Headlines

Third time’s a charm: Teenage sweethearts find their way back to each other

Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Features, Weekend

A couple who first met as teenagers, separated, and reunited after 17 years, finally tied the knot in a heartwarming ceremony in Rarotonga.

Local and New Zealand carvers unite to save fading tradition

Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Solomone Taukei | Published in Art, Features

The decline of traditional carving in the Cook Islands and New Zealand due to globalisation threatens the loss of cultural heritage, prompting efforts to revive and preserve this ancient art form.

‘Only in the Cooks’: Retiring judge shares fond memories of Cook Islands

Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Features, Memory Lane, National, Weekend

After 12 years of dedicated service to the Cook Islands justice system, High Court Judge Dame Judith Potter is hanging up her robes, leaving a legacy of legal expertise, and taking with her some ‘only in the Cooks’ memories.

Te Ipukarea Soceity: Local nesting petrels under threat

Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National

Petrels are a family of seabirds known for covering large distances across open oceanic waters.

Thomas Wynne: Preserving our Māori identity

Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion

An older brother is always an older brother, no matter where they live or in what country they reside, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

TAU confirms workplace accident caused island-wide power outage

Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National

The island-wide unexpected power outage on Thursday resulted from a workplace accident during repairs on the cross-island cable, where Te Aponga Uira (TAU) staff were allegedly electrocuted.

Apii Te Uki Ou creates haven for students with additional needs

Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National

Apii Te Uki Ou has created the Cook Islands’ first sensory space to support students with additional needs. This space has the potential to be shared with other visiting students with inclusive needs, especially children on the autism spectrum.

Young artist paints a bright future

Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Art, Education, Features, National

A 15-year-old artist is thriving and supporting herself with her God-given talent, which she has been using to earn money since she was nine.

Drug bust: Two kilos of cannabis seized in Aitutaki

Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Crime, Local, National, Outer Islands

Police are investigating a drug supply to Aitutaki after Cook Islands Customs seized over two kilograms of cannabis at Arutanga Harbour last week.

Kata: TTV board

Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

High Court halts Te Puka land dispute pending cost payment

Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National

The proceedings for the Nikao land – Te Puka against the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) have been halted after High Court Justice Dame Judith Potter ordered a ‘stay order’ against applicant Ellena Tavioni and others, who are to pay $12,523.45 with a 10 per cent interest for previously dismissed matters.

Drug trial adjourned due to absent defence lawyer

Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National

The application filed by Crown Law to admit hearsay for accused Christopher Denny, Charles Tuakana Katu and Tui Mantangaro Tupa, who are facing drug-related charges, has been adjourned due to the absence of defence lawyer Mark Short.

Local electronics company claims regional reseller of the year title

Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Business, Features, Go Local, Local, National

A local company, CIPS Electronics/Jaycar, has become the first Pacific Island reseller company to win the Australia/New Zealand and Pacific Islands Reseller of the Year award 2023-2024.

Breach notice served over toa tree felling

Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, Local, National

A breach notice has been served to the construction company that cut down 10 ironwood (toa) trees at the Fruits of Rarotonga waterfront in Tikioki, despite the company’s claims of safety concerns and public benefit.

Letter: Vape law enforcement

Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

This week you have reported on the Cook Islander jailed for months for smuggling cannabis into the Cook Islands. And you have reported that there is an ongoing investigation into the possibility that vapes are being offered on-line.

Letter: More storage

Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

One of the justifications of the water upgrade was that 60-70 per cent of the water collected via the intakes was lost to leaks in the ring main. Can anyone on the island recall great fountains gushing out?

Letter: TTV ‘pleading corporate poverty’

Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Dear Editor, As chair of the To Tatou Vai Board of Directors, Brian Mason is in the habit of justifying water charges by pleading corporate poverty: “The implementation of the tariff will not be delayed because to do so would compromise the supply of water essential to all who live, reside and visit Rarotonga.” (Cook Islands News, 12 August 2024)