Cook Islands Police Service

Two of three drink-driving arrests made mid-week have involved drivers who fled the scene after causing crashes, highlighting a concerning pattern of irresponsible behaviour on our roads.

The latest hit-and-run occurred on Wednesday night on the main road near Beluga Café. The driver of a vehicle collided with the rear of another car before fleeing the scene. The vehicle was pursued and intercepted in Ruaau. Police subsequently apprehended a 72-year-old man. He was taken to Police Headquarters for evidential testing, and failing a breathalyzer, remanded in custody. He appeared before the Court yesterday.

A second arrest was made yesterday following the return of blood-alcohol analysis results from a separate hit-and-run crash in Kiikii last week. A 25-year-old man involved in the rear-end collision was arrested and charged. He is scheduled to appear before the Court next week.

A third arrest was made late last night when Traffic Police stopped a vehicle in Avatiu that was being driven without headlights. The 39-year-old driver was taken to Police Headquarters for testing and was found to have a blood-alcohol level of nearly three times the legal limit. He was subsequently remanded in custody.

Police remain committed to keeping our roads safe and continue to seek the support of the public, particularly in reporting and providing as much information as possible about hit-and-run incidents. The cooperation of the community plays a vital role in identifying offending drivers and helping ensure they are held accountable.

Road safety is a shared responsibility, and together we can help keep drunk and dangerous drivers off our roads.

Please be reminded that the Driver's Licensing and Regulatory Office will closed for the public holiday on Monday 1 June 2026, King's Birthday.

Another Outer Islands Police Officer has been given a fond send-off into retirement with a ceremonial presentation on Atiu, today. Honorary Constable Marama Ikike was recognised for more than 25 years of service to his community, having been sworn-in, during October 2000.

Ikike was handed his official discharge this morning by Commissioner of Police Tai Joseph, who traveled to Atiu for the special occasion with Frontline Commander Inspector Leighton Boaza and Corporate Services Director for the Police, Aashqeen Hasan. Insp. Boaza, with close family and professional ties to Atiu, presented Ikike with a Commissioner's commemorative coin.

The visiting delegation was warmly welcomed for the ceremony, which was well-attended by Atiu Island authorities and community leaders.
Ikike retires from his post leaving Atiu's law enforcement duties in the supervision of Officer in Charge, Senior Constable Tuaine Rakei, also a long-time veteran in Police service.

Police are advising the public to take extra care in securing their motorcycles, as reports of stolen bikes continue to show an increasing trend. Complaints recorded over the first five months of this year are currently running nearly 65% higher than the same period last year. Although monthly figures are higher than in 2025, overall statistics so far remain 36% lower than 2024.

Nevertheless, the public is encouraged to remain vigilant when securing vehicles, particularly motorcycles. Never leave keys in the ignition. Make it a habit to remove them whenever leaving your bike, whether at home, at the shops, or at an event. Avoid parking motorcycles in exposed areas overnight where they may attract unwanted attention. And do not leave your bike in town overnight after social outings or clubbing. Try to move it to the safest and most secure location possible. Meitaki.

While deployed in support of current sea operations, the Police Maritime crew has been undertaking maintenance work at the fuel depot for Te Kukupa II in Penrhyn.

The Maritime Division’s ongoing maintenance programme continues to play a vital role in sustaining the high operational performance of TEKII and the strong reputation earned by the crew across the region. Excellent work team!

The Police Service wishes to advise that due to the public holiday on Monday 1 June 2026, for King’s Birthday, the Regulatory and Licensing Office will be closed for the day. Open as usual on Tuesday! Meitaki.

Two people were dealt a weekend getaway in prison after being taken off the road by Police, Saturday. Both were bailed yesterday to appear in court this week on drunk driving charges.

One man, 28, got lock-up time after trying to evade a Police checkpoint in town, in the early hours. He was pursued and caught, returning a breathalyser test approaching double the legal limit for alcohol.

The second was arrested in connection with a collision on the back road in Arorangi, late Saturday afternoon. A man, 49, was the driver of a van, which crashed into the rear of an SUV. He was subsequently tested and found to be nearly three times the limit.

The weekend’s incidents also reflected an ongoing concern over domestic disturbances and assaults. Police responded to several complaints during the weekend, arresting one man yesterday.

The Police Maritime crew of Te Kukupa II have chalked up another successful contribution to what has been described as a significant demonstration of regional power and solidarity in the protection of the Pacific’s fisheries resources.

Conducted over the course of nearly three weeks, Operation Tui Moana 2026 (OPTM26) brought together Pacific nations and partners, covering 10 Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) with combined maritime patrols, aerial surveillance, intelligence analysis and compliance monitoring to identify and deter potential fisheries violations.

The Cook Islands joined its regional partners in conducting boarding and inspections of fishing vessels. The Maritime crew delivered an impressive effort, intercepting and boarding 13 fishing vessels, and encountering three yachts transiting through the Cook Islands EEZ. Te Kukupa II also conducted urgent tasking to deliver fuel to Mitiaro, and rejoined the regional operation to meet its commitments.

The continuing success of the TEKII crew in contributing to regional surveillance and security is being assisted by the efforts of seconded personnel from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). Four RNZN personnel are presently serving alongside the Cook Islands crew members, after joining the ship in Rarotonga earlier this month.

Led by the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in Honiara, OPTM26 involved the participation of Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu, with support from Pacific Quad (P-QUAD) partners Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States, alongside regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) partners.