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.
Government seeks $16.5m in Supplementary Budget
The Government seeks an additional $16.5 million through a Supplementary Budget to be tabled in today’s first Parliament sitting of the year.
Nicholas ‘honoured’ to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister
Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday appointed Albert Nicholas as the country’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), breaking a longstanding leadership convention. Rashneel Kumar reports.
New building rules proposed in response to climate change
New rules for building in the Cook Islands are expected to be tabled in Parliament this year in an effort to keep up with a “changing climate and technological progress”.
Accused burglar released on bail
An accused burglar who has been in custody since December 2023 appeared before Justice of the Peace John Whitta on Thursday and was granted bail.
Te Ipukarea Society: Tackling waste management challenges
Summer intern Itirangi Pennycook recently caught up with the Director of Waste Management for Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), Claytoncy Taurarii, to get an update on our current waste situation.
Personal trainer fights for a happier, healthier community
Heart diseases, stroke, and heart attack made up 53 per cent of NCD (non-communicable disease) deaths in the Cook Islands from October to December last year. A new grassroots initiative ‘Gym and Juice Club’ may help to battle the Cook Islands’ increasing NCD diagnoses and waistlines.
Tropical depression brings rain, wind, and minor damage to Southern Cooks
Tropical depression brought heavy rain and strong winds to the Southern Cook Islands, causing minor damages and prompting school closures.
Albert Nicholas appointed Deputy Prime Minister
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed the appointment of Albert Nicholas as the country’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM).
Rarotonga businesses ready to weather the storm
People, protocols and preparation were a key focus for businesses yesterday as gale force winds lashed the north eastern side of Rarotonga.
Rarotonga on alert, schools closed
A tropical depression affecting the Cook Islands group was forecast to intensify into a category one cyclone by this morning, triggering advisories from local authorities. This morning the Ministry of Education confirmed that all schools in Rarotonga are closed but it is business as usual for others.
Heed the warnings
Police have been asked to conduct regular patrols at the harbours to remove youth swimming around the area, says Emergency Management Cook Islands director John Strickland.
Crackdown on water wasters
The Rarotonga water agency has disconnected supply to ‘unoccupied’ properties on the island for water misuse, urging residents to conserve water.
Four accused plead guilty to brawl charges
Four of the accused in the Nikao brawl incident that took place on January 28 this year have pleaded guilty.
Superfund booms with $30m growth
The Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund (CINSF) ended 2023 on a high with their assets under management at NZD$236 million, up almost $30 million on 31 December 2022.
Nurses cry out for help as NZ pledges millions
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters pledged $30 million to the second phase of the Polynesian Health Corridor Programme, during the Pacific Mission last week, aiming to strengthen healthcare systems across the Pacific.
Fur love: Adorable dog steals hearts as Valentine’s cupid
Adorable “Mackintosh” was Rarotonga’s cute cupid star on Valentine’s Day yesterday, allowing people to snap a photograph with him and post it on social media.
Aitutaki schools closed as tropical depression looms
Schools in Aitutaki have closed following reports of an approaching tropical depression, but Emergency Management Cook Islands says the system does not pose a threat ‘at this moment’.
Scam targets Cook Islands accommodations
A new email scam is targeting Cook Islands accommodation businesses.
Cervical cancer self-testing screens nearly 300 women
Despite facing registration dips and no-shows, Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health’s cervical cancer self-testing programme has successfully screened 290 women in Rarotonga.
Minister urges better management of govt assets
Infrastructure Cook Islands organised an Asset Management Workshop this week to educate Rarotonga and Pa Enua representatives on managing government assets on their islands.
