National
Court briefs
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | 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.
High profile suspect named: Sporting executive released on bail
Friday 17 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, Crime, National
A high-profile sporting executive charged in connection with the highly publicised property intrusion incident on Boxing Day 2024 has been released on bail and is scheduled to reappear in court next month.
Police struggle to attract recruits
Friday 17 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Local, National
Police recruitment for new intakes launched over a month ago has received a disappointing response, with the starting salary at the minimum wage rate considered a major challenge.
Two men to face Court over Boxing Day incident in Parengaru
Thursday 16 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
A second man will appear at the Criminal Court in Avarua today, as a party to the offence of wilfully damaging a property in Parengaru on Boxing Day.
Ngatoko takes helm as chief of staff for Prime Minister
Thursday 16 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National
A new chief of staff to the Office of the Prime Minister has been appointed to lead the team in advancing key national initiatives, including the National Sustainable Development Agenda.
Visitor arrivals on track to rival record numbers
Thursday 16 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Business, Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals in 2024, with December figures yet to be released, have surpassed the total arrivals of 2023 and are on track to rival the record number set in 2019.
Community rallies for Poila family after devastating fire
Thursday 16 January 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Support surged from the community at the fast-selling fundraiser event for the Poila family of Mangaia whose beloved family home, store and warehouse, was reduced to ashes in a devastating fire just days before Christmas.
A gust of laughter: Cook Islands Met Service uses humour to brighten up forecasts
Wednesday 15 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
The Cook Islands Meteorological Service has been adding a dash of humour to its weather updates on Facebook, and the strategy is paying off.
Cool waters and fast movement cause ex-TC Pita to weaken, says Vaiimene
Wednesday 15 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
As the Cook Islands weathered what was initially anticipated to be a more severe storm, Tropical Cyclone Pita, formerly a Category 1 storm, unexpectedly downgraded and spared the islands from major impacts.
Former Tereora College principal to head revived teacher training centre
Wednesday 15 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The Ministry of Education is working to strengthen the local education system by reopening the Teacher Development Centre (TDC), which has lacked a formal teacher training institution since 2005.
Mental health training for frontline workers
Wednesday 15 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, Local, National
Cook Islands mental health organisation, Te Kainga o Pa Taunga, is planning to hold various workshops and training sessions this year. Dates for these events are yet to be confirmed.
Te Marae Ora launches free whooping cough booster campaign
Wednesday 15 January 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
In response to the recent outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) in Aotearoa New Zealand, health authorities have initiated the rollout of the free BOOSTRIX booster vaccination.
Prominent Cook Islander charged over Boxing Day property intrusion
Wednesday 15 January 2025 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Crime, National
A prominent Cook Islander has been charged and will appear in court tomorrow in relation to a highly publicised property intrusion incident on Boxing Day.
Education ministry welcomes new teachers for 2025 school year
Tuesday 14 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, Local, National
The Ministry of Education has welcomed a group of new teachers to the Cook Islands ahead of the start of the 2025 school year.
Cook Islands grapples with ‘declining education value’
Tuesday 14 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Cook Islands grapples with declining public value for education as students are increasingly drawn to lucrative but less academically demanding sectors, posing a significant challenge for the Ministry of Education.
