Regional
Tourism industry, Fijian residents welcome NZ scrapping transit visas
Friday 7 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Fiji, National, New Zealand, Regional, Tourism
Cook Islands tourism industry and Fijians residing here have welcomed New Zealand’s decision to lift transit visa requirements for Fiji nationals travelling through NZ.
Cook Islands hosts successful PASAI Congress, adopts 10-year strategy
Tuesday 28 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Cook Islands Audit believes the new Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) Strategy for 2024 -2034 that was adopted in Rarotonga last week is aligned well with their strategic intent.
NZ commits $20m to Cook Islands budget, $10.5m for public service
Monday 27 May 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional
Cook Islands has secured $20 million in Core Sector Budget Support and an additional $10.5 million for continued public sector strengthening during the 8th Cook Islands-New Zealand Joint Ministerial Forum last week.
‘It takes a village’: Rotumans in Rarotonga unite to keep culture alive
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Solomone Taukei | Published in Features, Fiji, Go Local, Regional, Weekend
The Rotuman community in Rarotonga recently celebrated Rotuma Day, marking the anniversary of the island’s cession to Great Britain on May 13, 1881.
Rarotonga, Honolulu to establish sister-city relationship, says PM
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Features, National, Pacific Islands, Regional, Weekend
As leader of the Cook Islands delegation, Prime Minister Mark Brown will be travelling to the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC) in Hawai’i next month.
‘Talanoa’ key to Forum’s seabed mining approach
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
A talanoa session expected to be held later this year would see Pacific Island Forum leaders coming together in a collective position on seabed mining.
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.
New Caledonia separatists defy French efforts to unblock roads
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in New Caledonia, Regional
Separatists in riot-hit New Caledonia have refused to abandon roadblocks that have paralysed much of the Pacific archipelago and halted commercial air traffic, defying a major security operation by French forces.
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.
Service and sacrifice: Puna keeps an ‘open mind’
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth, Local, Memory Lane, National, Outer Islands, Pacific Islands, Regional, Weekend
Former Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna, who ends his term as Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General later this month, is planning to retire to his island home of Manihiki. But the 75-year-old is keeping an open mind and hasn’t ruled out a return to local political scene just yet. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Home detention for New Caledonia unrest ringleaders, Tiktok banned
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Caledonia, Regional
The presumed ringleaders of the unrest in New Caledonia have been placed in home detention and the social network TikTok has been banned as French security forces struggle to restore law and order.
Cook Islanders caught in food shortages amid Nouméa unrest
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, New Caledonia, Regional
Cook Islanders residing in Nouméa, New Caledonia, are concerned about food stocks as the violent unrest, which has claimed five lives, begins to subside.
Parliament fixes ‘oversight’ on preferential residency for Kiwis
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, New Zealand, Parliament, Regional
Parliament has passed a bill to amend the Immigration Act in order to comply with a court ruling that found a residency regulation giving preferential treatment to New Zealand citizens to be invalid.
Cook Islanders in Nouméa on ‘high alert’ as violence erupts
Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, New Caledonia, Regional
Cook Islanders residing in Nouméa are on high alert amidst the violent unrest unfolding in New Caledonia’s capital over proposed constitutional changes. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu report.
Puna honoured to end Pacific mission at home
Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Former prime minister Henry Puna, who ends his term as the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum this month, says he is humbled to have been the first Cook Islander to hold the post and fly the flag of his country.
Puna’s final mission as head of PIF
Tuesday 14 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Henry Puna is on his final mission as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General in the country where it all began – his homeland, the Cook Islands.
Domestic market reeling from Air Vanuatu fall-out
Monday 13 May 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in Regional, Vanuatu
The domestic air market in Vanuatu is reeling from the fall-out at Air Vanuatu, which has also stranded international passengers.
Former Fiji PM Bainimarama sentenced to year in jail
Friday 10 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Fiji, Regional
Former Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been sentenced to one year in prison.
New Zealand family devastated by teenager’s sudden death
Tuesday 7 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Health, Local, National, New Zealand, Regional, Tourism
A teenager from New Zealand tragically died in his sleep during a family vacation in Rarotonga, leaving his family heartbroken and seeking support for repatriation costs.
NZDF helps Cook Islands agencies support vulnerable youth
Thursday 2 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
Members of the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) Youth Development Unit (YDU) have returned back from a rewarding deployment aimed at helping the Cook Islands Police and Prison and Probation Services support vulnerable Pasifika youth.
