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Local

Recommendations ‘fully accommodated’ in current Act: TTV Minister to Parliament

The Minister responsible for To Tatou Vai (TTV) has rejected a parliamentary committee’s recommendations to make water free for domestic users.

$336m budget: Social welfare, education, police and health see increases

The Cook Islands government will present a $336 million budget for the 2025/26 financial year next Wednesday, featuring increases in social welfare and allocations for education, police and health.

Lithium battery explosion triggers safety review at Cook Islands Ports

The Cook Islands Ports Authority has confirmed that there are plans to review and improve safety protocols for handling lithium batteries following an incident at the Avatiu port earlier last month.

Rugby league

Tupapa Panthers grand final victory

The Tupapa Maraerenga Panthers sealed their dominance in the 2025 Cook Islands Rugby League season, powering past the Arorangi Bears in a commanding grand final victory on Saturday at the National Stadium.

Environment

Cook Islands proud to stand as part of GEF constituency

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Tingika Elikana says the Cook Islands has had a longstanding and fruitful relationship with the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

National

Art

Unexpected win leads to lasting legacy

Features

Raro dad undertakes specialised training for son’s homecoming

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Considering integration with NZ

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Court

Former sports executive Katoa summoned to court after no-show

Environment

Cook Islands proud to stand as part of GEF constituency

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Tingika Elikana says the Cook Islands has had a longstanding and fruitful relationship with the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

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Culture

Cook Islands gears up for biggest Te Maeva Nui ever

Te Maeva Nui’s international reputation continues to grow as organisers are expecting a record turnout from both local and overseas communities.

Sports

Rugby league

Tupapa Panthers grand final victory

Cricket

Men’s cricket team remain competitive

The Cook Islands Men’s Cricket team ended their tri-series competition in Japan with some very strong bowling innings in extremely challenging conditions, says Grant Walker.

Other Sports

Rising Stars Championship postponed

This year marks the 10th year of Rising Stars Championship for Netball, Rugby and Volleyball running tournaments with Primary and Secondary Schools in Rarotonga with over 1100 athletes expected to take part across all the sporting codes.

Rugby league

Bears one win away from league double

Arorangi Bears premier men are a win away from a rare double in the Cook Islands Rugby League domestic competition.

Opinion

Editorials

Ruth Mave: Choose to cut toxic situations out

I started cutting down trees, hedges and bushes with a chainsaw yesterday (Saturday). It was invigorating to be able to go in and cut out the rotting and diseased areas of my garden that have been invaded and plagued with bugs. If only we could do that in our personal life, writes Ruth Mave.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Concerns over contract awards

Dear Editor, I am writing to express growing concern within our construction and infrastructure sector regarding the awarding of significant public contracts to local contractors who may lack the necessary experience and proven track record in delivering complex projects in the Cook Islands.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Considering integration with NZ

Dear Editor, John Scott’s spacious contribution in last week’s CI Herald about our progress into self-government from 1963 to now, 62 years later has prompted me to add my 50 cents worth to it.

Editorials

Te Ipukarea Society: Waste management – not just the government’s problem

The Cook Islands, a small island nation in the Pacific, faces significant challenges in managing its waste. With a population spread across 15 islands, including the most populated one, Rarotonga, waste management has become an increasingly urgent issue.

Editorials

Thomas Wynne: Empty seats at our table

This week, as I sat in the departure lounge returning to Rarotonga, it felt like a family meeting, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

Features

Entertainment

Aotearoa electronic music pioneers to debut in Rarotonga

After 25 years of exploring and expanding the musical landscape, The Nomad, alongside MC Antsman, will bring powerful, bass-driven beats to Rarotonga, for the very first time.

Entertainment

Te Mire Ura Senior dancers hit the stage tomorrow

The highly anticipated Tauranga Vananga Te Mire Ura Seniors dance competition kicks off tomorrow, May 1, with 10 dancers.

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Features

Jackie Rongo: Guided by love, grounded in purpose

For Jackie Rongo, motherhood is more than a role – it’s a calling, a community effort, and a daily dance of love, leadership and deep responsibility. Though she humbly insists there are many other women more deserving of recognition, Jackie embodies the essence of motherhood in all its forms: biological, chosen, cultural and communal.

Church Talk

Church Talk: ‘Kena kainga taito auraka kia kiriti’ia: Ancient landmark not to be removed’

Koai koe? Koai au? Koai tatou? I raro tatou I toai maru tamarumaru ei? Who are you? Who am I? Who are we? Under whose shadow we seek for shelter?

Education

‘Become a Māori again’: Rebuilding education the Cook Islands way

A significant national event dedicated to revitalising education through culture, language and identity took place this week, drawing over 100 participants each day from May 5 to 8, at the National Sports Arena in Nikao.

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Features

Manuae landowners voice concerns, question Trust’s motives and control

Division among Manuae landowners over the Manuae Enua Conservation Trust’s management and claims of a lack of transparency has led to calls for action and legal challenges, while the parent body, Proprietors of Manuae Incorporated (PMI), defends its conservation efforts and future plans.