National

George George is mad mad

If it was food, George George wouldn’t be too upset. But because thieves targeted electronic items, iPods, Playstations and other such toys and gadgets when they went through his house, George says he’s left feeling angry, disappointed and, perhaps worst of all, insulted. After years of working with children and teenagers to help promote them […]

Minister's travels for the week

Southern group youth to join forum

At least 20 youth from the southern group of islands will join 100 young adults from Rarotonga to share their views, opinions, concerns and practical solutions with each other at a youth forum next month to help overcome the challenges facing their age group. A steering group charged with organising the forum, which is aiming […]

So what's the 'trigger figure'?

The government and the people of the Cook Islands received a surprising and slightly worrying notice from Air New Zealand this month when it warned that the underwrite being provided by the country to secure flights to Australia and the United States would rise to an estimated $12.5 million for the financial year. Until this […]

NZ 'reneging' on pension promise: Priest

Making New Zealand’s superannuation portable so people living in the Cook Islands can access their pension is a complex issue and will be examined in time, according to New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully. McCully said New Zealand was not breaking a promise made to the Cook Islands when he announced last week that the […]

Get fit by email

Fitness enthusiast Puai Wichman continues his crusade to shape up Cook Islanders and turn them to a healthier lifestyle. Here Wichman shares his new challenge for those wanting to take the step in the healthy direction. “Starting this week, I will be running a challenge of a different kind – one that doesn’t involve anything […]

United we stand, divided we fall

Mangaia School celebrated its new prefects for 2012 on Wednesday. School chaplain Reverend Toko Ongoua from the Oneroa Cook Islands Christian Church blessed the ceremony, at which Kiriana Ngatamariki was chosen as head prefect and Junior George as deputy head prefect. The school’s ‘virtue of the week’ was creativity, which principal Sue Ngatokorua says fit […]

Araura honours new perfects

A large crowd of parents, leaders of Aitutaki and invited guests were present to witness the investiture of new prefects and student councillors at Araura College last Friday. Twenty-one student councillors were presented with their new badges. Each form class selected their own boy and girl student council leaders. There were 10 prefects from year […]

Prefects inducted at St Joseph's

Avarua School showers new prefects in ei

Avarua School’s new leaders have been officially welcomed into their positions with a big event held for the large group of students taking on the roles. Thirty-two students have taken on leadership roles at the school for 2012, including 24 prefects or tutara apii and eight librarians or tutara runanga puka. Principal Teremoana Herman said […]

Underwriting makes Air NZ a partner

The following ‘key messages’ were provided by Cook Islands Tourism Corporation in response to discussion and debate about the Air New Zealand subsidy, which is expected to cost the country $12.5 million this year. – Tourism accounts for some 75 percent of the gross domestic product of the Cook Islands. – The greatest challenge facing […]

Callout to Atiuans

The Atiu community on Rarotonga is selling barbecue plates today to raise money for its hostel project. In parliament on Tuesday, Teenui-Mapumai member of parliament Norman George pleaded with all Atiuans – both in Atiu and on Rarotonga – to support the cause. “We are facing difficulties at our Atiu hostel,” he began. He noted […]

Aunty Mau wants $5000 for Nikao roads

Nikao member of parliament Ngamau ‘Aunty Mau’ Munokoa continues to champion her cause – securing further support for her village’s infrastructure. In Parliament on Monday, the woman of the house gave an impassioned Cook Islands Maori speech about the state of the roads and drainage systems in Nikao. “I’ve got a question in regards to […]

Water spout off Aitutaki

A couple in Aitutaki was left scrambling to find their cameras after spotting a water spout that had formed off the coast about 1.50pm yesterday. Bill and Teetu Tschan managed to snap these pictures of the waterspout, saying it was the first they had ever seen on the island.

Deputy enjoys Speaker's job

Mauke MP Tai Tura has been filling in for Sir Geoffrey Henry this week, presiding over Parliament in his capacity as deputy speaker of the house. Sir Geoffrey Henry is in New Zealand receiving medical attention and has been absent from Parliament House all week. His family has confirmed that he is ill, and departed […]

Air Rarotonga fleet expands

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 […]

New pier used for the first time

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 […]

Heavy road works underway

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 […]

MPs voice their concerns over suicide

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 […]

Pacific Forum dates confirmed

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 […]