More Top Stories
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
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
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
Inflation eases but concerns remain
31 August 2024
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
22 August 2024
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
13 August 2024
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Rashneel Kumar
Weekend burglaries target businesses and government agencies
Tuesday 18 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, National
A string of burglaries has caused a major concern for Cook Islands Police, adding pressure to their staffing capacity, a spokesperson said.
Hawaiian carvers defend protocols, Tavioni says ‘It is a Pacific Festival and not Hawaiian only’
Monday 17 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Art, Features, Local, National, Regional
A group of Hawaiian carvers responded to accusations that a respected female Cook Islands carver was barred from the official carving area at the 13th Pacific Arts Festival and Culture in Honolulu due to a kapu on women carvers.
‘Love our little paradise’ : Cook Islands unites for World Oceans Day
Saturday 15 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Features, National
A local non-government organisation nears harvesting a milestone 10,000 crown-of-thorns starfish from Rarotonga reefs since launching Operation Taramea in 2020.
From floods to ‘real rainbow’: Artist returns to Rarotonga with uplifting exhibition
Saturday 15 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Art, Features
After losing his house in the devastating Auckland floods, a New Zealand artist returned to Rarotonga for the first time in five years to showcase his latest exhibition, a collection he describes as a ‘real rainbow’.
Opposition discusses returning to PAC, but concerns remain
Saturday 15 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
The Democratic Party MPs will be meeting today to discuss the possibility of rejoining the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) after resigning last month over the appointment of the new chair.
Mangaia’s Bicentennial Celebration opens with grand ceremony
Monday 10 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Church Talk, Environment, Features, Local, National
Mangaia came to a standstill on Saturday for the historic Bicentennial Celebration’s opening ceremony, marking 200 years of Christianity on the island.
Mangaia triples in size: Island gears up to feed 1000 visitors for Bicentennial Celebration
Saturday 8 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
A celebratory atmosphere fills Mangaia as hundreds arrive for the long-awaited Bicentennial Celebration kicking off today with the official opening ceremony.
Flying high on public funds: Audit report recommends economy class for CIIC travel
Thursday 6 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Editor's Pick, National
All travel by Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) employees and board members should be economy class, an audit report has recommended after finding past overseas trips involved business class and premier economy travels.
Opposition MPs walk out of PAC over chair appointment
Friday 31 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Features, National, Parliament, Politics
The three Opposition Members of Parliament have quit the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over the appointment of the new chair, leaving four Government MPs reviewing the Appropriation Bill 2024-25.
Voltage ‘increase’ sparks concerns, residents report appliance damage
Wednesday 29 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Local, National
The Rarotonga electricity provider is under fire for allegedly supplying higher voltage after a power station upgrade, with some residents and businesses reporting damaged appliances.
Audit report reveals CIIC overspent budget by $2.7m
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) overspent their budgeted appropriation from Parliament by more than $2.7 million over the past five years.
Cook Islands tourism booms, early arrivals smash record
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals are trending towards a record this year, with the highest total in the first four months of 2024. However, Cook Islands Tourism says they will still fall short of the 2019 record.
Local vendor saves Mother’s Day with ‘Later Pay’ system
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Business, Local, National
Over a week ago, a number of local bank customers were left with zero balances in their accounts leading up to Mother’s Day on May 11. A local vendor stepped in to help put a smile on their faces.
Cops in crisis: Cook Islands Police understaffed by 30-40 officers
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, Local, National
Cook Islands Police face staffing shortages due to budget cuts and uncompetitive remuneration, prompting a restructuring effort to improve recruitment and retention.
Cook Islanders caught in food shortages amid Nouméa unrest
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, New Caledonia, Regional
Cook Islanders residing in Nouméa, New Caledonia, are concerned about food stocks as the violent unrest, which has claimed five lives, begins to subside.
Doubling GDP needed for NZ-level minimum wage: PM Brown
Thursday 16 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands can only afford a minimum wage similar to New Zealand’s if it more than doubles its gross domestic product to $1.2-$1.5 billion, according to Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Cook Islanders in Nouméa on ‘high alert’ as violence erupts
Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, New Caledonia, Regional
Cook Islanders residing in Nouméa are on high alert amidst the violent unrest unfolding in New Caledonia’s capital over proposed constitutional changes. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu report.
Coastal inundation alert issued for Rarotonga, Southern Cooks
Monday 13 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Weather
A coastal inundation alert was issued on Saturday for Rarotonga and the rest of the Southern Cook Islands, warning of potential sea flooding in coastal areas, particularly during high tides.
Transaction delays leave customers frustrated
Saturday 11 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National, Technology
Delayed settlement of card transactions by the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) has left some of its customers broke heading into the weekend.
Organic farmers fear water tariffs could threaten food security
Friday 10 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National
The proposed water tariffs could cripple the Cook Islands’ agricultural supply, warns Natura Kuki Airani (NKA), the Cook Islands organic movement.
