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
Cook Islands Tourism celebrates local changemakers
The 23rd round of Cook Islands Tourism’s Te Vaka O Ru programme, held in Aitutaki in December, recognised the exceptional contributions of local changemakers during the period of July to October 2024.
Te Tau Papa O Avarua on track for 60th Constitution celebrations
Te Tau Papa O Avarua project is progressing towards achieving several key milestones in stage one of the physical works.
Family duty calls: Youngest councillor navigates life on remote Palmerston
At 23, Julianna Marsters is Cook Islands’ youngest Island Government councillor. However, she was elected not by her own choice, but because she was the only family member of eligible age.
Jewels of the Cook Islands ready to shine at Dine and Dance event
A New Zealand-based Cook Islands entertainment group is on the island and is set to perform tonight in what they say will be a magical night of dining and dancing in Rarotonga.
Aitutaki community re-establishes traditional ra’ui to protect marine
The Aitutaki community has re-established a traditional ra’ui, a temporary fishing ban, in their lagoon to protect marine life and ensure sustainable resource management, with support from the National Environment Service.
Cook Islands National Council of Women welcomes NZ High Commissioner
The Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) welcomed New Zealand’s new high commissioner to the Cook Islands, Catherine Graham, at their office in Takuvaine yesterday.
Rough seas and high winds take a toll on Rarotonga businesses
Businesses across Rarotonga are continuing to feel the impact of severe weather as strong winds, rough seas and periods of heavy rain persisted yesterday.
‘A blessing’: NZ passport climbs in world rankings
The New Zealand passport is the fifth best in the world, offering significant travel benefits to its holders, including Cook Islanders, who largely welcome this despite some advocating for a separate Cook Islands passport as a symbol of national identity.
Annual water safety training offers key skills for marine operators
Cook Islands Tourism (CIT) will host its upcoming Annual Water Safety Training, a programme aimed at enhancing the safety skills of water-based operators.
PM Brown confident in Pacific Islands Forum leadership despite political change in Tonga
The sudden resignation of Tonga’s former prime minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni had left a temporary gap in the leadership of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), but Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown remains confident that the situation will soon stabilise.
Aitutaki’s Maoate to fly Cook Islands flag at Miss Pacific Islands Pageant
Ngatepaeru Marie Maoate of Aitutaki will represent the Cook Islands at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2025 in Honiara, Solomon Islands next month, marking the country’s return to the regional pageant after a hiatus since 2019.
Seabed mining must be ‘commercially viable’ in order to proceed: PM Brown
Prime Minister Mark Brown has acknowledged economic concerns about seabed mining, emphasising that the government will only proceed with projects that are both commercially viable and environmentally sustainable.
Infrastructure Cook Islands clears Takuvaine Stream to reduce flood risk
Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) has been busy clearing debris and realigning the flow of water from the Takuvaine stream, aiming to restore the stream’s natural capacity.
$3.5 million grant to enhance the resilience of Airport operations
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a US$2 million (NZ$3.5m) grant agreement with the Government of the Cook Islands to boost support for an ongoing project, which is improving the country’s resilience to cross-border health risks and the early detection of disease outbreaks for passengers entering the country by air.
‘Low chance’ of tropical disturbance becoming a cyclone, says Met Office
Despite strong winds and heavy swells, the Cook Islands Meteorological Service has downplayed the likelihood of the current weather disturbance developing into a tropical cyclone.
Shutters up, spirits high despite the gusts
As strong winds continued to batter Rarotonga yesterday, families and businesses faced ongoing impacts from the extreme weather arising from a passing tropical disturbance.
Public urged to avoid swimming amid high seas and strong winds
The Director of the Cook Islands Meteorological Office, Maara Vaiimene, is urging the public, especially children, to stay out of the water due to the dangerous ocean conditions brought on by Tropical Disturbance TD03F.
TTV welcomes rainfall, urges for water conservation
The recent rainfall across the Cook Islands has been a blessing for water supply levels, particularly in Rarotonga, as it provided much-needed relief during the festive period.
Govt proceeds with filling top cop position
Prime Minister Mark Brown says they have outlined the key competencies required for the new police commissioner and whether it would be an overseas or a local applicant, it will depend on what skills they have for the role.
Clean-up effort in Avarua gardens underway
A Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) contractor has expressed disappointment over the amount of rubbish left behind in the town gardens during the holiday period.
Church groups request to amend constitution: PM
Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed that there have been requests from church groups to amend the constitution that will recognise the Cook Islands as a Christian nation.
Survey highlights local women’s contraceptive use and challenges
A recent survey on contraception use and access among women aged 15 to 49 in the Cook Islands has revealed crucial insights into their contraceptive practices and the barriers they encounter in accessing these essential health services.
