National
Two women rescue lost tourist after six-hour mountain search
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, Local, National, Tourism
A male tourist was safely rescued early Sunday morning after a six-hour search, having become lost during a mountain trek on Rarotonga.
Police investigate weekend incidents
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Crime, National
A series of incidents were attended to by the Cook Islands Police Service over the weekend, including two motorbike crashes, menacing dogs and stolen money.
Telecom company celebrates anniversary with giveaways
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, National
Vodafone Cook Islands is celebrating its fifth birthday with a week of instore activities starting at 10am, featuring groovy sounds by popular local DJ GDub George Williams, enticing instore specials and sweet cupcakes.
Peñahermos achieves NCEA success despite challenges
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Tereora College’s second-best student from 2024, Ferdane Peñahermos, is among those who made the cut in the NCEA exams, having passed all of his subjects following the release of the results last week.
‘Careless’ driver ordered to pay victims $10k and serve probation
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A 45-year-old man was sentenced to 18 months of probation and ordered to pay over $10,000 in compensation to two motorcycle victims after being convicted of careless driving causing injury and refusing a breathalyser test.
66 per cent pass rate: NCEA Level 1 success rate lower than previous years
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The preliminary 2024 NCEA results for the Cook Islands show a 66 per cent pass rate across all levels, with the Ministry of Education remaining silent on the Level 1 pass rate.
Cook Islands pastor dies in Australian floodwaters
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Local, National
The search for a man swept from a flooded causeway in northern New South Wales has ended, with his body discovered downstream.
TePOM expands services to address growing demand
Monday 20 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands men’s counselling centre Te Punanga Ora’anga Matutu (TePOM) is looking at another year of growth and aims to support more men and women through counselling and support services.
Road sealing and drainage works top Infrastructure’s 2025 agenda
Monday 20 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National
The Ministry of Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) will prioritise road sealing and drainage works this year.
Bank to reissue debit cards following attempted fraudulent transactions
Monday 20 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
Bank of South Pacific (BSP) will be reissuing new Visa debit cards to its customers following a recent attempt of fraudulent transactions.
Government seeks funding boost for ‘critical priorities’
Monday 20 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Government will be tabling a supplementary budget in Parliament next month, seeking a top up to the $328 million 2024/25 budget to fund ‘critical priorities’ in the remaining half of the financial year.
Vogel brings passion for education and culture to Apii Rutaki
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Rutaki is entering a new chapter with the appointment of Renall Vogel, from Matavera, as its new principal.
Police urge for community support following alleged knife-point robbery
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
Cook Islands Police Service is calling for community support following a concerning incident in which a Rarotonga resident was robbed at knife-point in front of an ATM at night.
Atiu cannabis cultivator remanded in custody pending psychiatric assessment
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
Chris-Mayne Paiere Mokoroa, the man arrested last week in Atiu for alleged cannabis cultivation, possession of cannabis, and possession of drug utensils, has been remanded into custody following a court appearance on Thursday.
Court briefs
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
A number of cases were heard before Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro on Thursday this week.
Cook Islander returns home to lead Aitutaki’s Araura College
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, Features, National, Weekend
James Kora, the newly appointed principal of Araura College in Aitutaki, is excited to return home to the Cook Islands after spending most of his life and career in New Zealand.
‘No longer dead Ministry’: Agriculture head Anguna-Kamana plots third term growth
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Agriculture, Features, Local, National, Weekend
In 2018, on her first day as Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Temarama Anguna-Kamana was told that this was a ‘dead ministry’. Now in her third term at the helm, Anguna-Kamana still sees potential in the agriculture sector and envisions leaving the industry in a much better position than she inherited.
Matavera’s new two storey commercial hub to open soon
Friday 17 January 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Local, National
In Matavera, the smallest district by land size on Rarotonga, a new two storey building “Te Waka” is set to redefine the local landscape with its mix of culinary delights, island apparel and commercial opportunities.
Driver ordered to pay over $11,500 in reparations after crash
Friday 17 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, Crime, National
Terea Ngatokorua Maruaau, who appeared in court yesterday, has been ordered to pay over $3000 in reparations to the Te Aponga Uira (TAU) after falling asleep while driving a rental vehicle and crashing into a power pole in Nikao last month.
Tereora’s induction day and teachers’ conference to commence next week
Friday 17 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, Local, National
The atmosphere around Rarotonga is buzzing with the back-to-school energy, as parents are spotted shopping for school supplies and uniforms with their children.
