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PM Brown defends $5.4m Air NZ tax decision

Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Politics

Prime Minister Mark Brown faced a grilling in Parliament on the $5.4 million the Government has had to pay back in tax to Air New Zealand.

Maungaroa Valley one step closer to achieving World Heritage status

Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National

Government has recognised “Maungaroa Mountains and Valleys” as a historic area and formally supported its inclusion on the Cooks Islands Tentative List for World Heritage status, in January 2019. The dream to achieve a World Heritage status is one step closer following the completion of a scoping study and report.

Brother-sister duo fulfil parents dream

Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics

Siblings Akaiti Puna, Member of Parliament for Manihiki, and Tukaka “Kaka” Ama, the new MP for Ngatangiia, have fulfilled their parents’ dream.

Government’s business will interfere with Parliament sitting, says PM

Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Politics

Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday highlighted that in 12 years of being a Member of Parliament “it is no surprise that government’s business will interfere with Parliament sittings”.

Pacific nation’s concern over Australia’s coal plans

Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Regional, Samoa

Samoan Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa has expressed her concern over Australia’s potential to launch new gas and coal projects ahead of the country’s bid to host the world’s biggest climate conference.

Church talk: Forgiveness has a name

Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features

Only forgiveness can set our enemies free and bring healing to our tortured hearts, setting us free from our own prison of pain, writes Pastor Paul Kauri of the ArePua Church.

Kata: Parliament

Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Young paddlers ready for Vaka Iti Junior Paddling Regatta

Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Paddling, Sports

Around 300 to 400 students will be part of the Vaka Iti – Junior Paddling Regatta tomorrow at Nikao Beach.

LETTER: Investing in education

Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Dear Editor, Increasing the budget when there is no money for such an expense is not the only option (College faces financial difficulties, March 20).

Annandale appointed country’s new Solicitor General

Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Local, National

Acting in his capacity as Cook Islands Attorney General, Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday officially announced the appointment of Lauaki Jason Annandale as the country’s new Solicitor General.

Motorcyclist hospitalised after crash with drunk tourist

Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Crime, National

A motorcyclist has been hospitalised after suffering fractured ribs and other injuries in a collision with a drunk driver last weekend.

Man facing assault and violence charges represent himself

Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National

A man with multiple assault and violence charges is representing himself in Court.

PM invites King Charles III

Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National

Members of Parliament finally got the chance to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on day two of Parliament yesterday with the Prime Minister revealing an invitation has been sent for King Charles III to attend the Rarotonga International Airport’s 50th Anniversary next year.

New MPs get the nod: Committees established

Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics

Parliamentary committees were established on day two of sitting with several new faces on board.

‘Govt exists to help our people across all fronts’

Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics

The Ceremonial Opening of the 18th Parliament of the Cook Islands – Te Marae Akarau Vānanga o te Kuki Airani – got underway yesterday morning from 10am at Te Are Karioi/National Auditorium (King’s Chambers).

Dame Meg Taylor: Pacific needs to sit up and pay close attention to AUKUS

Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Written by RNZ | Published in Papua New Guinea, Regional

A Pacific elder and former secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum says Pacific leaders need to sit up and pay closer attention to AUKUS and the Indo-Pacific Strategy and China’s response to them. Speaking from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, Dame Meg Taylor said Pacific leaders were being sidelined in major geopolitical decisions […]

International help needed for Kiribati water crisis

Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Written by RNZ | Published in Kiribati, Regional

On World Water Day, March 22, David Kakiakia explained his hope for Kiribati, which is suffering from severe drought. Kiribati has the highest infant mortality rates in the Pacific linked directly to unsafe drinking water, according to Childfund. The country has very low ground water which is contaminated by salt and rubbish. Climate change is making […]

‘We’re in business now’, MPs sworn in seven months after general election

Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands, Politics

After a long wait following the 2022 general election on August 1, 2022, the incoming Members of Parliament (MPs) were sworn in yesterday on the first meeting of the 18th Parliament of the Cook Islands.

New MP wants to work for the betterment of Cook Islands

Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands, Politics

Proud family and friends showered “sworn in” Members of Parliament with ei celebrating the 18th Parliament sitting at Parliament House yesterday afternoon.