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

Top Headlines

Rugby league

Bears claim League 9s in Paradise title

Arorangi Bears have claimed the 2025 League 9s in Paradise tournament as they defeated Tokoroa Pacific Sharks 15-11 at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Spectacular show by Jewels of the Cook Islands

The Jewels Dine & Dance event was spectacular for many who attended the show on Friday night at the Edgewater Resort and Spa.

Aitutaki streetlight installation delayed due to aviation safety concerns: Airport

The installation of streetlights along the road parallel to the Aitutaki Runway requires approval from the Director of Civil Aviation due to potential aviation safety concerns.

Premium content

Court

Police seize cannabis plants from Atiu, warns cultivators

The recent arrest of a man allegedly found with 40 plants of cannabis is a warning from police who are now keeping a close eye for cultivators in Rarotonga and the Pa Enua.

Health

Risk of new human hetapneumovirus low, says TMO

Te Marae Ora, Ministry of Health says the risk of the new Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), to the Cook Islands is low.

National

Premium content

Crime

No charges laid in Aitutaki fatal crash

National

Weaving Peu Maori into the cultural tapestry for Vaka Pride Round 28

Local

Infrastructure Cook Islands clears Takuvaine Stream to reduce flood risk

Health

$3.5 million grant to enhance the resilience of Airport operations

Features

Spectacular show by Jewels of the Cook Islands

The Jewels Dine & Dance event was spectacular for many who attended the show on Friday night at the Edgewater Resort and Spa.

National

Private members’ bills expose Govt’s legislative failures: Opposition leader

The three private members’ bills presented by the Opposition in Parliament in 2024 show the Government’s failure to address critical legal anomalies affecting people, says Tina Browne.

Sports

League

CI Athletics Development visits Aitutaki

Cook Islands Athletic Development group led by Rugby League international stars will head to Aitutaki today in memory of the late NRL player Troy “TJ” Dargan.

Football

Outlaws and Vibers reign supreme at 2025 Cook Islands Beach Games

The highly anticipated three-day Beach Football Tournament, part of the Cook Islands Beach Games 2025, wrapped up earlier this week, leaving players and spectators buzzing with excitement.

Netball

Athletes enjoy timeout in the sand despite adverse weather

The Cook Islands Beach Games 2025 completed its first successful week of the games despite the adverse weather conditions teams had to face.

Boxing

Global boxing promoter labels Teremoana ‘future world champ’

Global boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has gushed about a rising Aussie Cook Islander heavyweight after his stunning 57-second knockout.

Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Vacancy for new Police Commissioner

Dear Editor, I write to the Minister of Police and to the public, for the position of Commissioner of Police. This application is out of despair, sadness and desperation to help.

Editorials

Te Ipukarea Society: How removing rats can protect Cook Islands native vegetation and wildlife

From birds to plants, invasive rats have wreaked havoc on island ecosystems worldwide, and the Cook Islands are no exception.

Editorials

Ruta Mave: American drama of the wild wildfires

Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world and home to many of the celebrity elite, is currently starring in an unfolding American drama of the wild wildfires of the west, writes Ruta Mave.

Editorials

Thomas Wynne: Stay home and get to work, MPs

Every day spent out of the country is a day not working. Members of Parliament are elected to be in Parliament, not in the Koru Club or frequent flyer club, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

Features

Premium content

Environment

Protecting Aitutaki’s ‘beating heart’ using traditional conservation method

Aitutaki residents gathered at their prized lagoon this week to continue the custom of protecting their marine environment through the re-establishment of the traditional ra’ui, a temporary fishing ban within the lagoon.

National

Discover Palmerston: A slice of paradise in the Pacific

Palmerston sits like a delicate necklace in the blue body of the Pacific, its coral reef and white beaches strung with six sandy motu scattered through it and a surrounding vast lagoon.

Entertainment

Overseas contestants to compete for Miss Cook Islands title, announces MCIPA

The two pageant organisations in the Cook Islands are planning to host separate pageant events this year.

Premium content

Features

Family duty calls: Youngest councillor navigates life on remote Palmerston

At 23, Julianna Marsters is Cook Islands’ youngest Island Government councillor. However, she was elected not by her own choice, but because she was the only family member of eligible age.

Entertainment

Aitutaki’s Maoate to fly Cook Islands flag at Miss Pacific Islands Pageant

Ngatepaeru Marie Maoate of Aitutaki will represent the Cook Islands at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2025 in Honiara, Solomon Islands next month, marking the country’s return to the regional pageant after a hiatus since 2019.

Features

Love in paradise: Fijian couple weds in Rarotonga

On December 21, 2024, Rarotonga became the backdrop for a heartfelt celebration of love as Losirene Dasalusalu and her newly wedded husband, Ratu Osea Dasalusalu, tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony.

Pacific

Economy

Cooks and Australia superannuation MOU

Cook Islands government has signed a superannuation agreement with Australia allowing returning Cook Islanders to retire and transfer their superannuation savings easily to the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund.

Health

Western Pacific to miss UN goal to cut early deaths from lifestyle diseases: WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Western Pacific countries including the Cook Islands will likely miss out on the United Nations’ goal to reduce premature deaths from lifestyle-related diseases such as cancer and diabetes, as a result of alcohol and tobacco intake.

Economy

First Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) Council Meeting in Cook Islands

Council members of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) from 16 Pacific States gathered in the Cook Islands for the first time for the fourth PASO Council Meeting on November 4-6.

Premium content

Local

PM Brown confident in Pacific Islands Forum leadership despite political change in Tonga

The sudden resignation of Tonga’s former prime minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni had left a temporary gap in the leadership of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), but Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown remains confident that the situation will soon stabilise.

Education

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.

Sailing

New Caledonia's President Mapou says French territory is at a "turning point"

New Caledonia's President Louis Mapou says the French territory is at a "turning point" after the three-day fact-finding mission, headed by three Pacific leaders wrapped up in Nouméa. RNZ Pacific Presenter/Bulletin Editor Lydia Lewis reports.