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.
Lights out in Raro: Switch gear fumbles, planned outage looms
A failed switch gear in the Tupapa substation caused this week’s unexpected power outage as Rarotonga’s electricity provider announces a planned outage for this weekend.
Cook Islands bans vapes, raises smoking age to 21
Cook Islands Parliament passed a bill banning imitation tobacco products like e-cigarettes and raising the smoking age to 21.
Public sector orientation enhances and equips new officials
Twenty-four public service officials participated in a one-day Public Sector Orientation (PSO) session delivered by the Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) last month, as part of standard onboarding and recruitment.
Cook Islands seeks lessons from Kosovo’s path to IMF
Officials within the Cook Islands Foreign Service were able to engage with Kosovo’s recently accredited Ambassador to the Cook Islands, Jetmira Berdynah-Shala, as part of her programme of engagements in Rarotonga last week.
‘I vow to be a fierce advocate for our needs’: MP Tapaitau
Independent candidate Sarakura Tapaitau was sworn in as the new MP for Penrhyn/Tongareva and has pledged to represent the people’s interests.
Doubling GDP needed for NZ-level minimum wage: PM Brown
Cook Islands can only afford a minimum wage similar to New Zealand’s if it more than doubles its gross domestic product to $1.2-$1.5 billion, according to Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Parliament briefs
Six Bills were presented and tabled during yesterday’s Parliament sitting.
‘Budget prioritises vulnerable’
In supporting the most vulnerable, the Government has allocated funds for caregivers, patient referrals, increasing the minimum wage, and supporting non-government organisations (NGOs) for the next financial year.
Government aims to stimulate economy through infrastructure spending
Government’s focus on infrastructure investment to deliver key projects such as roads, Manihiki Airport upgrades, and Aitutaki’s water project has been proposed in the 2024/2025 Budget. Yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the Minister for Finance, tabled the Appropriation Bill 2024 in Parliament where Government has proposed $328million for the 2024-2025 Budget. In […]
Imanuela Akatemia celebrates new roof and water tank
The Imanuela Akatemia School celebrated the handover of its newly renovated roof and installed water tank, all made possible by generous grants from the Japanese government
Cook Islanders in Nouméa on ‘high alert’ as violence erupts
Cook Islanders residing in Nouméa are on high alert amidst the violent unrest unfolding in New Caledonia’s capital over proposed constitutional changes. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu report.
Vaimaanga residents sought for input on turtle tour operations
A community consultation for residents in Vaimaanga and stakeholders, including traditional leaders and landowners, will be held tomorrow, Thursday, May 16, at 6pm at the Vaimaanga Meeting House
Immigration Cook Islands consolidate workforce forward priorities and effort
Immigration Cook Islands closed their offices for one day earlier this month to convene an all staff gathering to reflect on the work of the last three years and consolidate forward priorities and effort for the three years ahead.
PM pledges ‘good budget’ despite inflation and debt challenges
The 2024/25 Budget will be the “budget of perseverance”, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Cook Islands minimum wage to increase by 50 cents per hour
Cook Islands minimum wage will increase by 50 cents to $9.50 per hour from July 1, 2024, despite some arguing it’s not enough to keep up with cost of living.
Puna honoured to end Pacific mission at home
Former prime minister Henry Puna, who ends his term as the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum this month, says he is humbled to have been the first Cook Islander to hold the post and fly the flag of his country.
Puna’s final mission as head of PIF
Henry Puna is on his final mission as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General in the country where it all began – his homeland, the Cook Islands.
Cook Islands women making waves in maritime industry
Cook Islands women in the maritime industry will gather on Friday to recognise their achievements and presence in an industry traditionally dominated by men.
Trust funded by seabed mining company awards $78,500 in grants
Te Rito O Taku Peu Tupuna Trust, committed to preserving the cultural heritage of the Cook Islands, has announced its support for the successful eight recipients, awarding a total of $78,500 in grants.
Govt set to amend immigration law following High Court ruling
Parliament will meet for its second session for the year tomorrow at 1pm, with a number of Bills on the agenda for presentation, including the 2024/25 Budget.
