More Top Stories
Cook Islands passport proposal
6 January 2025
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
Inflation eases but concerns remain
31 August 2024
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
22 August 2024
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
13 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Utopia Support
Greypower requests falling on deaf ears
Thursday 18 August 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
IT HAS been some time since I wrote to the Minister of Finance, Mark Brown and the Financial Secretary, Garth Henderson on behalf of Greypower regarding a number of concerns.
Olympics coverage
Thursday 18 August 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
THE LETTER-writer who complained about the lack of Olympics coverage on Aitutaki television wasn’t correct, says Araura 88 FM Radio/TV station director Mike Henry.
Organic growing way to go
Thursday 18 August 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
IT HAS been encouraging to read about the workshop addressing the use of pesticides in the Cook Islands and interesting to read the dilemma they have in deciding whether to ban the weed killers that contain paraquat, even though 38 countries have already banned it.
By-election set for Aitutaki
Thursday 18 August 2016 | Published in Politics
A BY-ELECTION will be held in Aitutaki’s Arutanga/Reureu and Nikaupara electorate as a result of former opposition parliamentary leader Teina Bishop being found guilty on a serious corruption charge.
Job depends on political leaning
Wednesday 17 August 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“IF YOU ARE one of the people who have expressed interest in the Punanga Nui market manager’s job, just give up hope because rumour is, politics have paved the way,” a smoke signaller says.
The case of the turina tree murder – Norman George
Wednesday 17 August 2016 | Published in Opinion
THIS WEEK’S column is about a murder trial in which I acted for the accused.
More thoughts on purse seining saga
Tuesday 16 August 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
SO THE purse seining saga is before a select committee.
Aitutaki misses out on Olympics action
Tuesday 16 August 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
AS THE eyes of the world focused on the Rio Olympics 2016 to watch top athletes from every country compete for gold medals and go all-out to be the best of the best, the people of Aitutaki were left watching blank screens.
Asylum seekers
Tuesday 16 August 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
I AM a second-time visitor to your fair island, this time for a week’s stay, My partner and I have had such a wonderful time here, however I am somewhat concerned after reading numerous articles in your newspaper regarding Australia’s treatment of so-called “asylum seekers.”
Nikao Sokattak crowned U17 champs
Tuesday 16 August 2016 | Published in Football
In wet and slippery conditions, the Nikao Sokattak under-17 men’s team retained their championship title after defeating Takuvaine 2-1 in the 2016 Rarotonga pre-season football finals on Friday evening.
Exciting battle in soccer finals
Saturday 13 August 2016 | Published in Football
It’s D-Day for Rarotonga football teams who have progressed through to the preseason competition finals.
Rubbish-throwing video bad example to us all
Saturday 13 August 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“DO WE REALLY need the Tourism Corporation to run Vaka Pride competitions to get us to clean our villages so that the tourists are impressed?” a smoke signaller asks.
Sports association needs a meeting
Saturday 13 August 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
I BELIEVE the Ngatangiia/Matavera Sports Association is in need of an annual general meeting, as nobody seems to know if it actually still exists.
Time to stop moaning about buggies
Saturday 13 August 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
ALTHOUGH I respect everyone’s right to raise an issue regarding any aspect of life that occurs on Rarotonga or the Cook Islands, I can’t help feeling sorry for the buggy tour owners who seemed to be constantly picked on because someone believes this local business has made their lives totally unbearable.
Good idea, but the wrong approach
Saturday 13 August 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
SEEING SO many “ghosts” (anonymous writers) opposing Government’s support for the redevelopment of the failed Sheraton over the past few days I could be excused for thinking some of them are confused into thinking that government is the developer and not the stimulator.
