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Plastic bags banned
2 July 2025
Letter: Superfund restrictions questioned
13 June 2025
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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
CISNOC executive approves 2023/24 financial statements
Wednesday 28 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Sports
Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) executive board has approved the 2023 and 2024 audited financial statements, as well as the treasurer’s report, according to a statement released yesterday by the sporting body.
Govt allocates $2 million for state-run shipping services
Wednesday 28 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Cook Islands Government is investing $2 million this financial year in shipping services, specifically for the setup of two vessels that will provide transportation and cargo services for the Pa Enua.
Court news
Tuesday 27 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning presided over driving related cases at the Criminal Court in Avarua last Thursday.
PM Brown leads seabed minerals dialogue in Australia
Tuesday 27 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown will lead a 11-member delegation to Australia this week for an “open dialogue” on seabed exploration activities.
Education ministry to manage $370k sports grant to CISNOC
Tuesday 27 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Education, National, Other Sports, Sports
Government funding for the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) will now be managed by the Ministry of Education, according to the 2025/26 Budget Book.
Aitutaki power woes and fertiliser shortages addressed by DPM
Monday 26 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Agriculture, Local, National, Outer Islands
Deputy Prime Minister Albert Nicholas addressed concerns regarding the out-of-stock government-subsidised fertiliser and the reliance on a single power generator in Aitutaki.
‘Shape up’: Public Accounts Committee warns government entities over late reports
Saturday 24 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
A significant number of government entities continue to fail to submit their annual reports and financial statements, undermining the Public Accounts Committee’s role of ensuring good stewardship of public money and that it is spent for the purpose for which it was appropriated.
Tupapa hit hardest by dengue outbreak
Saturday 24 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
Tupapa has recorded the highest number of dengue cases, with five of the 11 reported since February this year.
Budget aims to close cost of living gap: PM Brown
Saturday 24 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Features, In Depth, National
The 2025/26 Cook Islands budget prioritises social welfare increases, public sector pay adjustments and infrastructure upgrades across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua; however, some concerns have been raised about a lack of support for the elderly and businesses.
Chamber of Commerce caught off guard by PM’s maternity and paternity leave announcement
Saturday 24 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown’s announcement regarding the extension of maternity leave and the introduction of paternity leave social support in the 2025/26 Budget has surprised the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce.
Logan flies Cook Islands flag at prestigious Boston Marathon
Saturday 24 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Athletics, Sports
Cook Islands pilot Andrew Logan proudly represented Cook Islands at the prestigious and challenging 129th Boston Marathon last month, marking a significant personal achievement before looking ahead to compete in the Gold Coast and Sydney Marathons.
Economy soars on tourism but global risks loom, cautions PM
Friday 23 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament, Tourism
Driven by a significant rebound in tourism with record arrivals, the Cook Islands’ economy has experienced strong growth, though a more moderate pace is projected alongside concerns about global economic uncertainties.
Dengue outbreak declared
Friday 23 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Health, Local, National
A dengue outbreak has been declared in Rarotonga by Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health after the number of locally acquired cases reached seven, prompting an island-wide clean-up effort to control the spread.
$38.2 million allocated to fix Raro’s roads over four years
Thursday 22 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National
Funding of $38.2 million has been allocated to the roads programme in Rarotonga as part of key infrastructure projects for the Cook Islands over the next four years.
What is in the 2025-2026 budget?
Thursday 22 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown tabled the 2025/2026 National Budget in Parliament yesterday.
Budget 2025/26: Increased support for families, first home buyers and vulnerable
Thursday 22 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament, Politics
The Cook Islands government yesterday unveiled the 2025-2026 national budget, featuring expanded social support through increased welfare, extended parental leave, higher new-born and destitute allowances, a new minimum wage, growing child benefits and a first-home builder programme.
Operation Namu activated as dengue cases rise in Rarotonga
Tuesday 20 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health and the Office of the Prime Minister have activated Operation Namu 2025, aiming to reduce and prevent any outbreak of dengue in the Cook Islands.
Cook Islands minimum wage set to rise to $10 per hour from July
Tuesday 20 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Economy, Local, National
Cook Islands will increase its minimum wage by 50 cents to $10 per hour, a change welcomed by some workers and expats but considered insufficient by others and potentially impactful for small tourism businesses facing rising costs.
Cook Islands proud to stand as part of GEF constituency
Monday 19 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Tingika Elikana says the Cook Islands has had a longstanding and fruitful relationship with the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Name suppression for accused
Monday 19 May 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A 23-year-old man, who is linked to four known juveniles involved in recent burglary cases, has been granted interim name suppression.