Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

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...

Family, faith, and firsts: Cook Islands set for historic debut
GOLD COAST (Australia) - For the first time in history, the Cook Islands women's basketball team will step onto the court at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 Division B - and it’s not just a debut, it’s a dream come true years in the making....

Letter: Cook Islands superannuation returns
Dear Editor, This is a response to Ellena Tavioni (Cook Islands superannuation, July 7, 2025). Kia Orana Ellena, Thank you once again for your follow-up letter. I commend your ability to construct a house for under $30,000. Based on your...

Peters rejects claim Aotearoa funding freeze to Cook Islands is ‘patronising’
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Photo composite: Newsroom/25070713 New Zealand Foreign Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters rejects suggestions that pausing of development funding to the...

The Cook Islands’ Dilemma: To Mine or Not to Mine
This article is part of our series on responsible mining solutions. The push for clean energy is fueled by a growing demand for minerals, but conventional mining has a track record of harmful social and environmental impacts. Deep-sea mining is...

Cook Islands’ knockout hopes dim after 3-0 loss to Samoa
A comfortable 3-0 win over Cook Islands yesterday sees Samoa keep progression to the knockout stages in sight at the 2025 OFC Women’s Nations Cup in Lautoka, Fiji. OFC MEDIA/25070701 A comfortable 3-0 win over Cook Islands yesterday sees Samoa...

Athletics lead Team Cook Islands’ final medal push at Mini Games
Team Cook Islands hosted a thank you ceremony for their village mayor, the village liaison, the state governor for Ngaraard (the sister state), the Palau Community College president and their sister state liaison over the weekend. CISNOC/25070650...

Letter: Cook Islands superannuation
Dear Editor, We’ve just built nine small units costing less than $30,000.00 each which could house up to two people. I was being generous about the $50,000.00 cost for a little unit. Therefore, I do know what I’m talking about 100%. Depreciation,...

Ruta Mave: The reality of immigration in the Cook Islands
Ruta Tangiiau Mave. Photo: CI NEWS Immigration is the international movement of people from one country to another and is a fundamental aspect of human history, though it was as divisive hundreds of years ago as it is today, writes Ruta Mave....

‘Pension, not a savings account’: Cook Islands super fund defends pension model amidst member frustration
Damien Beddoes, chief executive officer of Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund. 24071908 The Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund (CINSF) is designed as a pension scheme, not a savings account, says its chief executive officer,...

Cook Islands hold Tahiti in Nations Cup
Cook Islands and Tahiti played to a 1-all draw in the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025 opener in Lautoka, Fiji. Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek/25070335 The OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025 kicked off with the spoils shared by Tahiti and Cook Islands...

Kapogianni Joins Iran’s Women’s Basketball Team
She will return to Iran after the end of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division B. Iran is drawn into Pool B alongside Mongolia, Cook Islands, and Thailand. Pool A features Chinese Taipei, Tahiti, Kazakhstan, and India. Team Melli will start the...

Thomas Wynne: Redefining Cook Islands’ nationhood
Thomas Wynne. As we edge toward August 4th and mark 60 years since the Cook Islands gained self-government in free association with New Zealand, we find ourselves again in turbulent constitutional waters, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne. Two recent...

Rarotonga’s Kairua crowned Miss Cook Islands of Queensland 2025
Miss Cook Islands of Queenland, Australia 2025 Praise Kairua with president of Miss Cook Islands of Australia Association, Dylan Hughes. VERA DEAN/25063028 The Miss Cook Islands of Australia Association has officially announced its Miss Cook...

Cook Islands Pocket Guide Launches Major Update Following Latest Research Trip
Cook Islands Pocket Guide, the leading online travel guide for the Cook Islands, has released a major update to its content following an in-depth research trip across Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Atiu. The trip, carried out in March 2025, was made...

Cook Islands explores revival of flagging pearl industry
Cook Islands black pearls are cultivated on the northern group island of Manihiki. A Kora Pearls staff member is pictured assisting a visitor with pearl processing. COOK ISLANDS TOURISM/25070209 The Ministry of Marine Resources is exploring...

Cook Islands soars past previous medal count
Thursday 3 July 2025 | Written by webmaster | Published in Cook Islands swimming sensation Mia Laban, 18, claimed a bronze medal in the women’s 200-metre backstroke final with a time of 2:18.94 minutes on day three of the Pacific Mini Games on...

Cook Islands engages in regional dialogue on social impacts of labour mobility
Cook Islands participated in the Regional Workshop on the Social Impacts of Labour Mobility, held in Apia, Samoa, last week from June 23-26. MFAI/25063025 Cook Islands, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, participated in a...

Cook Islands super fund surpasses $300 million as withdrawal concerns linger
Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund CEO Damien Beddoes. PHOTO: AL WILLIAMS/22101430 The Cook Islands superannuation fund has surpassed $300 million in total market value of investments, but its 25 per cent lump sum withdrawal limit at...

Cook Islands swimmers make golden splash at Pacific Mini Games
Team Cook Islands is making waves at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. Swimmer Jacob Story, middle, dubbed the team’s “golden boy,” claimed gold in the 200m breaststroke final and followed it up with a silver in the 100m individual medley...