Dear Editor, How is it that a $20.6 million hole has now appeared in the 2024/25 budget – via the Half-Year Economic & Fiscal Update (HYEFU) – a deficit which was not forecast when the budget was tabled in parliament in May/June last year? The projected fiscal deficit in the 2024/25 budget was $0.7 million. In the HYEFU (which was published in December 2024), the fiscal deficit has climbed to $20.6 million. The explanation given for this in the HYEFU is that $19 million in capital expenditure has been carried forward from 2023/24 to 2024/25. There was already $19.1 million earmarked in capital expenditure in the 2024/25 budget when it was tabled last year. The HYEFU estimates that $26.3m (with $15.3m depreciation – the same as in the budget) is the total in capital expenditure to be spent in 2024/25. So where is this $19 million that has been...

Cook Islands rugby league inspiration Kiana Takairangi, who is dedicated to nurturing the athletic talents of young people, takes time out at the Punanga Nui Market on the weekend. MELINA ETCHES/25011801 Cook Islands rugby league skipper Kiana Takairangi is dedicated to nurturing the athletic talents of young people, championing the importance of physical activity and community engagement. Kiana and her older brother Brad Takairangi made history in October last year when they captained the Cook Islands women’s and men’s national teams, respectively, at the 2024 Pacific Championships. “It was amazing making history,” said Kiana, “so, that was very exciting and a proud moment for my family. It was an unreal experience and something that I’m very grateful for.” Does she ask her brother for advice? “To be honest, not really,” Kiana said. “He tries to give me some when he feels like I need it but how much I...

Ruta Tangiiau Mave. The reality of hypocrisy here is so large, we have become fat, lazy and entitled on the backs of non-Christian hand-outs that have enshrined us in dependency, writes Ruta Mave. Let’s say it upfront, religion and politics should not mix. Religion should not influence how the government set and run the laws of the country and government should not influence whose god we believe in, should be more important than another. If we do not abide by this notion, it will surely bite us in the backside if we are not careful. The Prime Minister has wholeheartedly followed the last prime minister in travelling the world seeking money – funding from every source available to man from anywhere and anyone who has it on offer. The Government has us in debt to China and the Asian Development Bank and last year made promises to every flag...

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...