National
Careless driving, high blood alcohol leads to $5000+ bill
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
Three drink drivers were sentenced in Avarua court, with one ordered to pay a hefty reparation for damaging a power pole.
Court briefs
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man who continued to have interim name suppression has admitted to a charge of assault on a female. The defendant’s initial charge of threatening to kill was withdrawn by police and substituted by assault on a female. Represented by Mona Ioane, the defendant will be sentenced on July 9. ——————– On assault on a […]
Government invests $400,000 in Tupapa Clinic asbestos removal
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Health, Local, National
The asbestos removal project for the Tupapa Clinic will cost $400,000 and is expected to be completed by August of this year.
Three schools rise to the challenge at Highland Paradise Cultural Competition
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Education, Environment, Features, National, Weekend
About a hundred students and parents of Apii Takitumu, Apii Arorangi and Te Uki Ou participated in the annual Highland Paradise Cultural Competition yesterday.
Traditional chants and languages get a boost from local Arts Trust
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National
The preservation of Cook Islands cultural heritage and identity is a top priority for passionate and dedicated Cook Islanders who are committed to safeguarding customs and arts for future generations.
Government and Opposition leader clash over motives behind CIIC Bill
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Parliament
Parliament passed a bill to amend the qualifications for appointing directors to the Cook Islands Investment Corporation, with disagreements between the government and opposition on whether the amendment was designed for a specific person.
Cook Islands Finance joins 2024 Career’s Expo as first gold sponsor
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Education, Local, National
The 2024 Career’s Expo is off to a great start with the signing of its first gold sponsor, the Cook Islands Financial Services Development Authority, also known as Cook Islands Finance (CI Finance).
Cruise Cook Islands wraps up ‘positive season’ despite cancellations
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Tourism
The Cruise Cook Islands’ 2023/24 season ended on a positive note with Paul Gauguin making a visit to Aitutaki and Rarotonga on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Cook Islands Tourism defends emergency procedures after tourist death
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Appropriate emergency procedures were followed during a medical event which resulted in the death of a New Zealand tourist on Tuesday afternoon, says Cook Islands Tourism.
Aliki investiture ceremony rescheduled to allow for full attendance
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National
The investiture ceremony for Te Ulu o Te Watu/Pukapuka’s new Pepeu Aliki Makirai Henry has been rescheduled to next week to allow time for the contingent from Nassau to attend the celebration.
Fourteen organisations receive $194k in social impact grants
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
Delighted recipients of Te Tango Akarangatira Ora’anga/Ministry of Internal Affairs (INTAFF) Social Impact Fund (SIF) project initiatives celebrated signing their official grant agreements yesterday.
NES to strengthen environmental data reporting in proposed bill
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
National Environment Service (NES) is proposing a new Environment Bill to improve data reporting, strengthen its role as a permitting authority and update regulations for a changing environment.
Audit report reveals CIIC overspent budget by $2.7m
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) overspent their budgeted appropriation from Parliament by more than $2.7 million over the past five years.
NZ tourist dies on snorkelling tour, Police investigate
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, New Zealand, Regional, Tourism
A 49-year-old woman from New Zealand has been confirmed dead after being transported in an ambulance from the Avaavaroa Passage in Vaimaanga yesterday.
Cook Islands showcases wealth management expertise at US investment summit
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands financial services industry recently featured at the prestigious America Outbound Investment Summit, held on May 7 in Los Angeles and May 9 in San Francisco.
Quality audits crucial for public trust, says former NZ PM Clark
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
The 25th Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) Congress highlighted the importance of independent audit reports for public trust and good governance in the Pacific.
Schools told to teach Te Reo Maori from ECE to Year 6
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Education, National
Schools in the Cook Islands have been directed to begin using Te Reo Maori from Early Childhood Education (ECE) to Year 6.
Cook Islands tourism booms, early arrivals smash record
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals are trending towards a record this year, with the highest total in the first four months of 2024. However, Cook Islands Tourism says they will still fall short of the 2019 record.
PM Brown acknowledges shortcomings in government accountability
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
As a small island developing state, Cook Islands’ aspirations fall short of its capacity to make government agencies fully accountable for their expenditures, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Cook Islands open to airlines, eyes North American expansion
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Economy, National, Parliament, Tourism
Cook Islands welcomes any airline interested in flying to the country, especially those that can expand the country’s reach to North America and Europe, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
