National
Penrhyn schools’ Literacy Week events raise funds for Māori books
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Penrhyn schools took a unique approach to celebrate Literacy Week by hosting an exciting spallation, a vibrant float parade combined with a pageant, earlier this month.
Bus driver sentenced to twelve months’ probation supervision
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A 46-year-old Fiji national driver who crashed a tourist bus in December 2022 has been sentenced to 12 months of probation supervision.
Rarotonga builders bring joy to Tupapa family after ‘scam’
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
The trauma of a Tupapa family of being scammed of over $100,000 off their new home has finally come to an end, after their newly built three-bedroom cottage is now complete and shining.
Te Kainga O Pa Taunga celebrates milestone
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Health, Local, National
The Cook Islands mental health organisation, Te Kainga O Pa Taunga, yesterday celebrated 20 years of its service to the Cook Islands.
Aitutaki students pitch in to clean up island
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National, Outer Islands
Primary schools in Aitutaki took part in the island-wide clean-up effort last month to mark Clean up the Cook Islands Day.
Two-year prison term for dangerous driving causing death in Rarotonga
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man in his 20s has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for dangerous driving, which resulted in the death of a 24-year-old man in Rarotonga last year.
Cook Islands faces ‘reduced but not zero risk’ of tropical cyclones
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Weather
The chances of a tropical cyclone hitting the Cook Islands are unlikely but the local weather office is urging people to prepare as the country enters the cyclone season, which starts next month through to April 2025.
Mataora appointed ICI deputy secretary
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Local, National
Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) has become the first ministry to appoint a deputy secretary, aiming to improve efficiency and leadership within the organisation.
Container theft accused walks free
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man charged with theft of a 40-foot container was discharged without conviction yesterday.
Court warns recidivist offender to stay out of trouble
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Recidivist offender Okirua Manuela, who is well-known to the Court system, was warned that any breach of his sentencing conditions could result in imprisonment.
PAC urges transparency in boating investigations
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended that the Ministry of Transport be transparent in its investigations of serious boating incidents and that the lack of technical staff has impacted its ability to monitor and enforce shipping regulations.
Government sees seabed mining as economic game-changer
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands government has revealed that it sees greater economic potential in seabed mining, which has fuelled concerns from the Opposition.
Public Accounts Committee recommends seed fund for Pa Enua tourism
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Tourism
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended that Cook Islands Tourism encourage and pioneer a debt or equity fund designed to provide seed investment for Pa Enua tourism projects.
Team Rakahanga sweeps aquatics medals at Cook Islands Games
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
The aquatics events, held over a three-day race, were the first of the Cook Islands Games’ sports to conclude with Team Rakahanga waving their flag with pride as they dominated several categories.
Training and partnerships boost Mauke’s tourism potential
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Business, National
Cook Islands Tourism aims to develop sustainable tourism on Mauke by implementing projects like storyboards, homestays and historical site preservation, with strong support from the local government and community.
Lewis defends Ministry of Education appointment
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Secretary of Education Owen Lewis has defended the appointment of an executive director, saying that the role was established in 2014 and had been vacant, and dismissed claims that the position duplicated his own.
Motorcyclist ‘wearing bicycle helmet’ injured after accident
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Motorcyclists must follow the law, wear the correct type of helmet and have it properly strapped on, says Brent Fisher, president of the Cook Islands Road Safety Council.
Te Marae Ora health ministry warns of flesh-eating bacteria
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
Cook Islands has not reported any cases of flesh-eating bacteria, but Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health is advising the public to practice good hygiene, clean wounds thoroughly, and keep them covered with clean, dry bandages until healed.
First major cocaine case results in imprisonment
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
A New Zealand-based Cook Islander was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment for bringing cocaine and cannabis into the country in the first significant case of its kind.
Man disqualified for 18 months after third drunk driving charge
Tuesday 8 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man with a history of driving related charges in the Cook Islands High Court has been disqualified from driving for 18 months.