More Top Stories
‘Budget prioritises vulnerable’
16 May 2024
Alleged rapist in remand
27 April 2024
Rarotonga residents push back on water tariff plan
12 April 2024
High hopes for chronic patients
4 May 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 Matthew Littlewood
Final defects programme to ‘complete’ multi-million dollar Te Mato Vai project
Tuesday 29 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Economy, Local, National
The final defects programme for the Rarotonga water project should be completed in December, bringing an end to the “nearly” $90 million project.
Bid to increase rape sentence unsuccessful
Tuesday 29 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man who committed several sexual offences against his then-14-year-old niece will remain imprisoned for nine years, after the Crown lost its appeal to increase his sentence to 11 years.
Lagoons and streams assessed
Monday 28 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in
Rarotonga’s lagoons and streams have received a mixed report in the latest environmental survey.
Making her voice heard
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Weekend
Teherenui Koteka wants Cook Islands and Pasifika people to survive and thrive in the topsy-turvy world of creative arts both here and abroad. The playwright talks to senior journalist Matthew Littlewood about her latest work and her aspirations for the future.
Arrest warrant for rape accused
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
An arrest warrant has been issued for a Mangaia man who failed to turn up to the High Court for sentencing
Petition survives: Cook Islands United Party petition to have its day in the High Court
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Cook Islands United Party candidate Margharet Matenga’s petition that claims several voters in the Titikaveka electorate were ineligible and should not have been counted will get its chance in the High Court.
Man fined $2000 for damaging power pole
Friday 25 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A worker who crashed his truck into a power pole near Muri has to pay reparations for both the damaged power pole, and the cost of the police moving the vehicle off the road.
Petrol prices drop but consumers urged to remain wary
Friday 25 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Editor's Pick, National
Petrol prices will decrease from today by about 10 per cent, but the Price Tribunal chairman Louis Enoka is urging consumers not to get too far ahead of themselves.
Phony Cook Islands bond ‘offer’ rears its head again
Thursday 24 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Local, National
Cook Islands authorities are embarrassed by the re-emergence of a phony bond scheme purporting to be from the Government.
Petition appeal dismissed: Cook Islands Party all clear to form coalition government
Thursday 24 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National, Politics
The Cook Islands United Party’s petition accusing two independent Atiu candidates of treating has lost its appeal, and remains struck out, with the Cook Islands Party likely to seek costs.
Jury trial postponed
Wednesday 23 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
A jury trial scheduled for this week has been postponed after there has been a change in counsel.
Police step up search
Wednesday 23 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
Cook Islands Police have yielded few leads, including reported sightings, and are asking for assistance from public as they step up search for the teenager who has been missing since July this year.
Judge set to dish out sentences
Tuesday 22 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
A busy fortnight of High Court fixtures will begin today.
‘No timeframe’ on proposed medicinal cannabis regulation
Tuesday 22 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Health, National, Politics
A medicinal cannabis advocate is calling on the Cook Islands Government to honour their promise to speed up medicinal cannabis law, but the Secretary of Health says there is ‘no timeframe’ for legislation.
Environmental advocates raise concerns about Rarotonga water facilities
Monday 21 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
Community group Te Vai Ora Maori (TVOM) is calling for the National Environment Service to protect Rarotonga's freshwater streams in the wake of upcoming permits being assessed.
Struggling during the down time
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Economy, National
Tourism operators are likely to go into hibernation over the long summer period as they struggle with the relative lack of flights and visitors. Matthew Littlewood talks to those in the industry about the outlook.
PM’s party to seek costs after petitions dismissed
Friday 18 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
A High Court judge has dismissed the Cook Islands United Party’s petitions that the Cook Islands Party’s policy of a tax-free threshold of $60,000 in the Pa Enua in lead up to 2022 general election amounted to bribery.
PM calls for more climate funding
Friday 18 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown says funding for smaller nations affected by climate change must be accelerated.
‘Better than expected’: Govt economist paints optimistic picture
Friday 18 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands economic forecast for the coming months is not as dire as some expected, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management.
Industry considers reducing work hours in ‘quiet’ period
Thursday 17 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Local, National
Tourism operators are prepared for an uncertain outlook over the coming months, with more flights unlikely to be in the pipeline for some time.
