Jetstar launches new route to Cook Islands
Australian travellers can now pay a stopover-free visit to the Cook Island’s famous turquoise shores with the launch of new direct flights. The new Jetstar service takes off as Pacific Island travel demand spikes in
Cook Islands look to deepen NZ relationship, secure IMF and full Commonwealth membership
Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, has spoken of the need for the Cook Islands’ voice to be heard at the highest levels of inter-government global gatherings, and to be able to participate autonomously in
Researcher examines criminal deportations to the Cook Islands
Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) last week hosted assisting researcher Henrietta McNeill, a PhD Candidate with the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University (ANU)
UNAIDS: Cook Islands’ original path toward equality
On 14 April, members of the Cook Islands rainbow community assembled at parliament with colourful flags and cautious optimism. It turned out to be the day they’d been working toward for the last twelve years.
Rethink tourism approach, Cook Islands Opposition leader says
Cook Islands Opposition leader Tina Browne has called on the Government to rethink its approach to tourism. Browne in her response to the Speech from the Throne, delivered in Parliament on Tuesday last week, said
We are truly one nation, one people: Pride Cook Islands
Pride Cook Islands is elated to see the decade long active push for decriminalisation finally take place in Cook Islands Parliament. The Crimes (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill 2023 was passed in Parliament on
Considering the possible impacts of deep sea mining in the Cook Islands
In the recent Parliament opening, King’s Representative Sir Tom Masters spoke of the Cook Islands’ desire to develop a sustainable and environmentally responsible seabed minerals sector. This week, also in
Cook Islands Parliament decriminalises homosexuality
Cook Islands Parliament has repealed provisions in its Crimes Act that criminalised homosexuality. The Crimes (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill 2023 which, among other things, aimed to decriminalise homosexuality was
Cook Islands pressing ahead with environment policy
It’s a document which received applause from Cook Islands environmentalists and school students alike when it was launched last week. The Cook Islands National Environment Policy 2022-32 is an attempt to ‘escalate
Deep-sea mining meeting closes without consensus
As meetings to oversee deep-sea mining on the high seas draw to a close, it remains unclear whether regulators will allow it to commence in the near future. At the 07-31 March meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, of the
Palau Shipping Registry claims ITF report ‘misleading’
The statistical evidence presented by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) on Palau-flagged vessels is “wholly inaccurate, misinterpreted and clearly misleading”. This was the statement made
Vessels registered to the Cook Islands, Palau targeted in shipping crackdown
Up to 1,000 ships flagged to the Cook Islands, Palau, Sierra Leone, and Togo will be targeted for safety, maintenance and seafarer welfare inspections across the Mediterranean Sea in the coming eight weeks by an army of
Establishment of Cook Islands Human Rights Institute gains momentum
Cook Islands Ombudsman Niki Rattle has returned from a conference in Fiji with fresh ideas as the office looks to establish a Human Rights Institute for the Cook Islands. The Pacific Regional Forum on National Human
Cook Islands carry out consultations on seabed minerals
Cook Islands Seabed Minerals (SBM) Authority have confirmed that Prime Minister Mark Brown recently visited Aitutaki to carry out consultations on the seabed minerals (SBM) sector. The consultations are part of
Cook Islands new Ombudsman to form human rights institute
Cook Islands new Ombudsman will head to Fiji to continue with efforts in forming a Human Rights Institute. Ombudsman Niki Rattle said the policy document to support the legislative amendments of the Ombudsman Bill to
USP Cook Islands director welcomes Fiji funding
University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands Director Dr Debi Futter-Puati is pleased to hear the newly elected Fiji Government will release funds to the institution. Dr Futter-Puati said the impact of the
Cook Islands PM welcomes Kiribati back into the Forum
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is welcoming Kiribati back into the fold of the Pacific Islands Forum. The Micronesian nation pulled out of the Forum in Fiji last year in protest of the appointment of former Cook
Cook Islands tourists stranded as backlog of flights continues
A backlog of flights is likely to remain for at least another week in Rarotonga, as the Auckland floods disrupt travel plans for thousands of visitors, with some people having to rebook for the end of the week. Cook
Cook Islands govt pays Air NZ US$3.5 million in tax
The Cook Islands government has paid $5.4 million (US$3.5 million) to Air New Zealand following a High Court case in Rarotonga. The Court ruled in the airline’s favour and said Air New Zealand taxes should be paid
Cooks’ PM vows to change law as parliament delayed by petitions
The new Cook Islands Parliament has still not held a sitting, despite its general election taking place more than five months ago. It will not sit until March at the earliest. The country is waiting for the outcome of
Pacific People 2022: Women At The Helm
The three key Pacific Islands fisheries organisations head into 2023 with competent, charismatic women at the helm. Rhea Moss-Christian of the Republic of the Marshall Islands now heads the Western and Central Pacific
Cook Islands tourism industry faces spectre of fewer visitors
Cook Islands Tourism operators are preparing for a quiet few months, as visitor numbers drop as predicted. In November there were 10,278 visitors to the Cook Islands, a drop of about 24 per cent compared to October
Honolulu-Rarotonga flight to commence in May 2023
Tourism operators now have the North American market in their sights, with the first airfares of the Honolulu-Rarotonga flight going online this week. The flights, in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, will cost