More Top Stories
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
16 February 2025
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
15 February 2025
No-confidence motion against PM and his Cabinet faces delays
15 February 2025
Ruta Mave: People’s Republic of China red flag
10 February 2025
No debt in China deal
8 February 2025
Thomas Wynne: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?
8 February 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
$541.7m tourism earnings
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
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
National
Power of words can stop family violence, says male advocate
Cook Islands experts and activists travelling the globe in search of solutions for the nation’s domestic violence crisis should look closer to home for the answers, says village council leader Gero Toki.
Cook Islands-flagged ships- there are no illegal operators, says DPM Nicholas
Deputy Prime Minister Albert Nicholas confirmed that more than 700 shipping vessels are registered under Maritime Cook Islands and from these Cook Islands-flagged ships, he claims there are no illegal operators.
Cat sanctuary expands to educate public
Rarotonga’s cat population is believed to be decreasing drastically compared to two years ago, thanks to the Paws and Claws Sanctuary and its desexing programme.
Vairoa stream clean-up aims to protect community from floods
An effort to clean and realign the Vairoa stream in Ruatonga valley as well as reclaim neighbouring land eroded by torrential floods is well underway.
Water petition endorsed: ‘We’re one step closer to keeping our water free’
The ‘Keep Our Water Free’ petition opposing the incoming water tariffs has been endorsed and will be tabled on September 16, the Clerk of Parliament has confirmed.
Cook Islands, NZ hold critical talks
Prime Minister Mark Brown met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon earlier this week in Auckland where the two discussed a range of bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues ahead of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting to convene in Tonga at the end of August.
Vaka Paikea returns to Aitutaki
Vaka Paikea and its crew arrived in Aitutaki yesterday afternoon after departing Avarua Wharf on Tuesday afternoon for an overnight sail.
Young offender escapes jail time in high profile burglaries
A 20-year-old man, who was involved in two high profile joint burglary cases in Avarua, has been warned by the High Court judge, Dame Judith Potter that any future offending ‘will deserve no leniency’.
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.
