More Top Stories
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 April 2024
Police shortage leads to drop in checkpoints
9 April 2024
Sarakura declared new Penrhyn MP
16 March 2024
Govt says $1.3m invested in Lady Samoa charter
22 February 2024
Mass milkfish die-off in Penrhyn raises concerns
3 April 2024
Regulator defends Starlink users
9 April 2024
Aitutaki’s heritage preserved in new anthology
4 January 2024
Avatiu Eels retain Nines title
8 January 2024
Beddoes crowned top athlete
8 January 2024
NRL player Dargan dies in Aitutaki motorcycle crash
24 December 2023
‘Please heed the signs’: resident makes plea to tourists
20 December 2023
Cook Islands set to play in new World Series
10 October 2023
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
Corruption in the Cook Islands?
21 January 2023
Moana target 2025 World Cup
11 November 2022
Articles by Joanne Holden
New builds springing back after pandemic slowdown
Saturday 24 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National
The number of new builds in the Cook Islands are approaching pre-pandemic levels after dropping nearly 70 per cent in two years to hit a 10-year low in 2021.
Cashier pockets more than $1000 from till
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
A mother-of-six who stole more than $1000 while working as a cashier at a Rarotonga supermarket has received a suspended sentence.
Cooks community ‘angry and bitter’ over rise in public fighting
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
Public fighting is on the rise in the Cook Islands, a Justice of the Peace says.
Couple reconcile after husband attacks wife, wife’s car
Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
Intoxicated and “full of anger”, a 33-year-old man struck his wife in the head and stomach before inflicting nearly $6000 worth of damage on her car in Rarotonga.
Child bruised, bloodied in assault
Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
A Rarotonga woman who repeatedly slapped a 9-year-old girl about the head as punishment for stealing has been sentenced for assaulting a child.
New building rules proposed in response to climate change
Saturday 17 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
New rules for building in the Cook Islands are expected to be tabled in Parliament this year in an effort to keep up with a “changing climate and technological progress”.
Love in the tropics: Businesses prepare for Valentine’s Day rush
Friday 9 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Business, National
Cupid will be soaking up the sub-tropical climate of the Cook Islands this Valentine’s Day.
Prison time for drink driver
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
A recidivist drink driver has been jailed after crashing his motorcycle while more than eight times the legal alcohol limit.
Man smashes car in retaliation
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
An 18-year-old man retaliated to being knocked off his motorcycle in a two-vehicle crash in Rarotonga by inflicting more than $2000 in damage on the opposing driver’s car.
I want to continue what he started: Widow remembers a Rarotonga tourism trailblazer
Monday 5 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend
When Kave Tamaariki booked for his two sons and their families to visit him in Rarotonga in the new year, it was meant to be his first time showing his four grandchildren his island home. Instead, their first trip to the sub-tropical paradise came a few months early – for their grandfather’s funeral.
Cafe revived, Italian-style pizzeria opened by two Cook Islands chefs
Monday 29 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Food, Go Local
Two Cook Islands cooks have teamed up to revive and expand a Rarotonga café by transforming it into a traditional Italian pizzeria at night.
Running Rarotonga loop for charity
Thursday 25 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
A New Zealand social justice advocate has raised nearly $2000 to help struggling Kiwi youth with the promise of running the 32-kilometre loop around Rarotonga.
One of Rarotonga’s few classic cars for sale
Wednesday 24 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Go Local
Cruising the Rarotonga loop road in one of the only classic cars on the island could soon be a reality for a keen Cook Islands petrol head.
Pause on Sydney flights estimated to cost national economy $2.21m
Monday 22 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, Local, National, Travel
The Cook Islands economy is bracing for a more than $2 million loss in revenue when direct flights from Australia are suspended for the final month of summer.
Rarotonga on sale: ‘Spike’ in flight bookings amidst slow tourism season
Tuesday 16 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National, Travel
Airfares between Auckland and Rarotonga have dipped to under $300 as New Zealand’s flag carrier airline launches a flash sale in the midst of the Cook Islands’ slow tourism season.
Cook Islands to the world : Nations will ‘disappear’ without action on climate change
Saturday 30 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, Features, National, Weekend
Climate change activists from around the world are itching to team up with a Cook Islands film crew to raise awareness about the global crisis after a music video about its impact on the Pacific debuted at a United Nations conference. Joanne Holden reports.
Decades of dedication: Beloved doctors bid farewell to Cooks
Sunday 24 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Weekend
After more than 30 years treating the Cook Islands community and making their mark on its health system, doctors Zaw Myo Aung and Yin Yin May are returning to their home country of Myanmar. Joanne Holden reports.
Call for comprehensive arts curriculum in the Cook Islands
Wednesday 20 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Art, Education, Features, National
The principal of a Rarotonga primary school wants to see a comprehensive arts curriculum developed for the Cook Islands after a successful first year for the country’s only contemporary dance class.
C+ to cinematic success
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features
From a C+ on the only film paper he sat in university to writing and directing shorts and feature films, Hamish Bennett says developing a “unique voice” is the key to standing out in the entertainment industry. Joanne Holden reports.
Big turnout for festive park event
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features
Rarotonga’s annual Christmas in the Park has enjoyed its “best turnout” in years with more than 2000 people coming together for an evening of festive cheer. Joanne Holden reports.
