More Top Stories
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
BRO CHECK campaign: ‘Reach out, you’re not alone’
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
3000 companies at risk due to Act oversight: Browne
23 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
Helmet safety concerns raised amid enforcement challenges
2 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
STI cases on the rise
2 September 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
Tapaitau appeal dismissed
17 July 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Pacific
Tahiti sailors win 2024 Regatta in Raro
Sailors from Tahiti edged over Rarotonga, proving to be very competitive taking out first place in both the Lasers and the Optimist classes, winning the 2024 sailing challenge overall trophy.
Former PM Puna first Cook Islander elected to East-West Center Board
Former Cook Islands prime minister and secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna, has been confirmed as the first Cook Islander appointed to the East-West Center Board of Governors based in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Claims of a foreign land grab denied
FIJI – A non-resident landowner is rejecting the Fiji government’s claims of a land grab by foreigners. Under changes to the Land Sales Act foreign landowners face hefty fines or imprisonment if they don’t build a US$120,000 house within two years.
Foreign landowners challenge Suva over review process
FIJI – A group of foreign landowners fighting land development laws in Fiji says Fiji only brought in a review process after it raised its voice over the issue.
Election fee hike will see few women candidates
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – A hike in fees for election candidates means fewer women will be able to contest next year’s Papua New Guinea polls, according to the opposition leader.
Opposition joins in spat between Ryan and FRU
FIJI – The opposition Sodelpa Party President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, has called on the Fiji Rugby Union to be fair and to sort out the contracts for the Fiji Sevens team.
Shortwave service demise has 'no logic'
PACIFIC – Australian and Pacific island governments are being urged to pressure the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to reconsider its intention to do away with shortwave transmission in the region.
Girl, 11, killed in Solomons earthquake
SOLOMON ISLANDS – An 11-year old girl is the first confirmed fatality from the massive earthquakes which hit Solomon Islands last week.
Tourist dies on Great Barrier Reef
AUSTRALIA – An elderly Japanese woman has died while snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef, in the fourth tourist death at the Australian attraction in a month.
Father and son rescued at sea
TONGA – A Tongan man and his son who went missing while on a fishing trip three days ago have been rescued after being located drifting by a Royal New Zealand Airforce Orion.
Fiji prepares for heavy rain
FIJI – Fiji authorities say there remains a possibility of a Tropical Cyclone forming at the end of this week in Fiji waters, advising the public to re-consider plans for travel and events this weekend.
Guns and elections don't mix
PNG plans pre-poll illegal firearms amnesty
Parker thanks Samoa for bout backing
NEW ZEALAND – Joseph Parker was well supported by leaders of Samoa at the Vector Arena in Auckland on Saturday night when he created history by becoming the first New Zealand-born heavyweight champion, taking the World Boxing Organisation championship – one of four official world heavyweight titles – in a split points decision, 115-113, 115-113 and 114-114.
Tropical disturbance prompts flood warnings in Fiji
FIJI – People living in flood prone areas have been warned to prepare for the worst after a low pressure system near Fiji developed into a tropical disturbance.
Guam welcomes US reparations bill
GUAM – The US Senate has passed a bill which includes war reparations for those who suffered during Japan’s occupation of Guam.
Solomons' corruption a 'cancer'
SOLOMON ISLANDS – The Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has warned that seven more arrests related to corruption will be made in the coming days.
Safety measures for observers
PACIFIC – The Pacific Tuna Commission has voted to improve safety for observers who work on fishing vessels in the region.
Twin quakes rough up Solomons
Disaster preparedness sees no lives lost
Aircraft crash kills two, leaves town powerless NEW ZEALAND
- The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating an agricultural aircraft crash, which killed two men near Wairoa and knocked out power to Gisborne. The aircraft, operated by Farmers Air, hit powerlines near Tiniroto, just after 9am yesterday. About 20,000 customers in the area are without power, and it could take two days to repair the damaged lines. Police said they were working to recover the two men's bodies and were in contact with their families. The men have not yet been formally identified. Three accident investigators would fly from Wellington tonight to start combing the crash site, joining the other personnel already at the scene. The Civil Aviation Authority said its initial indications were that the aircraft hit powerlines and then crashed to the ground 2.5km further on. The aircraft was burnt out as a result of the accident. The authority said the wreckage was in inhospitable terrain, 33km northeast of Wairoa. The investigators would have to be lowered from a helicopter to reach the site. Civil Defence said six powerlines had been brought down, in an area that was difficult to access, and repairs were unlikely to start until late tomorrow. Gisborne mayor Meng Foon said the plane crash had caused significant damage to the city's electricity infrastructure. "It's broken... about four major pylons, 800m worth of powerlines." The whole city, and some rural areas, were without power, he said. Civil Defence spokesperson Sheridan Gundry said people should conserve water. "Keep flushing the toilet to a minimum, don't water the garden, and the biggest advice is to prepare and think about how you'll be cooking," she said. "We hope some people may have a gas back-up, but we have lifted the fire ban for those who need to cook in their backyards with a fire if they absolutely have to. "We obviously urge people to do this as safely as possible." She said people should keep their fridges and freezers closed as much as possible. Gisborne Hospital chief executive Jim Green said its back-up generators were running, and had the capacity to do so for five days. "We're phoning around rest homes to see what their arrangements are and the emergency plans they have in place," he said. "We're also contacting general practices to see how they're placed to provide general care for people." Civil Defence said generators were being sent to two petrol stations and some fast food restaurants to allow them to keep operating. - RNZI
English NZ's new prime minister
NEW ZEALAND - Finance Minister Bill English has been selected as the country's new leader after the ruling National Party voted him to power in a special caucus meeting.
World Tuna Day announced
PACIFIC – The United Nations General Assembly has voted today to make May 2 World Tuna Day annually.
It's fight night
Joseph Parker vs Andy Ruiz set to go at Vector