Headlines

Poto Williams to retire ahead of next NZ election

Wednesday 14 December 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Features, National, Politics

New Zealand-born Cook Islander Munokoapoto (Poto) Williams is one of the Labour MPs stepping down at the next election.

Features

Marae Moana Community Outreach Team visits Aitutaki’s Araura College

Wednesday 14 December 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Education, Local, National

The Marae Moana Community Outreach team, Kevin Iro and Tim Meyer, visited Aitutaki this week.

Education

Titikaveka College caps off ‘challenging year’ with annual Prizegiving Day

Wednesday 14 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National

Proud families and friends attended the Titikaveka College Prizegiving Day which was held yesterday.

Education

‘We have earned our NZ citizenship’

Wednesday 14 December 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Dear Editor, Why do we live in a situation where our closest constitutional partner says no, it will cost you our deepest part of connection, and a no when balanced against the threat of losing our New Zealand citizenship (when bidding for UN membership).

Letters to the Editor

Fiji’s 2022 General Election gets underway as voters turn up in numbers

Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Fiji, Regional

Scores of people along the Nasinu-Suva corridor in the Central Division lined the premises of their designated polling stations as early as 6am today to cast their votes in the Fiji 2022 General Election.

Fiji

LETTER: UN Membership bid: NZ behaving ‘like a coloniser’

Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Dear Editor, If the Cooks wanted to become a sovereign nation, it needed its own citizenship. Cook Islanders would remain New Zealand citizens but “if they want to change it, they can”. Then Prime Minister Helen Clark said in June 2001. “If they want to exert full independence, New Zealand will not stand in their way.”

Letters to the Editor

‘Mastermind’ of cannabis operation gets jail time

Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National

The alleged mastermind behind a major cannabis operation in the Cook Islands has been sentenced to six years and two months imprisonment.

Court

Growers and farmers sow collective seeds in bid for better harvest

Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, Local, National

A Cook Islands co-operative of farmers and growers are moving forward in marketing and branding their unique products here and around the world.

Environment

Cooks health authorities brush off Covid-19 concerns despite emerging reinfection rates

Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Health, National

Health authorities in the Cook Islands are brushing off Covid-19 concerns despite reinfection and hospitalisation rates jumping here and across the Pacific.

Health

Cook Islands hosts U.S Diplomatic Envoy

Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Politics, Regional

United States (U.S.) Diplomatic Envoy to New Zealand Thomas Udall arrived in Rarotonga yesterday afternoon for three days of meetings with Cook Islands Government representatives, including Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) Mark Brown and Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Tepaeru Herrmann.

National

New Zealand funded ‘Tivaivai Taorei Revival Project’ proves successful

Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National

The New Zealand High Commission funded “Tivaivai Taorei Revival Project” to teach women and girls the fading intricate artwork skills, has proven to be a success.

Culture

Sharing the gift of music

Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Entertainment, Features, Local, National

Motivated to leave a legacy behind, the ambitious, vivacious and talented recording artist, Cook Islander Vaniva Tixier has released six albums of CD’s all in one hit.

Culture

Browne set to lead Opposition in Parliament

Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics

Democratic Party leader Tina Browne will assume the role of Leader of the Opposition once Parliament returns to sitting, but will not confirm whether it will work closely with the newcomers, the Cook Islands United Party.

National

Cooks get international exposure

Tuesday 13 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Handball, Sports

Cook Islands received a timely international exposure at the Men’s IHF Trophy Oceania tournament held last week in Rarotonga in preparation for a busy 2023 season.

Handball

Kata: Cook Islands law

Monday 12 December 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Kata

Kata: Private security

Monday 12 December 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Kata

Cook Islands’ human rights measurement to continue

Monday 12 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Health, Local, National

A New Zealand-based human rights initiative is once again looking for buy in from the Cook Islands to ensure the rights of people are not breached by the state or other people in power or with authority.

Health

RUTA MAVE: ‘This is the cultural issue that needs attention’

Monday 12 December 2022 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Opinion

There has been a lot of talk about culture lately and what constitutes how it defines us, as a society. If we accept culture is the ideas, customs and social behavior of a particular people, then we accept wearing ei katus and the giving of eis at the airport and award ceremonies as one of our more lovely cultural practices. If social behaviour defines us, then eating and drinking is foremost our larger problem of culture as we battle a health crisis of obesity and NCDs. Domestic violence and abuse are cultural too.