National
Pastor claims ‘friend’ forged receipts in alleged vehicle scam
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The defendant jury trial of a woman accused of allegedly forging a receipt for a vehicle purchase that never occurred continues at the High Court in Avarua today.
No charger issues, says Te Aponga Uira
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Local, National
Rarotonga electricity company Te Aponga Uira (TAU) has clarified that its electric vehicle chargers have always been compatible with the government’s newly purchased EVs.
Rakahanga School sees enrolment rise with families returning to island
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
Rakahanga School, located on one of the Cook Islands’ most isolated islands 42 kilometres south of its sister island Manihiki, has seen its roll number increase to 22 this year compared to last year’s roll of 15.
Education’s teaching qualifications not recognised overseas: Ministry
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Education, National
Ministry of Education says it is exploring options to widen the scope of recognition for offering qualifications that are recognised beyond the Cook Islands, after confirming its teaching credentials were not recognised overseas.
Letter: Accreditations, NCEA practices questioned
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Education, National
Dear Editor, 1. The Cook Islands Ministry of Education is not an accredited tertiary body in the Cook Islands. (Only CITTI, CEIT, USP, the Theological College and Te Vānanga Are Tapere O Takitumu are). So a question that needs to be asked is: what does it mean to earn a Certificate of Diploma from a unaccredited tertiary body/institution? Where are these qualifications recognised (outside of the Cook Islands)? If nowhere then one needs to ask many more questions.
Tourism, Snorkel Cook Islands clash over turtle tour regulations
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands Tourism has responded to Snorkel Cook Islands’ claims, stating that the operator’s model does not meet the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed upon by nine other turtle tour operators.
New book explores Ma’uke’s connection to the London Missionary Society
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
Author Moana Moeka’a has launched his fourth book, “Ma’uke Mission 200 Years”, a story about the island’s connection, his father’s homeland, to the London Missionary Society (LMS).
Two involved in Nikao brawl plead guilty
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Two accused involved in a brawl outside Super Brown supermarket in Nikao on January 28 have both pleaded guilty.
Domestic violence assault earns suspended sentence
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man who punched and slapped a woman twice has been given a suspended sentence.
Cook Islands grapples with highest childhood obesity rates in the world
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, National
Cook Islands has the highest childhood obesity rate, with over 30 per cent of children having obesity, a recent study on worldwide trends in underweight and obesity reveals.
Cook Islands balances tourism growth with sustainability
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Business, Economy, National, Tourism
Cook Islands emerged from the Covid-19 slump with a tourism boom in 2023.
Beyond the numbers: How tourism benefits everyday life in the Cook Islands
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Business, Economy, Features, Go Local, National, Tourism, Weekend
January saw a record breaking 10,368 visitors arrive on our shores. They’re staying longer, and spending more on average. But what do these facts and figures look like in the daily lives of Cook Islanders? Cook Islands News journalist Candice Luke spoke to locals about how the tourist dollar is affecting them, their families, and their businesses right now.
Education takes flight as Manihiki and Penrhyn learners graduate for first time
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI) is expanding its reach to offer accredited qualifications to learners in the Pa Enua, with this week’s graduation ceremony celebrating the achievements of students from Manihiki and Penrhyn.
Te Ipukarea Society: Pacific partners talk tourism
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Te Ipukarea Society recently participated in the Pacific Tourism Partners Immersion Programme organised by Griffith Institute for Tourism based in Brisbane, Australia.
Missing police details lead to dismissal of assault charges
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The lack of details in the court case against a man who faced four counts of assaulting a female resulted in the dismissal of two charges against him.
Drink driving crashes result in hefty fines
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro presided over drink driving related matters that were presented at the Criminal Court in Avarua this week.
Man sues Police for $275,000
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, National
A Tupapa resident has filed a civil claim of $275,000 against the Cook Islands Police for alleged wrongful arrest and detention.
Immigration officers shouldn’t advice on employment contracts, says Elikana
Friday 1 March 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in National, Parliament
It is not the place of immigration officers to advise an employment relationship, Immigration Minister Tingika Elikana told Parliament yesterday.
Parliament approves budget increase, leaders clash over economic outlook
Friday 1 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Appropriation Amendment Bill 2024 (Supplementary Budget), seeking a top-up of $16.5 million to the 2023/24 budget, was passed in Parliament yesterday.
140 graduates celebrate achievements at CITTI ceremony
Friday 1 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI) graduation for 140 students was held yesterday morning at Te Are Karioi (National Auditorium), acknowledging and presenting each student with Cook Islands and New Zealand certificates.
