More Top Stories
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 April 2024
Cook Islands poised for highest Pacific growth
29 April 2024
Alleged rapist in remand
27 April 2024
Ex-DPM appeals ‘excessive sentence’, hearing date set
26 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
Rarotonga’s annual Christmas at the Park on tonight
Thursday 14 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features, Local, National
School pupils will be bolstering volunteer numbers at Rarotonga’s annual Christmas at the Park this year as the island community comes together to support the more than $7000 event.
Aitutaki's newest resort expanding
Monday 11 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, National, Travel, Weekend
Construction continues on a new Aitutaki resort which opened more than a month early to accommodate the Pacific Islands Forum.
Turtle trio release draws crowd
Monday 11 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, Local, National
Hundreds of people waded through the knee-high water at the entrance of Avaavarua Passage in Rarotonga to accompany a trio of rescue turtles on the first leg of their release into the wild.
Shell-abration time: Rescued turtles ready to dive back into the wild
Saturday 9 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, National
Three green sea turtles which were surrendered to a Rarotonga eco-centre after failing to thrive while being kept as pets, have had their shells engraved in preparation for their release into the wild.
Cruise ship makes detour to Palmerston with medical supplies
Friday 8 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National, Travel
With the next cargo ship visit to Palmerston two months away, a passing cruise ship will be dropping off medical supplies to the island on its way to Tonga.
A Cook Islander representing global university Pasifika distance learners
Thursday 7 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features
An Australia-based Cook Islander elected as a student representative for Pasifika distance learners at Massey University is working on forming a “Kuki Club” for students and alumni around the world.
Cook Islands youth leaders urged to tap into $16,000 grants
Wednesday 6 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
Grants of US$10,000 (NZ$16,239) are up for grabs for Cook Islands alumni of a Pacific youth leadership development programme, to design and implement projects which will help address issues in the region.
Fishermen, environment group seek solutions to dwindling fish stocks
Saturday 2 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
Dwindling fish numbers and the potential impact of deep sea mining on fish are among the issues in Cook Islands waters that fishermen and an environmental group want to see addressed at an upcoming meeting in Rarotonga between the Pacific’s fisheries ministries.
Age no barrier for 65-year-old Vaka Eiva competitor
Friday 1 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Paddling, Sports, Weekend
A 65-year-old Hawaii-based woman who has returned to Rarotonga to compete in the Vaka Eiva for the first time in 13 years says she will be paddling “until I’m dead”.
Drink driver fell asleep, crashed into power pole
Friday 1 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
An 18-year-old motorist was nearly three times the legal alcohol limit when he fell asleep behind the wheel and collided with a power pole in Rarotonga.
Drink driver over five times legal alcohol limit fined $800, disqualified
Wednesday 29 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, National
A 34-year-old woman who collided with a fellow motorcyclist while trying to overtake a car was more than five times the legal alcohol limit.
Global climate fund needs to be ‘easier, more accessible’
Saturday 25 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands residents dedicated to combating climate change have urged representatives of the world’s largest climate fund to make its application process ‘easier and more accessible’.
Junior paddlers ready to splash
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Paddling, Sports
Junior racing has been cut from this year’s Vaka Eiva, but that will not keep the Cook Islands and New Zealand’s young paddlers out of the water during the event.
Harvie Allison: The man behind the lens of Vaka Eiva
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Paddling, Sports, Weekend
The Australia-based official photographer for the international Vaka Eiva competition calls the Cook Islands his “second home”.
Trader Jacks ‘party central’ for Vaka Eiva
Friday 24 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features, Food
Trader Jacks is “looking forward” to hosting Vaka Eiva competitors again as the Cook Islands’ premier outrigger canoe international regatta returns to Avarua Wharf for the first time in four years. With three-and-a-half hours added to opening time, a freshly-painted car park boosting ambulance access, and plans to cater for 500 people on closing night – the Rarotonga restaurant and bar is anticipating “a very busy week”, director Chris Douglas said.
Pacific Island leaders criticised for silence on Israel-Hamas conflict
Saturday 11 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, National, Pacific Islands
Protesters who implored Pacific Islands leaders to condemn Israel’s ongoing attack on Palestine are ‘hugely disappointed’ the issue was not raised during a five-day meeting between the region’s leaders in the Cook Islands.
More than $59 million for climate-resilient infrastructure
Friday 10 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, National
Plans to pump more than US$35 million (NZ$59.4m) into upgrading infrastructure within the Cook Islands community to help tackle climate change are in development.
Tourism’s People's Choice winners ‘honoured and humbled’
Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
A Rarotonga fitness instructor and an Aitutaki lagoon cruise operator have bested more than 100 members of the Cook Islands tourism community to be crowned People's Choice.
Café operators brew-ing up for Pacific Islands Forum
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, Features, Go Local, National
Café operators surrounding the venue for a Pacific Islands Forum gathering at the National Auditorium are anticipating patron numbers will reach those of peak tourism season during the event.
Family Welfare Association, Government sign MOU to strengthen emergency response
Friday 3 November 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
A Cook Islands organisation supporting pregnant women, families, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence has partnered with the Government to keep providing its services through a national emergency.
