Outer islands' delicacies in hot demand at Cook Islands 60th anniversary celebrations

Penrhyn loads up the tray of the truck full of food to donate to the other groups from the Outer Islands. Photo: Caleb Fotheringham Unique island specialties are selling fast at the Cook Islands 60th Constitution celebrations trade days in...

Cook Islands govt to consider increasing sugary drinks and alcohol tax proposal

The proposal to increase taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol will be considered by the Cook Islands Cabinet this month as the Health Ministry ramps up efforts to tackle rising chronic health problems in the country. A draft gazette listing...

From the archives: Era of self-government begins in the Cook Islands

Marguerite Story was the first Speaker from 1965-1979. It is believed that Mrs. Story became the first woman Speaker in the democratic world. RADIO COOK ISLANDS/25080188 This article by W. H. Percival on Rarotonga, published in the September 1965...

Aviator returns home | RNZAF aircraft lands on Ma’uke Island

A Cook Islander in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) made an emotional return to his tiny island home this month. Sergeant Matatunoa Mata joined the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) on a mission to Ma’uke Island for Exercise Tropic Twilight...

How the Cook Islands’ Proximity to China Stunned New Zealand

By Mridul Jha Since 1997, China has funded various public infrastructure projects on the Cook Islands, which include the Court House, the Ministry of Education, Apii Nikao primary school, and the Rarotonga ring main water system, in addition to...

In the depths of the ocean, a new contest between the U.S and China emerges

By Prianka Srinivasan RAROTONGA (THE GUARDIAN) —Around the Cook Islands, the world’s two most powerful countries are exploring the possibility of deep-sea mining for critical minerals Deep below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, the seafloor is...

Cook Islands Cabinet approves significant increase in tobacco tax

Cook Islands Cabinet has approved a significant increase in tobacco tax, aiming to reduce smoking rates and combat non-communicable diseases. The Cabinet has recently approved the initiative set by Ministry of Health to increase the tobacco tax by...

Cook Islands launches first-ever National Awards system: Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki   

Prime Minister Mark Brown. SUPPLIED. The Office of the Prime Minister is proud to announce the establishment of Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki: The Cook Islands National Awards, an historic milestone to recognise and honour outstanding service,...

The Pacific island nation that wants to mine the ocean floor: Cook Islands explores US$4b mineral trove amid rising environmental concerns

RAROTONGA (Cook Islands), July 23 — A 1,000-tonne ship is exploring the far-flung South Pacific for riches buried beneath the waves, spearheading efforts to dredge the tropical waters for industrial deep-sea mining. Fringed by sparkling lagoons...

Cook Islands unveils historic National Awards system

Prime Minister Mark Brown in Parliament this week. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/25062316 Cook Islands has established its own national awards system, Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki, to recognise outstanding service and achievement across all sectors of...

Cook Islands Parliament passes 2025/26 Budget

Prime Minister Mark Brown in Parliament on June 23, 2025. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU / 25062320 The Cook Islands Parliament on Tuesday passed the 2025/26 Budget after just over a week of debate, with Parliament sitting only half-days during this period....

Cook Islands Prime Minister slams NZ aid freeze as ‘patronising’

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand’s decision to pause development aid is patronising and will harm the country’s most vulnerable citizens. In a ministerial statement to Parliament on Thursday (Cook Islands time), Brown...

Green Party co-leader to visit Cook Islands for breast cancer advocacy

Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand co-leader Marama Davidson. SUPPLIED/25071741 Marama Davidson, co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand and breast cancer survivor, will visit Rarotonga from Thursday, 31 July to Tuesday 5 August at...

Puāwai Project puts rangatahi in charge of mental health solutions

Mental health charity, Hauora Aotearoa, is taking a different approach to challenging the mental health crisis in Aotearoa by putting rangatahi at the forefront of their own solutions through the Puāwai Project. The Project is a multi-step...

New Zealand snub a clear message for Cook Islands, says Opposition

Opposition MP and Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather. LOSIRENE LACANICALU/25052306 New Zealand’s top political leaders skipping the Cook Islands’ 60th Constitution anniversary, seen as a rebuke over closer ties with China, has...

Senior mental health nurse Anthony Lockington loses job for misconduct, causing colleague harm

The colleague reportedly received unsatisfactory responses – with Lockington allegedly stating on one occasion that his behaviour was just who he was. Health NZ brought in an independent employment specialist, advising Lockington of the complaint...

Cook Islands – trouble in Paradise as Wellington pulls the plug

Role Funding: In December 2024, Prime Minister Mark Brown proposed issuing a unique Cook Islands passport—a move Wellington warned could signal constitutional independence. Although the passport plan was later shelved, it heightened sensitivity...

Cook Islands PM slams NZ over funding pause

By Caleb Fortheringham of RNZ Pausing nearly $20 million in development assistance is "patronising" and "inconsistent with modern partnership", Prime Minister Mark Brown has told the Cook Islands parliament. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston...

Cook Islands PM slams NZ for 'patronising approach' over China deal

Pausing nearly $20 million in development assistance is "patronising" and "inconsistent with modern partnership", Prime Minister Mark Brown has told the Cook Islands parliament. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million...

Caught in the contest between China and the west, the Cook Islands asks where its future lies

On a remote stretch of land in the Cook Islands lies a second world war airstrip. Once used as a wartime supply route by American forces, the narrow runway is in dire need of resealing to allow larger tourist jets to land. Leaders on the northern...