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Economy

No debt in China deal

The comprehensive deal the Cook Islands will sign with China in the coming week will not involve any borrowing, the Prime Minister confirmed this week.


‘We’ve had enough’: Cook Islands community to protest Government

Community members are set to participate in a protest march despite Prime Minister Mark Brown’s recent announcement that the Cook Islands passport proposal was “off the table at the moment for us”.


EXCLUSIVE: Cook Islands ditches passport plan after New Zealand ‘ultimatum’

Cook Islands has dropped the controversial passport proposal, Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed yesterday, after discussions to convince New Zealand that it would not affect their constitutional relationship fell flat. Rashneel Kumar reports.

Economy

Cook Islands ‘failed to properly consult’ on China deal, says New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister

The diplomatic row between the Cook Islands and New Zealand over the China deal the Cook Islands is set to sign in the coming week continues despite brief talks over the phone between the leaders from the two countries.

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Economy

Opposition leaders declare ‘no confidence’ in Prime Minister

Cook Islands Opposition leaders say they have lost confidence in the Prime Minister, despite his U-turn on the controversial passport proposal that drew disapproval from the New Zealand Government and the ire of Cook Islanders.

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Local

Cook Islander challenges nationality argument for passport

Cook Islander Joe Caffrey, who opposed government’s proposal for a national passport, is querying the validity of the Cook Islands identification card which was issued to him over 30 years ago.

National

Local

New pumps installed in Aitutaki water project

Aitutaki is prone to water shortages given that it is reliant on rainwater for its potable water supply and the non-potable water supply which is sourced from groundwater infiltration water galleries.


Features

Cook Islands to debut in NZ’s major BBQ fest

The Cook Islands Barbeque Alliance (CIBA) is thrilled to announce its participation in the highly anticipated Meatstock Hamilton 2025 festival, New Zealand’s biggest barbecue event, for the first time.

Sports

Football

FC men’s tournament to feature all-female officials for first time

An OFC men’s tournament is set to feature an all-female officiating team for the first time, signalling a significant milestone for women’s refereeing in Oceania.


Football

Home turf advantage: Tupapa confident ahead of Qualifiers

Cook Islands’ very own Tupapa Maraerenga club is ready to battle it out on the field against two Samoan teams at the 2025 OFC Men’s Champions League Qualifying Stage which starts this afternoon.

Rugby league

Defending champs Eels seek redemption

Cook Islands Rugby League’s domestic 13s competition defending champions, the Avatiu Nikao Eels, will use their first match against the returning Takuvaine (TKV) Warriors at Nukupure Park in Ngatangiia to gauge their player combinations.

Football

Empowering women in football: CIFA launches 2025-26 Strategic Plan

The Cook Islands Vaine Toa In Football – Women’s Football Strategic Plan 2025/2026 was launched in Rarotonga on January 30, 2025, marking a historic and transformative initiative designed to inspire and empower women in football across the Cook Islands.

Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Cook Islands-China agreement

Dear Editor, For clarity, these are my views of the potential aspects/concerns that come to my mind when an open dialog on such a significant move is not afforded to our people.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: PM’s visit to China

Dear Editor, There should not be any complaint from taxpayers if it turns out that we have to part fund the PM's state visit to China for several reasons.

Opinion

Smokie: Police portfolio

A tragic day for the family in Arorangi, with that hit and run road accident.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Financial disaster

Dear Editor, I note that the OPM is quoted in CI News (in the context of the PM's visit to China) that the "TMV project has transformed Rarotonga’s 100-year old water network, ensuring reliable access to clean and safe water for future generations."

Editorials

Thomas Wynne: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?

The Cook Islands finds itself in a precarious dance – one between the promises of foreign investments and the integrity of our own sovereignty. As we sway between partners, we must ask: Do we continue to haka with the Taniwha, our constitutional partner, or do we dance with the dragon? Thomas Tarurongo Wynne writes.


Letters to the Editor

Letter: Prime Minister Brown’s China visit

Dear Editor, Noting the recent media coverage of the Prime Minister’s upcoming travel to China; why aren’t officials sharing any details of his travel or the benefit it will bring to the Cook Islands? You have to ask why is such a secretive approach being taken?


Letters to the Editor

Letter: State visit?

I write to correct the mislabelling and blunder made to call the PM’s visit to the People’s Republic of China. It cannot be called a “State Visit”. State visits are only made by fully independent countries, like Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, etc. Our official status is Self-Government in Free Association with New Zealand.   We are not […]

Features

Features

Cook Islands, NZ reaffirm strong ties on Waitangi Day celebration

New Zealand and the Cook Islands commemorated Waitangi Day and the Cook Islands' 60th anniversary of self-governance on Thursday, highlighting their unique bond and dedication to navigating the future together through continued partnership and respect, despite issues surrounding the now abandoned proposed passport and the upcoming China agreement.


Business

Popular night club finds a new groove

The relocation launch of the popular “On The Rocks” dance night club certainly rolled out in style, with deep red carpet greeting guests and patrons at the entrance on Thursday night.


Features

Coastwatcher honoured after 80 years

On a beautiful afternoon in the Ruatonga valley, a poignant ceremony unfolded as the ‘Last Post’ echoed through the gathering at the unveiling of a military plaque for a Cook Islands Coastwatcher.

Education

Prefects leading the way

Ten students from the Year 6 class of St Joseph’s Primary School were inducted as prefects yesterday during a beautiful opening of the school year and prefect investiture church service at St Joseph’s Cathedral, led by Bishop Reynaldo Getalado.

Education

Passion for education: Mangaia’s daughters answer the call to teach

Driven by a passion for education and a desire to serve their community, two Mangaia teenagers are among the first trainees at the newly launched Cook Islands Teacher Development Centre.

Church Talk

Church talk- Esther’s courage: Standing up for what is right

Have you ever wondered why the Lord has sent you to the earth at this time and placed in you in your particular circumstances? Kayla Kaimarama-Willie of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints writes.

Pacific

Kiribati

New Zealand government cancelled its own proposed visit, says Kiribati

The Kiribati government, has for the first time, commented on its diplomatic rift with Aotearoa, stating that the "New Zealand government cancelled its own proposed visit".

Fiji

War on drugs: Fiji soldiers may be deployed to assist police, says Govt

Fiji’s government has announced that military personnel may soon join police in addressing the country’s drug crisis.

Kiribati

NZ’s ‘diplomatic tiff’ with Kiribati could push it closer to China: Expert

The New Zealand government’s decision to review its development aid in Kiribati has “all the hallmarks of a diplomatic tiff” and could “push away” the Micronesian island nation closer to China, a regional political commentator says.

Fiji

Flying Fijians confirmed to play Wallabies and Scotland in 2025

The Flying Fijians will play the Wallabies and Scotland in two Test matches during the July/August international rugby window.


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Local

PM Brown confident in Pacific Islands Forum leadership despite political change in Tonga

The sudden resignation of Tonga’s former prime minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni had left a temporary gap in the leadership of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), but Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown remains confident that the situation will soon stabilise.

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