More Top Stories
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
BRO CHECK campaign: ‘Reach out, you’re not alone’
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’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
21 September 2024
3000 companies at risk due to Act oversight: Browne
23 September 2024
Police apprehend four juveniles in connection with motorcycle thefts
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
Helmet safety concerns raised amid enforcement challenges
2 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
STI cases on the rise
2 September 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
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
8 August 2024
Everyone is a winner, says Culture
7 August 2024
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
8 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Tapaitau appeal dismissed
17 July 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Matthew Littlewood
Concerns raised over EO’s absence from Rakahanga
Tuesday 16 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands, Politics
The executive officer (EO) for Rakahanga has been asked to return to the island after concern raised about his alleged frequent absences.
Man accused of stabbing cop remanded in custody
Tuesday 16 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Crime, National
A man accused of stabbing a police officer and assaulting a tourist has been remanded in custody for his and the public’s safety.
Airport Board acknowledges delays
Monday 15 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A major upgrade to the Rarotonga International Airport could help assist with some of the issues around long wait times at the airport.
PM to attend meetings in Thailand, Japan and PNG
Monday 15 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown departed Rarotonga on Friday en-route to three international meetings.
Exploration study shines light on seabed minerals
Saturday 13 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
A major minerals assessment carried out by Seabed Minerals Authority has reaffirmed where the highest concentrations of nodules are expected to be within the Cook Islands exclusive economic zone.
End of a Covid era: PM surprised by WHO declaration
Saturday 13 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Health, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown says he was surprised by the World Health Organization’s declaring the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Importation rules a meaty issue
Saturday 13 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A Cook Islands supermarket boss is calling on the Government to remove some of the barriers preventing the country from accessing cheaper imported meat from New Zealand – and he appears to have the support of the Prime Minister.
Melvin appointed CIIC chairman
Thursday 11 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Businessman Fletcher Melvin has become the new chairman of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC).
Rubbish, degradation concern
Thursday 11 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, Local, National
Tourists to the Cook Islands still travel here for its beautiful environment, but some are concerned about the rubbish and signs of degradation, according to a major survey.
PM welcomes $2b Australian funding package
Thursday 11 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Australian Government has announced a major funding package to the Pacific totalling over A$1.9 billion (NZ$2.02b) over the next five years.
Widespread floods cause supply and cost issues
Wednesday 10 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Inflation continues to skyrocket as weather events have contributed to ongoing supply chain issues in the Cook Islands.
High breath-alcohol reading ‘disturbing’
Wednesday 10 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Crime, National
Authorities are concerned about ongoing high breath-alcohol readings, with Cook Islands Police nabbing a motorist who tested nearly nine times over the legal limit.
ICI apologises for ‘accidental’ Vaimaanga backroad clearing
Tuesday 9 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Infrastructure Cook Islands secretary Elizabeth Wright-Koteka says lessons have been learned in the wake of the ‘accidental’ clearing of a section of Vaimaanga Ara Metua backroad in Titikaveka.
Cabinet to discuss panel’s Minimum Wage Review
Tuesday 9 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
Cook Islands Cabinet will discuss the findings of a report recommending changes to the minimum wage today.
New building and new approach to mental health in the Cook Islands
Saturday 6 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Features, Health, National, Weekend
The new Te Puna Tiaki – Wellness Unit at the Rarotonga Hospital will help alleviate some of the pressures on the mental health system in the island. Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood speaks to Te Marae Ora clinical psychologist Dr Evangelene Daniela-Wong about why it’s so important.
Slight reduction of TAU surcharge
Saturday 6 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
Te Aponga Uira (TAU) has signalled a slight reduction in the ‘temporary’ fuel surcharge, as the company responds to a changing economic climate.
Cook Islands PM makes case for country’s economy at ADB meeting
Friday 5 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is calling on the Asian Development Bank to make it easier to access funding for climate resilience, and be lenient in debt servicing.
Call for stronger approach to labour laws
Friday 5 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce is calling on the government to strengthen its labour laws amid concerns about the potential for worker and employer exploitation.
Spreading the Gospel of history
Thursday 4 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National
Historian Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. He talks to Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood about his upcoming series of articles in this newspaper, and his love of the research process.
Titikaveka seat verdict explained
Thursday 4 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A Judge’s decision to confirm MP Sonny Williams’ win in the Titikaveka constituency in the August 2022 general elections hinged on his interpretation of traditional medicine or vairakau Māori.
