More Top Stories
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’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
21 September 2024
Police apprehend four juveniles in connection with motorcycle thefts
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
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
8 August 2024
Everyone is a winner, says Culture
7 August 2024
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
8 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
National
SPC resource mobilisation and service delivery
The Pacific Community (SPC) recently held its annual meeting in Pape’ete, where 25 member countries, including the Cook Islands, came together to discuss progress and set priorities for the future.
TAU appoints engineering professional
Barbara Elliston has been appointed as an engineering professional for Rarotonga’s power authority Te Aponga Uira (TAUU) by the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) Board of Directors.
No tax windfall says Brown
Finance minister Mark Brown has denied rumours that the government has made a $2 million windfall from the withholding tax in the last several days. Atiu MP Norman George asked Brown yesterday to confirm whether he had been advised – formally or informally – of the windfall. Brown said he had ”yet to receive any […]
Fuel going by naval vessel
Cabinet minister Teariki Heather rose yesterday in Parliament to correct a statement he had made the day prior. ”I rise to correct some anomaly in my reply to the question raised by the leader of the Opposition yesterday,“ he said. ”This is in regards to the boat that is bringing diesel and landing it in […]
Barge back for Mauke, Mitiaro projects
Work on the development of the Mauke harbour is nearing completion with a handover of the project expected to be carried out in about three weeks. Yesterday, another barge load of material and equipment for the harbour development projects on Mauke and Mitiaro arrived at Avatiu harbour. The Mycon barge, towed by the Viking Spirit […]
Pension increase 'a first step'
In Parliament this week Mitiaro member of Parliament Tangata Vavia asked finance minister Mark Brown to explain the economic impact of an increase in pensions for people over 70. Raising the fortnightly pension, with a view to ultimately doubling it within the next three years, will cost the government $8.6 million this fiscal year. Brown […]
Mangaia petition raises questions
A petition has been circulated around Mangaia’s island leaders requesting that Mangaia choose their next secretary for island administration to be Junior Areai, of DJ Agencies in Rarotonga, despite Areai claiming he knows nothing about such a petition. The current government representative for Mangaia, Ngai Areai, is circulating the petition, which requests signatures from the […]
Dengue under control
Despite eleven cases of dengue-like fever being reported to the Ministry of Health during May, only three turned out to be positive. The statistics were reported in the event, surveillance and response (ESR) unit monthly report. Director of community health services Dr Rangi Fariu says 11 suspicious dengue fever cases were reported in Rarotonga, but […]
New passion
Former Miss Maine Purotu and national dance champion Uirangi Bishop hopes to take charge of a vaka one day. The 24-year-old Aitutaki woman is on Cook Islands Vaka Marumaru Atua which was part of World Oceans Day celebrations in Suva this week. After boarding in Aitutaki in the Cooks to Samoa and then to Fiji, […]
HIV Bill in first stages
A human rights based HIV Bill has been drafted for the Cook Islands by the United Nations Development Programme, and is now in its first stage of consultations. The HIV Care and Support Bill was officially handed over last week to the National HIV, STI, and TB committee (NHSTC) and Ministry of Health by the […]
A million litres of diesel makes Aitutaki's power
The Aitutaki Power Supply is currently calling for tenders to supply diesel to the power station on Aitutaki. The contract to supply Aitutaki power station (APS) with diesel has been with Reef Bulk Fuel of Auckland for the last 12 years. Their latest three year contract is about to expire, leaving the way clear for […]
Brown defends levy
Finance minister Mark Brown hit back yesterday at Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen’s criticism of the fizzy drink import levy. Rasmussen has been vocal in his attack of the Budget, which reflects a $98,000 surplus that he believes is the result of number-shifting rather than wise financial planning. On Monday he alleged that by enacting import […]
Text number up
A new youth counselling textline is due to start working today – two weeks after the launch of free youth helpline 0800 HELP. The service is run by Youthline New Zealand and is a free and confidential support network that troubled youth can ring – and now text – for advice. The number to text […]
MP swears off fizzy drinks
Aitutaki Member of Parliament Mona Ioane has praised the Budget for addressing the needs of people in the pa enua. He said Budget Book 3, which outlines all government’s funded capital works over the next three years, is his ”favourite book“. ”This is my favourite book because in there, there is a lot about the […]
Smoke signal in House
Tupapa-Maraerenga MP George Angene has said that while he supports the Budget, he sympathises with smokers over the increase in the import levy for tobacco. ”I am taking a look around this house and I believe I am the only smoker and I am encouraging my colleagues to smoke so that you will be strong […]
$1.7m for ministerial support
The Budget reduces funds available for ministerial support offices by $3000, resulting in a net appropriation of $1.79 million a year. ”Over time the Ministerial Support Offices appropriation has increased in amounts and staffing numbers to the point where the appropriations are fiscally unsustainable,“ reads Budget Book 1. ”The Ministerial Support Offices have undertaken a […]
Budget not a 'wish list' – Brown
Finance minister Mark Brown has dismissed Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen’s allegations that his Budget was ”for show“ and ”about appearances“. He notes that Budget Book 3 is not a ”wish list“, but instead sets out a schedule of projects that are ”definitely“ funded. ”The process we’ve done is outlined exactly the projects we’re going to […]
Shipping relief on the way
Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters, whose portfolios include transport, says Tapi Taio’s new boat is on the way. He said he has been in discussion with Taio Shipping, who indicated their plan is still to source a second ship. Marsters told Parliament that the Samoa freighter Northern Star was ”only a temporary measure until Tapi […]
'Budget fails to stimulate growth in economy'
Nukuroa MP Tangata Vavia has said the only sector the Budget actually supports is the pearl industry, and that it fails ”miserably“ to support others. ”My views are similar to (Norman George’s) as we realise there are weak points in the budget,“ Vavia said in Parliament yesterday. ”I was expecting to see policies by government […]
Budget 800 pages of 'verbal diarrhea'
Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George says the Budget prioritises the Tourism Authority to the detriment of ”the little people“, in particular the country’s growers. ”This budget is for people on high income, for people earning $30,000 upwards. There is nothing here for the little people of this country There is nothing in this budget to cut […]
Demo MPs call for pa enua job creation
Oneroa Member of Parliament Winton Pickering raised the dormant issue of outer islands agriculture project Te One Kura in Parliament yesterday. He asked whether government intends to increase funding for the project as a means of pa enua job creation. ”The people of Mangaia and Atiu are all leaving. I can tell you that todayWe […]
Budget all 'show' – Opposition
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen has said Budget 2012 is ”for show“ and ”about appearances only, (not) substance“. He opened the Budget debate in Parliament yesterday, framing his speech as a ”right of reply“. ”The Budget that was presented by the minister of finance last Thursday with a small surplus of $98,000 I describe as an […]
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