Cook Islands News - Breaking news, latest news & world news online

Top Headlines

Local

60-year-old woman dies in first road fatality of 2024

Cook Islands recorded its first road fatality of the year after a 60-year-old woman died from crash-related injuries yesterday morning.

Arnold denies Crown Law exclusion in drafting controversial crypto bill

A Rarotonga lawyer who co-authored the controversial Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill 2023 says he dealt with Prime Minister Mark Brown and his team while drafting the Bill and believes it will benefit the Cook Islands.

National

New Zealand Parliament Speaker visits Rarotonga

Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, Gerry Brownlee is visiting Cook Islands this week.

Premium content

National

Chamber calls out ‘favouritism’ in Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill

Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce is concerned the Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill gives preferential treatment to a USA company Drumcliffe to do business in the Cook Islands.

National

Culture

Vaka Marumaru Atua sets direct course for Hawaii

Court

Intoxicated tourist faces charges after rumbling arrival

Health

Youth development courses tackle mental health, de-escalation

Local

Vaka Marumaru Atua makes a splash after docking for repairs

Crime

Rarotonga grower raises concerns about produce theft

A Rarotonga grower has raised concerns about what can be done to those caught stealing produce from other people’s farms.

Economy

Government insists on value of crypto bill despite criticism

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has hit back at the critics of the draft Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill 2023, saying the media did not highlight positive aspects of the Bill.

Sports

National

KAPs conquer Mixed Touch competition with dominant final win

The 2024 Mixed Touch Season Competition wrapped up on Monday with thrilling semi-final and final matches that showcased the talent and competitiveness of the participating teams at the National Stadium in Nikao.

Netball

Titikaveka stage comeback to defeat Avatiu in premier clash

Round two of the Rarotonga Netball Club Competition started off last week with exhilarating excitement and passion that left the crowd fascinated with a show of incredible athleticism and sportsmanship.

Other Sports

CISNOC representatives gain valuable insights at ONOC General Assembly

Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) president Hugh Graham, senior vice president Romani Katoa and acting secretary general Owen Lewis attended the annual Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) General Assembly held in Nadi, Fiji last month.

Football

10-man Cook Islands bows out bravely

Cook Islands fell short to Vanuatu 2-0 in the final match, losing a player to a red card and their chance to progress to the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship.

Football

Eleven vying for CISNOC Sec-Gen role

Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) received 11 applications for the Secretary General position and is finalising the appointment with Owen Lewis acting until a replacement is chosen.

Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Letter: ‘We need to hear the truth’

Dear Editor, Good on Minister Mokoroa for coming out straight and saying he wasn’t consulted on the Crypto Bill (‘I was not consulted’: Minister blindsided by crypto bill drafted by private firm, April 16, 2024).

Editorials

Ruta Mave: Are we ready for the UN high chair?

The American president JF Kennedy said “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what can you do for your country.” Our Prime Minister’s motto appears to be “Ask every country you meet what can they do for our country”, writes Ruta Mave.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Treat our Pa Metua with respect and dignity!

I am appalled and annoyed at the treatment, lack of respect and dignity towards our Pa metua who are applying for their NZ pension especially those living in the Pa Enua.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Questions cloud Cryptocurrency Bill

Dear Editor, Excellent reporting by 1News over the weekend and coverage by your paper (yesterday) on spy type crypto bill the CIP government is trying to pass in Parliament.

Features

Art

Anuanua Festival marks historic shift towards equality in the Cook Islands

Cook Islands celebrated the first anniversary of decriminalising same-sex relations with an art exhibition and speeches that highlighted the progress made towards a more inclusive society.

Art

Tikotikoca wins Anuanua Wearable Art Piece Competition

Quincy Tikotikoca won the first-placing award in the 2024 Anuanua Wearable Art Piece competition for her stunning gown modelled by Kelera Ratu.

Premium content

Features

Faith and family fuel new bakery

Avarua Bakery has ventured into a brand new and exciting bakery retail business after the Covid-19 pandemic forced closure of their previous retail venture.

Premium content

Art

Cook Islands playwright tackles taboo topics in new production

Award-winning Cook Islands playwright Teherenui Koteka is sparking conversations about sexuality, safe sex, and healthy relationships for Pacific youth with her latest project, which will be showcased in Rarotonga next week.

Art

Cook Islands history gifted to upcoming generations

Author and historian Howard Henry has gifted his monumental effort of 16 publications of Cook Islands history to the Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Culture Development Library for generations to peruse over and enjoy.