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Local

Seabed mining company aims to win Pa Enua opinion with 'facts'

Moana Minerals chief executive Hans Smit says the company is taking its deep-sea mining message to the Pa Enua this week in a bid to win over public opinion – ‘not with spin, but with facts’.

Ports works with MFEM and CIIC

Cook Islands Ports Authority (CIPA) has confirmed that they are working closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) and Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) on a solution to clear its remaining ADB loan repayment.

Immigration reconsiders expat work permit limits

Cook Islands Immigration wants to reintroduce mandatory breaks and permit limitations for expat workers, which have been criticised as unfair and a step backwards.

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Crime

Police raise red flags on gang influence in the Cook Islands

The growing presence and influence of organised gang members from New Zealand with Cook Islands heritage is causing serious concern for local authorities, with Police confirming that the Cook Islands is one of the destinations affected by transnational gang mobility across the Pacific.

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Environment

Let’s lead with wisdom: Opposition calls for national pause on seabed mining

Opposition leader Tina Browne is calling for a “national pause” on the Cook Islands’ deep sea mining ambitions, warning that the country is risking its oceanic heritage and identity by charging ahead with a decision that could have irreversible consequences.

National

Court

EBA matters adjourned

Health

Breast Cancer Foundation launches logo competition to Mark 60th Anniversary Year

Culture

Public invited to special feast following Makea Nui investiture

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Local

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

Local

US Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane and Cook Islands successful joint operation

Two officers from the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) recently collaborated with the US Coast Guard in the Cook Islands Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) for approximately 14 days.

Environment

Rarotonga’s Southern Passages Plan open for public feedback

Te Tu’anga Taporoporo/National Environment Service (NES) has released the Rarotonga Southern Passages Environmental Management Plan 2025–2028 for public consultation and comment.

Sports

Rugby league

Town Blues edge out Country Maroons

In a thrilling repeat of last week’s clash, the Town Blues have claimed victory over the Country Maroons in Game 2 of the Cook Islands Rugby League Town vs Country Origins series.

Cricket

Sharks sink Wolves to claim T20 Super Slam Cricket title

The Tiger Sharks have been crowned the new champions of the Cook Islands Cricket Association 2025 T20 Super Slam Cricket Competition.

Netball

The final that was never played

When Takuva’ine and Arorangi premier netball teams meet on Saturday, it will be eight years since the two sides were last drawn to play each other in a Rarotonga club knockout final.

Handball

Historic debut, Olympic dreams: Cook Islands represents Oceania on global beach handball stage

History is in the making as the Cook Islands Under-17 Beach Handball squad departed Rarotonga on Wednesday, en route to Hammamet, Tunisia, for their debut appearance at the 2025 IHF U17 Men’s Beach Handball World Championship, set for June 17 to 22, 2025.

Badminton

Autism Cook Islands hosts first Badminton class

Autism Cook Islands recently conducted their inaugural training session in collaboration with Badminton Cook Islands late last month.

Opinion

Editorials

Te Ipukarea Society: The ocean is our life

As Oceans Week draws to a close, we celebrate that nearly 40 countries are now calling for a moratorium on Deep-sea Mining (DSM).

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Cannabis research

With the announcement in the Cook Islands News that a freight hike is set to drive up Cook Islands prices possibly by 30 per cent, there has never been a better time to legalise the personal cultivation of medicinal pakalolo by patients in order to treat their illnesses and save them heaps of money.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Booze tax

So, Police are “investigating” alleged after hours liquor sales at the Golf Club? Why waste ink and newsprint on telling the sober public of this allegation?

Editorials

Ruta Mave: Does life imitate art or art imitate life?

Does life imitate art or art imitate life? The past couple of three days has been a mind boggling numbing unreal stream of imagery and actions, protests parades and political posturing in powerful and dangerous ways that we are witnessing first hand at home on the couch on our phone in paradise while the sun shines and the roosters crow and the dogs bark at nothing, write Ruta Mave.

Editorials

Thomas Wynne: Why a Rā‘ui must be meaningful consultation

In recent weeks, the Cook Islands declared a rā‘ui toroa — a national whale sanctuary — expanding protection across vast swathes of our moana and Ocean, Thomas Wynne writes.

Features

Te Tua o Papa Tere Tarapu

I anau ia a Papa Tere Tarapu i te ra taingauru ma varu (18) o Mati, mataiti tai mano, iva anere e toru ngauru ma varu (1938). E varu ngauru ma itu (87) ona mataiti.

Entertainment

Mama Rauti Para: A celebration of Cook Islands matriarchs and culture

She’s a beauty pageant queen and the first Cook Islander to walk the Miss Universe stage, but Carmena Wong has taken those 80s memories and flipped them into a 2025 pageant walk celebrating the flair, fashion and x-factor of Cook Islands women over 55.

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

The strong-willed Tutakimoa Pu Tapere

With her strong desire and enthusiasm to continue supporting the people of Tutakimoa and their land, Mareana Papera-Howard was elected as the new Pu Tapere.

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Art

Lone female drummer helps Anau Maungaroa win Tangi Kaara title

Tereora College teams made a clean sweep, winning the top three prizes at the CITC Pump the Beats Te Emo’anga Tangi Kaara 2025 secondary schools drumming competition on Thursday night.

Church Talk

Church Talk: ‘Kindness begins with me’

Kindness and faith are not measured by what we have, but by what we are willing to give – even in scarcity, writes Kayla Kaimarama Willie of the Latter-day Saints.