Draft bill deserves clarification
Saturday 13 August 2016 | Published in Environment
`The MARINE Resources Act 2005 is 56 pages long. The revised 2016 Draft Act is now open for public consultation and is much longer, at 83 pages. What a great opportunity for people to comment and for government to get it right! However, it is most unlikely that many people will have the time to go through the new bill in much detail, so Te Ipukarea Society has highlighted a few areas that the public may be concerned about or wish to seek clarification on. We believe that, similar to the current Act, there is far too much power designated to the secretary of Marine Resources and/or the minister in this draft. There needs to be provision for more accountability, for example through a committee or authority with more than just an advisory role. Recent controversy surrounding the initialing of the EU Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement by the Marine Resources Secretary, against the advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the recent conviction of a former Minister of Marine Resources relating to the issuing of foreign fishing licenses, speaks volumes for the sort of problems that can arise when too much power is placed in the hands of one or two people. Cabinet also too often agrees to what is proposed by the secretary and minister without a thorough independent analysis of the content. Another interesting addition to the revised bill is the inclusion of the clause stating that the Government cannot be prosecuted for an offence under this act. It would be good to understand why the inclusion of this clause was thought necessary? Something else included in the new draft bill is a section on Marine Reserves and Parks. This will lead to confusion, inconsistencies, and contradictions. The Ministry of Marine Resources are well aware that a marine park has been declared by the prime minister for the whole of the EEZ. He has also promised 50 nautical mile (90km) protection zones around each island. A Marae Moana Policy has also been approved by cabinet and there is legislation to be drafted for the Marae Moana Marine Park. The inclusion of separate section in the draft Marine Resources Bill on marine parks is likely to lead to duplicate or contradicting legislation under that Act. This part of the 2016 Draft Act should be removed as there is a conflict of interest for a Ministry whose main aim, based on recent press releases, appears to be maximising financial revenue from selling access to our fishery resources, rather than conservation of our resources for future generations. A number of other things included in the new draft need clarification. These include: The draft covers living and non-living resources. There should be some clarification about the role of sea bed mining legislation which also covers non-living resources. There is a clause which states that this act prevails over other Acts if there is any incompatibility or inconsistency. What happens if some other Act has this same clause (ie our act prevails over yours?) There is a provision to establish a Fisheries Advisory Committee of at least five people, plus the Secretary of Marine Resources as the chairman. These people are appointed by the minister, which means the appointments could be political. There needs to be a system to ensure balance in the advisory committee. For example where expertise is available in the non-government and private sector, it should be included. The committee also should have more than just an advisory role, as mentioned above, and the secretary of Marine Resources is not the right person to chair this committee. Section 22 of the draft bill is very good, as it prohibits fishing vessels from polluting our waters by discharging sewage or throwing their non-biodegradeable rubbish over the side. Fines up to $500,00 can be imposed. The big question, though, is how do we enforce the rule? People may recall the large amounts of rubbish that recently washed up on Pukpuka after being thrown over the side of fishing boats. There is also a section on a Quota Management System (QMS) rather than an effort control system (eg limiting the number of fishing days for purse seiners). While in principle this is a good idea, in practice it will not work as we do not have sufficient means to determine ho much fish are being caught. The current Vessel Monitoring system allows MMR to see how many days the boats are actually fishing, but does not show how much they catch. Until monitoring improves and we are sure a QMS system is giving reliable data, an effort based control is likely to work best for us. There is a section on licensing which says the Minister or Secretary may attach to ANY license conditions necessary for proper management of the fishery. This is inconsistent with the wording in the European Union Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (purse seining) agreement). In that agreement the Cook Islands cannot grant more favourable conditions to any other vessel than those granted under the EU Agreement. There are a number of other issues that also need clarification, but there is a limit to space available in today’s paper. Te Ipukarea Society will send their submission direct to the Ministry for their consideration. If anybody would like to hear more from us directly email us at info@tiscookislands.org
How to deal with the 'green-eyed monster'
Saturday 13 August 2016 | Published in Opinion
HAVE YOU ever heard of “the green eyed monster”?
Ultimate underwater adventure
Saturday 13 August 2016 | Published in Hot on the Rock
I NOW know what it’s like to glide effortlessly beneath the sea, getting amongst the fish and coral and enjoying all the wonderful underwater sights Rarotonga has to offer.
Weavers get busy
Saturday 13 August 2016 | Published in Local
The LOCAL Star Weave Challenge has been gaining traction in the Cook Islands with private businesses and Government departments alike taking up the challenge to weave a pledged number of stars by White Ribbon Day on November 25.
No joy in the valley for hopeful George
Saturday 13 August 2016 | Published in Local
Former politician and lawyer Norman George has missed out on nomination as the Democratic Party candidate for the Takuvaine Tutakimoa electorate.
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