Headlines

Teamwork and creativity shine at Rotaract Rarotonga’s The Great Easter Eggs-capade

Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Local, National

Rotaract Rarotonga’s The Great Easter Eggs-capade held on Saturday was hailed a success despite less than the anticipated number of teams taking part in the event.

Letter: The real cost of their crimes

Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Dear Editor, I raise questions on the sentencing of former Cook Islands deputy prime minister Robert Tapaitau and two other former high-ranking Government officials (Nga Puna and Diane Charlie-Puna), handed jail terms for fraud and corruption charges.

Tereora College stages cultural extravaganza at Te Are Karioi

Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National

Tereora College students will showcase their cultural talents this evening at 6pm at the Te Are Karioi National Auditorium.

Te Mire Atu expands for overseas Cook Islanders to compete in 2025

Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features

Cook Islands composers living in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia will be invited to participate in the prestigious Te Mire Atu original Māori song composition event next year.

Child Welfare Association and Te Marae Ora partner to improve infant nutrition

Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National

In promoting the wellbeing and nourishment of infants, the Cook Islands Child Welfare Association (CICWA) has received a generous donation of cooking utensils from Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health.

Marine biologist says El Nino may be behind Penrhyn Island fish kill

Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Outer Islands, Weather

Hundreds of milkfish were found dead in a pond in Penrhyn Island, possibly due to a combination of low pressure, heat and lack of oxygen in the water caused by El Nino, says a marine biologist.

Safe but shaken: Cook Islanders in Taiwan feel strong earthquake

Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National

A group of Cook Islanders visiting Taiwan had a close call with the strongest earthquake in a quarter-century that rocked the country on Wednesday morning, killing nine people and injuring more than 1000.

Tapaitau, Puna to appeal against ‘excessive’ sentence

Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National

The lawyer representing incarcerated former Cook Islands deputy prime minister has indicated that he will be filing an application to appeal the sentencing.

Kata: Fraud

Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Warriors topple reigning champions, Nukz Power retain women’s crown

Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Sports, Touch Rugby

A new champion was crowned in the Cook Islands Touch Association men’s competition while Nukz Power retained the women’s title at the finals on Monday.

Island lure lands winning yellowfin tuna for Piniata

Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Sports

Katoa Piniata from the Game Fishing Rarotonga charters took out both the heaviest fish and heaviest aggregate cash prizes of $1500 combined at the annual Bank of the South Pacific (BSP) Easter Fishing Competition.

Vaiimene appointed new director of Cook Islands Meteorological Service

Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Weather

Former senior meteorological observer Maara Vaiimene has been appointed the new director of the Cook Islands Meteorological Service. Vaiimene commenced the top role on March 25.

Air NZ flight to Rarotonga turned back midway due to ‘technical fault’

Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism

Passengers flying in and out of Rarotonga faced delays up to six hours after an Air New Zealand flight took a U-turn on Monday morning (Cook Islands time).

Repeat offender sentenced for brutal assault on ex-partner

Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National

Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro sentenced a man to four months imprisonment for nine counts of assaulting a woman.

Court briefs

Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National

Tamatoa Tetupuorongo Ariki Albert Henry Nicholas who is facing charges of common assault and intent to injure has pleaded guilty.

Mass milkfish die-off in Penrhyn raises concerns

Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weather

Residents of Penrhyn island are investigating the cause of a large die-off of milkfish in a local fish pond, suspecting it is related to recent extreme heat and low oxygen levels in the water.

Kata: Cannabis utensil

Tuesday 2 April 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Tennis aims to serve up interest

Tuesday 2 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Sports, Tennis

As a pathway to increasing the interest of tennis among the younger generation, Tennis Cook Islands, through the support of ANZ Bank, has been hosting school programmes for primary school students in Rarotonga.

Teen pregnancy is high in Pacific countries, so what are the options for young mums?

Tuesday 2 April 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Pacific Islands, Regional

Ruta Mave: Egg-cellent adventure- Why Easter Egg Hunts are a tradition worth keeping

Tuesday 2 April 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion

April first was also Easter Monday and the idea of a rabbit distributing colourful chocolate eggs seems like a plausible April fool prank, writes Ruta Mave.