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 Matthew Littlewood
Mental health issues for LGBTQI community in the spotlight
Saturday 4 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
Mental health issues among the LGBTQI community in the Cook Islands remain a concern, as the country’s homosexual law reform remains in limbo.
Assault and wilful damage charges dropped
Saturday 4 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man charged with assaulting his wife and wilfully damaging their vehicle has had his charges dropped.
Alleged rapist granted bail, matter heads to High Court
Friday 3 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in
The Criminal Court yesterday granted bail to a man facing charges of sex with a minor and rape.
Drink drivers convicted, disqualified from driving for 12 months
Friday 3 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
Several people charged with drink driving appeared before Justice of the Peace John Whitta in the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday.
Met Service keeps an eye on cyclones
Thursday 2 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Weather
Cook Islands Meteorological Service is keeping an eye on upcoming tropical cyclones.
Starlink set to be launched by June
Thursday 2 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands
Elon Musk’s Starlink service should be up and running in the Cook Islands within a few months.
‘Timely’ arrival of emergency equipment from China
Wednesday 1 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
The arrival of emergency equipment costing more than $150,000 for the Cook Islands has been hailed as “timely” in the wake of destructive weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle.
‘Leaving nobody behind’: Government developing Digital Transformation Strategy
Wednesday 1 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Technology
The Cook Islands Government is in the throes of developing a Digital Transformation Strategy, with the intention of “leaving nobody behind” when it comes to the online world.
Establishment of National Human Rights Institute gains momentum
Tuesday 28 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Culture, Local, National
Cook Islands Ombudsman Niki Rattle has returned from a conference in Fiji with fresh ideas as the office looks to establish a Human Rights Institute for the Cook Islands.
Culture confirms Te Maeva Nui 2023 ‘in a reduced form’
Tuesday 28 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Culture, National
Head of the Ministry of Cultural Development Anthony Turua confirmed to Cook Islands News that “we are still running the normal scaled down 58th Te Maeva Nui Celebration this year, similar to last year, due to the current economic landscape”.
Report finds operation of sludge system ‘compliant’
Tuesday 28 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, Local, National
A report into the operation of the sludge drying beds managed by the To Tatou Vai water authority has found them compliant.
Brown assumes Forum chair
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, Business, National, Regional
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has assumed the position of chair of the Pacific Islands Forum in lead up to the regional leaders meeting in the final quarter of the year in Rarotonga.
‘Sludge’ concern
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
An environmental advocacy group is calling for better oversight of the Cook Islands’ water supply, after concerns about alleged sludge pollution in streams from the drinking water project Te Mato Vai.
Minimum wage debate: Suggestion for $9 per hour new rate gains momentum
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Economy, Local, National
A public meeting on the minimum wage was held this week with minimum wage panelists fielding a host of questions. Matthew Littlewood, who attended the meeting, reports.
PM holds bilateral meetings, Puna and Maamau embrace as Pacific unites again
Friday 24 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, National, Politics, Regional
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has been on a busy visit to Fiji ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum later this year.
Cooks’ fertility rates decline
Thursday 23 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, Local, National
There has been a slight dip in the fertility rates for Cook Islands women, according to the latest Census.
Agriculture activity largely for home use
Thursday 23 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands
Agriculture is still largely done for home use, according to the latest Census results.
Cook Islands teens suffering with mental wellbeing issues
Thursday 23 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, Local, National
A major mental health study has found a worryingly large proportion of surveyed Cook Islands adolescents experience high to very high levels of anxiety and other mental health issues.
Cook Islands maintains high levels of employment
Wednesday 22 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Local, National
The median income for people in Rarotonga is about $18,000, while the island continues to have high employment rates.
Water stations prove popular
Wednesday 22 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, Local, National
Use of bottled water for household’s supply of drinking water has dropped over the past few years, as people start making more use of water stations.
