Outer Islands
Atiu Enua calls for unity as new leadership takes office
Saturday 21 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Atiu Enua celebrated the swearing-in of their new mayor and Island Council members on Wednesday at the CICC Sunday School Hall in Mapumai.
New Mangaia mayor Rani pledges service to community
Wednesday 18 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Mangaia’s incoming Island Government members were sworn in during a special ceremony last week.
Aitutaki’s ‘winds of change’ blow for gender equality: Browne
Saturday 14 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Education, Local, National, Outer Islands, Parliament, Politics
Opposition leader Tina Browne has hailed Aitutaki’s Island Council election a success, noting a significant increase in the number of women elected as council members.
‘Winds of change’ blow over Aitutaki as new mayor, council takes office
Friday 13 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
On Tuesday, the Aitutaki community proudly came together to witness the swearing-in ceremony for their recently elected Island Government Council members, including their new mayor.
Mauke hits fundraising goal for Cook Islands Games
Thursday 5 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Other Sports, Outer Islands, Sports
The Mauke Cook Islands Games sports committee is thrilled to announce the successful raising of $17,000 through its recent golf ambrose and radiothon fundraisers for its 400-plus athletes.
Penrhyn schools welcome island’s first female MP
Tuesday 3 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
The Omoka and Tetautua schools on the northern group island of Penrhyn/Tongareva held a special formal assembly to welcome and acknowledge their Member of Parliament, Sarakura Tapaitau.
Island teams prepare for Cook Islands Games
Thursday 29 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Other Sports, Outer Islands, Sports
Island teams have started fundraising for the Cook Islands Games that will be held from October 4–19, 2024.
Weather delays Vaka Marumaru Atua’s journey, Pukapuka suffers severe coastal damage
Wednesday 28 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands, Weather
Vaka Marumaru Atua’s anticipated departure for Atiu yesterday afternoon was delayed until this morning due to unpredictable challenging weather conditions affecting the island.
Pacific’s first: A doctorate and a deeper connection to home
Saturday 24 August 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Education, Features, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
When Cook Islander Dr Antony Vavia walked off the stage earlier this month with a piece of paper he had worked hard for six years, he achieved more than just becoming the first Pacific Islander to earn a doctoral degree in marine biology from Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
New mayors confirmed in Southern Group islands
Saturday 24 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
The 2024 Island Government Election final count was revealed this week by the Elections Office, and the new mayors who had led in the preliminary count were declared the winners.
Constitution Review Committee gathers feedback from Pa Enua
Thursday 22 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Outer Islands, Parliament
The Constitutional Review Special Select Committee will be conducting public consultations in Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke, all in a single day.
Coral planting initiative enters second phase
Wednesday 21 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands, Tourism
A coral planting initiative led by an Aitutaki resort has entered its second phase, with guests playing a vital role in restoring and protecting the local marine environment.
Newcomers top mayoral race in 2024 Island Govt Election
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
Six new mayors are set to lead the charge after finishing on top in the preliminary count of the Island Government Election 2024, held this week across the Pa Enua.
Drug bust: Two kilos of cannabis seized in Aitutaki
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Crime, Local, National, Outer Islands
Police are investigating a drug supply to Aitutaki after Cook Islands Customs seized over two kilograms of cannabis at Arutanga Harbour last week.
Pa Enua heads to the polls
Wednesday 14 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Over 2500 voters are set to cast their ballots in the Island Government Election tomorrow across the nine outer islands of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manihiki, Mauke, Mitiaro, Penrhyn, Pukapuka and Nassau and Rakahanga.
Record number of women to contest Island Govt Election
Tuesday 13 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands
A record number of candidates, including at least 15 women, will contest for the mayoral and council seats across the Pa Enua at the upcoming Island Government Election on Thursday, August 15.
War of the wings: The Rimatara lorikeet and how I learnt to hate the Atiu mynah
Monday 12 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, Features, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
After a seven-year battle using a combination of poisoning, trapping and shooting, the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust successfully eradicated an initial population of around 6000 mynahs from Ātiu, making it the world’s largest island-based mynah eradication project. Roger Malcolm, a resident hotelier on Ātiu and one of the key people behind the eradication project, shares his own battle with one of the most invasive bird species in the world.
From pest to past: Ātiu’s epic battle against invasive myna
Saturday 10 August 2024 | Written by Gerald McCormack | Published in Environment, Features, National, Outer Islands
After six years of no reported mynas on Ātiu, the Natural Heritage Trust is declaring its Eradication Project a success. The removal of a population of about 6000 mynas made it the world’s largest myna eradication on an island. It dwarfed the second largest island-eradication of 1641 mynas on North Island in the Seychelles completed in February 2019. By Gerald McCormack, Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust.
Incumbents face tough challenge in outer islands mayoral election
Friday 9 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Incumbent mayors of eight outer islands face a tough battle in the upcoming Island Government election, while the mayoral positions in Rakahanga and Pukapuka Nassau are unchallenged.
Tangaroa declared rightful Tamatoa Ariki after three-year legal battle
Wednesday 7 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Local, National, Outer Islands
It was a double celebration for Teao Tangaroa, who was declared the rightful title holder of the Tamatoa Ariki of Arutanga in a court ruling on his birthday yesterday.
