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Fourteen organisations receive $194k in social impact grants

Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National

Delighted recipients of Te Tango Akarangatira Ora’anga/Ministry of Internal Affairs (INTAFF) Social Impact Fund (SIF) project initiatives celebrated signing their official grant agreements yesterday.

NES to strengthen environmental data reporting in proposed bill

Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National

National Environment Service (NES) is proposing a new Environment Bill to improve data reporting, strengthen its role as a permitting authority and update regulations for a changing environment.

Audit report reveals CIIC overspent budget by $2.7m

Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National

Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) overspent their budgeted appropriation from Parliament by more than $2.7 million over the past five years.

NZ tourist dies on snorkelling tour, Police investigate

Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, New Zealand, Regional, Tourism

A 49-year-old woman from New Zealand has been confirmed dead after being transported in an ambulance from the Avaavaroa Passage in Vaimaanga yesterday.

Kata: CISNOC Awards

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Expatriate dancer returns to defend Te Mire Ura title

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Entertainment, Features

The highly anticipated popular Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Cultural Development) Te Mire Ura dance competition for the Expatriates, Experts, Golden Oldies, and Masters divisions will hit the Rehab Nightclub stage this Friday.

Cook Islands serves up first international tennis tournament

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports, Tennis

Tennis Cook Islands kicks off its first international tournament sponsored by Next Shipment this afternoon. The tournament will culminate in the finals on Saturday.

Aquatics Cook Islands makes a splash at annual Sports Awards

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Solomone Taukei | Published in Other Sports, Sports, Swimming

Aquatics Cook Islands won the major awards at the annual Cook Islands Sports Awards on Sunday night.

New Caledonia separatists defy French efforts to unblock roads

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in New Caledonia, Regional

Separatists in riot-hit New Caledonia have refused to abandon roadblocks that have paralysed much of the Pacific archipelago and halted commercial air traffic, defying a major security operation by French forces.

Cook Islands showcases wealth management expertise at US investment summit

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National

The Cook Islands financial services industry recently featured at the prestigious America Outbound Investment Summit, held on May 7 in Los Angeles and May 9 in San Francisco.

Letter: ‘Decriminalise weed and grow your own’

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Our inflation rate is increasingly high and the economic growth rate is slow for the vast majority of the Cook Islands people.

Letter: CISNOC Sports Awards ‘lacklustre’

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Dear Editor, Just some feedback on the Cook Islands National Sports Awards held on Sunday night. Can we please bring back the pizzazz of yesteryears.

Quality audits crucial for public trust, says former NZ PM Clark

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional

The 25th Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) Congress highlighted the importance of independent audit reports for public trust and good governance in the Pacific.

Schools told to teach Te Reo Maori from ECE to Year 6

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Education, National

Schools in the Cook Islands have been directed to begin using Te Reo Maori from Early Childhood Education (ECE) to Year 6.

Cook Islands tourism booms, early arrivals smash record

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism

Visitor arrivals are trending towards a record this year, with the highest total in the first four months of 2024. However, Cook Islands Tourism says they will still fall short of the 2019 record.

PM Brown acknowledges shortcomings in government accountability

Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National

As a small island developing state, Cook Islands’ aspirations fall short of its capacity to make government agencies fully accountable for their expenditures, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.

Kata: Vapes

Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Education first, football later: Vaka creates NFL pathway for Pacific Island players

Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Sports

Standing at 6’4, Cook Islander Jason Vaka is doing what he loves best, scouting for the untapped talent of young lads in the Pacific to sign up for the unique path of the USA College Scholarships and National Football League (NFL).

Ruta Mave: Is CISNOC a breeding ground for nepotism and cronyism?

Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Opinion

Father and son, mother and daughter, brothers in arms and soul sisters, there is something about family. The bonds of blood are thicker than the resumes of other worthy candidates. Questioning the presence of nepotism in CISNOC (Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee) is like asking if the Pope is Catholic?