Outer Islands
Remembering Cyclone Martin: ‘Many took that flight and never came back’
Saturday 5 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Local, Memory Lane, Outer Islands
It was a cyclone like no other, and its impact is still felt by those who lived through it. Rebecca Hosking-Ellis talks to Cook Islands News senior journalist Matthew Littlewood about her memories of Cyclone Martin and the toll it took on the Manihiki community.
Family frustration as logistics put dampener on gathering
Friday 4 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Descendants of Mama Matauia, one of the wives of William Marsters, are facing a logistical battle as they want to deliver a headstone to her place of burial on Palmerston.
Pa Enua set to get online upgrade
Wednesday 2 November 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Business, National, Outer Islands
The Outer Islands online connectivity is improving with authorities looking to have it on par with Rarotonga in the next six months.
Trust formed to eradicate pests on uninhabited atoll of Manuae
Friday 28 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
A new charitable trust with the ambition of turning the uninhabited atoll of Manuae into a pest-free sanctuary has just been established.
New patrol boat takes part in first regional co-operation exercises
Friday 28 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Outer Islands
New Cook Islands patrol boat Te Kukupa II has been on the high seas conducting regional co-operation exercises.
Penrhyn schools undertake emergency drills
Tuesday 25 October 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Outer Islands
The Penrhyn schools of Omoka and Tetautua hold emergency drills – in the event of a tsunami, cyclone or fire – each term to ensure the students and teachers are kept updated and informed of the necessary procedures.
Pa Enua receives funding for climate change projects
Saturday 15 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta yesterday announced new climate finance for the Pa Enua (outer islands) in the Cook Islands during her visit to Manihiki.
Southern Group gets food freight subsidy
Friday 23 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
The Southern Group will get a freight subsidy on food items until at least Christmas in a bid to ease cost of living for those living in the Pa Enua.
Business training goes to Pa Enua
Thursday 15 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
Cook Islands Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) have finished training local entrepreneurs in Aitutaki and will continue in Atiu next month.
Freight subsidy to bring ‘some relief’ for Pa Enua
Wednesday 7 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Outer Islands
Cook Islanders residing in the Northern Group are feeling the pinch of rising food prices and have welcomed government’s freight subsidy scheme which is expected to ease cost of living pain to households on the islands.
Palmerston gets booster shot today
Tuesday 30 August 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Health, National, Outer Islands
Covid-19 vaccines and crew on Te Kukupa II set sail to the remote Southern Group island of Palmerston yesterday afternoon.
Trouble in paradise? Conflict concerns raised as Manuae trust planned
Saturday 27 August 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands
A group of Pa Enua landowners are seeking $2million over the next five years to help restore and protect the uninhabited atoll of Manuae, but concerns about conflicts of interest are bubbling under the surface.
Te Kukupa II to transport latest batch of Covid-19 vaccines to Palmerston
Thursday 25 August 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands
A ship will be sent to the remote island of Palmerston carrying the latest batch of Covid-19 vaccines.
Mangaia’s Covid-19 cases wane
Saturday 6 August 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands
The outbreak of Covid-19 in Mangaia appears to have reached its peak, according to Te Marae Ora.
Early turnout in the Pa Enua for General Election
Tuesday 2 August 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands
Executive officers of the Pa Enua (outer islands) are expecting a good turnout this election, with some of the islands completing votes before lunchtime.
Rising Covid-19 cases affect Mangaia’s election campaign
Thursday 28 July 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in National, Outer Islands
Te Marae Ora is ramping up its support to the island of Mangaia after the outbreak of Covid-19 which has also infected atleast two candidates contesting in next Monday’s General Election.
Mangaia records over 100 Covid-19 cases
Wednesday 27 July 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands
An outbreak of Covid-19 in Mangaia has occurred over the weekend, with Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health expecting about a quarter of the island’s population to be infected with the virus.
Pa Enua residing Permanent Residents receive awards
Monday 25 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Kiribati residents on the island of Pukapuka – Toakarawa Kabuta, Karanga Ukeria-Taoroba and Toaki Taoroba – are proud to have been officially sworn in as Cook Islands Permanent Residents (PR) via a Zoom session on Thursday.
CIGT wins tender for removal of barge
Saturday 16 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Cook Islands General Transport Ltd (CIGT) has been awarded the successful tender to remove the decommissioned Pa Ariki barge (pictured) in Aitutaki after receiving the Ports Authority Board approval.
King tides hit Penrhyn and Manihiki
Friday 15 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Mama Jemima Tekena of Penrhyn is well and safe having already moved to another home to the middle of the island the night before exceptionally high king tides washed through, damaging her home.
