A relative of the Cook Islands' Prime Minister has been jailed for trawling malls for young women and filming up their skirts.

In the heart of Muri village, known for its beautiful beach - one of the jewels in Rarotonga's crown.

In part one of a two-part series, Tracey Bond takes a look at some of Rarotonga's best resorts.

I'd only been snorkelling in Rarotonga's Muri Beach lagoon for a few minutes when something whacked my foot with so much force it felt like an electric shock.

Run by expat New Zealanders Robert and Susan Wyllie, Rito's products are paraben-free, and all made in Rarotonga.

Visitors to the Pacific island of Rarotonga - the largest of the Cook Islands and the land of the long, white beach - never want to leave.

We've just been on the tiny island of Rarotonga, where there are scores of eating options, so here are a few we visited and can recommend.

In the village of Vaimaanga on the southern part of Rarotonga, halfway around the island from the main town of Avarua.

A is for Aitutaki. Outside of Rarotonga, this is the most famous of the other 14 islands in the Cooks and can be explored on a day trip.

Jetstar says it'll start flying between Auckland and Rarotonga from March next year.

Under the Rarotongan sun, Chris Daniels works up a good tropical sweat, without losing his wedding ring.

Aitutaki's eco-snorkelling trail highlights the frailty of lagoon life, writes Jane Jeffries.

Aitutaki casts its beautiful and restful spell over Carly Flynn, who discovers a destination better than any brochure could promote.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has taken Shane Jones, David Shearer and Winston Peters with him for his trip to the Cook Islands, where he is holding talks.

An art exhibition with an Anzac twist is paying tribute to the Cook Islands soldiers who served in World War I.

Kim Palsenbarg revisits a past hobby and is entranced to find the world beneath the waves as welcoming as ever.

Laura Hutchins cherishes the easy-going pace of Cook Island life because she knows when she's home it'll be what she misses the most.

Laura Hutchins is blown away by the hospitality at a three-star Cook Island resort.

Man's best friend is never far from Tessa Chrisp's side, offering companionship on a Rarotongan holiday.

Whether you're on a tight budget or splashing out, the islands have it all.

A retired Swiss accountant found Aitutaki grew on him, writes Winston Aldworth.

Make the most of Rarotonga's thriving mini-town, which will steal your heart with daily snorkel cruises, cafes, markets, beachside resorts and superb local produce, writes Carly Flynn.

Paddleboard yoga brings out the best in Andrew Frampton (at least in his head).

Photos of two New Zealand men posing with a number plate in the Cook Islands are being investigated by police after they were posted on Facebook.

Winston Aldworth spends a few days enjoying beautiful Aitutaki - and wondering why Captain Bligh ever left...

Penny Lewis and family escape to an island paradise and revel in all it has to offer.

After a serve of super-fresh fish, some boutique ale, a snorkel and a scoot around, Ben Chapman-Smith reckons Raro's not so sleepy after all.

Atiu upgrades its tourist appeal with a revival of the island's historic sites, writes Jim Eagles.