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Rugby league

Panthers chase rare double

Tupapa Panthers are going for a rare double in the Cook Islands Rugby League Rarotonga 13s competition but standing in their way are the mighty Avatiu Nikao Eels and Arorangi Bears.

Organic farmers fear water tariffs could threaten food security

The proposed water tariffs could cripple the Cook Islands’ agricultural supply, warns Natura Kuki Airani (NKA), the Cook Islands organic movement.

Premium content

Local

Transaction delays leave customers frustrated

Delayed settlement of card transactions by the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) has left some of its customers broke heading into the weekend.

Editorials

Thomas Wynne: Protecting our digital taro patch

Our digital taro patches, our everyday phones and devices, which we use to share photos, communicate with each other, and establish an online presence, are like sitting in the window of CITC in Avarua or a shop, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

National

Education

Apii Avarua kids get hands-on with fun coding robot

Economy

Cook Islands and Vietnam discuss future co-operation

Business

Shoppers delight in CITC Supermarket’s new ‘Igloo’

Art

Sew good! Vaimaanga women keep tradition alive while making a living

Environment

Avaavaroa turtles ‘more camera-friendly’ than neighbours

Fun fact! Did you know that the facial patterns seen on a turtle’s face are unique to that specific turtle? Similar to how your fingerprint are unique to you.

Environment

Ra’ui placed in lagoon for Tongareva’s ‘homecoming’

A ra’ui has been placed in the southern part of the lagoon for Tongareva’s homecoming event to be held in December 2025.

Sports

Rugby league

Panthers chase rare double

Tupapa Panthers are going for a rare double in the Cook Islands Rugby League Rarotonga 13s competition but standing in their way are the mighty Avatiu Nikao Eels and Arorangi Bears.

League

Panthers share secret weapon

Tupapa Panthers Club has become the talk of the town, making headlines for their remarkable achievements in rugby league this year. From the under-14s to the premier men’s and women’s teams, they’ve all secured spots in the grand finale this weekend.

Rugby Union

Keeping the flame alive

The biennial Cook Islands Golden Oldies Rugby Mini Festival kicks off this Saturday at 1pm at Raemaru Park in Arorangi.

Sports

Healey wins blistering Tour de Raro cycle race

The Ride Rarotonga Tour de Raro is always a highlight of the Cook Islands Triathlon week of events, and the blisteringly fast cycle sprint around the island is a perfect way to close out the events.

Opinion

Editorials

Thomas Wynne: Protecting our digital taro patch

Letters to the Editor

Letter: OPSC disappointed by misrepresentation

Dear Editor, Having read the Thursday, May 9, Cook Islands News main headline (Lewis takes helm at CISNOC) I can categorically confirm that the Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) was not in any way involved in the recruitment process of the new Secretary General of CISNOC.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Victims of vaccine injury?

Dear Editor, Heartbreaking to hear of the sudden unexpected death of 15-year-old Drazei holidaying with his family in Raro. Absolutely heartbreaking to hear, especially as a mother, my heart goes out to the family.

Opinion

Virtues in Paradise: Celebrating the women who shape us

A seven-year-old was talking about her mother one day as we walked and she skipped down the beach. I asked her mother’s name. “Which one?” she answered with a big grin. “I have three mothers," writes Linda Kavelin-Popov.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: ‘Failure of Govt to be fair to all’

The claim by Tupapa MP he has obtained an excavator for his village for those that voted him is a slap against the government that he represents as a Minister. Maggie said “So, I look after those who help me, I have to be fair with them and help them first.” Oh, really.

Features

Art

Senior dancers captivate audience with spectacular performances

A sensational performance by the talented Te Mire Ura Senior dancers on Thursday night left the over 1000-strong audience awestruck.

Church Talk

Church Talk: Glorify God in serving others

God has graced us with spiritual gifts so we may use these to edify each other for humble service in the Body of Christ, writes Tangata Vainerere, historian at CICC Heritage Centre.

Art

A feast for the eyes: Umukai transports viewers to the Cook Islands

Three walls of paintings, Bergman Gallery at the Aotearoa Art Fair was a multiplicity of colours, forms, practices and voices that told stories from across the Pacific region, writes Rachel Smith.

Art

A sea of opportunity: Mitiaro native sails on voyage of self-discovery

A Cook Islander living in New Zealand has joined the crew of Vaka Marumaru Atua on its 25-day voyage to Hawaii to participate in the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture and learn from master navigator Captain Peia Patai.