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
‘We are all equal in the eyes of God and the law’
Monday 17 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
Of all amendments to Cook Islands laws, Friday’s passing of changes by Parliament to ‘what was a seriously outdated’ Crimes Act, is one of the best and most civilised advances made in recent times to existing legislation, says a delighted Democratic Party Opposition Leader.
Rethink tourism approach, Opposition leader tells govt
Monday 17 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Opposition leader Tina Browne has called on the Government to rethink its approach to tourism.
Decriminalising homosexuality: Opposition MPs say new Bill contravenes God’s law
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Sweeping changes to the Crimes Act, including the decriminalising of homosexuality, were passed in Cook Islands Parliament, despite some strong views that the changes will contravene God’s law.
Parliament passes $60k tax free threshold for Pa Enua
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands, Politics
People living in the Pa Enua won’t be paying tax unless they earn over $60,000 a year, thanks to the passing of a new Bill.
Pride Cook Islands: ‘We have made history’
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
The Crimes (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill 2023 was passed in Parliament on Friday.
Parliament debates ‘Pa Enua $60k tax-free threshold’ Bill
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands, Politics
Debate on the Bill creating a tax-free threshold of $60,000 for the Pa Enua residents is underway.
$216m debt ‘modest’: PM
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is satisfied with the country’s ‘modest’ debt levels, but the Opposition are concerned about the fiscal future.
Airlines required to file departure tax returns monthly under new Bill
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Technology, Travel
A Bill requiring airlines to file Departure tax returns monthly has been passed with unanimous support in Parliament.
$6m programme to improve Rarotonga’s back and side roads
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
The Cook Islands Government is in the process of a $6 million programme to improve Rarotonga’s backroads and sideroads.
Budget to address inflationary pressures and cost of living issues: PM
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says June’s Budget will go some way to addressing inflationary pressures and cost of living issues for the vulnerable.
Opposition raises concern over Government’s push for seabed mining
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Opposition leader Tina Browne has spoken out in Parliament about her concerns with the Government’s pace in pushing ahead with seabed mineral exploration.
Air NZ legal costs top $365k
Wednesday 12 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The decision to challenge Air New Zealand for tax has cost the Cook Islands taxpayer more than $93,000 in legal fees and $275,000 in costs orders.
Cook Islands United Party faces hefty legal bill
Wednesday 12 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
The Cook Islands United Party could be facing a costs order of more than $30,000 for their failed electoral petitions, but the party leader says he has “no regrets”.
Cooks-US diplomatic relations likely to be finalised ‘by the middle of this year’
Tuesday 11 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands are a step closer to forming formal diplomatic arrangements with the United States.
Evans heads to Harvard for yearlong sustainable development studies
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Weekend
Jacqui Evans will soon depart for the United States for a year-long course on planning for the new environment. She talks to Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood about her passion for the environment, and what she would like to see changed.
Vodafone increases landline rentals
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Technology
Vodafone Cook Islands is raising their business landline costs significantly this month, in an effort to pay for fibre network upgrades, and absorb rising costs.
Cyclone Gabrielle fundraising appeal tops $50k
Thursday 6 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
“Operation Tauturu Aotearoa” fundraising organiser Norman George confirmed the amount, which was raised through several events, including a radiothon and a special charity dinner at Coastal Kitchen, and told Cook Islands News that more money was expected to roll on in.
Easter weekend provides timely boost for Aitutaki
Thursday 6 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Local, National
Tourism operators in Aitutaki are preparing for a busy Easter break, with locals taking advantage of the long weekend.
Short, sharp sentence for reckless driver
Wednesday 5 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man facing multiple counts of refusing a blood or breath-alcohol test has been given a “short, sharp” sentence of one month in jail.
Term limits eased for Cook Islands Democratic party leaders
Wednesday 5 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
A new remit for the Cook Islands Democratic Party will relax the four-year term limit for its leaders.
