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Environment

Scientists explore coral heat tolerance in Rarotonga

A group from the University of California is working with Cook Islands marine biologist and chairperson for the environmental NGO, Kōrero o te `Ōrau, Dr Teina Rongo, to discover how corals around Rarotonga respond to high temperatures.

Crime

Vandals target fintech startup

Cook Islands tech entrepreneur Brett Baudinet is disappointed that his recently established business, Smartie, has become a target for vandals.

Penrhyn islanders build landmark

Penrhyn islanders were part of a work crew that recently completed the construction of an historic bridge in Innisfail, Queensland. Foreman Mark Ford, Robert Tapaitau (son of the late QBE Tepure Tapaitau), Tavake Paulo and Petero Mamia all of whom lived on Penrhyn before migrating to Australia were part of the $21.6 million project. Earlier […]

National

Bail not a penalty: JP

Bail is not a penalty, Cook Islands police officers have been told by the countrys senior Justice of the Peace. JP John Kenning presided over the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua on September 15. He questioned the justification of certain bail conditions sought by police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Ruth Hosking-Tane in relation to a […]

National

Puna commits to One China

Top-level discussions in China between the Cook Islands government and that of the Peoples Republic of China are going well. Prime Minister Henry Puna and five other delegates, including immigration and foreign affairs secretary Jim Gosselin, have met with several Chinese officials, including the vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political […]

National

Vanilla in demand

The Cook Islands could soon be exporting up to 100 tonnes of vanilla to French Polynesia every year, as international demand for the spice continues to grow. A delegation of Cook Islands agriculture industry professionals, growers and government officials recently travelled to Tahiti in an effort to better understand initiatives for product expansion. Finance minister […]

National

US pays $2m for fish rights

Annual payment to the Cook Islands by the United States as part of a Pacific fishing treaty is set to increase from $250,000 to $2 million. Finance minister Mark Brown says the increase is a result of discussion at the recent Pacific Leaders Forum in New Zealand, involving marine resources minister Teina Bishop. Brown says […]

National

Travel savings voluntary

Ministers and members of parliament have the opportunity to save taxpayers money on travel by opting for economy class seats on flights, using air points accrued from official travel and staying in cheaper accommodation. There is a level of entitlement to MPs and ministers for official travel and its associated costs, through the Remuneration Tribunal […]

National

Tupapa takes early lead in Lotto Cup

The 2011 Rarotonga Lotto round cup football competition kicked off on Saturday with Takuvaine hosting Tupapa and Avatiu facing Arorangi. In the premier mens match in the Happy Valley Tupapa showed their dominance in terms of ball possession and tactical play, however it was Takuvaine that piled the pressure on first. Tupapa found it difficult […]

National

Zumba funds go to mental health

International Zumba instructor Maria Teresa Stone generated funds for the Cook Islands Creative Centre and Te Kainga Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre last week. Stone, who originates from Mexico but now lives in Sydney, hosted a Zumba master class at the National Auditorium in Rarotonga on Wednesday. Shes pictured here with zumba enthusiast George George […]

National

Pearls and energy on agenda

Cook Islands pearl exports to China and cooperation in respect of renewable energy technology are issues being discussed this week by Prime Minister Henry Puna and senior representatives of the Chinese government. Puna is also involved in bilateral discussions with China about its general development assistance to the Cook Islands and possible aid for next […]

National

Prime minister begins China visit

Prime Minister Henry Puna began his official visit to China yesterday with his first official engagements in Beijing. Met at the new airport in the capital by senior Protocol officials from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the prime minister and his delegation were provided a police escort into the city where they were taken […]

National

Biodiversity study includes Cooks

Leafflower trees and leafflower moths which are mutually dependent on each other arrived in the South Pacific separately, but over time reconnected. That is the conclusion of a study conducted by University of California Berkeley PhD student David Hembry, whose research centred on biodiversity in the Cook Islands and French Polynesia. Hembry started out studying […]

National

Natural resources adviser appointed

A Cook Islands initiative to develop deep sea mining is further progressed by the appointment of a natural resources adviser. New Zealand geologist Daryl Thorburn has officially been appointed to the new position, funded by the Commonwealth Secretariat for two years. Minerals and natural resources minister Tom Marsters has formally notified the secretariat that Cook […]

National

Finsec tracks aid funding trends

Global funding patterns are changing, but the Cook Islands is relatively well-placed to continue receiving aid, financial secretary Richard Neves says. Neves has returned to the Cook Islands from a conference in London, at which the changing trends of aid application and criteria were analysed. It precedes a further international conference in November, at which […]

National

PM clocks up biggest travel costs

Prime Minister Henry Puna has proportionately spent the most from governments Civil List on international travel of any minister or member of parliament in this financial year. Since July 1 Punas official international travel to Samoa, New Caledonia, the United States, New Zealand and China has included about $47,000 from the Civil List. Government has […]

National

Audit job under wraps

Finance and audit minister Mark Brown is keeping tight-lipped about the appointment of an audit director. He says a media release is likely to be issued in the next two weeks and in the meantime he is not prepared to discuss the matter.

National

Parliament to resume soon

Parliament may resume in October, finance minister Mark Brown says. Following a lengthy session in July, parliament adjourned sine die and then an impromptu sitting was scheduled in late August for the passing of an amendment bill to governments withholding tax legislation. Brown says the resumption of parliament has not been confirmed, but government wants […]

National

Short stories on my favourite things

My home The nice breeze lets you hear the noise of the trees surrounding the house. The soft painted wall in the hallway of the house is just so soft that you would want to rub your cheeks on. You can hear the sounds of the ocean crashing against the rocks. When the sun sets […]

National

Dialling in a cover shot

Telecom Cook Islands is offering artists and photographers the chance to have their work reach every home, business place and hotel room in the country. The companys annual telephone and business directory cover competition is closing on Wednesday next week and organisers are seeking a photograph, painting, drawing or collage that reflects life in the […]

National

Caf culture lovers take over Jireh

Cafe Jireh has inherited two important things from Warkworths wildly popular Ginger Cafe its custard squares and its managers. The cafe, situated across from the airport, has come under the management of Brian and Rachael Aitken, a Kiwi couple with a passion for high-quality food and a love for the island of Rarotonga. They recently […]

National

Pacific Snapshots well received

Tereora College performers elicited a resounding applause from the crowd that filled Nikao Hall on Thursday night. They performed a number of skits adapted from scripts written by Pasifika writers and dance numbers in their home-grown production Pacific Snapshots. Performing arts teacher Claire Waldron has received a flood of positive feedback since Thursdays performance. Her […]

National

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