More Top Stories
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
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Pacific
Fears for families as Vanuatu reels from deadly earthquake
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
The Niue Community and Friends Inc, Society were overwhelmed to finally host their Groundbreaking ceremony for their Fale Niue Kūki ʻĀirani hostel in Tupapa.
Post-quake disease threat grows
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – The official death toll following Papua New Guinea’s 7.5 magnitude earthquake has risen to 145 but still has further to climb, officials have said.
NZ to be more of a true partner to Pacific
PACIFIC – New Zealand’s Foreign Minister says the government is going to put its money where its mouth is in terms of aid to the Pacific.
CNMI launches canoe building programme
MARSHALL ISLANDS – The CNMI’s Department of Community and Cultural Affairs has launched its own traditional canoe programme but says it’s not competing with a private sector-driven programme to build 500 traditional canoes by 2030.
PM given suspended sentence
VANUATU – Vanuatu’s deputy prime minister, Joe Natuman, says he won’t be stepping aside immediately after being given a two-year suspended sentence.
Damage to infrastructure severe
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Damage assessment in Papua New Guinea’s earthquake-hit Southern Highlands province has confirmed widespread devastation to public infrastructure.
Curfew not helping recovery
TONGA – A Tongan businessman is angry local authorities have extended a curfew around the capital of Nuku‘alofa.
Sprinter to miss out on Games
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – When the Papua New Guinea team marches into the stadium at the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony in Australia in April, there will be one notable absentee – the track queen of the Pacific, Toea Wisil.
Transport upgrades backed
Wellingtonians are keen to see more tunnels in the city and light rail introduced to make the journey between Ngauranga and the airport and hospital easier. Feedback on the Let’s Get Wellington Moving initiative has been put together in a report.
Vegans want approval tick
Ground up insects, animal bile and bit of bones – also known as E numbers 120, 1000 and 542 – are just some of the ingredients vegans are constantly checking food labels for.
Strike forces port closure
Striking workers have forced Lyttelton Port to close and will cause serious supply shortages, the port company says.
Call for NZ Wars holiday
School students whose petition led to a national day of commemoration for the New Zealand wars are now asking for a public holiday to mark the occasion. At the weekend, Nga Puhi hosted the first major commemorations of the New Zealand wars, or Te Putake o Te Riri, in Northland.
Top shearer worries about future of the profession
NEW ZEALAND – World champion and award-winning shearer John Kirkpatrick is worried about the future of shearing as both a profession and as a sport.
Students respond to education survey
NEW ZEALAND – More school counsellors, compulsory Te Reo Maori classes and cleaner bathrooms are a few of many changes New Zealand school students want for the education system.
Labour rocked by youth camp assaults
NEW ZEALAND – The campaign director behind the recent success of New Zealand Labour is facing calls to resign after he failed to tell the police, parents or the prime minister about the alleged sexual assault of four teenagers at a summer camp held by the party.
Coconut oil finds US market
SAMOA – Samoa’s Pacific Oil has just secured a joint venture with a large US multinational company, Dr. Bronners, to supply coconut oil for its Pacific soap products.
Nuku'alofa curfew remains
TONGA – A month after Cyclone Gita hit Tonga, police there are continuing to enforce a curfew around the capital of Nuku‘alofa.
Tonga's PM seeks way forward
TONGA – Tonga’s Prime Minister and two members of his cabinet have met the Attorney General in an effort to ease apparent tensions between the government and the legal advisor’s office.
Norfolk launches UN challenge
NORFOLK ISLANDS – Aninternational human rights lawyer has launched a legal challenge with the United Nations on behalf of Norfolk Islanders, alleging the Australian government has placed islander’s culture and language at risk by revoking their right to self-govern.
Barrier reefs under threat
PACIFIC – The rapid depletion of coral reefs could prove more damaging for small islands than sea level rise, according to recently published research. Coral reefs provide an important barrier for coastlines, creating friction that slows down and dissipates the energy of waves rushing in off the ocean.
Inquiry into cause of quake urged
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – As authorities in Papua New Guinea start to get a clearer picture of the scale of the destruction caused by February’s magnitude-7.5 earthquake, there have been growing calls for the government to order a formal inquiry into what caused the quake.