National
Apii Te Uki Ou prefects ready to lead
Friday 21 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Features, National
The newly inducted Apii Te Uki Ou student leaders were reminded to uphold the school’s values at all times and represent it with pride.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms to persist: Met
Friday 21 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
The ongoing heavy rain and thunderstorms affecting both the Northern and Southern Cook Islands are expected to continue, warned the Cook Islands Meteorological Service.
Seven home cooks vie for kuru crown
Friday 21 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Rarotonga residents are in for a treat tomorrow morning when home cooks in the community battle it out in the Takurua tiopu kuru (breadfruit stew) competition at the Punanga Nui Market.
Decades-old Cook Islands ID cards invalid, says Minister
Friday 21 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
The decades-old Cook Islands identification card, once used for travel before Cook Islanders gained access to New Zealand passports, are now invalid, confirmed the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration.
Hunter reappointed Public Service Commissioner
Friday 21 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
Public Service Commissioner Carl Sean Hunter has been reappointed to the role for another two years by the King’s Representative Sir Tom Marsters.
Court briefs
Friday 21 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Maika Nateru, who appeared before Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning at the Criminal Court in Avarua yesterday, has been ordered to pay a fine of $300 for excess blood alcohol.
Cook Islands and China go halves in $6 million inter-island vessel purchase
Friday 21 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands
Government has allocated $3 million in its supplementary budget to co-fund a new shipping vessel from China, aiming to establish a nationalised shipping service and improve inter-island connectivity, a move that has been met with concern from an existing private shipping operator.
Govt roundtable reinforces commitment to financial service industry growth
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
A Policymakers Round Table brought together government agencies and industry experts to discuss the future of the financial services industry in the Cook Islands.
Atiu Harbour upgrade to address deterioration and safety concerns
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The National Environment Service is seeking public input on an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed upgrade of Atiu Harbour, which involves dredging, makatea cliff removal and concrete repair to address deterioration and safety concerns.
Māori MP draws parallels between Cook Islands protest and Māori concerns
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says Cook Islanders’ protest against their government over key decisions resonate with the feelings of New Zealand Māori in Aotearoa “with a lot of decisions being made about us, without us”.
Court briefs
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
Two men were sentenced on Tuesday in the Criminal Court in Avarua following separate assaults on women. One of the men was also found guilty on three counts of assaulting a child.
Lack of updates frustrates victims in vehicle incident
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
Visitors left with severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Rarotonga in May 2024 is still waiting for answers, with police failing to provide updates despite multiple follow-ups.
Cook Islands Tourism prepares for Takurua culinary celebration
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Karla Eggelton says the upcoming Takurua culinary festival gives an opportunity to share the nation’s food story in a way that “connects us to our past while also showcasing how our cuisine is evolving”.
Dollars and sense: Autism Cook Islands students learn financial literacy
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
Autism Cook Islands (ACI) has started their Term 1 programme teaching their transition group of seven students how to use money wisely.
‘Very little detail’: PM Brown explains vague China agreement
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
The comprehensive agreement the Cook Islands has signed with China “deliberately” contains few details because the Government has not yet committed to any specific projects, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Concerns on new Teacher Development Centre raised
Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The recent opening of the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Teacher Development Centre, housed in an upstairs space of Tereora College’s main building, has sparked concerns from some members of the community questioning the decision to repurpose it. Talaia Mika reports.
Culinary celebration of Takurua - Umu Cooking
Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National
To celebrate Cook Islands’ 60th Anniversary of Self-Governance celebrations, Te Mato Manava Turoto/Cook Islands Tourism will present the culinary celebration of Takurua – Taste of the Season, this week.
PM: Cook Islands passport no longer being pursued
Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown has reaffirmed that the controversial Cook Islands passport proposal is no longer being pursued and has assured the public that the country’s relationship with New Zealand remains strong.
Students take on real-world challenges in Solve for Tomorrow competition
Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National, Technology
The first phase of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Innovation Challenge took place yesterday at Calvary Hall in Arorangi, bringing together young minds from across the Cook Islands to tackle real-world issues through design thinking.
Appropriation Amendment Bill tabled, referred to PAC
Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Appropriation Amendment Bill for 2025 that was tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Mark Brown on Monday has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that is expected to scrutinise and report on the Bill when Parliament reconvenes on February 24.
