More Top Stories
Cook Islands passport proposal
6 January 2025
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
Inflation eases but concerns remain
31 August 2024
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
22 August 2024
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
13 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Opinion
Te Tuhi Kelly: Cook Islands deserve a legacy of substance, not symbolism
As we are all aware, we will be celebrating 60 years of independence from our colonial masters New Zealand this year. This push by Prime Minister Mark Brown for a “symbolic representation of national pride and identity” through a separate Cook Islands passport has not been well thought out, writes Te Tuhi Kelly, leader of the Progressive Party.
Letter: Papa’anga, not akapapa
Someone’s got to say it. Much as I enjoy reading your regular opinion pieces by Thomas Wynn, he unfortunately uses the wrong word for genealogy/family tree quite frequently in his writing.
Letter: Science, ideology and politicking
Dear Editor, In reply to PM Mark Brown’s comment that he takes a scientific approach as opposed to our ideological approach.
Ruta Mave: Passport proposal- A dangerous game of independence or a distraction?
I do not know about you but I am asking myself what is going on? Is Prime Minister Mark Brown’s family being held hostage? Does he have a gun against his head? Why else would he persist against mounting public pressure to push for a passport for the Cook Islands? Ruta Mave writes.
Cook Islands passport proposal
Dear Editor, Kia Orana e te Iti tangata Kuki Airani ite aroa maata o to tatou Atua ko Iesu Mesia, no te mataiti ou 2025.
Thomas Wynne: Re-examining Cook Islands’ path forward
Unlike in 1965, when Free Association was a decision made by the few, our path forward must be a decision made by the people – or not at all, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
TIS: A snail’s tale of sustainability
This week we have another article from Mauke from Te Ipukarea Society president June Hosking.
Virtues: A New Year change of heart
It’s only the first week of January, and already I have a confession to make about my New Year’s resolutions, writes Linda Kavelin-Popov.
Letter: Can seabed mining fund a better future?
Dear Editor, More detail is required on where the marine mining windfall money will be spent.
Pet Talk: Recognising the mental health of veterinary teams
The veterinary profession is one of deep compassion, requiring a blend of medical expertise, emotional resilience and a profound commitment to animal welfare, writes Dr Rose Hasegawa, medical director Te Are Manu Vet Clinic.
Letter: What are we celebrating?
Dear Editor, In January 2024, a year ago now, on a beach at Mauke, two older teenaged girls kicked and bashed a younger teenaged girl with intellectual disabilities, while the third girl (friend of the other two) filmed it and put it on the internet.
Ruta Mave: Passport plan leaves Cook Islands vulnerable and isolated
Prime Minister Mark Brown’s passport proposal presents as more personal than from the people. He sounds like a spoilt teenager who has graduated from his ‘L’ plate to a full driver’s licence, declaring to his parents that he is all grown up now, and wants to be independent, writes Ruta Mave.
Letter: Leave the Blackrock Preschool where it is!
Dear Editor, Kia Orana. Why is CIIC (Cook Islands Investment Corporation) evicting Apii Potiki from their really fit for purpose premises where they have been for so long, and moving them to House #52 on the corner of the main road?
Letter: Focusing on ‘growth’ in 2025
Dear Editor Good on the Prime Minister for focusing on “growth” in 2025. May this writer humbly suggest that the government begins with truly aggressive growth in the number of vehicles on our uncrowded and under-utilised roads?
Thomas Wynne: Leave the ancient mountain where it is
For this current government to potentially threaten our ability to hold a New Zealand passport is a concern not just to those at home but to all of us who hold this passport and have akapapa or genealogical ties back to our beautiful Ipukarea, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
TIS: Deep sea mining threatens our ocean and our way of life
Today’s article is contributed by Te Ipukarea Society president, and Ocean Ancestors advocate, June Hosking, currently living in Mauke.
Letter: Passport and stamp
Dear Editor, If the passport is primarily about identity, here’s an idea that avoids political and emotional upheaval: run a competition to design a new Cook Islands heritage immigration stamp.
Letter: Cultural and sports passport?
Dear Editor, Do we really need to be insulted any further? I am now sick and tired of Prime Minister Mark Brown’s continuous arrogance. (New Zealand rejects Cook Islands passport plan, Cook Islands News, December 23, 2024)
PM Mark Brown’s Christmas message: A time for reflection and joy
Kia Orana tatou katoatoa e te iti tangata tapu na Te Atua.
Christmas message from Opposition leader Tina Browne: Unity and hope
Kia orana tatou katoatoa ite aroa rahi e te humaria o to tatou Atu. Koia i akatae mai ia tatou ki teia openga mataiti.
Ruta Mave: A call for peace and justice this Christmas
It is the eve of Christmas eve, where shopping for last minute Santa presents, food and drinks intensity is creeping to stratospheric proportions, writes Ruta Mave.
Letter: Passport proposal
Dear Editor, It was with disbelief that most New Zealanders watched on the evening Television 1 News, Sunday night (NZ time), the story about your Prime Minister, Mark Brown, intention to make a break from New Zealand.