Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Young scoops outstanding athlete award
FBC News
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July 9, 2025
Source: Team Fiji / Facebook Team Fiji sprinter Heleina Young was named the Outstanding Female Athlete of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games at the closing ceremony held this evening at the Palau Track and Field Stadium. Her selection from over 1,400...
Story and Laban lead the way as Cook Islands’ medal tally grows
Cook Island News
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July 2, 2025
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...
Letter: Cook Islands sovereignty debate
Cook Island News
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July 2, 2025
Dear Editor, Joe T Public’s (JoeTP) (bully-boy tactics letter 20 June) was the clever work of a sophist (a person who peddles a fallacious argument to support a false conclusion) and reads very much like it is Government’s position and coming from...
Cook Islands launches first-ever National Awards system: Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki
Cook Island News
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June 30, 2025
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,...
Cook Islands Cabinet approves significant increase in tobacco tax
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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June 30, 2025
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...
Saving the Cook Islands Māori language
Cook Island News
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July 1, 2025
The top three students from the Tateni Kōrero Apii Tuātai (Primary Schools Māori Speech Competition) held yesterday at Te Are Karioi Nui (National Auditorium). Pictured from left: Ana-Nui Wichman – Apii Takitumu (3rd place), Hinamoana Olah – Apii...
The Tree of Life: Honouring the Coconut Tree's Sacred Place in the Cook Islands Culture
Infonews NZ
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You’ve seen it in nearly every photo of our little paradise — the iconic coconut tree. It’s the unmistakable symbol of tropical life, a mark that you’ve arrived somewhere truly special. But in the Cook Islands, the coconut is more than just a...
Cook Islands unveils historic National Awards system
Cook Island News
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June 27, 2025
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 heads to Fiji with renewed hope for OFC Women’s Nations Cup
Cook Island News
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June 26, 2025
Cook Islands national women’s football team departed yesterday for the 2025 OFC Women’s Nations Cup. CIFA MEDIA/25062522 The Cook Islands national women’s football team departed yesterday for the 2025 OFC Women’s Nations Cup, set to kick off in...
Cook Islands blocks 37 individuals with gang links at border
Cook Island News
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June 26, 2025
Thirty-seven (37) individuals have been stopped from entering the Cook Islands between June 2024 and April of this year due to their affiliations with gangs overseas. COOK ISLANDS TOURISM/25062530 Thirty-seven (37) individuals with overseas gang...
Letter: Humble pie
Cook Island News
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July 8, 2025
The next few weeks are crucial and critical and it’s time for calm heads and enough of the political chest-beating. The Cook Islands Prime Minister needs to humble himself, and New Zealand must take a more conciliatory tone. The current standoff,...
Will New Zealand’s ‘patronising’ aid freeze push Cook Islands closer to China?
South China Morning Post
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June 29, 2025
What began as a quiet series of infrastructure deals between the Cook Islands and China has erupted into a diplomatic stand-off, with New Zealand halting millions in aid and Pacific leaders accusing Wellington of “patronising” behaviour. New...
Team Cook Islands in high spirit
Cook Island News
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June 28, 2025
The Cook Islands swim team. KIERAN CHAN/ CISNOC-25062710 The young swimming team from the Cook Islands is in Palau, filled with high spirits and ready for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. Chef de Mission Mark Short says, “We have a very young team in...
National workforce plan aims to boost retention and opportunities
Cook Island News
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July 8, 2025
The development of a National Workforce Development Plan has started, shaping the future of the Cook Islands workforce. From left: Front - Kaye Cox, education specialist and team lead, Myra Patai, OPSC CEO; Middle from left: Jens Debus, HR...
Cook Islands Parliament passes 2025/26 Budget
Cook Island News
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June 25, 2025
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....
Thunderstorm rattles Rarotonga, sparks concerns
Cook Island News
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July 8, 2025
Loud claps of thunder echoed across parts of the Cook Islands over the weekend, startling residents and raising concerns about possible flight disruptions. The intense thunderstorm activity, particularly affecting the Southern Group including...
Sugary drinks, alcohol taxes eyed to boost health funding
Cook Island News
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July 8, 2025
A draft gazette listing categories of unhealthy products and drinks in the Cook Islands that will face increased taxation has been finalised, according to Bob Williams, Secretary for Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health. 25070801 The proposal to...
New minimum wage now in effect
Cook Island News
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July 8, 2025
A Mareko salesperson assisting tourists with pareus, helping them decide the best colour that suits them. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/ 25051622 The Cook Islands’ new minimum wage rate of $10 per hour officially came into effect on July 1, 2025, following a...
New Zealand chiropractic interns bring relief and hope to Rarotonga
Cook Island News
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July 8, 2025
New Zealand College of Chiropractic intern Carlos Fung performing a spinal check up yesterday. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/ 25070730 Final-year interns from the New Zealand College of Chiropractic are bringing hope, healing, and holistic health to the Cook...
Pitt: ‘Best weekend of the year’
Cook Island News
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July 8, 2025
Police file photo / 25062910. Cook Islands Police reported few incidents in what they call the best weekend of the year. The long weekend went progressively well, with minor incidents reported to the Cook Islands Police. Police media and strategic...