Tatiana Kautai, a Cook Islander Muslim, has shared her personal journey into Islam and her experiences living as a Muslim in the Cook Islands. Talaia Mika reports.
Te Aponga Uira (TAU) has gained an expert described strong new asset with the appointment of Barbara Elliston, an experienced electrical engineer and corporate governance professional, by the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) Board of Directors.
Air Rarotonga’s fleet has expanded to take in two additional aircraft. The domestic airline has taken delivery of two additional Embraer Bandeirante to Rarotonga over the past week. The first flew in from Sydney last week after stopping en-route in Noumea, Fiji and Niue for fuel. The aircraft was prepared for delivery in Australia by […]
The new section of Avatiu harbour pier is being used for the first time for international cargo shipping operations. The Southern Express came into port yesterday morning and docked further along the wharf than it typically would. It’s good news for port-watchers, but also good news for the development of Avatiu harbour. Constructors this month […]
The old road surface in Nikao is making way for new tarmac, with heavy machinery now out in full force and in action. Motorists heading west on the main road are being diverted through the airport during this first stage of road laying as workers from T&M Heather and Triad Petroleum set about ripping up […]
RAPPA member of parliament John Henry addressed the sensitive issue of suicide in Parliament House yesterday, inviting parents of young people to be part of the dialogue around the subject. “I trust we are all parents in our own constituencies and villages and homes and it is up to us to be aware of what’s […]
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has confirmed dates for this year’s Pacific Leaders Forum. Secretariat secretary-general Tuiloma Neroni Slade told Cook Islands News earlier this month that dates had been finalised but that out of courtesy to Pacific leaders, his office would not release details to media until all participating countries had been notified. This […]
In celebration of International Mother Language Day, culture minister Teariki Heather yesterday revived the dormant Te Kopapa Reo, or Te Reo Maori Commission. Heather formally re-appointed the former members of the commission, which for four years has been inactive. The commission was initially set up under the Te Reo Maori Act, which government passed in […]
Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen raised the first question in yesterday’s session of Parliament, opening by joking that usually “independent pro-CIP member” Norman George is the first to rise. Given George’s absence from the House, Rasmussen said he would “reluctantly” do the honours instead. In a question to minister of marine resources Teina Bishop, he sought […]
Finance minister Mark Brown defended the supplementary budget yesterday in Parliament, accusing the opposition of making ‘gross overstatements’ in its criticism of the Appropriation Amendment bill. “Under the laws of the MFEM Act this budget that we are presenting is a responsible budget. It’s responsible because we are not making any rash decisions. “Those areas […]
The Cook Islands Media Association has begun exploring the ways in which journalists can portray suicide appropriately in news reports. The association met yesterday to discuss a range of issues, although the media’s coverage of suicide dominated its agenda. The meeting brought together freelance journalists, government communication advisors and staff from Cook Islands News, 88FM […]
In defence of the $2.5 million budget deficit, cabinet minister Teina Bishop says the country has to spend money to make money. “I stand to support the supplementary budget before the house,” he said in parliament yesterday. “Despite the fact that it is a deficit budget to me from an economic point of view, it […]
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global standard-setter in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, has revised its recommendations booklet after more than two years of efforts by member countries. The FATF is an intergovernmental organisation with 36 members and the participation of over 180 countries through a global network of FATF-style […]
The Secretariat of the Pacific (SPC) community recently celebrated its 65th birthday. “The SPC mission is to help the Pacific Island people respond effectively to the challenges they face, and make informed decisions about their future and the future they wish to leave for the generations to follow,” SPC director general Dr Jimmie Rodgers said. […]
Tongareva member of parliament Wilkie Rasmussen says that as the leader of the opposition he will “stand up and fight for what matters”. “I believe the opposition team is going to be up to the game, they going to stand up and fight”, he said, noting that the opposition will focus on “matters that need […]
Opposition MP Norman George questioned the fairness of the government’s $4.5 million Air New Zealand subsidy as the Budget began its second reading in parliament yesterday. “Are we sharing the profits of this route to North America? I don’t understand that we share in the costs of this but not the income.” This follows statements […]
Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen denounced the Appropriation Amendment Bill – or the supplementary budget – in Parliament yesterday. He accused the government of being a ‘free-spending government’ and alleged that the deficit could have been avoided. “If this governmentdoesn’t change direction and doesn’t wisen up and utilise assistance from overseas or donor countries and divert […]
The flavours and curiosities of Cook Islands cuisine will be introduced to an estimated 50 million people in 100 countries though Australian celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita. The chef and a five-man film team have just returned to Australia from the Cook Islands as the final destination for Kuruvita’s upcoming television series Island Feast with Peter […]
Finance minister Mark Brown says his government will ‘deal with’ the budget blowout rather than running to the New Zealand government for help. He was responding to a question from Teenui-Mapumai member of parliament Norman George – the first parliamentary question of the year. “Minister,” George said, “in view of the additional $4 million that […]
Two members of parliament yesterday challenged the supplementary budget’s $30,000 allocation to CISNOC to cover its operating costs. Teenui-Mapumai member of parliament Norman George called CISNOC a ‘decrepit, failed, corrupt organisation’. “Because of their record of mismanagement I have great difficulty supporting any allocation of funds for them and my message to the minister of […]
It would be a terrible shame for the Cook Islands to lose its direct links with the United States and Australia and the government should make sure those links are secure in order to best assist growth in the local tourism industry, according to Pacific Resort chief executive officer Greg Stanaway. Stanaway said removing the […]
A government committee will today meet to settle on how it can best spend $30,000 in funding it secured to host a youth conference on suicide. The money is predominantly going towards bringing in youth from the pa enua to Rarotonga to join the March 12 forum. The exact details of who will come and […]
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