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
How one kitten ‘snowballed’ to country’s first, only dedicated cat facility
Saturday 13 May 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Entertainment, Features
The cost of running Rarotonga’s first and only dedicated cat facility is between $2000 and $4000 a month, but those behind the venture have ‘no qualms’ about covering the amount if it means less animals being cast into the bush.
‘Not rattled’: Cooks face Aussies
Thursday 11 May 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Sports, Touch Rugby
A clash between the Cook Islands and Australia will serve as the opening match of the inaugural Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup this week.
Rarotonga cat charity receives donation from NZ High Commission
Friday 5 May 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
The New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands dropped off a box of pet food to Rarotonga’s cat charity as it hosted a free desexing day, aimed a curbing the number of unwanted kittens born on Rarotonga.
Baby gear in hot demand
Saturday 29 April 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Go Local
High demand for baby gear in the Cook Islands means a new business which was originally conceived as a pop-up shop will now open six days a week. Joanne Holden reports.
‘I’m everywhere’: Meet Titikaveka Community Patrol’s sole officer
Thursday 20 April 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Go Local
James ‘Big John’ Mataa has been watching over his village as sole officer of the Titikaveka Community Patrol ten hours a night, every night for the past five years. Joanne Holden reports.
Motorcycle theft sees ‘sizeable jump’
Wednesday 12 April 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Crime, National
The rate of motorcycle theft over the first three months of 2023 is more than double that of the same period last year, potentially bringing an end to a five-year downward trend.
Religious celebration basis of Gragg’s new exhibition
Tuesday 11 April 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Art, Features
The artist who founded the Cook Islands’ premier art gallery has used a painting she created 15 years ago to showcase the ‘joy, variety, and innovation’ of one of the island nation’s oldest religious celebrations as a springboard for her latest exhibition.
NZ chilli-eating champ gets taste of Rarotonga
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Features, Food
The three-time New Zealand chilli-eating champion and former Oceania Belt holder connected with the “chilli heads” of Rarotonga during his first-ever trip to the Cook Islands recently, and sees potential for the sport to grow in the island nation. Joanne Holden reports.
Touch rugby youth ‘fundraising hard’ for place in multi-national competition
Saturday 1 April 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Sports, Touch Rugby
The Cook Islands’ rising touch rugby stars are “fundraising hard” to raise the $2000 needed per person to compete in a new tournament against the best young players in the Asia Pacific region.
Motorcyclist hospitalised after crash with drunk tourist
Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Crime, National
A motorcyclist has been hospitalised after suffering fractured ribs and other injuries in a collision with a drunk driver last weekend.
Police Commissioner paid ‘courtesy call’ by new French ambassador
Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
The Cook Islands’ new French ambassador and her diplomatic mission made a “courtesy call” to the Police Commissioner as part of a trip to officially mark the beginning of her ambassadorship for the island nation.
SPCA’s Volunteer house in line for an upgrade
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
The number of dogs residing at the Cook Islands SPCA shelter has nearly tripled in less than two years, while staff numbers are unchanged. Now, the organisation is turning to fixing up its volunteer house to attract more help.
Kiwi youth with disabilities bond with Rarotonga dogs
Wednesday 15 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
Groups of Kiwi young people with disabilities became “honorary volunteers” for the SPCA this week, taking the dogs for their morning walk during a field trip to the Cook Islands.
Fire service boosted with $600 donation
Monday 13 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
An ongoing fundraiser for Rarotonga’s underfunded volunteer fire crews is picking up steam again, after the dearth of visitors to the island over the summer season put a damper on the appeal.
Fighting for every visitor as new flights on the horizon
Monday 13 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National, Travel
About 134,000 people are forecast to holiday in the Cook Islands this year, a 22 per cent drop on the 171,000 visitors in 2019.
‘Where I’m meant to be’: Cook Islands boxer eyes World Championships
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Boxing, Sports
Cook Islands boxer Teremoana Jr Teremoana is confident he will be representing Australia in the upcoming World Boxing Championships, considered the highest level of competition for amateur boxers alongside the Olympic Games.
Atiu celebrates fifty years of Girls’ Brigade
Friday 10 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National
Today marks 50 years since the first Cook Islands branch of international Christian youth organisation Girls’ Brigade was established in Atiu.
Cook Islands tourism has lost its position in Canadian market: Mani
Thursday 9 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National, Travel
The Cook Islands had “definitely lost our position” in the Canadian market over the past two years, revealed Christian Mani, Cook Islands Tourism general manager for North America.
‘Still undiscovered’: Rebuilding North American tourist market underway
Wednesday 8 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National, Travel
Less than half of the travellers booked to fly from Hawaii to the Cook Islands when the route opens up in May are from mainland United States, despite the flights creating a gateway between the island nation and 15 North American cities.
Domestic violence ‘high level of concern’
Tuesday 7 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Crime, National
Two people required medical attention after allegedly being assaulted in separate domestic violence incidents over the weekend.
