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Cook Islands drops bids for United Nations, Commonwealth membership

Cook Islands will not pursue membership in the United Nations and the Commonwealth due to its inability to meet the criteria for UN membership and existing relationship with New Zealand, which fulfils Commonwealth membership requirements.

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Passport plan ‘not the best of the initiatives by the PM’: Government MP

Government MPs remain uncertain about the proposed Cook Islands passport, intended to celebrate national pride and identity, with one MP stating that it is not among the Prime Minister’s best initiatives.

Agriculture

Cook Islands eases import ban on NZ poultry following bird flu outbreak

Culture

Te Ipukarea Concert to launch 60th anniversary celebrations

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Environment

PM clarifies use of NGO logos in seabed mining consultation

Letters to the Editor

Letter: What are we celebrating?

Sports

Sixteen teams ready to rumble at Boxing Day Touch Tournament

The stage is set for Vonnias Boxing Day Touch Tournament, which will be held this Thursday at Nukupure Park in Ngatangiia.

Rugby Union

Cook Islands Rugby Union hosts ‘She’s a Ruckstar’ Christmas beach rugby festival

The Cook Islands Rugby Union (CIRU) is hosting the ‘She’s A Ruckstar’ Christmas beach rugby fun festival for girls to provide a safe and fun learning space to start their rugby journey in a less intimidating environment.

Cycling

BMX enthusiast pushes for skate park

Dedicated BMX enthusiast Cook Islander Tony Takurua whose passion for the sport extends beyond his personal pursuits is on a mission to advocate for the construction of a skate park.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: What are we celebrating?

Dear Editor, In January 2024, a year ago now, on a beach at Mauke, two older teenaged girls kicked and bashed a younger teenaged girl with intellectual disabilities, while the third girl (friend of the other two) filmed it and put it on the internet.

Opinion

Ruta Mave: Passport plan leaves Cook Islands vulnerable and isolated

Prime Minister Mark Brown’s passport proposal presents as more personal than from the people. He sounds like a spoilt teenager who has graduated from his ‘L’ plate to a full driver’s licence, declaring to his parents that he is all grown up now, and wants to be independent, writes Ruta Mave.

Opinion

Thomas Wynne: Leave the ancient mountain where it is

For this current government to potentially threaten our ability to hold a New Zealand passport is a concern not just to those at home but to all of us who hold this passport and have akapapa or genealogical ties back to our beautiful Ipukarea, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Focusing on ‘growth’ in 2025

Dear Editor Good on the Prime Minister for focusing on “growth” in 2025. May this writer humbly suggest that the government begins with truly aggressive growth in the number of vehicles on our uncrowded and under-utilised roads?

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Features

SIF grants address critical social needs across the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands Social Impact Fund distributed $199,825.20 to 14 successful applicants, including organisations focused on child welfare, education, youth development, women’s empowerment and community health, to support their vital work in addressing social issues and improving the well-being of Cook Islanders.

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Culture

Divided legacy: Arioka invested as Pera Mataiapo Tutara amidst controversy

Patrick Arioka has been invested with the traditional title of Pera Mataiapo Tutara in the second investiture for the same title this year, little over a week after another claimant, Ana Andrew, was invested on November 27, 2024.

Art

A night of music and culture

The annual Kīnura Music Festival, hosted by local NGO Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau (KO), took place at the National Auditorium on Friday, December 6, attracting a large audience of over 1000.

Economy

Cooks and Australia superannuation MOU

Cook Islands government has signed a superannuation agreement with Australia allowing returning Cook Islanders to retire and transfer their superannuation savings easily to the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund.

Health

Western Pacific to miss UN goal to cut early deaths from lifestyle diseases: WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Western Pacific countries including the Cook Islands will likely miss out on the United Nations’ goal to reduce premature deaths from lifestyle-related diseases such as cancer and diabetes, as a result of alcohol and tobacco intake.

Economy

First Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) Council Meeting in Cook Islands

Council members of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) from 16 Pacific States gathered in the Cook Islands for the first time for the fourth PASO Council Meeting on November 4-6.