Headlines

Nurses cry out for help as NZ pledges millions

Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Health, National

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters pledged $30 million to the second phase of the Polynesian Health Corridor Programme, during the Pacific Mission last week, aiming to strengthen healthcare systems across the Pacific.

Fur love: Adorable dog steals hearts as Valentine’s cupid

Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Local, National

Adorable “Mackintosh” was Rarotonga’s cute cupid star on Valentine’s Day yesterday, allowing people to snap a photograph with him and post it on social media.

Aitutaki schools closed as tropical depression looms

Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands, Weather

Schools in Aitutaki have closed following reports of an approaching tropical depression, but Emergency Management Cook Islands says the system does not pose a threat ‘at this moment’.

Scam targets Cook Islands accommodations

Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in National, Technology

A new email scam is targeting Cook Islands accommodation businesses.

Cervical cancer self-testing screens nearly 300 women

Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National

Despite facing registration dips and no-shows, Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health’s cervical cancer self-testing programme has successfully screened 290 women in Rarotonga.

Letter: Ex-Deputy PM pay

Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Now that “Hon” Tapaitau has been found guilty, and will be sentenced in due course, when will he repay all that extra money he was so unreasonably paid as DPM?

Letter: EVs replacing government fleet

Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Dear Editor, The 25 EV (electric vehicle) cars bought with public funds for the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum Meeting is a continuing story.

Minister urges better management of govt assets

Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Local, National

Infrastructure Cook Islands organised an Asset Management Workshop this week to educate Rarotonga and Pa Enua representatives on managing government assets on their islands.

Cook Islands swimmers set new national records

Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Swimming

The Cook Islands swim team is making waves at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Kata: War

Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Development programme aims to prepare young women for contact sports

Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in League, Other Sports, Rugby league, Rugby Union, Sports, Touch Rugby

A 10-week under-16 and U18 girl’s rugby development programme has been organised to help boost and prepare young women for contact sports.

Pet Talk: Te Are Manu welcomes new medical director and adjusts service hours

Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Opinion, Pet Talk

The team at Te Are Manu (TAM) have hit the new year at full steam. We are very fortunate and thankful to the relief staff and volunteers who worked with TAM through the festive season. It was a busy time for human and animal alike.

Letter: Cannabis laws

Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

I’m publicly asking the Prime Minister Mark Brown to make use of his power as our top elected official to live up to the promise and grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all our people who are still being subjected to this day to the brutal, barbaric and laws on marijuana.

Young entrepreneur spreads culture and joy through temporary tattoos

Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Art, Business, Features, Local

A young Cook Islands teen runs a successful temporary tattoo business at the market, connecting with customers through his art and cultural heritage.

Daytime vs. nighttime: Conflicting accounts cloud erratic driving case

Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National

Driver charged with failing to stop and refusing breathalyser awaits verdict after conflicting testimonies about the incident’s time and details.

Court diary

Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National

An 18-year-old man has been given a two-year suspended sentence for his role in a mass brawl on Rarotonga.

Don’t miss the plane: Time to diversify and future proof tourism, says Eggelton

Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Business, Economy, National, Tourism

At Tuesday’s global business update at The Edgewater Resort, Cook Islands Tourism chief executive officer Karla Eggelton told an audience of about 60 people that 2024 is “shaping up to be a positive year” and now is the time to diversify and future-proof the industry.

PM Brown backs Starlink

Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, Technology

The Cook Islands Prime Minister has assured he will not restrict importing and using Starlink, despite concerns that Customs is imposing a fee on the kit.

Nukz Power and GAT remain unbeaten in open Touch comp

Tuesday 13 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Sports, Touch Rugby

Defending champions GAT and Nukz Power remain unbeaten after round one Cook Islands Touch Association open men’s and women’s competition.

Cook Islands, New Zealand renew immigration partnership for another five years

Tuesday 13 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) last week renewed for another five years their Partnership Arrangement with Immigration New Zealand (INZ), an agency of the New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE).