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Health

TMO proposes tax increase on alcohol and sugary drinks

Te Marae Ora, Ministry of Health is working on a proposal to increase tax on alcohol and sugary drinks aiming to reduce the rate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Cook Islands.

Cook Islands creates Pacific’s first ocean protection zone for whales

Cook Islands is creating the Pacific’s first Ra’ui To’ora, a dynamic ocean protection zone for whales, within its Marae Moana marine park to safeguard the migratory corridors of the endangered Oceania humpback whale.

Manihiki residents relieved as barge arrives to dismantle MV Grinna II wreck

Residents of Manihiki were relieved and pleased over the weekend as the long-awaited Coral Bay barge from Fiji arrived on Saturday, bringing with it a crew of 11 to begin dismantling the wreck of MV Grinna II.

Crime

Police attend to Takitumu crash

A 70-year-old woman crashed into a pole yesterday morning in Takitumu, causing a disturbance amidst minor traffic in the area.

Environment

PAC recommends Infrastructure CI secure funding for waste management initiatives

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended that Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) secure funding for waste management initiatives, in particular the incinerator project.

Football

Rarotonga Football Season kicks off in July

Football fever is set to return to Rarotonga as the 2025 Rarotonga Football Season officially kicks off on Wednesday, July 9.

Sports

BSP Cycle Series – 100km Race

Cook Islands Triathlon Association will be holding their annual 100km drafting race for the 5th time on Ariki Day July 4.

Rugby league

Cook Islands Rugby League tackles ball shortages with new partnership

The new official ball of the Cook Islands Rugby League made its debut on Thursday night (Cook Islands time) during the touring Cook Islands under-13 rugby league team’s match against the Kurnell Stingrays in Australia.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: A call for cultural protocols to protect our traditional titles

Kia Orana Editor, As Cook Islands Māori, our traditional leadership system—consisting of Ariki, Mataiapo, and Rangatira titles—is not just a cultural institution; it is the foundation of our identity, unity, and genealogical history.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Mosquito threat at hospital

Dear Editor, This morning (yesterday) my wife and I journeyed up the hill to the hospital for a blood test.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Religious freedom

I am a hard core local proud atheist. With this failed Christian Nation attempt, we as a nation are lucky, we dodged a bullet, and we should all be grateful to all the people that recognised a Christian nation is a mistake, they stood up and spoke out to say no.

Features

Resort group invests in leadership

A leading Cook Islands resort group celebrated the graduation of 42 staff members who participated in a programme designed to enhance leadership potential and skills within the hospitality industry.

Features

‘Wearing my flag on my heart’: Cook Islander championing climate action in Samoa

For Cook Islander Ewan Cameron, living and working abroad doesn’t mean losing touch with home – in fact, it’s the opposite.

Features

Forecasting hope: Climate action for a more resilient Cook Islands

Cook Islanders have a close connection to their land and feel a sense of stewardship to protect it against the rapidly changing climate.

Economy

Cook Islands, French Polynesia advance Air Services Agreement

The Cook Islands and French Polynesia continue to deepen cooperation, convening the first technical meeting to review the Air Services Agreement (ASA) and further progress its development.

Pacific Islands

Trump signs 'deeply dangerous' order, fast-track deep sea mining

An ocean conservation non-profit has condemned the United States President's latest executive order aimed at boosting the deep sea mining industry.