Headlines

Cooks swimmers achieve five new records

Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming

Cook Islands swimmers have done extremely well at the 2024 World Aquatics Championship, in Doha, Qatar, Saudi Arabia having achieved five new Cook Islands records out of seven events, and personal bests.

Letter: Use of weed

Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Dear Editor, There was an anonymous letter writer in your paper, who wrote in disdain about my "endless letters or propaganda to have the use of weed decriminalised in the Cook Islands".

Letter: Keeping a check on the dollars and sense

Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

The Prime Minister in Parliament yesterday (February 19) continued to dodge the issue of cost of living that is too high for us Cook Islanders.

Opposition leader questions immigration process

Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament

Opposition Leader Tina Browne has raised questions on what the government was doing to protect the main employers of foreign workers.

Couple reconcile after husband attacks wife, wife’s car

Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National

Intoxicated and “full of anger”, a 33-year-old man struck his wife in the head and stomach before inflicting nearly $6000 worth of damage on her car in Rarotonga.

Assault accused denied bail

Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National

A man who is facing 13 charges for assaulting a female was denied bail by the Justice of the Peace John Whitta at the Criminal Court in Avarua.

Child bruised, bloodied in assault

Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National

A Rarotonga woman who repeatedly slapped a 9-year-old girl about the head as punishment for stealing has been sentenced for assaulting a child.

‘Pearl of the Pacific’ - Cook Islands tourism needs promotional boost

Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, National, Tourism

Having returned from an Australian Entire Travel Group Roadshow, Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council president Liana Scott says competition is fierce in the marketplace, and promotions need to start now.

Shining brighter in Penrhyn

Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National, Outer Islands

Penrhyn is shining extra bright thanks to the kind donation of solar lights.

‘I will never return’: New Zealand tourist furious with police response following a brazen robbery

Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Crime, National

A visitor on his fourth trip to the Cook Islands says his love for Rarotonga has been ruined after a robbery at the accommodation he and his family were holidaying at in Titikaveka, in the early hours of Sunday morning. Candice Luke reports.

Kata: Budget

Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Letter: Village voters

Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

The letter to you by Te Tuhi Kelly a week or so ago about village voters not having the intellectual capacity to think, choose and vote the person they want to represent them is highly offensive and racist.

Letter: Tourism budget request

Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

$3.5m to protect Cook Islands’ ‘Golden Goose’? Has it occurred to those promoting tourism and forever singing its praises that if the golden eggs are not shared with all then, ‘what’s the point?’.

Bulldogs’ stunning win throws league competition ‘wide open’

Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby league, Sports

Titikaveka Bulldogs’ surprise victory over former champions Tupapa Panthers in the second week of the Cook Islands Rugby League 13s competition has ‘thrown the competition wide-open’, says CIRL president Charles Carlson.

Harmon stars with seven goals as Tupapa Maraerenga FC Thrash Vaiala Tonga SC

Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Football, Sports

Tupapa Maraerenga FC have secured an important 14-0 win in a fiery encounter against a Vaiala Tonga SC that saw four players sent off at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa yesterday.

Buckley Jr reels in back-to-back wins at Gordon Murray Memorial

Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Fishing, Other Sports, Sports

Seasoned fisherman Buckley Buckley Jr, the champion of last year’s Gordon Murray Memorial Fishing Competition, has done it again, taking out this year’s trophy as well.

Letter: Cook Islands’ green dream

Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Dear Editor, Kia Orana, once upon a time long, long ago, well some nine years ago anyway (about 2015), the then prime minister Henry Puna made the bold and audacious statement that the Cook Islands would be 100 per cent green energy by 2020.

Western Australia gifts symbolic tables to Cook Islands Parliament

Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, National, Parliament, Regional

The two “Table of the House” tables gifted by the Parliament of Western Australia (WA) were officially handed over to Cook Islands Parliament yesterday morning.

JP to deliver reserved decision in reckless and drink-driving case

Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National

A decision is soon expected on whether a man accused of reckless and drink driving on Rarotonga more than two years ago, is guilty or not.

Government allocates additional funding for roads, healthcare, and renewable energy

Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament

Infrastructure Cook Islands receives a $400,000 boost to complete road works around Rarotonga, while pharmaceutical needs see an increase of $280,000 in the latest Supplementary Budget.