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

Top Headlines

Premium content

Local

Daycare apologises, refunds fees after mum raises safety concerns

A concerned mother withdrew her children from a daycare centre due to safety concerns, leading to a staff member being let go and the daycare administration acknowledging shortcomings in supervision and safety measures.

Electricity supplier TAU implements new technology

Te Aponga Uira (TAU) is introducing two new pieces of technology in the first half of 2025, both critical to providing reliable electricity to its 6000 customers, the electricity provider said in a statement.

‘Political sidelining’ fuels Mangaia’s push for independent development

Mangaia’s traditional leaders are taking the island’s development into their own hands, citing years of neglect and political sidelining as reasons for seeking alternative solutions.

Health

Rarotonga households meet hygiene standards in initial Tutaka inspections

Despite some minor exceptions, the Tutaka programme inspections in Rarotonga have generally found well-maintained households and no major health issues have been identified so far.

Premium content

Victim’s fiancé describes distress following alleged indecent assault

The judge-alone trial involving a man charged with three counts of indecent assault continued with more witnesses appearing at the Cook Islands High Court yesterday.

National

Premium content

Victim’s fiancé describes distress following alleged indecent assault

Local

Chamber calls for proactive approach to electricity debt

Premium content

Economy

PAC maintains travel request info from CIIC

Culture

New international body to promote Polynesian ancestral sports

Local

Cook Islands and Czech Republic commit to strengthening collaboration

Ambassador Jana Tyrer of the Czech Republic formally presented her Letters of Credence to the Cook Islands Head of State, Sir Tom Marsters, Representative of King Charles III, on Wednesday last week.

Local

Beautification project planned for historic departure point of Great Canoes

To honour and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Cook Islands, the Member of Parliament for Ngatangiia, Tukaka Ama, has announced plans to beautify the historic Avana spot.

Sports

Premium content

Netball

Letoa steps up to lead U21netball side to World Cup

The former assistant coach of the Cook Islands under-21 netball team has been appointed the new national head coach for the Netball World Youth Cup in September.

Boxing

Teremoana takes out Fiji’s Beast

Cook Islands-Scottish-Australian power puncher Teremoana Teremoana takes out Fiji's James 'The Beast' Singh in less than two minutes. He remains undefeated with seven win, all by knockout.

Paddling

Fun and competition at Corporate V12 Paddle event

A fantastic day was had by all at the annual Cook Islands Canoeing Corporate V12 Paddle event on Saturday at Nikao.

Football

Tupapa ready for OFC challenge

Tupapa Maraerenga FC has arrived in Honiara, Solomon Islands, ready to take on the region’s best in the 2025 OFC Men’s Champions League.

Football

Women’s national team kicks off campaign for OFC Nations Cup

The journey to the OFC Women’s Nation Cup kicked off Monday night as the women’s national team training squad assembled for their first session at CIFA under the leadership of newly appointed head coach, Angela Wallbank.

Sports

Blistering run secures Women’s Triathlon title for new champs Ross

The Cook Islands Triathlon Association held the very popular BSP Women’s Triathlon on Saturday.

Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Medicinal cannabis and the law

Dear Editor: There are provisions in the Ministry of Health Act under Relationships with other laws that do not limit any other law of the Cook Islands and are not intended to limit or exclude any civil right or remedy unless this is expressly provided for and compliance with this Act does not, of itself, indicate that common law duty of care has been satisfied.

Editorials

Thomas Wynne: Milk and honey lost?

The land of milk and honey? Or did we leave the milk and honey behind, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Police shortcomings raise concerns

Dear Editor, I would like to add a few words to the story that ran in this paper on 11 March 2025 regarding the court case of Chris Denny.

Kata

Kata: Donor money

Letters to the Editor

Letter: ‘Stop being hypocrites’

Dear Editor, Reading Trev Pitt (Cook Islands News 25/3/25) going on about the shortage of Police, he makes it sound like a recent issue.

Opinion

Pet Talk: Heartworm disease in dogs

Heartworm disease is a condition that affects dogs and is caused by the parasitic worm Dirofilaria immitis, writes Dr Rose Hasegawa, medical director Te Are Manu Vet Clinic.

Editorials

Ruta Mave: Need independent thinking women in politics

Established and growing research results show that women’s leadership in political decision-making processes improves them, writes Ruta Mave.

Opinion

Smoke signals

It must be tough for our local cinema with online streaming so respect to the Napa family for keeping it going through these trying times.

Features

Premium content

Features

A beacon of progress: First transgender mayor hopes to inspire local community

Six months into her term, Mauke’s new mayor Joanne Rongoape Stephens is celebrated as the Cook Islands’ first transgender mayor, inspiring the LGBTQ+ community and aiming to foster growth and unity in her island.

Premium content

Features

Chasing the horizon: Cook Islanders rise through the ranks to command luxury yachts

In the Cook Islands, where the sea is both a livelihood and a way of life, two Cook Islanders have transformed their childhood dream into reality, becoming captains of luxurious super yachts.

Entertainment

Twenty local actors cast in groundbreaking Cook Islands film project

In an exciting development for the local film industry, 20 aspiring Cook Islands actors have been cast in pivotal roles for six new short films set to be filmed in Rarotonga.

Local

Chestnut season brings joy and income to local vendors

Several weeks into the Cook Islands’ longest chestnut harvesting season, local women are particularly enjoying the bounty from the impressive chestnut trees planted by their ancestors.

Business

Sands of Rarotonga opens with new perks

The former Wellesley Hotel accommodation in Tutakimoa has been rebranded as Sands of Rarotonga, offering a more welcoming experience with new perks like free airport transfers and relaxed pool access for Lazy Trout diners, aiming to attract both tourists and locals.

Church Talk

Church Talk: Recognising and embracing God’s blessings in our lives

Often, we focus on what we lack – whether it’s confidence, friends, or opportunities – and forget all the blessings God has already given us, writes Kayla Kaimarama-Willie of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Pacific

Fiji

Cooks reaffirm commitment to Pac-led leadership

The Cook Islands reaffirmed its commitment to Pacific-led leadership last week, joining fellow Troika Officials of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), as well as Officials from Fiji and Palau, to discuss regional priorities as part of considerations leading up to the annual Forum Leaders Meeting to convene in the Solomon Islands in September.