National
Vandals target fintech startup
Thursday 6 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Cook Islands tech entrepreneur Brett Baudinet is disappointed that his recently established business, Smartie, has become a target for vandals.
No security deal with China, assures PM Brown
Thursday 6 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands’ agreement with China will not include any security aspects, Prime Minister Mark Brown assured yesterday.
EXCLUSIVE: Cook Islands ditches passport plan after New Zealand ‘ultimatum’
Thursday 6 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Economy, Editor's Pick, National
Cook Islands has dropped the controversial passport proposal, Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed yesterday, after discussions to convince New Zealand that it would not affect their constitutional relationship fell flat. Rashneel Kumar reports.
Australia and Cook Islands to sign MoU, strengthen maritime security partnership
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Australia, Economy, National, Regional
Cook Islands and Australia are in the process of finalising an enhanced Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will strengthen Australia’s support for Te Kukupa II operations and bolster regional security efforts.
Punanga Turuturu Itivaine set to make a positive impact
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Punanga Turuturu Itivaine (PTI), the women’s counselling and support centre for survivors of gender based violence (GBV) and abuse, responded to 11 calls for assistance during the festive season.
Brief court cases
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Christopher Denny who is representing himself has asked Chief Justice Patrick Keane for a sentencing indication.
TMO trains new midwives, aims to grow workforce
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
With an aim to grow its own workforce, Te Marae Ora, Ministry of Health is ensuring that its medical staff are trained well to deserve the best care services in the country.
Australia commits to ongoing collaboration with Cooks on transnational crime threats
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Australia, Crime, Economy, National, Regional
Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Phoebe Smith is confident that through the Te Kukupa II maritime patrol vessel, Cook Islands with the support from Australia can tackle transnational crimes such as drug trafficking.
Are Pa Metua rings in their New Year
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
To ring in the New Year, Te Are Pa Metua members were treated to a delightful lunch on the beach.
Community responds to Government’s calls for partnership
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Local, National
Following the announcement of the launch of the Rarotonga Safety Shelter Programme (RSSP), communities around Rarotonga are actively engaging with the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) to learn more about the programme.
Back-to-back cruise ship visits boost Rarotonga tourism
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Tourism
Within 48 hours, two cruise ships – the Zuiderdam, which visited on Saturday, and the Costa Deliziosa, which arrived yesterday – called at Rarotonga.
Police decry ‘high tolerance’ of careless, dangerous driving
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, National
The Cook Islands Police Services stressed that there seem to be a high tolerance of drivers’ carelessness and recklessness on the road, as car crashes continue to emerge.
Cook Islands reaffirms climate leadership amidst US withdrawal from Paris Agreement
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Cook Islands has called for continued global cooperation to address climate crisis and for the global community to fill any funding gaps left by the United States after its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
Rarotonga tattoo artist warns of fake bookings, leaving tourists needled
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Art, Features, Local, National
A growing number of tourists are falling victim to fraudulent tattoo bookings in Rarotonga, with scammers impersonating local artists and collecting deposits through social media.
PM to China on state visit
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown will be accorded a state visit to China this month, highlighting growing cooperation between the two countries.
Cook Islanders share stories of friendship with Australia
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, Features, Local, National, Regional, Weekend
The strong and growing relationship between Australia and the Cook Islands has been amplified by the stories of Cook Islanders who have lived and thrived in Australia.
Religious debate heats up
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
The spokesperson for the Rarotongan Muslim community has weighed in on the ongoing religious debate following the establishment of the new Christian movement and its plans to challenge the Cook Islands Government.
Court briefs
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Chief Justice Patrick Keane presided over a number of cases via an audio-visual link at the High Court in Avarua on Friday.
Bail denied for motorcyclist in Arorangi fatal hit-and-run
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, Crime, National
A 24-year-old father of two, charged with negligent driving causing death following a fatal hit-and-run in Arorangi last week, was denied bail by the Criminal Court in Avarua over the weekend.
‘This has to stop’: Community rallies in support of abuse survivors at Walk4 Aro’a
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
In a small community where silence often cloaks suffering, the peaceful “Walk4 Aro’a” march on Saturday for victims of family harm and gender-based violence (GBV) stood as a powerful demonstration of community solidarity and support.
