More Top Stories
$12.9m approved for solar battery project, NZ confirms
12 March 2025
Crown Law Office on track for record number of lawyers
12 March 2025
‘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
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
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
National
MFEM reforms aim to prevent repeat of costly Sheraton project
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) has taken valuable lessons from the controversial Sheraton deal, reinforcing its financial policies and procedures to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.
Facebook group admin responds to police caution on posting personal IDs
The administrator of the private Facebook group, Rarotonga Community and Beyond, has clarified the group’s stance on posting personal identification items online, following a police caution about the potential risks of such posts.
A sea of blue: Community rallies behind autism awareness
Apii Nukutere and the local community embraced “Blue Day” yesterday by dressing up in colour to demonstrate their support for Autism Cook Islands and its initiatives, programmes.
Man fined, disqualified after drunk driving crash
Tepa Tangata O Tongareva Kelly was ordered to pay a fine of $134 after being convicted for excess blood alcohol.
Fertiliser shipment expected in Rarotonga by mid-May
Shipment for a container of fertiliser to Rarotonga has been arranged and it is expected to arrive by mid-May if not earlier, says the Ministry of Agriculture.
Te Ipukarea Society: Who wants to be a plastic Maori?
For the past six weeks, Te Ipukarea Society has been assisting the National Environment Service develop a project aimed at reducing single use plastics (SUPs) in the food and beverage industry of the Cook Islands.
Eight Rarotonga bridges to undergo maintenance: ICI
Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) will be carrying out remedial works on the island’s eight bridges, including culvert structures, in the coming months.
Cook Islands and Bangladesh establish diplomatic relations
The Cook Islands and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh formalised diplomatic relations via an Exchange of Note Verbales via respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
‘High risk offender’ remanded in custody
A young woman was remanded in custody after Probation Services informed the court that she was a high risk offender.
Australia’s Gender Equality Ambassador here to discuss key issues
Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality, Stephanie Copus Campbell, is visiting the Cook Islands from April 11–15 to discuss issues including the elimination of gender-based violence, economic equality and security, health and political participation.
Rarotonga residents push back on water tariff plan
A public meeting about potential water tariffs received mixed reactions, with some attendees concerned about affordability and others in favour of charging businesses.
Cook Islands champion women in Pacific fisheries
Cook Islands is committed to empowering small-scale fish entrepreneurs in the region, particularly women, by removing barriers to market access, says Minister Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown.
Shining a light on the solar system
Apii Nikao Marae 4 students have created stunning interactive scientific models to demonstrate their understanding of the solar system.
Cook Islands women find strength and healing at Empowerment Retreat
Aotearoa New Zealand’s renowned social media influencer and podcaster Nicola “Nix” Adams has been inspiring empowerment and fulfilment in women on Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
Suspended sentence for deportee
An unemployed man ‘who lives off the land’ has been convicted and given a four-month suspended sentence for dangerous driving and being unlawfully found.
Proposal to regulate turtle tour industry ‘welcomed’
Government agencies are considering regulating the turtle tour industry through a licensing system to manage it after a public consultation showed support for the idea.
Free cat de-sexing day a meow-vellous success
It was a busy day for Te Are Manu and Paws and Claws Cat Sanctuary volunteers as they continued their mission to provide free de-sexing for cats.
Rainy days ahead for Rarotonga as active cloud band lingers
The recent heavy downpour experienced in Rarotonga is due to an active cloud band moving towards the Southern Cook Islands, says Maara Vaiimene, director of the Cook Islands Meteorological Service.
NES selects consultant to develop sea turtle conservation plan for Rarotonga
The National Environment Service (NES) has selected a qualified and experienced consultant to develop an environmental management plan to address sea turtle conservation concerns.
Court orders community service for assault on female
A 30-year-old businessman has been sentenced to 12 months’ probation supervision with the first three months to be served for community service.
Penrhyn faces power cuts due to failing solar system batteries
Penrhyn residents are facing reduced power hours due to failing batteries in their solar-diesel hybrid system, with replacements expected to arrive in June.
Regulator defends Starlink users
Cook Islands telecommunications regulator head Bernard Hill said regional regulators who are banning the use of Starlink might have an “overinflated view” of their importance.
