More Top Stories
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’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
21 September 2024
Police apprehend four juveniles in connection with motorcycle thefts
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
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
8 August 2024
Everyone is a winner, says Culture
7 August 2024
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
8 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
Roadshow not consultation
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
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.
Tongan schools in post-cyclone crisis
TONGA – As Cyclone Gita roared across Tonga last week it destroyed government buildings, churches and private homes – it also smashed the island’s schools and has sabotaged the immediate education prospects of hundreds of Tongan children.
Communication before and during cyclone criticised
SAMOA – Concerns are being raised in the two Samoas about the state of emergency communications and the lack of updates during Cyclone Gita.
Poor building standards exposed
TONGA – Cyclone Gita’s trail of destruction has exposed poor building standards in Tonga
Where are missing observers?
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s government has been asked to investigate the disappearance of nationals aboard foreign fishing vessels in recent years.
Post-cyclone recovery continues
TONGA – Tonga’s disaster authorities say good progress is being made getting emergency shelter out to the remote villages lashed by Cyclone Gita.
Cyclone alert in New Caledonia
NEW CALEDONIA – A level 1 storm alert was issued for New Caledonia’s Isle of Pines yesterday as Tropical Cyclone Gita was forecast to pass tonight.
Parliament 'homeless'
TONGA – As Tonga struggles to recover from Cyclone Gita, authorities are looking for somewhere to host the next Parliamentary sessions next month.
Cyclone was 'worst in living memory'
FIJI – A community leader on the Fiji island of Ono-i-lau says the damaging winds from yesterday’s cyclone Gita were the most frightening and dangerous on living memory on the island.
Tonga and Samoa face long recoveries
TONGA – Tonga could take six months or more to recover from what’s being called the worst storm there in 60 years, while nearly half of Fiji island’s residents are still in evacuation centres.
Move to get rid of Poverty
NEW ZEALAND – Captain Cook saw nothing of value in Poverty Bay when he named it in 1769 – but 250 years later that could be about to change.
Collective arbitration urged
FIJI – Pacific countries working together on international arbitration reform is the aim of discussions this week in Fiji.
UN concered at Fiji media curbs
FIJI – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights says the limits imposed on journalists in Fiji are “highly worrying.’’
Samoa needs building materials
SAMOA – Families in Samoa who have had their houses severely affected by the flash floods says building materials is a huge demand post Cyclone Gita.
Neighbours responding with aid
PACIFIC – Aid is on it way to Tonga. A RNZAF C130 Hercules aircraft carrying 12 tonnes of emergency relief supplies departed for Tonga yesterday.
Communications down in Lau islands
FIJI – Fiji’s Red Cross has grave concerns for people on the Southern Lau islands of Ono-i-Lau and Vatoa, after communications went down.
Water, shelter and food main needs in Tonga
TONGA – Disaster assessment teams in Tonga say water, shelter and food are the immediate needs for people still reeling from the destruction brought by Tropical Cyclone Gita.
Housing stocktake 'sobering'
New Zealand’s Housing Minister Phil Twyford has released a “sobering” stocktake on housing which has found homelessness was worse than thought and there was a growing “floating” population of people in insecure housing.
Rain and more rain on the menu
The New Zealand MetService issued a severe weather warning with heavy rain forecast in Northland at midday yesterday.
Tonga takes direct hit from cyclone
TONGA – Tropical cyclone Gita hit Tonga overnight as a category four storm and the most intense to hit the country in 60 years.
Samoa assesses damage
SAMOA – Some parts of Samoa are still under water following Tropical Cyclone Gita as emergency services struggle to clear roads and put back power on.