Regional
Visitors ready for football challenge
Friday 7 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in American Samoa, Football, Regional, Samoa, Sports
As the Cook Islands Football Association gears up to host the 2025 OFC Men’s Champions League Qualifying Stage, one of the visiting teams is determined to win, as they feel at home in Rarotonga.
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.
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.
New Zealand government cancelled its own proposed visit, says Kiribati
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by RNZ | Published in Kiribati, New Zealand, Regional
The Kiribati government, has for the first time, commented on its diplomatic rift with Aotearoa, stating that the "New Zealand government cancelled its own proposed visit".
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.
War on drugs: Fiji soldiers may be deployed to assist police, says Govt
Thursday 30 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Fiji, Regional
Fiji’s government has announced that military personnel may soon join police in addressing the country’s drug crisis.
Balancing tourism and culture
Thursday 30 January 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Australia, Features, Regional, Weekend
Cook Islands Tourism’s transparent, inclusive and practical planning public consultation which explored the challenges and opportunities tourism brings in all areas of wellbeing, drew a good number of community members.
NZ’s ‘diplomatic tiff’ with Kiribati could push it closer to China: Expert
Tuesday 28 January 2025 | Written by RNZ | Published in Kiribati, New Zealand, Regional
The New Zealand government’s decision to review its development aid in Kiribati has “all the hallmarks of a diplomatic tiff” and could “push away” the Micronesian island nation closer to China, a regional political commentator says.
Drop in NCEA level 1 success partly due to new requirements
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Zealand, Regional
Half the teens who failed NCEA level 1 did so only because of new literacy and numeracy requirements.
Flying Fijians confirmed to play Wallabies and Scotland in 2025
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by RNZ | Published in Fiji, Regional
The Flying Fijians will play the Wallabies and Scotland in two Test matches during the July/August international rugby window.
Cook Islands National Council of Women welcomes NZ High Commissioner
Friday 10 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
The Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) welcomed New Zealand’s new high commissioner to the Cook Islands, Catherine Graham, at their office in Takuvaine yesterday.
PM Brown confident in Pacific Islands Forum leadership despite political change in Tonga
Thursday 9 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Regional, Tonga
The sudden resignation of Tonga’s former prime minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni had left a temporary gap in the leadership of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), but Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown remains confident that the situation will soon stabilise.
Government ready to assist Vanuatu community fundraising
Monday 6 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Regional, Vanuatu
Cook Islands Government has expressed its willingness to assist Rarotonga’s Vanuatu community in their fundraising efforts following the recent devastating earthquake in Port Vila.
Fears for families as Vanuatu reels from deadly earthquake
Wednesday 18 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Regional, Vanuatu
The devastating 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck Vanuatu on Monday, claiming the lives of at least 14 people and injuring more than 200, has sent shockwaves around the world, with Ni-Vanuatuans residing in Rarotonga praying for the safety of their loved ones at home.
Emotional groundbreaking for Fale Niue
Saturday 7 December 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Niue, Regional
The Niue Community and Friends Inc, Society were overwhelmed to finally host their Groundbreaking ceremony for their Fale Niue Kūki ʻĀirani hostel in Tupapa.
Cook Islands strengthens maritime capacity at regional workshop
Tuesday 3 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Regional
A multi-agency Cook Islands delegation participated in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) SMART-C Leadership Programme: Regional Workshop on the Implementation of IMO Instruments.
Pacific leaders meet in Rarotonga to discuss higher education
Tuesday 26 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National, Politics, Regional
The 98th Meeting of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Council commenced yesterday at The Edgewater Resort and Spa, attracting Ministers and education leaders from across the Pacific to discuss the future of tertiary education in the region.
Cook Islands seek greater investment in USP Cook Islands Campus
Tuesday 26 November 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Education, National, Regional
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) Secretary, Tepaeru Herrmann, met with University of the South Pacific (USP) Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia, who is in Rarotonga for the 98th USP Council meeting.
Roadshow not consultation
Friday 22 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
Non-government organisations are frustrated with the Cook Islands government seabed mineral consultations that are being held in New Zealand, calling for a 10-year moratorium to allow for independent research and capacity building within the Cook Islands.
USP Student body represents 14,000 students
Thursday 21 November 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
The University of the South Pacific Students’ Association (USPSA) from 14 campuses spanning 12 member countries convened in Rarotonga yesterday representing the voice of 14,000 students.
