National
Cook Islands Ombudsman Office celebrates 40 years
Friday 27 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National
The Cook Islands Ombudsman Office yesterday celebrated 40 years of serving its responsibility for investigating complaints against Government Ministries and Crown Agencies under the Ombudsman Act 1984.
Eight locals to undergo micro-credential course on transnational organised crime
Friday 27 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National, Outer Islands
Eight locals will undertake a micro-credential course on transnational organised crime (TNOC), which will be recognised at an Australian university level.
Judge finds foreign national not guilty of indecent assault
Friday 27 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
A 55-year-old foreign national has been acquitted of an indecent assault charge by the Cook Islands High Court following a judge-alone trial on Thursday.
Dog attacks on the rise again
Friday 27 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Tourism
Concerns about the rising number of dog attacks are growing after recent incidents in which students fell off their bikes while being chased by dogs and a tourist was bitten on the side of the road.
Cook Islands Clean-Up Day reveals alarming amounts of trash
Friday 27 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Te Tu’anga Taporoporo/National Environment Service witnessed an “alarming” amount of waste collected during Clean Up Cook Islands Day held earlier this month, which has more than doubled from previous years.
Transportation issues stalling parliamentary consultations in Northern Group
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Constitutional Review Special Select Committee is awaiting confirmation from Parliament Services regarding flight arrangements for their consultations on the three Constitutional Amendment Bills in the Northern Pa Enua. This was confirmed by the Committee chair and Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Tingika Elikana yesterday. Presenting a verbal report in Parliament last week, Elikana said […]
Crown alleges indecent touching in judge alone trial, defendant denies
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
The trial of a man accused of indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Rarotonga is underway, with the Crown presenting evidence of the defendant’s alleged inappropriate touching of the victim’s thigh during a car ride.
Cook Islands Government considers electoral reform to allow ‘better representation’
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Cook Islands Party coalition government is exploring electoral reforms that could result in larger constituencies divided into two and smaller ones from the Pa Enua merged.
Visiting group Te Mana O Te Rima offers health services to Rarotonga elders
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Elderly people in Rarotonga will join the world in celebrating the United Nations International Day of Older People on Tuesday next week.
Mangaia youth embrace traditional voyaging skills
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands
Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation has successfully completed their Teretereanga Vaka programme in Mangaia, providing educational opportunities for youth on the island to participate in a course that promotes and preserves the art of traditional voyaging and navigation.
By election date set for vacant councillor seats
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
A vacancy exists for a council member for the village of Ivirua in Mangaia, and two council members for the village of Tetautua in Penrhyn.
Mauke’s new mayor wants to get the community into planting crops
Wednesday 25 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
The island of Akatokamanava/Mauke celebrated its elected Island Council members during the swearing-in ceremony yesterday morning at the Government Representative building site.
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
Wednesday 25 September 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Tourism’s contribution to the Cook Islands economy is set to surpass half a billion dollars this year, according to the Cook Islands Visitor Economy Factsheet released today.
Crew overtime leads to Jetstar flight cancellation
Wednesday 25 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
The strictly regulated operating hours for crew members on the Jetstar JQ130 flight from Rarotonga to Auckland, were exceeded leading to the cancellation of flight on Monday night.
Businessman loses appeal against assault convictions
Wednesday 25 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The Court of Appeal has dismissed a Rarotonga businessman’s application against his conviction for two counts of assault on a female, according to a judgement released last week.
Pa Enua leaders seek help to combat transnational crime
Wednesday 25 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, Economy, National
The lack of resources and security in the Pa Enua to tackle transnational crimes were the key factors driving community leaders from the outer islands to participate in the Transnational Organised Crime workshop held in Rarotonga.
Chamber of Commerce questions TTV water quality and reliability
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National
The Rarotonga water authority is ‘confident’ in its ability to defend its water quality standards and delivery under the Consumer Guarantees Act, despite concerns raised by the Chamber of Commerce regarding pressure, reliability and potability.
Cook Islands Robotics team arrives in Athens
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
After 28 hours of travel, including transit and flights from Auckland, New Zealand, the Cook Islands Robotics Team has arrived in Athens, Greece.
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man over the age of 30 has been convicted of raping a girl aged between 12 and 16 in Rarotonga.
Puaikura Fire Brigade responds to eight urgent calls in six weeks
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Since the beginning of this year, the Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade has attended to 17 urgent calls. Eight of these urgent call outs have occurred within six weeks – from 1st August to date.
