National
Students gather for lent season
Friday 7 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Students of St Joseph’s School and Nukutere College gathered at the St Joseph’s Cathedral in Avarua with teachers and parents marking the beginning of the lent season.
Mauke developer launches dream e-learning platform GalaxyMaps
Friday 7 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National, Outer Islands
After six years in the making, Vaipunu Ian Tairea, a software developer, digital creator and educator in Mauke, has officially launched his custom-built digital platform, GalaxyMaps.
Cook Islands welcomes Marshall Islands’ accession to Treaty of Rarotonga
Friday 7 March 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Local, Marshall Islands, National, Regional
Cook Islands, a key advocate of the Treaty of Rarotonga since its inception, commended the Marshall Islands’ decision to sign, highlighting their shared commitment to a nuclear-free Pacific.
Te Marae Ora thanks LDS Church for generous donations
Friday 7 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National
In a display of appreciation, Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health hosted a meet and great occasion for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) delegation from Aotearoa New Zealand.
Multi-year budget limit leaves Parliamentary Services ‘understaffed’
Friday 7 March 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Parliamentary Services is struggling to fill essential positions and support necessary functions due to fixed multi-year budget constraints, despite repeated requests for increased funding and acknowledged staffing needs.
Community rallies to support resident’s cancer battle
Friday 7 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National
The Cook Islands community and supporters, both locally and abroad, are rallying behind Stephen Lyon, director of Pacific Divers, as he embarks on a critical journey for life-saving cancer treatment in the United States.
Cook Islands women summit sets action plans for key issues
Friday 7 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Weekend
The three-day Cook Islands National Council of Women’s Uikaraurau summit, which concluded on Wednesday, addressed issues like climate justice, Te Reo Maori revitalisation, NCD prevention and combating violence against women, and outlined future action plans.
Court briefs
Friday 7 March 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro presided over a number of driving related cases at the Criminal Court in Avarua yesterday.
‘Heartbreaking’: Mauke reeling after fire damages vital administration hub
Friday 7 March 2025 | Written by Nicolea Mateariki | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Mauke residents bravely battled a fire that damaged their administration building, using buckets and bins of water to contain the blaze.
Multisectoral approach to assess risks towards enhanced health security
Thursday 6 March 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Health, National
In response to the increasing frequency and severity of health emergencies and natural hazards like tropical cyclones becoming more frequent and severe, the Cook Islands is taking proactive measures to safeguard its population by organising a workshop aimed at bolstering the nation’s health security.
CITC opens $4.2 million Patai Store in Titikaveka
Thursday 6 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, National
The new CITC Patai Store in the village of Titikaveka was blessed yesterday in a modest opening ceremony.
Cook Islands hosts global World Day of Prayer event
Thursday 6 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Every year on the first Thursday in March, Cook Islands Women Christian Church groups throughout the country join a worldwide movement known as the World Day of Prayer (WDP)/Te Rā Pureanga Maata a te Vainetini o Teianei Ao.
Court news
Thursday 6 March 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man accused of indecently assaulting two females has been granted bail by the Criminal Court in Avarua.
Man sentenced to probation, community service for assault
Thursday 6 March 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man convicted of four counts of assault on a female was sentenced to 16 months of probation supervision, with the first six months to be served as community service.
MPs fail to settle travel accounts, despite policy
Thursday 6 March 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Despite existing rules and a system in place, some Cook Islands MPs continue to disregard financial accountability for travel expenses, leading to overdue sums and a debate over the responsibility for chasing these debts.
Power of words can stop family violence, says male advocate
Wednesday 5 March 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands experts and activists travelling the globe in search of solutions for the nation’s domestic violence crisis should look closer to home for the answers, says village council leader Gero Toki.
Cook Islands-flagged ships- there are no illegal operators, says DPM Nicholas
Wednesday 5 March 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
Deputy Prime Minister Albert Nicholas confirmed that more than 700 shipping vessels are registered under Maritime Cook Islands and from these Cook Islands-flagged ships, he claims there are no illegal operators.
Men charged for drunken behaviour on bail
Wednesday 5 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, Crime, National
The men who were arrested over the weekend for their drunken behaviour are currently on bail.
Victoria Park water station for the community
Wednesday 5 March 2025 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Local, National
Minister for Cultural Development and Tupapa-Maraerenga MP George ‘Maggie’ Angene says he had been preparing for some time to construct a water station near the Ministry of Cultural Development.
Hawaiian Airlines enhances Raro Service with daytime departure, US Connectivity
Wednesday 5 March 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Local, National, Tourism
Hawaiian Airlines has announced significant enhancements to its Rarotonga (RAR) service, designed to improve the travel experience for passengers and expand connectivity between the Cook Islands and the United States.
