More Top Stories
Tapaitau appeal dismissed
17 July 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Ruta Mave: Can you trust your government?
22 July 2024
TB cases detected
1 June 2024
Touch trio ready for World Cup
23 May 2024
Man accused of raping minors face more charges
30 May 2024
‘Budget prioritises vulnerable’
16 May 2024
Alleged rapist in remand
27 April 2024
Rarotonga residents push back on water tariff plan
12 April 2024
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 April 2024
Cook Islands poised for highest Pacific growth
29 April 2024
Ex-DPM appeals ‘excessive sentence’, hearing date set
26 April 2024
Mass milkfish die-off in Penrhyn raises concerns
3 April 2024
Regulator defends Starlink users
9 April 2024
Cook Islands set to play in new World Series
10 October 2023
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
Moana target 2025 World Cup
11 November 2022
Articles by Losirene Lacanivalu
Cook Islands open to airlines, eyes North American expansion
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Economy, National, Parliament, Travel
Cook Islands welcomes any airline interested in flying to the country, especially those that can expand the country’s reach to North America and Europe, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Bill to safeguard Manatua Cable passed with fines up to $250,000
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
A monetary fine will be imposed on anyone who breaches the Manatua Cable Protection Bill 2024.
Parliament clerk Vainerere explains bill process
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
Clerk of Parliament Tangata Vainerere says there is a process for each bill that goes through Parliament before it becomes law.
Decision on top cop delayed as force faces staffing crisis
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Local, National
The decision on renewing the Cook Islands Police Commissioner’s contract has been further delayed amidst concerns about a major staff shortage in the force.
Stage set for annual Sports Awards
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) is anticipating a good turnout at the 2023 Cook Islands Sports Awards to be held tomorrow night.
Cook Islands passes Health Bill to improve health outcomes
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, Parliament
The Cook Islands Public Health Bill 2024 that aims to protect and promote the health of all people of the Cook Islands by reducing the incidence of disease and ill-health was passed on Thursday.
Cook Islands hosts PASAI Congress, set to assume leadership role
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands will assume the chair of the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions at the 25th PASAI Congress to be hosted in Rarotonga next week.
Service and sacrifice: Puna keeps an ‘open mind’
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Features, In Depth, Local, Memory Lane, National, Outer Islands, Pacific Islands, Regional, Weekend
Former Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna, who ends his term as Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General later this month, is planning to retire to his island home of Manihiki. But the 73-year-old is keeping an open mind and hasn’t ruled out a return to local political scene just yet. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Parliament fixes ‘oversight’ on preferential residency for Kiwis
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, New Zealand, Parliament, Regional
Parliament has passed a bill to amend the Immigration Act in order to comply with a court ruling that found a residency regulation giving preferential treatment to New Zealand citizens to be invalid.
Man who stole pigs to face justice
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man who has admitted to stealing a male and female pig this year in Rarotonga will be sentenced on June 19.
Cook Islands bans vapes, raises smoking age to 21
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, Parliament
Cook Islands Parliament passed a bill banning imitation tobacco products like e-cigarettes and raising the smoking age to 21.
Parliament briefs
Thursday 16 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Six Bills were presented and tabled during yesterday’s Parliament sitting.
‘Budget prioritises vulnerable’
Thursday 16 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
In supporting the most vulnerable, the Government has allocated funds for caregivers, patient referrals, increasing the minimum wage, and supporting non-government organisations (NGOs) for the next financial year.
Government aims to stimulate economy through infrastructure spending
Thursday 16 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Government’s focus on infrastructure investment to deliver key projects such as roads, Manihiki Airport upgrades, and Aitutaki’s water project has been proposed in the 2024/2025 Budget. Yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the Minister for Finance, tabled the Appropriation Bill 2024 in Parliament where Government has proposed $328million for the 2024-2025 Budget. In […]
PM pledges ‘good budget’ despite inflation and debt challenges
Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
The 2024/25 Budget will be the “budget of perseverance”, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Cook Islands minimum wage to increase by 50 cents per hour
Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
Cook Islands minimum wage will increase by 50 cents to $9.50 per hour from July 1, 2024, despite some arguing it’s not enough to keep up with cost of living.
Puna honoured to end Pacific mission at home
Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Former prime minister Henry Puna, who ends his term as the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum this month, says he is humbled to have been the first Cook Islander to hold the post and fly the flag of his country.
Badminton masters tourney returns with record numbers
Tuesday 14 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Badminton, Sports
Nineteen teams including seven from the Cook Islands will be participating in the Badminton Oceania Masters in Paradise 2024 tournament to be held from May 23-28 in Rarotonga.
Govt set to amend immigration law following High Court ruling
Tuesday 14 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Parliament
Parliament will meet for its second session for the year tomorrow at 1pm, with a number of Bills on the agenda for presentation, including the 2024/25 Budget.
‘Showing off to get attention’: String of juvenile crimes raises concerns
Tuesday 14 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
Showing off to get attention is one reason juveniles are misbehaving, not just in Rarotonga, but worldwide, says men’s counselling organisation, Te Punanga Oraanga Matutu (TePOM).
