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An Aitutakian’s guide for returning family

Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Go Local, National, Tourism, Weekend

Aitutaki local Linda Ruamoana shares 10 tips for returning Cook Islanders/Aitutakian families visiting the island, urging them to be mindful of the island’s limited resources and customs.

Letter: Flag change

Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

I urge PM Mark Brown to pause and think about the historic qualities of our flag before changing it.

Letter: Leave the flag alone

Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Dear Editor, Can someone please get the PM Mark Brown to stop globetrotting and get down and do some hard work. Like trying to slow down and manage the cost-of-living increases and limit price increases for fuel, bread and power. Households are struggling. MPs wouldn’t know as they are highly paid.

Ruta Mave: Where’s the Opposition we deserve?

Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion

I object – I am an objector. I oppose because I don’t agree. No, I oppose because I am the opposition, writes Ruta Mave.

Seabed regulations: Public input ends, future updates planned

Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Parliament

Cook Islands concludes public consultation for seabed mineral exploration guidelines, while the Prime Minister emphasises exploration’s potential for future prosperity and responsible resource extraction. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.

Lack of coordination between utility providers ‘putting pressure on our people’

Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed by four major utility companies in the coming weeks, confirmed Albert Nicholas, Minister for Infrastructure Cook Islands and Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC).

$300,000 in arrears : 47 businesses lag on Cook Islands Covid loan

Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament

Local businesses are nearly $300,000 behind on payments of the $6.9 million loan issued by the Cook Islands Government to support them during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.

Cook Islands’ international profile soars with COP28 and Forum leadership: Brown

Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament

Cook Islands’ profile on the international stage has never been higher than it is today, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.

Accused nightclub brawlers adjourned to February

Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National

Two men alleged to have been involved in a massive brawl on Rarotonga last month have appeared in court.

Nightclub brawl accused remains in Cook Islands awaiting trial

Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National

One of eight visitors from Australia allegedly involved in a brawl at a Rarotonga nightclub will remain in the Cook Islands at least until February, 2024.

Level playing field concerns raised over ‘temporary’ Starlink licence

Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Technology

Government cannot restrict local Starlink users from accessing its services despite the provider yet to conclude consideration of a localised service product and corporate presence for the Cook Islands market.

Kata: Medical attention

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Clash of titans in football finale

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Football, Sports

Exciting matches are set to take place in the Cook Islands Football Association Knockout Cup finals today.

C+ to cinematic success

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features

From a C+ on the only film paper he sat in university to writing and directing shorts and feature films, Hamish Bennett says developing a “unique voice” is the key to standing out in the entertainment industry. Joanne Holden reports.

From flycatchers to forests : How the Cook Islands are championing nature

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, Features, National, Weekend

Home to the Rarotonga flycatcher, Cook Islands fruit-dove and coconut crab, the 15 South Pacific islands that comprise the nation have a rich natural heritage. Around 60 per cent of the nation’s land is still covered by tropical forest, and its lagoons and seas have an abundance of diverse marine life.

Big turnout for festive park event

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features

Rarotonga’s annual Christmas in the Park has enjoyed its “best turnout” in years with more than 2000 people coming together for an evening of festive cheer. Joanne Holden reports.

Considering the 2023 Tainted Cryptocurrency : Recovery Bill Civil liberties, privacy and due process

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Features, National, Weekend

This week the 2023 Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill was tabled in Parliament and referred to a select committee for consideration and report. Cook Islands crypto expert, Ano Tisam says the Bill, making its way through Parliament, raises some serious concerns about civil liberties, privacy and due process. Melina Etches reports.

Thomas Wynne: Unwrapping the narrative of Christmas

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion

With Christmas approaching and the world celebrating Jesus’ birth, our nation’s Christian heritage, enshrined in the Ekalesia as one of our three tama Ua pillars, cannot be ignored or overestimated in its impact on our lives as Cook Islanders, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

Te Ipukarea Society: Deep seabed mining and the emerging risk to our tuna fisheries

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National

Last week saw the Cook Islands host one of the most significant meetings with respect to the shared tuna stocks in the region.

Bail denied for man facing assault charges on two partners

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National

A man facing more than a dozen charges related to assaults on two partners has been remanded in custody again following an application for bail.