More Top Stories
Plastic bags banned
2 July 2025
Letter: Superfund restrictions questioned
13 June 2025
$12.9m approved for solar battery project, NZ confirms
12 March 2025
Crown Law Office on track for record number of lawyers
12 March 2025
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
16 February 2025
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
15 February 2025
No debt in China deal
8 February 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Articles by Losirene Lacanivalu
Pitt: ‘Poor behaviour’ at police checkpoints
Tuesday 24 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Road recklessness from drivers is still a daily issue, not only for the Cook Islands Police Service but for the Rarotonga community.
Inmate accused of attacking others over partner messaging
Tuesday 24 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The trial against an inmate who assaulted two other inmates at Arorangi Prison after suspecting they were messaging his partner began at the High Court of the Cook Islands yesterday.
New Zealand citizenship ‘by right, not privilege’, says PM Brown
Tuesday 24 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Parliament, Regional
Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens “not by privilege, but by right”, said Prime Minister Mark Brown in response to a recent poll conducted in New Zealand on citizenship rights.
PAC flags concerns with Cook Islands Investment Corporation
Monday 23 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee in review of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) annual and financial period for 2022-2023 has recommended that the corporation continue reviewing its Policy and Act to ensure alignment with the MFEM (Ministry of Finance and Economic Management) and the Public Service.
‘Forgiveness by both sides’: PM Brown responds to calls for apology in NZ funding row
Saturday 21 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown has been urged to ‘kiss and make up’ by the Opposition amidst ongoing tension with New Zealand, which has escalated in NZ pausing millions of dollars in development funding.
PM confirms 25 businesses in arrears on Covid-19 loans
Saturday 21 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Twenty-five businesses are behind repayments of a business loan that was issued by the Cook Islands government to support them during the 2020 Covid pandemic.
Parliament news
Saturday 21 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Opposition Member of Parliament Teariki Heather has raised concerns about the funding allocated to families for funeral assistance. Heather said a lot of Cook Islanders returning to the country from Australia and New Zealand claim they are not being looked after. He said that, according to the Appropriation Bill, individuals over the age of 60 […]
Proposed permit limits ‘unfairly target’ Pacific and Asian migrants
Friday 20 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National
The proposed mandatory breaks and permit limitations for expat workers ‘unfairly targets’ Pacific and Asian migrants, says the law firm that successfully challenged the Cook Islands’ immigration law in the High Court.
‘Partnership, not paternalism’- PM slams NZ aid pause as ‘patronising’ amid China deal row
Friday 20 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, New Zealand, Parliament, Politics
Cook Islands engages with countries “who respect our sovereignty”, says Prime Minister Mark Brown, calling New Zealand’s decision to pause $18.2 million in development assistance “patronising” and “inconsistent with modern partnership”.
Clean-up efforts underway as dengue cases rise to 33
Thursday 19 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
Cook Islands has recorded 33 dengue cases since the outbreak was declared in Rarotonga last month.
Cook Islands anticipated New Zealand funding pause, dialogue ongoing to repair trust
Thursday 19 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament, Politics
Cook Islands government anticipated the multi-million-dollar core sector support funding ‘pause’ from New Zealand towards the 2025/26 Budget, Prime Minister Mark Brown told Parliament yesterday.
Clarke receives knighthood for services to business and tourism
Wednesday 18 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Features, Memory Lane, National, Weekend
Prominent businessman and lawyer Trevor Clarke has been awarded a knighthood by the Cook Islands, with Dr James Alcide Gosselin and Ngatokorua Mataio also being recognised for their contributions in the 2025 King’s Awards.
Parliamentary rules clash over Cook Islands National Awards Bill
Wednesday 18 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki: Cook Islands National Awards Bill 2025 is currently in Parliament and due for a second reading with a Certificate of Urgency.
CISNOC secretary general Lewis resigns ‘due to personal reasons’
Wednesday 18 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Sports
The head of Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) Keziah Lewis has resigned.
Parliament News
Wednesday 18 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather has requested that Te Marae Ora, Ministry of Health consider employing interpreters at the hospitals to assist foreign doctors.
Budget debate starts as PAC backs $336 million spending
Tuesday 17 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The 2025/26 Cook Islands National Budget, totalling $336,135,968, has been scrutinised and reviewed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which has recommended its passage in Parliament.
PM: Budget targets cost of living amidst freight hikes
Tuesday 17 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The 2025/2026 National Budget, debated in Parliament this week, is expected to address the country’s cost-of-living adjustments, the Prime Minister said.
Ports works with MFEM and CIIC
Monday 16 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands Ports Authority (CIPA) has confirmed that they are working closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) and Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) on a solution to clear its remaining ADB loan repayment.
EBA matters adjourned
Monday 16 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The High Court of the Cook Islands adjourned all criminal matters related to excess breath alcohol (EBA) as advice is being sought from Crown Law on the procedures done to conduct the EBA tests.
Immigration reconsiders expat work permit limits
Saturday 14 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
Cook Islands Immigration wants to reintroduce mandatory breaks and permit limitations for expat workers, which have been criticised as unfair and a step backwards.