail for man caught smuggling 1.176kg of cannabis
A man in his 20s has been convicted and ordered to serve 11-months in jail for charges that include importing 1.176 kilograms of cannabis to Rarotonga.
Cook Islands leads charge in war against invasive species
Cook Islands is hosting a regional meeting this week to address the significant threat of invasive species to the country’s ecosystems, food security and biodiversity, while sharing knowledge and seeking solutions with other Pacific nations.
Multi-agency approach proposed for trek safety after recent incident
A recent rescue of a tourist who slipped off the Needle has reignited debate over safety measures for trekkers in Rarotonga, with authorities considering potential solutions including increased awareness and guided hikes.
Government to claim motorcycle purchased with stolen funds
Former civil servants serving time in prison will face a court hearing on Tuesday to determine if a motorbike purchased with stolen government funds will be confiscated.
Government and NGOs collaborate on revised Biodiversity Action Plan
The Tu’anga Taporoporo National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) that was endorsed in 2002 has many gaps, is out of date and has not been reviewed or updated for 22 years.
Family’s pride in unsung hero
The family of Cook Islands coastwatcher Ioaba Tearaia Marsters gathered to unveil a commemorative plaque in his honour, recognising his vital role in providing early warning during World War II.
War of the wings: The Rimatara lorikeet and how I learnt to hate the Atiu mynah
After a seven-year battle using a combination of poisoning, trapping and shooting, the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust successfully eradicated an initial population of around 6000 mynahs from Ātiu, making it the world’s largest island-based mynah eradication project. Roger Malcolm, a resident hotelier on Ātiu and one of the key people behind the eradication project, shares his own battle with one of the most invasive bird species in the world.
From pest to past: Ātiu’s epic battle against invasive myna
After six years of no reported mynas on Ātiu, the Natural Heritage Trust is declaring its Eradication Project a success. The removal of a population of about 6000 mynas made it the world’s largest myna eradication on an island. It dwarfed the second largest island-eradication of 1641 mynas on North Island in the Seychelles completed in February 2019. By Gerald McCormack, Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust.
Cook Islands diaspora keeps culture alive in New Zealand
Cook Islanders in Aotearoa New Zealand joyfully celebrated Te Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani - Cook Islands Māori Language Week with cultural performances and educational programmes across the country this week.
