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
Engaging communities to shape the future of tourism
Engaging and practical public consultations have been held throughout this week to help Cook Islands Tourism develop the policies that will guide the nation positively into the future, focusing on how tourism can contribute positively to the wellbeing of the Cook Islands.
Government accused of misleading public on seabed mining
Cook Islands Government is misleading the public into believing the country is undecided on whether to allow deep seabed mining, claims an advocate for ocean conservation and protection.
‘You need to be strong enough to stand up for what is right’
Titikaveka College and Apii Rutaki Primary School held their annual prefect investiture ceremonies, where student leaders were encouraged to be strong, brave, and selfless in their roles.
Staff vote chooses Imanuela Akatemia’s 2024 prefects
Through a staff voting process, Imanuela Akatemia elected their 2024 student leaders.
Te Ipukarea Society: International pressure building against the rush to mine the deep sea
Last week, representatives from 133 member states of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) met in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from February 12-17, to discuss measures to protect migratory species on a global scale. The Cook Islands is one of these member states.
Govt grapples with aging buildings
While a $400,000 operation to rid the Old Post Office of asbestos in Avarua gets underway, questions remain around the ageing stock of government-controlled facilities on Rarotonga.
Brawler convicted, sentenced for his part in Nikao scrap
A man involved in a mass brawl on Rarotonga has been convicted and sentenced for his part in the fight.
New builds springing back after pandemic slowdown
The number of new builds in the Cook Islands are approaching pre-pandemic levels after dropping nearly 70 per cent in two years to hit a 10-year low in 2021.
Tourism launches Mana Tiaki programme with Titikaveka College
Te Mato Manava Turoto Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s Jeremy Goodwin and Emma Kainuku-Walsh recently visited Titikaveka College to introduce the concept of Mana Tiaki (sacred guardianship).
Four-way battle for Penrhyn seat
Four candidates, including the wife of the former MP and deputy prime minister, will contest the 2024 Penrhyn by-election to be held next month.
Autism Cook Islands kicks off year with $4000 donation
Autism Cook Islands has gotten off to a great start for this year thanks to a generous $4000 donation from the Rarotonga Growers Association’s special dinner event.
Jonassen steps down as Justice Secretary, citing personal reasons
The Secretary for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Tamatoa Jonassen, has tendered his resignation to the Public Service Commissioner, Carl Hunter, citing personal reasons.
Japan boosts Rarotonga agriculture with machinery donation
Over 1000 hours of tractor services, including slashing and ploughing of farmland in Rarotonga, were provided by the Ministry of Agriculture in the past year.
Parliament appoints ‘expert’ sub-committee to review Land Bills
A sub-committee of lawyers with expertise in Cook Islands land matters has been formed for the first time to review key Land Bills for lawmakers.
Man enters pleas to 10 assault charges
A man charged with 10 counts of assaulting a female has entered guilty pleas to eight of the charges.
$400k asbestos removal operation gets underway at Old Post Office
A $400,000 operation to rid the Old Post Office of asbestos in Avarua is about to get underway following the building’s closure in recent months.
Parliament of Western Australia tours Te Kukupa II
The Parliament of Western Australia delegation visiting Rarotonga were delighted to take a tour on Te Kukupa II yesterday morning before leaving the island in the afternoon.
Economy positive, strong signs of recovery: PM Brown
Prime Minister Mark Brown says the country’s latest financial year report to June 2023 shows the country’s economy is very positive and showing signs of strong recovery.
Tyre issue forces Air NZ Cooks flight to divert
A busy Air New Zealand service to the Cook Islands was forced to turn back for Auckland two hours into its journey.
Cooks women MPs at Power Forum
Cook Islands women parliamentarians are in New Zealand attending a Pacific Women in Power Forum that began this week.
Govt says $1.3m invested in Lady Samoa charter
The Lady Samoa IV vessel chartered by the Cook Islands government prior to Christmas cost $1.3million.
Cashier pockets more than $1000 from till
A mother-of-six who stole more than $1000 while working as a cashier at a Rarotonga supermarket has received a suspended sentence.