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7 December 2024

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Social Impact Fund awards $199,825 to 14 community projects

The Cook Islands Social Impact Fund approved 14 proposals totalling $199,825.20 from 21 applications, supporting community initiatives across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, with a focus on sports, wellness and youth development.

Entertainment

Christmas in the Park brings festive cheer to Rarotonga

Hundreds of locals, visiting families, and tourists gathered at the National Auditorium and Domes on Thursday evening for the annual Christmas in the Park event, hosted by Rotaract Rarotonga.

Drunk driver pulled from upturned car

A 24-year-old driver was lucky to escape injury after he flipped a rental car on Saturday morning. Senior sergeant Ngatamariki Pouao said the Nikao man had overtaken a police car in front of their station around 1.44am. Police gave chase to the white Nissan as it was seen driving dangerously and at high speed. The […]

National

'Full story' on car

Former deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate admits that he continued to drive the old grey Honda Accord vehicle after he was sacked. But Sir Terepai claims that he acquired the car on a gentleman’s agreement he had with the prime minister Jim Marurai and deputy prime minister Robert Wigmore. Sir Terepai was responding to […]

National

Seabed minerals bill still not in force

The landmark law covering the management of the country’s seabed minerals has yet to come into force because Crown Law claims it is ‘too overworked’ to provide a document that, once signed, will complete its passage into law. The seabed minerals bill, passed in parliament last November, still has to receive approval of the Queen’s […]

National

Vaka voyage to Waitangi

The new Cook Islands voyaging vaka Marumaru Atua will add a Polynesian feel to this year’s Waitangi Day celebrations in New Zealand. Cook Islands Voyaging Society president Ian Karika will be among the crew of 16 that will sail the double hulled vaka from Bayswater Marina on the north shore of Auckland to Waitangi in […]

National

It was back to school this week

It’s been an interesting first week back at school for Rarotonga students. Kids seemed to be starting to settle down and make new friends on Tuesday and Wednesday but on Thursday Rarotonga schools closed their doors for cyclone Nisha. In this week’s Kids Page we look back at the first day of school for Rarotonga […]

National

Cyclone Nisha downgraded

What a difference a day makes. The glimpse of sun between showers yesterday was a stark contrast to Thursday afternoon as Rarotonga braced itself for tropical cyclone Nisha. After increasing in movement and losing intensity, Nisha was officially declared a tropical depression at 5am yesterday by the Fiji Metrological Service. Senior Cook Islands met service […]

National

Esther Honey garage sale success

Thanks to the generosity of the Rarotonga community, the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic raised $625 from last Saturday’s garage sale. In addition, animal patients enjoyed full tummies because of the kindness of local bargain hunters who also donated animal food. A bonus to an already great day was the placement of two sweet-faced kittens […]

National

NZ donates equipment for airport security

The NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs donated two marked patrol vehicles and a sophisticated computer-based training system to Cook Islands Aviation Security this week. Murray Breeze, manager of quality systems development for the Pacific Islands at NZ Aviation Security Services (Avsec NZ), formally presented the gifts to airport security officers on Wednesday afternoon. He was […]

National

Police pleased

Police are pleased with how their emergency response centre handled the threat of cyclone Nisha. As the leading government agency in times of cyclones, police opened emergency hotlines for the public and continued to operate well after Nisha was declared a tropical depression. “The way everyone handled things was a big improvement in the whole […]

National

Foreign affairs and marine HoMs named

Former foreign affairs expert James Gosselin will return to head the ministry that he was once a part of. Gosselin was announced yesterday by prime minister Jim Marurai as the new secretary for foreign affairs and immigration. Gosselin is currently serving as regional trade policy advisor for the Commonwealth Secretariat and has been based at […]

National

Tourism industry wants more answers on new marketing body

The Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council is meeting on Monday to discuss a controversial new government initiative – the destination sales and marketing committee. The committee is to provide marketing advice to the tourism board as well as communicate with the industry to gather more information on how to promote the destination. Industry council vice […]

National

Overseas driving advice

The driving licence issued by Cook Islands Police does not necessarily qualify holders to drive overseas, says police commissioner Maara Tetava. The regulatory office is in the practice of issuing letters to Cook Islanders planning to move overseas, reminding them to apply for an overseas licence. But those planning to drive while overseas on holiday […]

National

Does reform include letting go of Ivirua?

After reading about the radical political reforms proposed, one signaller says to push the proposal to combine some of the constituencies, it might help if the prime minister comes out and states that he is in favour of letting go of his Ivirua seat in Mangaia. “Wouldn’t it make more sense if we were to […]

National

Mou Piri response to political reform proposals

This is Mou Piri’s considered response and position on the specific political reforms proposed by the prime minister’s advisers: 1. PRIME MINISTER – Yes, Mou Piri supports the direct election of the Prime Minister by all Cook Island registered voters. Advantage: being elected by the people and not a political party will allow the PM […]

National

Airline story was wrong

Dear Editor, Your Smoke Signal under the heading ‘Flying high’ appeared to say that when the country tried to run our own airline in the 1980s it “lost millions – several Toagate worth per year”. The writer is wrong. I led the negotiations for a joint venture airline with Ansett and the formation of Cook […]

National

Strong enlightened leaders wanted

Dear Editor I wish to respond to a couple of issues raised by Piho Rua MP in Friday’s Cook Islands News. I write as one of the persons involved in putting forward to cabinet options for political reform. In the past three years I have been asked by cabinet to provide proposals for political reform […]

National

Playing it safe

Schools were closed yesterday as the country remained on warning against cyclone Nisha. Ministry of education secretary Sharon Paio made the decision to have children remain at home after receiving an update from the met service early yesterday morning. “It’s a bit of an unknown, the situation can change, but I spoke to the met […]

National

Police on the alert and watch

Police are in emergency operation mode as cyclone Nisha is deep within Cook Islands territory. The meteorological service placed the country on warning late Wednesday afternoon triggering the police to activate the emergency operation centre in their headquarters. Officers have been designated to track Nisha’s path with each met service update, answer any inquiries the […]

National

Tourism tribute to Dean

The tourism industry council says CI Tourism CEO John Dean has advanced the work of the corporation in several key areas over the past 21 months. CINews asked the council to comment on Dean’s contribution to the industry following his resignation this month. The council says Dean brought a mature and pragmatic business approach to […]

National

Tourism council explains role of new marketing team

Tourism board chairman Tata Crocombe heads a new group of tourism industry members that will give marketing advice to government. The destination sales and marketing committee will provide advice to the tourism board. The group will also be responsible for communicating more with the industry on how to promote the destination. Tourism industry council (CITIC) […]

National

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