More Top Stories
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’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
21 September 2024
Police apprehend four juveniles in connection with motorcycle thefts
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
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
8 August 2024
Everyone is a winner, says Culture
7 August 2024
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
8 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
National
Starlink users face mandatory shift to new service
The satellite internet provider, Starlink has mandated that users with New Zealand-based Starlink accounts must switch to Cook Islands Starlink accounts, a change expected to impact connectivity and lower subscription costs for residents.
Outdated Compensation Ordinance still under review
The outdated Workers Compensation Ordinance 1964 is still in its reviewing process with the National Workers’ Compensation Policy (including Employers’ Liability Insurance) final draft 2019, also calling for the ordinance to be updated.
7 MPs want seat declared vacant
Thursday 2: The seven Opposition Cook Islands Party members of parliament are calling for the Pukapuka-Nassau seat to be declared vacant. This is the substance of the letter delivered to the speaker Mapu Taia yesterday by opposition leader Tom Marsters and deputy leader Teina Bishop. The letter calls on the speaker to declare the Pukapuka-Nassau […]
Roadside cleaning tenderers helped with process
Wednesday 8: Having a good tender proposal is the key to winning or losing a contract. This was just one of the messages given to prospective contractors for road and drainage cleaning in Te Au O Tonga at a meeting yesterday. “Putting in a good tender proposal is crucial,” said consultant Patrick Arioka during the […]
Games concerns outlined in letter
Monday 6: ‘Mini’ must be added to the 2009 Pacific Mini Games logo The Pacific Games Council says it requires certain reassurances that various steps will be taken by mini games organisers, or it would place the future of the games at “serious risk”. In his letter of March 19 to games minister Wilkie Rasmussen, […]
Peua under opposition fire
Thursday 2: Pukapuka/Nassau Independent MP Vai Peua came under heavy fire from Opposition CIP members during parliament’s question time yesterday. The first day of the sitting this month saw Peua defending his recent agreement with the Democratic Party and its leader Sir Terepai Maoate. Speaker of the house Mapu Taia had announced to parliament that […]
Volunteers wanted!
Monday 6: Become a ‘sign post’ for the country 2009 Pacific Mini Games front man Tua Pittman says the event is not only an opportunity for our sportspeople to shine, but also a chance for us all to showcase what makes our island nation so special and unique. One way to showcase your passion for […]
Rasmussen addresses the ACP-EU assembly
Wednesday 8: The global economic crisis was at the fore of foreign Affairs minister Wilkie Rasmussen’s address to the opening of the 17th session of the ACP-EU joint parliamentary assembly in Prague, Czech Republic, early this week. Rasmussen also touched on the importance of political will to confront global challenges and the role of developing […]
Minister in Prague
Saturday 4: Cabinet minister Wilkie Rasmussen and foreign affairs secretary Mike Mitchell are in Prague, Czech Republic, attending the 17th session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly this week. They are due back in the country on April 11. Travel and accommodation costs are covered by the assembly. -HG
Atiu war memorial monument built
Wednesday 8: Years of hoping and dreaming paid off last month when Atiu completed a war monument or cenotaph to remember the Atiuans who served during the 1914-18 and the 1940-45 conflicts as well as later years. Their efforts and service to King and country can now be recognised and commemorated for years to come. […]
Travel costs disclosed in part
Saturday 4: Infrastructure and Planning ministry secretary Taukea Raui had no problem when contacted this week in revealing that government spent $2058 on his recent trip as part of a delegation to Wellington. Raui says the ministry paid the amount for his four days in New Zealand as part of the four member delegation which […]
Increasing capacity
Wednesday 8: Air New Zealand has announced capacity upgrades on its Auckland-Rarotonga-Auckland route from May to October. A number of A320 airbuses will be replaced with B767 and B777 aircraft adding up to an extra 2854 seats over the six month period. Air NZ Cook Islands manager David Bridge said the airline was pleased to […]
Tax concession explained
Saturday 4: The 200 percent tax concession for sponsors of the Pacific Mini Games and the World Youth Netball Championships will apply to all those who spend over $50,000 on supporting the events. This week financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti explained just how it will work in response to CINews questions. The conditions of the tax […]
Outer island cops arrive
Wednesday 8: Seven northern police officers arrived in Rarotonga on Te Kukupa on Monday. They arrived with police commissioner Pat Tasker who spent 11 days on the patrol boat touring the northern group as part of a police exchange programme. “The trip was uneventful but the hospitality received from the outer islands was excellent,” Tasker […]
Little time blamed for few submissions on Seabed Bill
Saturday 4: Only three public submissions were received on the Seabed Bill during the two weeks the select committee was tasked with reviewing the proposed legislation. Government hopes to pass the bill that sets out how the country’s manganese nodule resource and the mining of it will be managed. The committee had been set up […]
WSBC denies ruining CI reputation
Wednesday 8: WSBC Bank denies ruining the financial reputation of the Cook Islands. And it reckons it would have won the high-profile court case against the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC). In a press release issued last week – though not to Cook Islands News – WSBC Bank confirms it will leave at the end of […]
Cooks heed call of G20 on tax info
Saturday 4: Deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate has responded to the communiqué issued this week by the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (G20) calling for more cooperation between nations in sharing of information relevant to tax matters. Sir Terepai said that he welcomes this call for more transparency in the […]
Maina Traders avoids winding-up petition
Wednesday 1: The petition to the high court for the wind-up of Aitutaki MP and associate finance minister Terepai Maoate Jnr’s business Maina Traders is set to be withdrawn following payment of the amount owing to one of its creditors. The petition was filed by Raro Aircon Ltd on March 19 and was due to […]
Demos welcome minister's visit
Friday 27 March: Aitutaki DemocraticParty executives who met with minister Wilkie Rasmussen welcomed his friendly approach yesterday. The minister, who is also the deputy leader of the Democratic Party, met with the executives who have been raising concerns about Sunday flights. Some of them are also proudly protesting the flights eight months from when they […]
NZ 'buy back' idea ridiculous says CIP
Wednesday 1: The Opposition Cook Islands Party has released its position on the new $50 million China loan and says government has been reactive instead of proactive in addressing infrastructure needs. Opposition spokesperson for finance and economics Norman George says while the CIP agrees in principle that the loan be spent on road and water […]
WSBC faces exile from Cook Islands
Friday 27 March: The Cook Islands bank named in money laundering investigations is connected to a New Zealand company seeking a listing on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. The National Business Review in New Zealand this week reports that developments in the Cook Islands will have a bearing on the stock exchange listing. WSBC Bank, […]
Official information process comes under public eye
Wednesday 1: Government officials, organisations and community members gained greater understanding of the Official Information Act last week through several meetings and workshops. Organised by the Cook Islands Ombudsman’s Office, consultation meetings were held with the vaka areas in Rarotonga and with special interest groups. Visiting experts Angie Heffernan of the Pacific Centre for Public […]