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
PM: Hit-and-run investigation being conducted ‘thoroughly’
The investigation into the tragic hit-and-run that claimed the life of an elderly woman is being conducted “professionally and thoroughly”, Prime Minister Mark Brown told Cook Islands News last night.
Dream come true: Aspiring teachers join new training programme
A 15-member cohort of aspiring teachers was welcomed yesterday by the Ministry of Education officials, coinciding with the official opening of the Cook Islands Teacher Development Training Centre.
Government agencies team up to streamline building permit process
In a move aimed at streamlining the building permit approval process, new homeowners will no longer need to submit four copies of their building plans.
Opposition MPs walk out of PAC over chair appointment
The three Opposition Members of Parliament have quit the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over the appointment of the new chair, leaving four Government MPs reviewing the Appropriation Bill 2024-25.
Atiu’s passionate guardian: Jim revives culture and connects youth to heritage
A humble, unassuming and skillful young man, Joshua Jim is a passionate guardian of his home island Atiu’s cultural heritage.
Man accused of raping minors face more charges
A man in remand accused of raping minors aged under 14 has had additional charges of indecent assault and inducing indecent act added.
Local bank steps up as gold sponsor for 2024 Careers Expo
In a move to support the future workforce of the Cook Islands, the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) announced last Friday its support as a gold sponsor for this year’s Careers Expo to be held next month.
Community celebrates as Pepeu Makirai Aliki takes the helm in Pukapuka
Pepeu Makirai Aliki, Makirai Henry, was invested as the new Aliki of Pukapuka/Te Ulu o Te Watu yesterday morning, with the support of the entire community including neighbouring Nassau.
Direct flights from Honolulu show ‘steady improvements’
Cook Islands celebrated the first anniversary of their direct flights from Honolulu, hoping to attract more North American tourists despite a slow start.
Cook Islanders advised to check extended wait times for passports
The New Zealand High Commission in the Cook Islands has advised applicants to check the extended processing time (up to 8 weeks) before applying for a New Zealand passport due to system upgrades.
Three-year driving ban
A man with a medical health condition has been ordered not to drive for three years due to health concerns raised at the Criminal Court in Avarua yesterday.
Woman gets probation for assaulting 69-year-old man
A woman was sentenced to 12 months’ probation supervision, including attending counselling, for assaulting a 69-year-old man in front of his grandchild.
Decades of dedication: Ngametua pledges continued service to women’s fellowship
Mata o te au Orometua Vaine Ngateitei, Akevai Ngametua, president of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Women’s Fellowship, has been “serving God” alongside her husband Orometua Ngateitei Reverend Moutaiki Ngametua for over four decades.
Voltage ‘increase’ sparks concerns, residents report appliance damage
The Rarotonga electricity provider is under fire for allegedly supplying higher voltage after a power station upgrade, with some residents and businesses reporting damaged appliances.
Tourism enhances safety for Cross-Island Trek with new signage
Cook Islands Tourism in partnership with other stakeholders has installed a new safety sign with maps, tips and emergency contacts for the popular Cross-Island Trek.
CICC vainetini celebrate faith and friendship at weeklong conference
The Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Women’s Fellowship members have gathered for a weeklong conference from Sunday, May 26 to Sunday, June 2, to share and celebrate their journey of spiritual faith and friendship.
Cook Islands hosts successful PASAI Congress, adopts 10-year strategy
Cook Islands Audit believes the new Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) Strategy for 2024 -2034 that was adopted in Rarotonga last week is aligned well with their strategic intent.
PM Brown champions Cook Islands concerns
Cook Islands is standing firm with its family of over 35 Small Islands Developing States in Antigua and Barbuda at the Fourth International Conference on SIDS, charting a course towards resilient prosperity.
Driver blames sleep for early morning crash in Tupapa: Police
Police are investigating a car crash that occurred early yesterday morning in Tupapa. The car collided with a power pole along the main road.
Skin cancer most common, 13 cancer cases recorded in Cook Islands in first quarter
Cook Islands recorded 13 cancer cases in the first quarter of 2024, with skin cancer being the most common.
Cook Islands aims for final agreement on plastic treaty
Cook Islands is hopeful for a final agreement on a new global treaty to fight plastic pollution with a focus on upstream measures to limit production and control hazardous chemicals.
Court briefs
A Pa Enua indecent assault suspect, a man, was transferred to Rarotonga on Thursday afternoon and has been remanded at the Arorangi Prison Services.