Cook Islands Police data shows no increasing crime trend, but the Opposition leader and a road safety advocate argue understaffing and passive policing conceal actual crime and safety issues in Rarotonga.
The Australian High Commission has announced the opening of the Australia – Cook Islands Community Grants Program.
Finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen admitted there had been plans to cut Parliament short after Thursday’s sitting, but Cabinet had reconsidered. The opposition party had been critical through CI News this week of the rumoured plans to adjourn Parliament while Prime Minister Jim Marurai is at the Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Vanuatu and DPM Robert Wigmore […]
Government’s decision to pull the plug on the planned $37.5 million China soft loan for road and water upgrades has been questioned by the Opposition. Parliamentary leader of the CIP Tom Marsters questioned cabinet’s decision to axe the project during parliament’s question time on Thursday. “Why deny Rarotonga the opportunity to upgrade its infrastructure facilities?” […]
After the opening of the Te Maeva Nui cultural festival this morning, the international community will get the staged warmed up this evening with the international night show at the National Auditorium. The show begins at 7pm and boasts some fantastic items and performances by Pacific community teams here in the Cooks plus performances by […]
Police are urging motorists to drive cautiously this week, as roads are likely to be congested during Te Maeva Nui. Police have asked the public to observe particular entry and exit points so that traffic can flow one way. Motorists can access the auditorium via Victoria Rd, which runs along the Tupapa field and the […]
Teacher Ange Croft’s year-eight English class on Mauke learned recently about newspaper production and in groups produced mock newspapers. They spent time poring through copies of CI News to study layout and content, and Croft and ex-principal June Hosking shared what they know about journalism. Journalist Florence Syme-Buchanan and her daughter Feena visited Croft’s class […]
After a Te Maire Maeva Nui transport budget blowout of almost $500,000 last year, government has opted to provide a $25,000 allocation for outer islands to hold their own celebrations this year. The 2010-11 Budget tabled in Parliament on Thursday no longer includes the usual annual budget for outer island dance teams to travel in […]
Learning the tricks of the trade are the visiting group of outer island students who are in Rarotonga for a week of work experience in their chosen fields. With a total of 31 students from Atiu, Mangaia, Mitiaro, Mauke and Aitutaki the students have been hard at work learning as much as they can before […]
A journalist who flew in on the first Sydney – Rarotonga flight earlier this month posted his thoughts on ‘island time’ on his travel blog on the Sydney Morning Herald’s website. In a blog entry entitled “Time waits for no man – except on this island”, Ben Groundwater laments the challenges of trying to buy […]
The two-day Trade Day market during the constitution celebration week boasts authentic Cook Islands arts, crafts and food. The popular event will be held at the vacant section opposite the Banana Court on August 5 and 6. And despite the fact the outer island cultural teams will not be joining this year’s constitution celebrations, arts […]
Kiwi diabetes nurse Nisha Taylor took time out from her tropical holiday to share some advice with staff at the CITC Pharmacy yesterday. Taylor and local pharmacist Shannon Saunders have often exchanged emails where Taylor has offered advice and sent diabetes log books and equipment to Rarotonga. So, it came as a pleasant surprise when […]
Two weeks ago I was invited to make a presentation to a meeting of Early Childhood Education (ECE) providers from Auckland and throughout the Cook Islands. The aim of the meeting was to find ways to ensure that the teaching of our Maori language remains a cornerstone of ECE teaching. The teachers from Otara talked […]
The Democratic Party is planning to dust off its plans to introduce a code of conduct for politicians during its election campaign this year. The move comes hot on the heels of the latest scandal surrounding politicians being given loans from government to help their businesses. Demo Party president Sean Willis says a revamped proposed […]
NZQA certified courses in healthcare are coming to the Cook Islands for the first time. Healthcare workers can now train in caring for people with disabilities, the elderly and those with other health problems in 20 new courses. The first course, which starts on Monday, is an evening course in healthcare and disability. Donna Smith […]
Saturday morning market regulars can look forward to a new stall selling tasty treats – thin crepes either sweet or savoury and ‘pancake lollies’ on a stick. Marisa Summers and Melvin Arbuthnott have this month been manning their stall on Saturdays, churning out thin French pancakes drizzled with chocolate or stuffed with chicken and rukau. […]
A traditional Tahitian vaka is expected to arrive at Avana on Monday morning. The vaka is en route to Shanghai and will be making a number of stops on the way – after Raiatea, Rarotonga is her first stop. Onboard is one of the Cook Islands vaka Marumaru Atua crew. Also onboard is Tahiti’s minister […]
Finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen focused on the Toagate scandal as a key talking point in his speech on the supplementary budget which declares over $3 million in costs associated with the failed fuel farm scheme. Yesterday he said it would not be surprising for an assurance that such a scandal would not be repeated to […]
The Ministry of Health has received an increase of 1.9 per cent, which amounts to $201,430, in the 2010/11 Budget which was tabled in Parliament yesterday. The budget for healthcare goes up from $10,818,871 in 2009 to $11,020,301. In the 2009/10 Budget, the ministry’s budget was cut by 1.9 per cent or $133,431. The nation’s […]
Finance Minister Wilkie Rasmussen yesterday presented a supplementary budget that takes the 2009/10 $215.5 million annual Budget to a new total of $184.6 million. Aitutaki and Penrhyn Emergency Relief and Recovery Funds to the value of $2.5 million were also been declared in the supplementary budget. After talking about the support both locally and internationally […]
Light drizzle through the week did little to dampen the competitive spirit and hot action of Cook Islands bowlers at the Rarotonga Bowling Club in Parekura. Over 100 players are competing in the Cook Islands Lawn Bowls Championships which began with a parade and exhibition matches by junior bowlers on Saturday. The men’s and women’s […]
The Pearl Authority has received a 26 per cent uplift despite a massive slump in the value of the industry last year. The increase was justified by projections that that there will be a 45 per cent increase in pearl production in 2010/11. Out of the new national Budget of $157.6 million which was tabled […]
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