National

Cooks-flagged ships accused of defying Iran trade embargo

Sunday 14 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local

Two Cook Islands-registered fuel tankers are being investigated under suspicion of smuggling oil out from Iran in defiance of international embargoes.

Local

Fresh is the best

Sunday 14 June 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local

Garden-fresh vegetables and crops were tenderly packed into 100 kikau baskets and distributed this week to families feeling the strain of providing good wholesome meals on their tables.

Local

Covid-19 and stress: The heart of the problem

Sunday 14 June 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Local

The passing of tourism leader Sue Fletcher-Vea, who died of cardiac arrest at just 52, has brought new clarity to her work with Dr Evangelene Daniela-Wong to help Cook Islanders manage the stress and anxiety of Covid.

Local

No need to rush' to reopen borders

Saturday 13 June 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy

Amid loud calls for the Cook Islands-New Zealand border to be reopened to tourists, there are some who are urging greater caution.

Economy

Cooks campus should get say in USP crisis talks – Crocombe

Saturday 13 June 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Education

One of Cook Islands’ leading academics says there is no way students and staff are not impacted by the troubles taking place at the University of the South Pacific’s Suva campus.

Education

Manuae is under new management

Saturday 13 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Outer Islands

Groundbreaking lawyer Janet Maki has been elected to the board that manages the unpopulated island of Manaue.

Outer Islands

Repeat drink driver is sent to prison

Saturday 13 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime

Three strikes and you are out – that was the call from the police prosecutor.

Crime

Political aide reverses plea

Saturday 13 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime

A senior political advisor has reversed his plea on a driving charge.

Crime

Dolphins befriend lone whale

Saturday 13 June 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Local

A young male humpback has been frolicking alone off Rarotonga for the past couple of weeks – until he was befriended by a pod of dolphins.

Local

Mona Jr's dad backs helmets

Saturday 13 June 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Local

Four months after 14-year-old Mona Ioane Jr’s tragic road death, his father Mona Sr wants to save other families from that pain.

Local

Pristine waters' lesson

Friday 12 June 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Environment

Australia High Commissioner says his nation can learn from Cook Islands’ care for ocean.

Environment

Crisis Budget next week

Friday 12 June 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy

Parliament will return on Monday to pass the Budget and other bills.

Economy

Month's delay expected for helmets law

Friday 12 June 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local

Hundreds of people are unable to get helmets in time for new law’s June 26 start date.

Local

170-year-old utu trees cleared to widen road

Friday 12 June 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment

For the first time in more than 100 years, natural light grandly shines through the grove of utu trees on the main road Upper Tupapa.

Environment

Island elections delay leaves councils in limbo

Friday 12 June 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Politics

Pa Enua residents are hoping for a new election date to be set, after their island council elections were delayed by Covid-19 and legal challenges.

Politics

Firefighters battle flames – and thieves and drunks

Friday 12 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime

Puaikura fire officers are calling on the public for their assistance in locating critical machinery stolen brazenly from the station while they were out battling an inferno at a family’s home.

Crime

Helen Clark and Air NZ want Kiwis to spend July school holidays in Cooks

Friday 12 June 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy

Air New Zealand hopes to be flying tourists into Cook Islands "sooner rather than later" – and earlier than the August or September creation of a trans-Tasman bubble.