Internal

2050 Strategy will not sit on a shelf to gather dust: PM Brown

Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has reiterated the call for support from Leaders and Heads of Regional Agencies in the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

Tourism’s People's Choice winners ‘honoured and humbled’

Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National

A Rarotonga fitness instructor and an Aitutaki lagoon cruise operator have bested more than 100 members of the Cook Islands tourism community to be crowned People's Choice.

Widespread ICT outages raise more questions

Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National, Technology

Ministry of Justice Secretary Tamatoa Jonassen has addressed ongoing information and communications technology (ICT) issues following a power cut on Rarotonga, but it appears the problem is widespread, with government still to respond to questions.

Jet aircraft line the tarmac at Rarotonga Airport

Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism

Cook Islands News reader Kevin Cook captured this image of Rarotonga International Airport on Wednesday.

Rarotonga to Aitutaki seabed under exploration

Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority team and the Moana Minerals team are off on another seabed minerals expedition, and this time it is between the waters of Aitutaki and Rarotonga.

Vote for peace: Message to Forum leaders

Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum

The message is clear, “Condemn the killing of displaced Palestinians and God’s innocent children in Gaza- Promote World Peace PLEASE”.

Assault accused discharged without conviction

Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National

A 24-year-man has escaped conviction on a charge of common assault in light of his age and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Aitutaki receives Pacific leaders with warm welcome

Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands, Pacific Islands Forum

Aitutaki received the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in heart-warming island style, gifting each of them with a unique Cook Islands hand stitched tivaivai during their welcoming ceremony.

Nauru President walks out, skips Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Retreat on Aitutaki

Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum

The simmering tensions among Pacific Islands Forum leaders over the appointment of the next Secretary-General has resurfaced as Nauru’s president abruptly departed the plenary meeting and declined to participate in the leaders retreat on Aitutaki.

Kata: Fukushima Nuclear Wastewater

Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

CIFA player development officer attends workshop in New Zealand

Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Pacific Games, Sports

The Cook Islands Football Association's (CIFA) player development officer, Daniel Taokia, has recently returned from attending the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Player Development workshop.

Inaugural Pump Track Nationals aims to unearth Cook Islands’ cycling talent

Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Other Sports, Sports

The inaugural Cook Islands Pump Track Nationals 2023 will be held this Saturday at The Rock Bike Park in Ngatangiia.

Pacific Leaders endorse Samoa Agreement ahead of signing

Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have expressed their unwavering support for the signing of the Samoa Agreement, scheduled to take place in Apia next week.

Punanga Nui Market: A symbol of endurance, resilience, and hope

Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Pacific Islands Forum

The Punanga Nui Market has been recognised as a symbol of endurance, resilience, and hope. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, who also chairs the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, highlighted the market’s significance, which he likened to the Pacific Partnerships for Prosperity.

Cook Islands and Fiji sign MoU for development cooperation

Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Fiji, National, Pacific Islands Forum, Regional

Healthcare, law, and skilled labour shortages have been recognised as critical areas for regional cooperation.

PM Brown calls for unity and partnership at Forum opening ceremony

Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum

The unique sound of traditional drums thundered through Te Are Karioi, marking the opening ceremony of the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting on Monday night.

Funding challenges discussed at Smaller Island States meet

Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum

Prime Minister Mark Brown highlighted the challenges faced by the Cook Islands in applying for funding or accessing funding through borrowing due to the country’s high-income status.

Micronesian leaders hold firm on Waqa’s nomination for SG role

Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, National, Nauru, Pacific Islands Forum, Palau, Regional

Micronesian leaders maintain their support for the nomination of controversial former Nauru president Baron Waqa as the next Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

Forum Opinion: Pacific needs powerful voice against superpower dominance

Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, National, Opinion, Pacific Islands Forum

The Pacific Islands Forum chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, is emerging as one of the more powerful Pacific leaders’ voices in projecting the region’s concerns and priorities to the world, writes Dr Shailendra Bahadur Singh.

Nurse discharged without conviction following assault involving paramedic

Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National

A public health nurse with a glowing list of references has been cleared of a common assault charge.