National
Police seize cannabis plants from Atiu, warns cultivators
Monday 13 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
The recent arrest of a man allegedly found with 40 plants of cannabis is a warning from police who are now keeping a close eye for cultivators in Rarotonga and the Pa Enua.
Youngsters learn from the best at Junior Rugby League Clinic
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Rugby league, Sports
More than 100 children gathered at the National Stadium in Nikao yesterday to learn from the best of Cook Islands Rugby League international stars as part of the Cook Islands Athletic Development Junior Rugby League Clinic.
Tropical Cyclone Pita downgraded to a low pressure, strong winds and heavy rain continue
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
Cook Islands Meteorological Service has confirmed this morning that Tropical Cyclone Pita has now been downgraded to a low pressure.
Aitutaki streetlight installation delayed due to aviation safety concerns: Airport
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
The installation of streetlights along the road parallel to the Aitutaki Runway requires approval from the Director of Civil Aviation due to potential aviation safety concerns.
No charges laid in Aitutaki fatal crash
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National, Outer Islands
No charges have yet been laid in a fatal crash in Aitutaki that occurred over a week ago, resulting in the death of an elderly visitor.
Weaving Peu Maori into the cultural tapestry for Vaka Pride Round 28
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
The Regenerative Tourism team, Jeremy Goodwin and Emma Kainuku-Walsh, has been actively engaged in the latest round of Vaka Pride, now in its 28th round, which took place last month.
Private members’ bills expose Govt’s legislative failures: Opposition leader
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
The three private members’ bills presented by the Opposition in Parliament in 2024 show the Government’s failure to address critical legal anomalies affecting people, says Tina Browne.
Protecting Aitutaki’s ‘beating heart’ using traditional conservation method
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Features, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
Aitutaki residents gathered at their prized lagoon this week to continue the custom of protecting their marine environment through the re-establishment of the traditional ra’ui, a temporary fishing ban within the lagoon.
Discover Palmerston: A slice of paradise in the Pacific
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
Palmerston sits like a delicate necklace in the blue body of the Pacific, its coral reef and white beaches strung with six sandy motu scattered through it and a surrounding vast lagoon.
Family duty calls: Youngest councillor navigates life on remote Palmerston
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Features, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
At 23, Julianna Marsters is Cook Islands’ youngest Island Government councillor. However, she was elected not by her own choice, but because she was the only family member of eligible age.
Jewels of the Cook Islands ready to shine at Dine and Dance event
Friday 10 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Local, National
A New Zealand-based Cook Islands entertainment group is on the island and is set to perform tonight in what they say will be a magical night of dining and dancing in Rarotonga.
Aitutaki community re-establishes traditional ra’ui to protect marine
Friday 10 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
The Aitutaki community has re-established a traditional ra’ui, a temporary fishing ban, in their lagoon to protect marine life and ensure sustainable resource management, with support from the National Environment Service.
Cook Islands National Council of Women welcomes NZ High Commissioner
Friday 10 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
The Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) welcomed New Zealand’s new high commissioner to the Cook Islands, Catherine Graham, at their office in Takuvaine yesterday.
Rough seas and high winds take a toll on Rarotonga businesses
Friday 10 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Weather
Businesses across Rarotonga are continuing to feel the impact of severe weather as strong winds, rough seas and periods of heavy rain persisted yesterday.
‘A blessing’: NZ passport climbs in world rankings
Friday 10 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
The New Zealand passport is the fifth best in the world, offering significant travel benefits to its holders, including Cook Islanders, who largely welcome this despite some advocating for a separate Cook Islands passport as a symbol of national identity.
Annual water safety training offers key skills for marine operators
Thursday 9 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism (CIT) will host its upcoming Annual Water Safety Training, a programme aimed at enhancing the safety skills of water-based operators.
PM Brown confident in Pacific Islands Forum leadership despite political change in Tonga
Thursday 9 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Regional, Tonga
The sudden resignation of Tonga’s former prime minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni had left a temporary gap in the leadership of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), but Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown remains confident that the situation will soon stabilise.
Aitutaki’s Maoate to fly Cook Islands flag at Miss Pacific Islands Pageant
Thursday 9 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Entertainment, Features, Local, National
Ngatepaeru Marie Maoate of Aitutaki will represent the Cook Islands at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2025 in Honiara, Solomon Islands next month, marking the country’s return to the regional pageant after a hiatus since 2019.
Seabed mining must be ‘commercially viable’ in order to proceed: PM Brown
Thursday 9 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has acknowledged economic concerns about seabed mining, emphasising that the government will only proceed with projects that are both commercially viable and environmentally sustainable.
Infrastructure Cook Islands clears Takuvaine Stream to reduce flood risk
Thursday 9 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National
Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) has been busy clearing debris and realigning the flow of water from the Takuvaine stream, aiming to restore the stream’s natural capacity.
