Promoted

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.

Shrinking jury pool puts trial system under strain

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

There is scepticism among legal eagles about jury trials in the Cook Islands following the release of a judgement in an aborted case.

Woman pleads guilty to child assault in Court

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

A woman has pleaded guilty to assaulting a child.

New Aitutaki crane boosts cargo capacity

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands

The Cook Islands Ports Authority’s new crane in Aitutaki will lift the current weight restriction of 20 tonne to 25 tonne, allowing importers and the people of the island to add more tonnage of goods to containers.

PAC chair Elikana demands transparency on public funds

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament

The chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for stricter accountability and transparency in the use of public funds by government entities, state-owned enterprises, and Crown agencies.

MFAI offices to close for day as staff get time off following ‘heavy year’

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

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) offices will close on Monday as staff take the day off.

High growth, high prices: Economy bounces back, but inflation bites hard

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament

Cook Islands’ resurgent economic growth post-Covid-19 has been overshadowed by an unprecedented surge in inflation, with prices rising by 13 per cent over the past year. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu reports.

Kata: Bank employee- court

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Titikaveka tide takes over grassroots finals

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Football, Sports

Although Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) staff were skeptical of the weather forecast on Wednesday ahead of the grassroots knock finals at the CIFA complex, a tide of electric blue washed over the complex as parents and supporters of the Titikaveka Teams, turned out in force to cheer on their young prodigies.

Marshall Islands election puts opposition in driver’s seat

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Marshall Islands, Regional

The Marshall Islands national election results show the current parliamentary opposition to be in the driver’s seat to form a new government when the body meets for the first time in early January.

Church Talk: Christmas celebrates God’s love

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features

Christmas is more than just a holiday or tradition. At its heart, Christmas is about love; the love that our Heavenly Father has for all of us, writes Tamatoa Jonassen of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Green light for relief : Parliament passes medicinal cannabis import bill

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, Parliament

Cook Islanders who require medicinal cannabis for their health’s wellbeing can now import or bring the item into the country, provided the product is being prescribed by an overseas medical practitioner.

Small school, big dreams: Rutaki celebrates success at annual awards

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National

Apii Rutaki, the small school with a big heart out in the west, celebrated their school prize giving day with a vibrant occasion and a huge turnout of parents and family on Thursday.