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
Retro disco invites Rarotonga to ‘strut your stuff’
Friday 25 August 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features
The twist, electric slide, and other moves of yesteryear will be dominating the dance floor once again for the latest retro disco with Rarotonga’s Vinyl Revival Club.
New antenatal classes in Rarotonga aim to instil confidence
Saturday 19 August 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Health, National
A new six-week course helping expectant Cook Islands mothers prepare for labour, birth and early parenting has secured funding to continue delivering the programme for at least another year.
Australian High Commissioner focuses on business development, tourism, and education
Tuesday 15 August 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands business leaders have been encouraged to tap into an initiative linking Pacific importers with Australian exporters.
‘Pick up your mess’: Rubbish dumped behind Parliament
Thursday 10 August 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, National
The environmental arm of the Cook Islands Government will be reaching out to Parliament Services after photographs emerged of rubbish dumped near the building where Parliament sits in Rarotonga.
Homecoming for long-haul pilot of Australia’s flag carrier airline
Saturday 5 August 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Weekend
A Cook Islander’s journey to become a pilot for Australia’s flag carrier airline began on the hill overlooking Rarotonga International Airport, where a young Alaina Marsters would watch the aeroplanes disappear into the horizon.
Globe-trotting juggler looking to make Cook Islands connection
Saturday 29 July 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features
A Brazilian juggler who has toured nearly 40 countries on his mission to take the circus to the remotest corners of the earth, hopes the Cook Islands will be his next stage.
Crash victim’s helmet ‘may not have been securely fastened’
Wednesday 19 July 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Crime, National
The helmet of a 28-year-old motorcyclist who died after losing control of his vehicle over the weekend “may not have been securely fastened”, Police say.
Licensing numbers signal ‘peak tourism season’
Wednesday 19 July 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Crime, National
Revenue from driving tests made up more than 75 per cent of the Cook Islands Police Service’s total trading income quota for June, marking the beginning of “peak tourism season” for the country.
Rarotonga art classes expanding into Pa Enua
Monday 17 July 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Art, Features
A Rarotonga art class aimed at nurturing creative skills over a chilled glass of wine is expanding into Aitutaki, with plans of ‘casting our net further afield’ to other Pa Enua in the coming year.
Maungaroa to become Cook Islands' first world heritage site
Saturday 15 July 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Art, Features, Go Local
One of the last artefacts of pre-Christianity life in the Cook Islands is on the verge of becoming the country’s first world heritage site.
Cook Islands and other Pacific nations call for support in transforming agrifood
Wednesday 12 July 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, National
The Cook Islands has joined in a call for global action to make agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Cook Islands to work with other Pacific Island nations to sustainably use fisheries
Tuesday 11 July 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands has teamed up with five other Pacific Island nations to develop a framework for the sustainable use of a “key” fishery.
Free flicks on offer for film buffs
Saturday 8 July 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features
A Cook Islander’s documentary about Rarotonga’s mountains will get screen time today while Aotearoa-grown films will be making their Cook Islands debut when a film festival celebrating Matariki hits the cinema next week.
Cook Islands backdrop of 'historical' climate change awareness project
Wednesday 5 July 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, National
The Cook Islands will serve as the backdrop of an international video encouraging "urgent action" to combat climate change in the Pacific.
SPCA ‘stretched thin’, urging visiting tourists to donate
Saturday 1 July 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
As the number of abandoned dogs coming into the Cook Islands SPCA triples and pet food prices sky-rocket, the animal welfare organisation is urging visiting tourists to give a fixed donation to help it stay afloat. Joanne Holden reports.
Former Prime Minister’s visit part of the Pacific Islands Forum meeting preparations
Friday 30 June 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
The Cook Islands’ preparations to host the 52nd annual Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting ramped up this week with an official visit from Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna.
Global ocean conservation initiative reaches Penrhyn
Thursday 29 June 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, National
A global initiative supporting ocean conservation efforts in the most remote corners of the tropical Pacific has sent an all-Cook Islands research team to Penrhyn.
Man on the run for 33 hours
Wednesday 28 June 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Court, Crime, National
An 18-year-old Cook Islands man who escaped from Police Headquarters has been recaptured after 33 hours on the run.
World Ocean Day to be celebrated with annual Muri Beach Clean-up
Tuesday 27 June 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, National
From hauling away abandoned motors to scooping up micro-plastics with a sieve, every bit counts for the yearly Muri Beach Clean-up.
Teen launches online store selling pre-loved games
Saturday 13 May 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Go Local
The mantra of a 15-year-old Cook Islands boy who has kick-started his own business selling second-hand video games around the country is ‘just do it’.
