National
Penrhyn schools welcome island’s first female MP
Tuesday 3 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
The Omoka and Tetautua schools on the northern group island of Penrhyn/Tongareva held a special formal assembly to welcome and acknowledge their Member of Parliament, Sarakura Tapaitau.
Trial geotextile bags proposed to prevent erosion at beachfront
Tuesday 3 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Public submissions for or against the Akapuao (Enua Manea) Property Coastal Protection Project that aims to prevent further erosion occurring along the coastline and stream bank in Titikaveka, are now open.
Pacific ministers gather to discuss water and wastewater challenges
Tuesday 3 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Twenty Pacific islands ministers have gathered in Rarotonga this week to discuss solutions and ideas to combat water and wastewater threats.
Four teens injured in hit-and-run incident
Tuesday 3 September 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Crime, National
Cook Islands Police are investigating an alleged hit-and-run incident which occurred late Saturday night, leaving four teenagers injured with some sustaining serious injuries.
Govt denies muzzling workers, despite environmentalist claims
Tuesday 3 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National
The Public Service Commissioner denies any government protocol restricting public servants from speaking publicly against seabed mining, after claims made by an environmental campaigner.
PM Brown, Cook Islands delegation pay their respects to Māori Kīngi Tūhetia
Tuesday 3 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown arrived at Tūrangawaewae Marae yesterday for the tangihanga (tangi) of Kīngi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, the seventh Māori king, and to pay his respect to the Kīngitanga.
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
Monday 2 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Cook Islands’ topography and remoteness make it highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, states the latest Pacific Economic Monitor – August 2024: Building Resilience the Pacific Way report.
Helmet safety concerns raised amid enforcement challenges
Monday 2 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands Police say that while certain German style helmets may comply with safety standards, the variation in these helmets has made enforcement difficult.
Suspended sentences for driver involved in two accidents
Monday 2 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
At the Criminal Court last week, Inosi Vulava was handed 12 months of concurrent suspended sentences for the two charges of careless driving.
Apii Nikao launches island’s first after-school care programme
Monday 2 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Blazing ahead in creating a new environment and the island’s first after school care programme, Apii Nikao officially blessed the establishment of “Tiaki Tamariki” on Thursday last week.
STI cases on the rise
Monday 2 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
The top five laboratory-confirmed cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Cook Islands in the last 10 years are chlamydia, candidiasis, gonorrhoea, syphilis and hepatitis B.
Apii Nikao prioritises inclusive learning with new sensory rooms
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Nikao is excited to announce the opening of two new sensory rooms designed to support students with additional needs providing comfortable spaces where students can feel at ease.
‘A fair game for all’: No return to ranking at Te Maeva Nui, says Culture
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Entertainment, Entertainment, Features, Local, National
Cook Islands Ministry of Cultural Development has ruled out the possibility of reintroducing the ranking system for Te Maeva Nui unless all participating teams agree, citing concerns about fairness and the preservation of cultural diversity.
Carr elected new president of Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council has elected Tere Carr, owner of Lagoon Breeze Villas, as its new president for 2024-2025 financial year.
Accused rapist admits to 47 charges, suppression lifted
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
Interim name suppression on a man who was charged with allegations of rape, indecent assault and inducing an indecent act on minors has been lifted.
Theft matter adjourned to October 25
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
The theft matter against Sina Daniel was adjourned to October 25 at the High Court call over before Chief Justice Patrick Keane on Friday.
Inflation eases but concerns remain
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National
The inflation rate in the Cook Islands has begun to ease, currently at 2.8 per cent annually, but concerns persist over the ongoing increase in prices, albeit at a slower pace.
Living off the land and sea
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
A 69-year-old father, Nato Temu Junior, and his 80-year-old sister, Fever Teira Tana, who live alone at their family home in Tupapa, are living happily and unbothered by the ongoing rise in inflation, which has increased by 2.8 per cent this year.
Te Ipukarea Society: Ī’oi project takes flight
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This week marked an exciting milestone for the Ī’oi project led by Te Ipukarea Society, as researchers successfully captured and tagged the first ī’oi in the Takitumu Conservation Area.
NES reviews national biodiversity strategy
Friday 30 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National
The National Environment Service (NES) will be seeking the public’s, government agencies and non-governmental organisations’ perspectives on plans to update the Cook Islands National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
