More Top Stories
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
Survey highlights local women’s contraceptive use and challenges
A recent survey on contraception use and access among women aged 15 to 49 in the Cook Islands has revealed crucial insights into their contraceptive practices and the barriers they encounter in accessing these essential health services.
MFAI launches new online visa and permit application system
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) yesterday announced that the online visa and permit application system is now live and available through MFAI’s website: www.mfai.gov.ck/immigration.
From flycatchers to forests : How the Cook Islands are championing nature
Home to the Rarotonga flycatcher, Cook Islands fruit-dove and coconut crab, the 15 South Pacific islands that comprise the nation have a rich natural heritage. Around 60 per cent of the nation’s land is still covered by tropical forest, and its lagoons and seas have an abundance of diverse marine life.
Considering the 2023 Tainted Cryptocurrency : Recovery Bill Civil liberties, privacy and due process
This week the 2023 Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill was tabled in Parliament and referred to a select committee for consideration and report. Cook Islands crypto expert, Ano Tisam says the Bill, making its way through Parliament, raises some serious concerns about civil liberties, privacy and due process. Melina Etches reports.
Te Ipukarea Society: Deep seabed mining and the emerging risk to our tuna fisheries
Last week saw the Cook Islands host one of the most significant meetings with respect to the shared tuna stocks in the region.
Bail denied for man facing assault charges on two partners
A man facing more than a dozen charges related to assaults on two partners has been remanded in custody again following an application for bail.
Shrinking jury pool puts trial system under strain
There is scepticism among legal eagles about jury trials in the Cook Islands following the release of a judgement in an aborted case.
Woman pleads guilty to child assault in Court
A woman has pleaded guilty to assaulting a child.
New Aitutaki crane boosts cargo capacity
The Cook Islands Ports Authority’s new crane in Aitutaki will lift the current weight restriction of 20 tonne to 25 tonne, allowing importers and the people of the island to add more tonnage of goods to containers.
PAC chair Elikana demands transparency on public funds
The chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for stricter accountability and transparency in the use of public funds by government entities, state-owned enterprises, and Crown agencies.
MFAI offices to close for day as staff get time off following ‘heavy year’
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) offices will close on Monday as staff take the day off.
High growth, high prices: Economy bounces back, but inflation bites hard
Cook Islands’ resurgent economic growth post-Covid-19 has been overshadowed by an unprecedented surge in inflation, with prices rising by 13 per cent over the past year. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Green light for relief : Parliament passes medicinal cannabis import bill
Cook Islanders who require medicinal cannabis for their health’s wellbeing can now import or bring the item into the country, provided the product is being prescribed by an overseas medical practitioner.
Small school, big dreams: Rutaki celebrates success at annual awards
Apii Rutaki, the small school with a big heart out in the west, celebrated their school prize giving day with a vibrant occasion and a huge turnout of parents and family on Thursday.
Statistics attachment boosts Maritime’s data management
The Maritime Safety Authority databases will now be managed and used more effectively, thanks to upskilling attachment training within government agencies.
Browne struggles to get answers over $640,000 vessel charter
Opposition leader and Rakahanga MP Tina Browne has made little progress over the course of two days, in trying to get answers from Pukapuka MP Tingika Elikana about a $640,000 charter vessel which left Rarotonga on Wednesday bound for Pukapuka.
Parliament sets 42 sitting days for 2024 session
Cook Islands Parliament approved 42 sitting days for 2024 yesterday, having managed to meet just over half the number of days allocated for 2023.
Former bank employee admits to stealing $125,000
A woman has admitted to stealing $125,000 over a five-year period from Bank South Pacific (BSP) on Rarotonga – entering guilty pleas to eight charges of theft as a servant.
Christmas in the Park spreads joy
Festive spirit and joy took over the National Auditorium last night as Leilani Sadaraka, along with her daughters Vaihere and Hinania, and niece Hereata, joined the crowd at the annual Rotaract Christmas in the Park event.
Tereora students gain valuable work experience
April Mana, the Cook Islands Trading Corporation Ltd (CITC) training manager, is passionate about empowering youth, particularly school leavers, to find employment in the country.
Rarotonga’s annual Christmas at the Park on tonight
School pupils will be bolstering volunteer numbers at Rarotonga’s annual Christmas at the Park this year as the island community comes together to support the more than $7000 event.
MPs back medicinal cannabis import
Debate on the use and importation of medicinal cannabis in the Cook Islands continues in Parliament today after gaining support from both Government and Opposition MPs.
