More Top Stories
Plastic bags banned
2 July 2025
Letter: Superfund restrictions questioned
13 June 2025
$12.9m approved for solar battery project, NZ confirms
12 March 2025
Crown Law Office on track for record number of lawyers
12 March 2025
‘Nothing to worry about’: Prime Minister Brown on China agreement
16 February 2025
‘Serious questions’: Opposition challenges China partnership
15 February 2025
No debt in China deal
8 February 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
National
Autism Cook Islands cooks up confidence and skills in the kitchen
Last Thursday, Autism Cook Islands (ACI) held a double celebration, marking the end of their last cooking session before the Term 2 break.
Funding crucial as Te Are Manu aims for regular Pa Enua vet visits
Te Are Manu vet clinic recently visited the outer islands of Atiu, Mitiaro, Mangaia and Mauke, providing essential health checks and desexing services to animals, and plans to continue these crucial visits as funding allows.
Select Committee fails to agree, constitutional changes in limbo
Cook Islands Government’s proposed constitutional amendments, which aim to increase the number of Ministers and allow for proxy voting, hang in the balance after the parliamentary committee considering the Bills could not agree on the proposed changes.
Atiu cops ramp up cannabis surveillance
Police in Atiu say they are stepping up and prioritising efforts to monitor cannabis cultivation on the island following the arrest of a man earlier this year who was found planting cannabis.
Nukutere College students head to Fiji for Catholic Youth Leadership programme
Nukutere College students will embark on a journey to represent the Cook Islands in Fiji for a groundbreaking Catholic Youth Leadership and Faith Formation programme next month.
Mangaia welcomes $1 million airport budget but more may be needed
Mangaia’s executive officer Mia Teaurima says the island is grateful for the government’s financial support to upgrade its airport runway, but acknowledges more funding may be needed once the full scope of work is known.
PAC flags concerns with Cook Islands Investment Corporation
The Public Accounts Committee in review of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) annual and financial period for 2022-2023 has recommended that the corporation continue reviewing its Policy and Act to ensure alignment with the MFEM (Ministry of Finance and Economic Management) and the Public Service.
Seabed mining consultations raise fishery concerns
Concerns over the potential impact of seabed mining on fish stocks – a vital food source and livelihood for outer islanders – dominated the recent consultations hosted by Moana Minerals in the Ngaputoru islands of Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro.
‘Forgiveness by both sides’: PM Brown responds to calls for apology in NZ funding row
Prime Minister Mark Brown has been urged to ‘kiss and make up’ by the Opposition amidst ongoing tension with New Zealand, which has escalated in NZ pausing millions of dollars in development funding.
Mauke stands firm on dog ban despite wild pig problem
Mauke leaders are not backing down from their long-standing decision to keep dogs off the island, despite rising concerns over the growing population of wild pigs.
PM confirms 25 businesses in arrears on Covid-19 loans
Twenty-five businesses are behind repayments of a business loan that was issued by the Cook Islands government to support them during the 2020 Covid pandemic.
Parliament news
Opposition Member of Parliament Teariki Heather has raised concerns about the funding allocated to families for funeral assistance. Heather said a lot of Cook Islanders returning to the country from Australia and New Zealand claim they are not being looked after. He said that, according to the Appropriation Bill, individuals over the age of 60 […]
Pitmasters fire up for a good cause
A two-day BBQ competition is being held as part of the Raro Fire and Food Festival, aiming to raise funds for the Junior Sailing Club and to promote the Cook Islands Barbecue Alliance (CIBA).
Mitiaro upholds Ngaputoru customs in traditional fire-walk welcome
Mitiaro reaffirmed its deep cultural roots on Thursday with a powerful and symbolic traditional ceremony to welcome a seabed mining exploration team to the island.
Student finds her path to policing at Career Expo
From curiosity to calling, the 2025 Career Expo this week has sparked students’ passion for helping others through police work in the Cook Islands. Teitimoana Tairi reports.
Cook Islands at 60: Do we really need New Zealand aid?
As the Cook Islands marks six decades of self-government, a critical question lingers: Does our booming economy still need foreign aid? The answer may lie in the fine print of a decades-old agreement, writes Rod Dixon.
Funds raised for future growth
The annual Imanuela Akatemia Gala Day, that was held on Thursday, at the Punanga Nui Market, was a great success, bringing together families, friends and the wider community for a day of exciting activities and purchases for a good cause.
Proposed permit limits ‘unfairly target’ Pacific and Asian migrants
The proposed mandatory breaks and permit limitations for expat workers ‘unfairly targets’ Pacific and Asian migrants, says the law firm that successfully challenged the Cook Islands’ immigration law in the High Court.
Students flock to 2025 Careers Expo to explore their futures
The 2025 Careers Expo welcomed many students from different schools on a tour to experience and learn different career opportunities in the Cook Islands.
‘Partnership, not paternalism’- PM slams NZ aid pause as ‘patronising’ amid China deal row
Cook Islands engages with countries “who respect our sovereignty”, says Prime Minister Mark Brown, calling New Zealand’s decision to pause $18.2 million in development assistance “patronising” and “inconsistent with modern partnership”.
Maori language at the heart of learning in Mauke’s only school
While the national spotlight remains fixed on the revitalisation of Cook Islands Maori in schools across the country, one outer island school has been vitalising the language as its foundation.
PM Brown: Cook Islands not consulted on NZ-China deals amid funding pause
Cook Islands was “not privy to or consulted on” any agreements New Zealand may enter into with China during Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit this week.