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
Multisectoral approach to assess risks towards enhanced health security
In response to the increasing frequency and severity of health emergencies and natural hazards like tropical cyclones becoming more frequent and severe, the Cook Islands is taking proactive measures to safeguard its population by organising a workshop aimed at bolstering the nation’s health security.
CITC opens $4.2 million Patai Store in Titikaveka
The new CITC Patai Store in the village of Titikaveka was blessed yesterday in a modest opening ceremony.
U-turn on electric vehicles: Government retains unsold vehicles due to lack of bids
Government will retain and distribute eight electric vehicles (EVs) it previously tried to sell due to lack of bids likely caused by affordability concerns.
Award-winning photographer calls for protection of Cook Islands marine life
Cook Islands photographer Charlotte Piho, who represented the Oceania region at the Xposure Festival in Dubai last week, received another photography award.
Operator raises concerns over increased motorised boats in lagoon
A turtle tour operator has raised concerns that there has been an increased use of motorised boats in the Avaavaroa Passage.
Pastor claims ‘friend’ forged receipts in alleged vehicle scam
The defendant jury trial of a woman accused of allegedly forging a receipt for a vehicle purchase that never occurred continues at the High Court in Avarua today.
No charger issues, says Te Aponga Uira
Rarotonga electricity company Te Aponga Uira (TAU) has clarified that its electric vehicle chargers have always been compatible with the government’s newly purchased EVs.
Rakahanga School sees enrolment rise with families returning to island
Rakahanga School, located on one of the Cook Islands’ most isolated islands 42 kilometres south of its sister island Manihiki, has seen its roll number increase to 22 this year compared to last year’s roll of 15.
Education’s teaching qualifications not recognised overseas: Ministry
Ministry of Education says it is exploring options to widen the scope of recognition for offering qualifications that are recognised beyond the Cook Islands, after confirming its teaching credentials were not recognised overseas.
Letter: Accreditations, NCEA practices questioned
Dear Editor, 1. The Cook Islands Ministry of Education is not an accredited tertiary body in the Cook Islands. (Only CITTI, CEIT, USP, the Theological College and Te Vānanga Are Tapere O Takitumu are). So a question that needs to be asked is: what does it mean to earn a Certificate of Diploma from a unaccredited tertiary body/institution? Where are these qualifications recognised (outside of the Cook Islands)? If nowhere then one needs to ask many more questions.
Tourism, Snorkel Cook Islands clash over turtle tour regulations
Cook Islands Tourism has responded to Snorkel Cook Islands’ claims, stating that the operator’s model does not meet the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed upon by nine other turtle tour operators.
New book explores Ma’uke’s connection to the London Missionary Society
Author Moana Moeka’a has launched his fourth book, “Ma’uke Mission 200 Years”, a story about the island’s connection, his father’s homeland, to the London Missionary Society (LMS).
Two involved in Nikao brawl plead guilty
Two accused involved in a brawl outside Super Brown supermarket in Nikao on January 28 have both pleaded guilty.
Domestic violence assault earns suspended sentence
A man who punched and slapped a woman twice has been given a suspended sentence.
Cook Islands grapples with highest childhood obesity rates in the world
Cook Islands has the highest childhood obesity rate, with over 30 per cent of children having obesity, a recent study on worldwide trends in underweight and obesity reveals.
Cook Islands balances tourism growth with sustainability
Cook Islands emerged from the Covid-19 slump with a tourism boom in 2023.
Beyond the numbers: How tourism benefits everyday life in the Cook Islands
January saw a record breaking 10,368 visitors arrive on our shores. They’re staying longer, and spending more on average. But what do these facts and figures look like in the daily lives of Cook Islanders? Cook Islands News journalist Candice Luke spoke to locals about how the tourist dollar is affecting them, their families, and their businesses right now.
Education takes flight as Manihiki and Penrhyn learners graduate for first time
The Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI) is expanding its reach to offer accredited qualifications to learners in the Pa Enua, with this week’s graduation ceremony celebrating the achievements of students from Manihiki and Penrhyn.
Te Ipukarea Society: Pacific partners talk tourism
Te Ipukarea Society recently participated in the Pacific Tourism Partners Immersion Programme organised by Griffith Institute for Tourism based in Brisbane, Australia.
Missing police details lead to dismissal of assault charges
The lack of details in the court case against a man who faced four counts of assaulting a female resulted in the dismissal of two charges against him.
Drink driving crashes result in hefty fines
Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro presided over drink driving related matters that were presented at the Criminal Court in Avarua this week.
Man sues Police for $275,000
A Tupapa resident has filed a civil claim of $275,000 against the Cook Islands Police for alleged wrongful arrest and detention.