More Top Stories
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
16 February 2025
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
15 February 2025
No-confidence motion against PM and his Cabinet faces delays
15 February 2025
Ruta Mave: People’s Republic of China red flag
10 February 2025
No debt in China deal
8 February 2025
Thomas Wynne: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?
8 February 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
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
Pacific
Cook Islands seeking New Zealand expertise for Sovereign Wealth Fund
The Cook Islands government has taken further steps towards establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), with officials currently in New Zealand holding discussions with financial experts, Prime Minister Mark Brown told Parliament this week.
NZ DPM Peters meets China Foreign Minister, discusses Cooks constitutional relationship
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing this week where they discussed their strong relationships with Pacific countries, including New Zealand's special constitutional relationships with its Realm partners particularly the Cook Islands.
21 teams compete in Tiare Netball Celebration
The official Tiare Netball Celebration event kicked off on Monday with 21 teams from Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands.
Vietnam war gun finds home at Cook Islands Returned Services Association
In recognition of the men and women from the Cook Islands who have served in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), the Cook Islands Returned Services Association (RSA) have taken possession of the L5 Howitzer Light Gun now sitting at its entrance.
Māori MP draws parallels between Cook Islands protest and Māori concerns
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says Cook Islanders’ protest against their government over key decisions resonate with the feelings of New Zealand Māori in Aotearoa “with a lot of decisions being made about us, without us”.
PM: Cook Islands passport no longer being pursued
Prime Minister Mark Brown has reaffirmed that the controversial Cook Islands passport proposal is no longer being pursued and has assured the public that the country’s relationship with New Zealand remains strong.
PM emphasises ‘mutual’ relationship with NZ
Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is looking forward to his next discussions with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon “in due course” to promote and strengthen the countries’ collaboration while recognising and respecting the sovereign status of both countries.
China deal won’t raise concerns, says PM
Prime Minister Mark Brown is ‘confident’ there will be no areas of concern with the agreement the Cook Islands has signed with China once the documents are available to the public ‘very shortly’. Rashneel Kumar reports.
Auckland Rainbow Parade: Destiny Church members disrupt march
Members of Brian Tamaki’s Destiny Church broke through police barricades and disrupted the rainbow parade in central Auckland on Saturday.
Brutal killings of women in PNG spark outrage and calls for action
Warning: This story discusses graphic details of violence against women. Papua New Guinea is reeling from the separate killings of two women in acts of extreme violence last week, prompting renewed calls for urgent action to address the country's epidemic of gender-based violence.
Commentators warn of Cooks-New Zealand diplomatic breakdown
International relations expert Geoffrey Miller and former National MP and minister Alfred Ngaro offer insights into the escalating tensions between New Zealand and the Cook Islands.
PM Brown ‘should be taken at his word’ on China deal: Mahuta
New Zealand’s former foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta says the Cook Islands Prime Minister “should be taken at his word” that the comprehensive agreement he’s signing with China will not affect the constitutional arrangements with New Zealand.
Cook Islands Cabinet backs China deal, Prime Minister Brown
Cook Islands Cabinet Ministers have confidence in Prime Minister Mark Brown’s leadership and have endorsed the comprehensive strategic agreement the country will sign with China this week. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Cook Islands ‘failed to properly consult’ on China deal, says New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister
The diplomatic row between the Cook Islands and New Zealand over the China deal the Cook Islands is set to sign in the coming week continues despite brief talks over the phone between the leaders from the two countries.
Cook Islands, NZ reaffirm strong ties on Waitangi Day celebration
New Zealand and the Cook Islands commemorated Waitangi Day and the Cook Islands' 60th anniversary of self-governance on Thursday, highlighting their unique bond and dedication to navigating the future together through continued partnership and respect, despite issues surrounding the now abandoned proposed passport and the upcoming China agreement.
Visitors ready for football challenge
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
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
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
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
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
Fiji’s government has announced that military personnel may soon join police in addressing the country’s drug crisis.
Balancing tourism and culture
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.
