Cook Islands News is a national newspaper with the latest news from Rarotonga and the outer islands

Top Headlines

Economy

Changes to flight schedule made to facilitate runway repairs

Air New Zealand’s new flight schedule to Rarotonga has come into effect this week, allowing runway repair work at Rarotonga International Airport to pick up after earlier delays.

Local

Governmenmt slammed by Opposition for ‘shameful spending’

Government must curb spending and prioritise spending in areas that affects the livelihoods of the people, says the Opposition Democratic Party.

Health

Questions over health recruits

Reports of issues with recruiting overseas health specialists to help alleviate a staffing shortage at the Ministry of Health is raising concerns over the country’s Covid-19 health preparedness in advance of a potential two-way travel bubble with New Zealand.

National

Local

Upstart airline grounded before take off

Environment

Enhancing a climate resilient marine sector

Economy

MOU seeks to define roles between government agencies

Local

Government initiative aims to enhance public spaces

Local

The community raises its young men

A dozen young Cook Islands men who successfully completed a one-week course that has been “spiritual, physical, emotional and mental” were awarded their certificates yesterday in front of proud family members.

Sports

Other Sports

Initiative aspires to promote healthy and active lifestyles

A new agreement signed yesterday between the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) and Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) will see the two bodies working together to promote sport and physical recreation throughout the Cook Islands.

Netball

Avatiu prems remain unbeaten

Avatiu premier side finished round one of the Rarotonga Netball Club Competition undefeated after a comeback win last week.

Rugby Union

Tereora College teams battling it out in Quick Rip

Cook Islands Rugby Union is holding a Quick Rip 8s competition for Tereora College students at Nikao Field this week.

Opinion

Kata

KATA: Stop cutting down our trees

Editorials

PET TALK: An itch to scratch

Has your pet got an itch to scratch? Dr Ellen McBryde, the lead veterinarian at Te Are Manu Charity Vet Clinic, has the answers to your problem.

Kata

OPINION: Is there a plan to deal with Covid-19?

There is a much greater risk than Covid-19 entering the Cook Islands if a travel bubble does not start soon, writes Dr John Dunn.

Features

We’re away, home again in September

The Pacific Golden Plover or Tōrea is our most common Alaskan migrant. It is conspicuous on large grassy areas during the summer and most are now in their dramatic breeding plumage and ready to depart for Alaska. By Gerald McCormack of Natural Heritage Trust.

Features

Are Taunga of Araura - 'We invest our Ariki in our traditional procedures'

The investiture of the second Tamatoa Ariki was held last week, just over a month after Taraota Tom was invested with the title on the island of Aitutaki. House of Ariki, the parliamentary body composed of Cook Islands high chiefs, refused to attend both investitures because of the "ongoing dispute over the title". But the sub chiefs backing the newly-crowned Tamatoa Ariki Teao Tangaroa say they will decide the legitimate holder.

Features