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
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Pacific
NZ looks forward to talks with Cook Islands govt
New Zealand has indicated to the Cook Islands Government that they are looking forward to discussions between relevant officials on their concerns related to the China / Cook Islands agreement.
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.
Judge orders medivac of refugee teen
AUSTRALIA – Australia has been ordered to bring a young girl from the Nauru detention centre to Australia for urgent psychiatric treatment, with warnings she could take her own life without intervention.
Genetic impact of nuke tests needs study
FRENCH POLYNESIA – The French Polynesian president Edouard Fritch says he wants a study to be carried out to see if the French nuclear weapons tests caused genetic mutations.
Wild weather forces evacuations
AMERICAN SAMOA – Some families in American Samoa have had to evacuate their homes due to flooding amid severe weather in the territory.
Sadness and anger as victims mourned
KIRIBATI – The director of Kiribati Maritime agency says there is a lot of sadness and anger in Kiribati as the country remembers the more than 80 victims of last month’s ferry disaster.
Journalists forced to delete news files
KIRIBATI – The Kiribati government has banned a New Zealand TV crew from reporting on the MV Butiraoi ferry disaster.
80 per cent of Pacific deaths NCD related
SAMOA – Samoa’s Health Minister has reported up to 80 per cent of deaths in Pacific countries can be attributable to non-communicable diseases.
Foreign media cold shouldered
KIRIBATI – The government of Kiribati says it does not want foreign journalists entering the country to report on the recent ferry disaster before the incident has been investigated.
Medics voice Pacific health concerns
PACIFIC – A volunteer doctor working in remote parts of the Pacific says there’s a big need for education about the role diet plays in combatting diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Winner sues for anonymity
USA – The winner of a US$560 million lottery jackpot last month is suing state lottery officials in a bid to protect her anonymity.
Track blocked off by protesting landowners
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Landowners from part of the Kokoda Track say they will stop tourists from undertaking the famous walk unless the Papua New Guinea government meets their demands.
Sea search for vessel suspended
KIRIBATI – Kiribati’s Marine Division says the sea search for passengers of the MV Butiroi has been suspended after the ferry sank over two weeks ago.
Asylum seekers sent to 'limbo'
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Some asylum seekers detained by Australia on Manus Island have been told they will have to leave Papua New Guinea.
Gym-related ACC claims climb
NEW ZEALAND – Last year 52,964 claims were made to ACC for gym-related injuries, including 783 for fractures or dislocations, 177 for dental injuries and 13 for hernia.
Earthquake topples hotel in Taiwan
TAIWAN – A magnitude-6.4 earthquake has struck near the coastal city of Hualien in Taiwan, the US Geological Survey (USGS) says, leaving two people dead, more than 100 injured and causing buildings including a hotel to collapse.
Billions evaporate as shares slump
WORLD – Fears of another plunge in Wall Street shares proved unfounded on Tuesday after the Dow Jones shrugged off an initial 500-point drop to post early gains.
Radar systems to be built in Palau
PALAU – The United States has announced plans to install radar systems in Palau, a move that will increase its monitoring ability in the western Pacific region recently rocked by threats from North Korea.
Tongan aims for Winter Games
TONGA – Tongan athlete Pita Taufatofua says perseverance is the key in his ambitious bid to qualify for the Winter Olympics.
Family values keeps language alive
NEW ZEALAND – Tongans living in New Zealand say traditional family values will help sustain the language for future generations.
Nauru media visas a 'tricky question'
PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM – Nauru President Baron Waqa has indicated an $8000 visa fee for journalists will be waived when his country hosts the Pacific Islands Forum next year.
Decisive action on West Papua urged
PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM – West Papua advocacy groups based in Australia and New Zealand have urged the Pacific Islands Forum to act decisively on West Papua.