Te ‘Ātui’anga ki te Tango (AKTT) Grey women’s team won the women’s beach volleyball competition. The team is pictured with the Vodafone sponsor representative. MELINA ETCHES/25011815 The finals of the women’s beach volleyball competition – the final event at the 2025 Cook Islands Beach Games – were held under scorching conditions, with the women persevering despite the staggering 28°C temperatures. Beach football, netball, volleyball, basketball and touch rugby featured in the 2025 Cook Islands Beach Games that ran from January 4 to January 18, at the National Beach Courts in Nikao. Beach volleyball was the final event held from Thursday to Saturday last week. Te ‘Ātui’anga ki te Tango (AKTT) Grey women’s team took out the top placing with The Brew placing second, The Side Out ladies third, and Project Five finishing fourth. Nicolea Mateariki, captain of the awesome AKKT team, said her team was “excited” to participate in...

Plants seized in Atiu. 25011202 / 25011224 Chris-Mayne Paiere Mokoroa, the man arrested last week in Atiu for alleged cannabis cultivation, possession of cannabis, and possession of drug utensils, has been remanded into custody following a court appearance on Thursday. Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro heard submissions from the prosecution, which requested that Mokoroa be kept in custody to allow mental health professionals time to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The court was advised that this assessment will take place on Monday, January 20. The prosecution also informed the court that additional charges are likely to be brought against the defendant in the near future. As a result, the case has been adjourned to February 20, 2025, at 11am. Mokoroa, who was arrested over a week ago, will remain in custody until then. In an earlier statement, Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt confirmed the arrest and seizure of over 40...

Cook Islands Police Service is calling for community support following a concerning incident in which a Rarotonga resident was robbed at knife-point in front of an ATM at night. The post Police urge for community support following alleged knife-point robbery appeared first on Cook Islands News. RPT

Matavera’s Renall Vogel has been appointed Apii Rutaki’s new principal. MELINA ETCHES/25011601 Apii Rutaki is entering a new chapter with the appointment of Renall Vogel, from Matavera, as its new principal. With a passion for education and a deep appreciation for Māori culture, Vogel is eager to lead the school, which is dedicated to the promotion of the Māori language. Vogel has a certificate and a diploma in teaching from the Ministry of Education and is continuing his studies at University of the South Pacific (USP). He is also nearing completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts at Te Vānanga Are Tapere o Takitumu (Takitumu Performing Arts School) that was established to help revitalise language, arts, culture and heritage of the Cook Islands. For the past three years, he has been training as a teacher at Te Uki Ou, Nikao, Avarua and Takitumu schools. Vogel said he...

The whole purpose of this Week of Prayer was to seek for God’s guidance and protection, mainly during this Cyclone Season and for rest of the year. SUPPLIED/23110212 Happy New Year to each and everyone. The festive seasons are now at low key while people are focused on new strategies for this year. Back to work, writes Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro of the Takamoa Theological College. According to our TIA (our scriptural readings), 2025 opened with the Book of Genesis as well as gearing everyone into this year’s Week of Prayer or Pure Epetoma in all CICC churches that was held from Sunday, January 5 to Sunday, January 12. This year’s theme is: “To Worship, Serve God and to Make Jesus Known to All People”. The whole purpose of this Week of Prayer was to seek for God’s guidance and protection, mainly during this Cyclone Season and for rest of...

The Vero Vodafone and Titikaveka Bulldogs Vili’s Burger Joint players tussle in the men’s beach volleyball competition yesterday. MELINA ETCHES/25011613 Developing talent and strong teams are featured in the beach volleyball competition as the sport continues to grow in popularity. The beach volleyball competition is the final event of the 2025 Cook Islands Beach Games, currently underway at the National Beach Courts in Nikao. Fourteen women’s and 12 men’s teams are showcasing good skills and potential, and bringing fresh fun energy to the beach courts. The beach volleyball competition will conclude with the games on Saturday. Cook Islands Volleyball Federation president Robert Graham says although the level of this competition is not like the Cook Islands Games and more social, “there are some good talent, really good individual players out there, and really good teams as well”. The Vero Vodafone and Vili’s Burger Joint /Titikaveka Bulldogs men’s beach...

Rarotonga’s Lady Panthers went down to New Zealand’s Ngati Umutahi 16-8 in the women’s final. TUPAPA PANTHERS/25011514 Following the successful hosting of the 9th League Nines in Paradise tournament last weekend, Cook Islands Rugby League has begun receiving interest for the 10th edition next year. The three-day international tournament held at the National Stadium in Nikao attracted nine men’s teams, five women’s and four in the under-18s category. It also featured the local women’s development teams, Maine Tueporo White and Maine Tueporo Black, participating in exhibition matches. There were four international teams – Ngati Umutahi and Tokoroa Pacific Sharks in the men’s division and Ngati Umutahi and Raukawa Kuki’s in the women’s competition. Avatiu Eels won the U18 division after beating Titikaveka Bulldogs 24-10 in the final. The women’s title went to Ngati Umutahi, who beat an impressive Lady Panthers 16-8 in the final. In the third-place playoff, the...

Cook Islands golf representatives at the North Island Age Group Championship in Taupo, New Zealand. From left: Tane Wichman, Lady Tuaine Marsters (No 1 supporter), and Tahitoa Howard Webb in Taupo. TAMARUA MARSTERS/25011510 Talented Rarotonga golfers, Tane Wichman and Tahitoa Webb, both participated in the North Island Age Group Championships that was held at the Taupo Golf Club in Aotearoa New Zealand. The 2025 New Zealand golfing season teed off with the North Island Age Group Championships on January 14 (NZ time) with 172 young players from around Asia Pacific participating in the popular event. Wichman is competing in the Under 16 Boys Championship, and Webb in the Under 19 Boys. The 54-hole tournament features a cut after Round 2, with the top 60 players advancing to the third round. Four champions will be crowned at the conclusion of the Boys’ and Girls’ tournaments. Both boys just missed out...

Emma taking care of two foster puppies from Te Are Manu – available for adoption. TAM/25011410 Introducing children to the joys and responsibilities of caring for a pet can be a rewarding experience for the entire family, writes Dr Rose Hasegawa, medical director Te Are Manu Vet Clinic. Cats and dogs are excellent companions who provide company and teach valuable life lessons. Encouraging kids to help care for these furry family members can help foster a sense of responsibility, build compassion and strengthen the bond between the child and pet. When children are actively involved in caring for a cat or dog, they develop a deeper connection with the animal. Routine tasks, such as feeding, grooming and walking, create opportunities for positive interactions. For example, brushing a dog’s coat or playing with a cat using a toy not only fulfils the pet’s needs but also creates moments of joy...

Cook Islands competed at the Oceania 7s tournament in the Solomon Islands in December 2024, finishing in sixth place – an improvement of two places compared to their 2023 tournament result. CIRU/25011411 The Cook Islands men’s sevens team plans to implement a series of initiatives this year to become competitive at international tournaments. The Clive Nicholas-coached side competed at the Oceania 7s tournament in the Solomon Islands in December 2024, finishing in sixth place – an improvement of two places compared to their 2023 tournament result. Team manager Simon Iopu Johnston told Cook Islands News about some of the initiatives they would be implementing this year to ensure better results. “For starters, relationships will be essential. We must recalibrate and strengthen our working relationships with Cook Islands rugby bodies in New Zealand and Australia,” Johnston said. He was overseas in December and had planned to use some of that...