Titikaveka Bulldogs will face the mighty Tupapa Panthers today at Victoria Park. Last week, the Panthers defeated the Arorangi Bears 12-8. MELINA ETCHES. 25021601 The unbeaten Titikaveka Bulldogs are looking to extend their winning streak to three matches when they take on the Tupapa Panthers in week three of the Rarotonga League 13s competition this afternoon. Cook Islands Rugby League competition coordinator Francis (Franky) Toa says the Bulldogs are not a team to be underestimated in the weekly domestic rugby league competition. The Panthers, the former premier men’s champions, cannot afford to be complacent despite playing the Bulldogs at their home ground, Victoria Park in Tupapa. The Bulldogs defeated Arorangi Bears 22-20 and Takuvaine Warriors 48-10 in their first two matches. The Panthers have also won their first matches against Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles 28-12 and the Bears 12-8. “The Bulldogs, I believe they can’t be underestimated in the...

Despite the Cook Islands having so much going for it – best climates, cheap cost of living, low crime, no homeless, no really poor, good connectivity, easy access to NZ for health/education, etc., and Rarotongans speak better English than most New Zealanders and better Maori than most NZ Maori, 60 years of self-government doesn’t appear to be something to celebrate. The current dance with the dragon got me thinking … Mmmm so just for fun, a note on the achievements of self-government and some historical context: 1964: UN forces self-government on unsuspecting territories. 1965: NZ Queen (as of right of NZ) becomes CI Head of State (through the QR). Cook Islanders remain NZ citizens with the proviso that ‘nothing in the CI Constitution’ will affect the ‘status of any NZ citizen’. 1966: Poor drafting of Constitution sets up for political failure due to no provision to amend electoral seats...

The participants of the Raising Ruckstar Festival in Mauke with officials from the Cook Islands Rugby Union. CIRU/25021908 After a successful tour to Mitiaro, the Cook Islands Rugby Union’s (CIRU) Pa Enua outreach team, which runs the Healthy Living Programme, is in Mauke this week to promote its fun and interactive way of teaching young people the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Using rugby at the heart of the programme, the CIRU team visiting Akatokamanava includes national development manager Ben Koteka, vice president Harriet Tuara, Mahana Sijp and Wallace Aroita. They are accompanied by Nicolea Mateariki from non-governmental organisation, Kōrero o te Orau, a supporting partner for this programme. This is their second Pā Enua trip for the year and the team is excited to continue holding these workshops on each of the islands to develop the skills and knowledge of basic rugby while prioritising the importance of our...

Minister of Education, Mac Mokoroa and Education Secretary, Owen Lewis at the Teachers Training Center (Tereora Building) during the opening last month – 25013009 The recent opening of the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Teacher Development Centre, housed in an upstairs space of Tereora College’s main building, has sparked concerns from some members of the community questioning the decision to repurpose it. Talaia Mika reports. The recent opening of the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Teacher Development Centre, housed in an upstairs space of Tereora College’s main building, has sparked concerns from some members of the community questioning the decision to repurpose it. Talaia Mika reports. To continue reading this article and to support our journalism CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE NOWfor as little as $11 per month. – Up to date and breaking news – Includes access to Premium content – Videos and online classifieds Already a subscriber, click here Our...

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Trials for interested U18’s male athletes to represent the Cook Islands at the Volleyball Tournament have begun. 25020733 / 25020734 The Cook Islands Volleyball federation have started trials for interested U18’s male athletes to represent the Cook Islands at the Volleyball Tournament to be held in the Solomon Islands in April. Kaitini Herman, Secretary General tells us that the U18’s trials is also an opportunity for the federation to seek a database at where our youths are at and how they are able to take it up to the next level from here. Herman says final trials have taken place. They were on the hunt for two U18s boys, who wouldl be taken care of under the management of Coach Brendon Heath, and this team will be representing the Cook Islands at the International competition in the Solomon Islands”. With just a short amount of time left for the...

Members of the Government and Parliament staff witness the protest. MELINA ETCHES/25021716 Prime Minister Mark Brown has reiterated his message of welcoming robust discussion as well as making it clear that the government values transparency, consultation and open dialogue. Addressing concerns of a public protest against the Government’s abandoned Cook Islands passport proposal and the recent Joint Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 agreement with China, Brown said: “I am aware that some in our community feel unheard in recent decisions.” The Prime Minister acknowledged yesterday’s protest was “not just about one issue, it is about many”. In his ministerial statement delivered to Parliament yesterday, the first sitting of the year, Brown said: “It is about the future of our country. It is about trust. It is about ensuring that every Cook Islander feels heard.” “I see you. I hear you. And I respect you. Let me...

New Zealand Member of Parliament and co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, shares a light moment with Cook Islands Government MPs yesterday. 25021721 Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is looking forward to his next discussions with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon “in due course” to promote and strengthen the countries’ collaboration while recognising and respecting the sovereign status of both countries. Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is looking forward to his next discussions with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon “in due course” to promote and strengthen the countries’ collaboration while recognising and respecting the sovereign status of both countries. To continue reading this article and to support our journalism CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE NOWfor as little as $11 per month. – Up to date and breaking news – Includes access to Premium content – Videos and online classifieds Already a subscriber, click here Our...

To Tatou Vai installed a new ‘smart’ water meter to record water usage within the area in November 2024. William Taripo, the Punanga Nui Market manager is pictured at right. MELINA ETCHES/24111203 To Tatou Vai (TTV), the island’s water authority is progressing well with its water meter installation project for both residential homes commercial property. As of last week, just over 1200 meters have been installed – “a 50/50 split”. The installation of water meters across the island are expected to be completed by June 2026. To Tatou Vai chief executive Apii Timoti says there have been several challenges, but the biggest issue was locating people’s water pipes. “It appeared that the installation of water pipes to people’s properties did not follow any standard as many are being tapped off their neighbours taps, in which case new water pipes have to be installed; and people do not know where...

Opposition leader Tina Browne in Parliament. 24101618 The Supplementary Budget seeks an extra $68 million, including doubling of MP travel allowances, sparking criticism of wasteful spending and misplaced priorities. Rashneel Kumar reports. The Supplementary Budget seeks an extra $68 million, including doubling of MP travel allowances, sparking criticism of wasteful spending and misplaced priorities. Rashneel Kumar reports. To continue reading this article and to support our journalism CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE NOWfor as little as $11 per month. – Up to date and breaking news – Includes access to Premium content – Videos and online classifieds Already a subscriber, click here Our people. Our news. First. Comments RPT