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
Netball Comp final showdown
Saturday 14 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Netball, Sports
Takuvaine Netball Club has three teams competing in the Rarotonga Club Competition final showdown at the Sports Arena today.
Sharks sink Wolves to claim T20 Super Slam Cricket title
Thursday 12 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Cricket, Sports
The Tiger Sharks have been crowned the new champions of the Cook Islands Cricket Association 2025 T20 Super Slam Cricket Competition.
Agriculture makes strides on PAC review
Thursday 12 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Parliament
The Ministry of Agriculture has made progress on some of the recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in its 2nd Annual Review 2022-23 and Other Reviews report that was tabled in Parliament late last month.
Health ministry explores water fluoridation to battle tooth decay
Thursday 12 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health will conduct a feasibility study on school-based water fluoridation to combat alarming rates of tooth decay in Cook Islands children, aiming to reduce it by 50 per cent by 2030.
PAC recommends Infrastructure CI secure funding for waste management initiatives
Wednesday 11 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended that Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) secure funding for waste management initiatives, in particular the incinerator project.
TMO proposes tax increase on alcohol and sugary drinks
Wednesday 11 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
Te Marae Ora, Ministry of Health is working on a proposal to increase tax on alcohol and sugary drinks aiming to reduce the rate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Cook Islands.
Court news
Monday 9 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
June 9, 2025
Private school teachers excluded from government salary increase
Monday 9 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Education, National, Parliament
The $2.3 million allocated to the Ministry of Education for the government-wide salary adjustment in the 2025/26 budget does not extend to the teachers of private schools, which make up over a quarter of the total schools in the Cook Islands.
Government-wide pay hike set to benefit police officers, PSC says
Saturday 7 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Economy, Local, National
The Public Service Commissioner has clarified that the Cook Islands Police Service is not part of the core Public Service, with the Police Commissioner determining specific salary placements for his officers within the broader government pay framework.
Patai navigates to Nat Geo’s Wayfinder Award
Saturday 7 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, Weekend
Cook Islands’ renowned voyager and navigator Peia Patai has been named one of the recipients of the prestigious National Geographic Society 2025 Wayfinder Award, presented by Kia.
‘Toughest’ league battle begins
Saturday 7 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Rugby league, Sports
The ‘toughest and most intense’ rugby league series, which will bring down the curtain on the 2025 season, will kick off this afternoon at the Aretere Park in Avatiu.
Probation anddriving ban for businesswoman in hit and run incident
Friday 6 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Court, Local, National
Businessperson Vaiana Dance was sentenced to 24 months of probation, with 12 months on community service, for two counts of dangerous driving causing injury and one count of failing to stop to ascertain injury.
Cook Islands Police adopt ‘rolling recruitment’ to tackle staffing shortages
Friday 6 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands Police have moved away from the traditional model of the “wing” recruitment process to a rolling system of taking on recruits progressively, as and when appropriate, according to media and strategic advisor Trevor Pitt.
Top four battle begins
Thursday 5 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Netball, Sports
Netball Cook Islands (NCI) Rarotonga Local Club Competition enters the top four battle this week, with teams ready to put their bodies on the line to earn a spot in next week’s grand finale.
Police urged to explore power subsidies as electricity bills soar
Thursday 5 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Local, National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended that the Cook Islands Police Service explore Te Aponga Uira (TAU) subsidies to lower its electricity expenses.
Court news
Thursday 5 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Chief Justice Patrick Keane presided over several matters at the Cook Islands High Court via an audio-visual link last Friday.
Cook Islands lawyer heads law enforcement agency in Fiji
Tuesday 3 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National
Cook Islands lawyer Lavi Rokoika has been appointed as the acting Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Smith knighted for decades of service to Cook Islands business and tourism
Tuesday 3 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, National, Tourism
Air Rarotonga managing director Ewan Smith has been recognised in the New Zealand King’s Birthday Honours after he was knighted for services to Cook Islands business and tourism.
Police probe fatal road crash
Tuesday 3 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands Police has confirmed the death of a 39-year-old male who crashed at the roadside in Avatiu.
Former sports executive to enter plea on next court date
Saturday 31 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Former sporting executive Romani Katoa is expected to enter a plea to the charge of wilful damage on his next appearance at the Cook Islands High Court in Rarotonga.
