More Top Stories
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 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
Investors pour cash into seabed mineral exploration company
Wednesday 21 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, National
Moana Minerals is not expecting any major changes to how they operate, despite the recent investment into its parent company Ocean Minerals by American firm Odyssey Marine Exploration.
New Zealand recession ‘technical’, says Cook Islands Prime Minister
Wednesday 21 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is confident the nation can weather the storms of New Zealand’s recession but Opposition leader Tina Browne says she thinks the PM is being naïve.
Parliament building extension ‘overspend’ heavily criticised
Tuesday 20 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Local, National
A wide-ranging investigation has heavily criticised the processes which led to the extension of the Cook Islands Parliament building being more than $350,000 over-budget once completed.
Question Time ‘not for stories’, says Speaker
Tuesday 20 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Parliament
The Speaker of the House has asked Cook Islands Parliamentarians to use Question Time wisely.
Defects detected in police patrol vessel Te Kukupa II
Monday 19 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Crime, Local, National
Cook Islands Police have confirmed that the Te Kukupa II patrol vessel that the Australian Government gifted to the Cook Islands last year has had defects detected.
Retailers ‘all but out of rice’, shipment expected next week
Saturday 17 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The next shipment of rice should be arriving next week, providing relief to supply-constrained retailers.
Cook Islands stakeholders wary of New Zealand recession
Saturday 17 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
There is uncertainty as to how New Zealand’s economic woes could affect the Cook Islands.
Public Health Bill delayed to September
Friday 16 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
Legislation regulating smoking and vaping will not see Parliament until September.
PERC ‘examining the finances of CIIC’
Friday 16 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Public Expenditure Review Committee has confirmed it is investigating the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC).
PM Brown takes over ‘suspended’ deputy’s ministerial portfolios
Thursday 15 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown will take on all of suspended Deputy PM Robert Tapaitau’s portfolios for the foreseeable future while a high-profile trial is ongoing.
Growers seek $10million in new Agriculture Budget
Thursday 15 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A representative of the Cook Islands agricultural community is calling on Ministry of Agriculture to be given a major shot in the arm in future Budgets.
Electronic yachts whirl around Muri Beach at the national championships
Wednesday 14 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Other Sports, Sailing, Sports
A fleet of rare Des Townson Electrons hit the waves at Muri on Saturday for a day of National Electron Championships.
Prime Minister among high profile witnesses called to give evidence
Wednesday 14 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is set to be called tomorrow as a witness in a high-profile criminal trial involving suspended Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, former director of the National Environment Service Nga Puna and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna.
Donate blood to help save a life
Wednesday 14 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
In true form to mark World Blood Donor Day and to recognise donors, Cook Islands Red Cross Society is hosting a blood drive at their office today with extra special refreshments to mark the occasion.
Agriculture and Education top public service review
Monday 12 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Education, Local, National
A wide-ranging review of public service in the Cook Islands has ranked the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Education as the top performing ministries, and the Ministry of Marine Resources the lowest.
Finding the mental edge
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Health, In Depth, Weekend
Mental performance coach David Niethe has advised some of New Zealand’s top sportspeople on reaching their goals. He talks to Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood about his career and how he can inspire others.
Rice shortage rankles eateries
Friday 9 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Supplies of rice are dwindling on the island, as providers struggle with supply chain issues.
New ways to grow organically to be discussed at Fiji conference
Wednesday 7 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
Executive members of local organics group Natura Kuki Arani (NKA) hope to bring back new lessons about organic growing after attending conferences in Fiji.
Prime Minister gets ceremonial welcome home
Wednesday 7 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown got the full welcome when he arrived back in Rarotonga.
Canadian visitor calls for more travel options between the Cooks and Northern Hemisphere
Tuesday 6 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Weekend
A long-time visitor from Canada is calling for more connections to Rarotonga to bring more of his fellow Canadians to the Cook Islands.
