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Pa Enua outreach team inspires Mauke youth with rugby values

Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Nicolea Mateariki | Published in Rugby Union, Sports

After a successful tour to Mitiaro, the Cook Islands Rugby Union’s (CIRU) Pa Enua outreach team, which runs the Healthy Living Programme, is in Mauke this week to promote its fun and interactive way of teaching young people the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Letter: What are we celebrating?

Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Despite the Cook Islands having so much going for it - best climates, cheap cost of living, low crime, no homeless, no really poor, good connectivity, easy access to NZ for health/education, etc., and Rarotongans speak better English than most New Zealanders and better Maori than most NZ Maori, 60 years of self-government doesn’t appear to be something to celebrate.

Letter: ‘Where is our mana!’

Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Dear Editor, I would like to point a few things, especially towards the different groups who took the protest march in front of Parliament on Monday.

Govt roundtable reinforces commitment to financial service industry growth

Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National

A Policymakers Round Table brought together government agencies and industry experts to discuss the future of the financial services industry in the Cook Islands.

Atiu Harbour upgrade to address deterioration and safety concerns

Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National

The National Environment Service is seeking public input on an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed upgrade of Atiu Harbour, which involves dredging, makatea cliff removal and concrete repair to address deterioration and safety concerns.

Māori MP draws parallels between Cook Islands protest and Māori concerns

Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Regional

Aotearoa New Zealand’s Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says Cook Islanders’ protest against their government over key decisions resonate with the feelings of New Zealand Māori in Aotearoa “with a lot of decisions being made about us, without us”.

Court briefs

Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National

Two men were sentenced on Tuesday in the Criminal Court in Avarua following separate assaults on women. One of the men was also found guilty on three counts of assaulting a child.

Lack of updates frustrates victims in vehicle incident

Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National

Visitors left with severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Rarotonga in May 2024 is still waiting for answers, with police failing to provide updates despite multiple follow-ups.

Cook Islands Tourism prepares for Takurua culinary celebration

Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Tourism

Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Karla Eggelton says the upcoming Takurua culinary festival gives an opportunity to share the nation’s food story in a way that “connects us to our past while also showcasing how our cuisine is evolving”.

Dollars and sense: Autism Cook Islands students learn financial literacy

Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National

Autism Cook Islands (ACI) has started their Term 1 programme teaching their transition group of seven students how to use money wisely.

‘Very little detail’: PM Brown explains vague China agreement

Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National

The comprehensive agreement the Cook Islands has signed with China “deliberately” contains few details because the Government has not yet committed to any specific projects, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.

U18’s trials for beach volleyball to travel to Solomon Islands

Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Nicolea Mateariki | Published in Sports, Volleyball

The Cook Islands Volleyball federation have started trials for interested U18’s male athletes to represent the Cook Islands at the Volleyball Tournament to be held in the Solomon Islands in April.

Kata: Tereora building

Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Concerns on new Teacher Development Centre raised

Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National

The recent opening of the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Teacher Development Centre, housed in an upstairs space of Tereora College’s main building, has sparked concerns from some members of the community questioning the decision to repurpose it. Talaia Mika reports.

Culinary celebration of Takurua - Umu Cooking

Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National

To celebrate Cook Islands’ 60th Anniversary of Self-Governance celebrations, Te Mato Manava Turoto/Cook Islands Tourism will present the culinary celebration of Takurua – Taste of the Season, this week.

PM: Cook Islands passport no longer being pursued

Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Regional

Prime Minister Mark Brown has reaffirmed that the controversial Cook Islands passport proposal is no longer being pursued and has assured the public that the country’s relationship with New Zealand remains strong.

Students take on real-world challenges in Solve for Tomorrow competition

Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National, Technology

The first phase of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Innovation Challenge took place yesterday at Calvary Hall in Arorangi, bringing together young minds from across the Cook Islands to tackle real-world issues through design thinking.

Appropriation Amendment Bill tabled, referred to PAC

Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament

The Appropriation Amendment Bill for 2025 that was tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Mark Brown on Monday has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that is expected to scrutinise and report on the Bill when Parliament reconvenes on February 24.

Letter: “I know. But, for what purpose?”

Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

With all the turmoil going on at the moment, perhaps it's a good time to reflect on what’s important to us as Cook Islanders. Read and ponder.