National
Record nominations for Cook Islands People’s Choice Awards, voting opens today
Monday 19 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Entertainment, Features, National, Tourism, Weekend
Cook Islands Tourism yesterday announced the finalists for the 2024 Cook Islands People’s Choice Awards (PCA), celebrating excellence in the tourism industry and the wider community.
Newcomers top mayoral race in 2024 Island Govt Election
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
Six new mayors are set to lead the charge after finishing on top in the preliminary count of the Island Government Election 2024, held this week across the Pa Enua.
‘Only in the Cooks’: Retiring judge shares fond memories of Cook Islands
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Features, Memory Lane, National, Weekend
After 12 years of dedicated service to the Cook Islands justice system, High Court Judge Dame Judith Potter is hanging up her robes, leaving a legacy of legal expertise, and taking with her some ‘only in the Cooks’ memories.
Te Ipukarea Soceity: Local nesting petrels under threat
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Petrels are a family of seabirds known for covering large distances across open oceanic waters.
TAU confirms workplace accident caused island-wide power outage
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
The island-wide unexpected power outage on Thursday resulted from a workplace accident during repairs on the cross-island cable, where Te Aponga Uira (TAU) staff were allegedly electrocuted.
Apii Te Uki Ou creates haven for students with additional needs
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Te Uki Ou has created the Cook Islands’ first sensory space to support students with additional needs. This space has the potential to be shared with other visiting students with inclusive needs, especially children on the autism spectrum.
Arorangi Intermediate School gets a new roof
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Education, National
The completion of the roof replacement at Arorangi Intermediate School marks a pivotal moment for the school community.
Young artist paints a bright future
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Art, Education, Features, National
A 15-year-old artist is thriving and supporting herself with her God-given talent, which she has been using to earn money since she was nine.
Drug bust: Two kilos of cannabis seized in Aitutaki
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Crime, Local, National, Outer Islands
Police are investigating a drug supply to Aitutaki after Cook Islands Customs seized over two kilograms of cannabis at Arutanga Harbour last week.
High Court halts Te Puka land dispute pending cost payment
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The proceedings for the Nikao land – Te Puka against the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) have been halted after High Court Justice Dame Judith Potter ordered a ‘stay order’ against applicant Ellena Tavioni and others, who are to pay $12,523.45 with a 10 per cent interest for previously dismissed matters.
Drug trial adjourned due to absent defence lawyer
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The application filed by Crown Law to admit hearsay for accused Christopher Denny, Charles Tuakana Katu and Tui Mantangaro Tupa, who are facing drug-related charges, has been adjourned due to the absence of defence lawyer Mark Short.
Local electronics company claims regional reseller of the year title
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Business, Features, Go Local, Local, National
A local company, CIPS Electronics/Jaycar, has become the first Pacific Island reseller company to win the Australia/New Zealand and Pacific Islands Reseller of the Year award 2023-2024.
CINYC and Family Welfare host Youth Day event
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Young entrepreneurs are invited to be part of the International Youth Day event today at Te Are Karioi Nui (National Auditorium) Domes by setting up their own stalls.
Breach notice served over toa tree felling
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, Local, National
A breach notice has been served to the construction company that cut down 10 ironwood (toa) trees at the Fruits of Rarotonga waterfront in Tikioki, despite the company’s claims of safety concerns and public benefit.
Cat sanctuary expands to educate public
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
Rarotonga’s cat population is believed to be decreasing drastically compared to two years ago, thanks to the Paws and Claws Sanctuary and its desexing programme.
Vairoa stream clean-up aims to protect community from floods
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
An effort to clean and realign the Vairoa stream in Ruatonga valley as well as reclaim neighbouring land eroded by torrential floods is well underway.
Water petition endorsed: ‘We’re one step closer to keeping our water free’
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Parliament
The ‘Keep Our Water Free’ petition opposing the incoming water tariffs has been endorsed and will be tabled on September 16, the Clerk of Parliament has confirmed.
Cook Islands, NZ hold critical talks
Thursday 15 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon earlier this week in Auckland where the two discussed a range of bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues ahead of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting to convene in Tonga at the end of August.
Vaka Paikea returns to Aitutaki
Thursday 15 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Vaka Paikea and its crew arrived in Aitutaki yesterday afternoon after departing Avarua Wharf on Tuesday afternoon for an overnight sail.
Young offender escapes jail time in high profile burglaries
Thursday 15 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
A 20-year-old man, who was involved in two high profile joint burglary cases in Avarua, has been warned by the High Court judge, Dame Judith Potter that any future offending ‘will deserve no leniency’.
