More Top Stories
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
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
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
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
National
Airport marks 51 years, Cook Islands’ 60 years of self-governance
Airport Authority Cook Islands (AACI), the nation’s gateway to the world, celebrated its 51st anniversary yesterday, marking 51 years since its opening by the late Queen Elizabeth II on January 29, 1974.
Hit and run in Arorangi claims life
An elderly woman died in a hit and run incident in Arorangi, on Tuesday night, marking the second road fatality in the country this year.
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.
University highlights local education
The University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands opened its doors to 100 final year students of Tereora College during an open day yesterday to highlight various academic opportunities available at the local campus.
Te Ipukarea Society: Plastic free July- Small changes can add up to big differences
During the past month of July, Te Ipukarea Society ran a series of posts on how we can minimise the use of single use plastics in our day to day lives.
Runway closure disrupts Air New Zealand flights
Air New Zealand cancelled multiple flights between Auckland and Rarotonga this week due to a wheel defect on one aircraft and a runway closure in Auckland.
Winning costume sparks outrage
A week after the 2024 Te Maeva Nui cultural festival, controversy continues over Oire Tupapa Maraerenga’s winning costume, which was originally designed for the CINAT team. The Ministry of Cultural Development has dismissed claims of unfair advantage.
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
Unresolved matters related to the potential diversion of the road around the old Sheraton hotel in Vaimaanga are among the reasons no road work has started on the main road in front of the site.
Journey of Pacific Mothers comes to Rarotonga screen
A locally shot documentary feature film exploring the importance of women’s birthing choices through the stories of Pacific mothers reclaiming indigenous practices premieres in Rarotonga tomorrow.
‘Understaffed’ Police to receive timely training from NZ experts
Prime Minister Mark Brown has met with the acting Police Commissioner Aka Matapo to discuss preparations on the new training initiatives in partnership with New Zealand Police.
Courts briefs
Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham presided over driving-related matters and a single wilful damage matter involving the Mangaia hostel yesterday.
Ready to weather the storm: Three-day conference bolsters cyclone preparedness
The Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) hosted a three-day conference to identify areas for improvement in preparation for future cyclones.
Incumbents face tough challenge in outer islands mayoral election
Incumbent mayors of eight outer islands face a tough battle in the upcoming Island Government election, while the mayoral positions in Rakahanga and Pukapuka Nassau are unchallenged.
Health services to resume at Tupapa Clinic, timeline to be confirmed
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health and the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) will be working closely to determine the timeline for health services to resume at the Tupapa Primary Care and Outpatient Clinic.
NZ transit visa waiver for Fijians to take effect in September
From September, Fijians residing in the Cook Islands will no longer require a New Zealand transit visa to travel to and from Rarotonga to Fiji through Auckland.
