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Community responds to Government’s calls for partnership

Following the announcement of the launch of the Rarotonga Safety Shelter Programme (RSSP), communities around Rarotonga are actively engaging with the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) to learn more about the programme.

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Back-to-back cruise ship visits boost Rarotonga tourism

Within 48 hours, two cruise ships – the Zuiderdam, which visited on Saturday, and the Costa Deliziosa, which arrived yesterday – called at Rarotonga.

Wigmore defends seabed job ad

Dear Editor, With regard to the position of Commissioner of the Seabed Minerals Authority, I believe that we have to walk before we run. The Cook Islands have no mining activity and there won’t be any for several years. However, opportunities can exist for interested companies to apply for an Exploration Licence once the required […]

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Dishes donated for prisoners

Prisoners will now have the luxury of eating off plates thanks to the generosity of a couple visiting from Tahiti. Rafeo and Rahiti Tehiva donated 50 plastic mugs, bowls and plates to Arorangi prison yesterday. When visiting the correctional facility on Sunday, they noticed the inmates were relegated to eating and drinking from ice cream […]

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Mou Piri asks for wide access to 1998 report

The group for political reform, Mou Piri, is calling on government to provide better public access to the 1998 Commission of Political Review report. Mou Piri believes the government-commissioned report is an excellent document that provides detailed results from public meetings on all islands, submissions from a broad spectrum of society as well as professionals […]

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MP appalled PM never saw Toogood report

Prime minister Jim Marurai’s receipt of the ‘Toogood’ report a month after it was released to government is appalling, says Opposition MP Teina Bishop. The December 22 report details government’s $1.75 million out of court settlement with the country’s two fuel distribution companies over the controversial fuel farm scheme. “The PM should resign – it’s […]

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Sailing vaka returning to Aitutaki

As soon as the winds are favourable, vaka Te Au O Tonga will set sail for Aitutaki. Cook Islands Voyaging Society president Ian Karika is keen to sail the double hulled vaka to Aitutaki where building materials for renovating the canoe await its arrival. Karika says that they were meant to sail to Aitutaki last […]

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4 suggested for Finsec's job

Who could take on the job of financial secretary? As financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti’s future in the role is in doubt following the Toagate scandal, talk has already started about possible replacements. Ivaiti is facing possible suspension over the $2 million-plus scandal and his handling of the fuel farm scheme, and it is possible he […]

National

Cooks strategy to focus on Australia

Tourism board chairman Tata Crocombe believes the country can tap into the region’s biggest market – Australia – via a new direction in marketing and by taking advantage of the proposed direct Sydney flights. Crocombe told those at the opening cocktail function for this week’s biennial tourism industry forum on Monday night that the focus […]

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CIP prepare for election

The Cook Islands Party wants an early election so that the country’s political situation can return to normal. But there will have to be a few things put in place before that should happen. “Since December 24th, we have not had a proper government in place – it is not a good situation for the […]

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Ivaiti suspension pending

After raising the issue with cabinet last week, new finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen said he was still considering the suspension of financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti. Rasmussen said that the matter is still subject to ‘various advice’. While Ivaiti’s role in the $2 million-plus ‘Toagate’ fuel farm scandal is being investigated by the audit office, Rasmussen […]

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Hospital needs better reporting

Improving the care of hospital patients through better incident reporting is the aim of a recent workshop undertaken by the ministry of health. General quality manager Elizabeth Iro says that poor and incomplete reporting of incidents in the clinical areas of health, results in missed opportunities for quality improvement — an observation she has put […]

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No retirement plans says tourism boss

Cook Islands Tourism chief executive John Dean refutes claims that he’s resigned from the corporation to retire. On Monday, tourism board chairman Tata Crocombe said Dean had cited his wish to go into retirement as the reason he was leaving two years into his three year contract. “I want to make it perfectly clear that […]

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PM sees Toogood report for first time

Prime minister Jim Marurai only received a copy of the Toogood report on last month’s controversial fuel farm settlement on Monday. The report has been kept under wraps by those in government who had received a copy of the December 22 document. Yesterday Marurai said the new minister of finance Wilkie Rasmussen had provided him […]

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'Mum' to masses earns MBE

At 73 she can’t stop thinking about the people – it’s a lifetime habit for Tiriakau Vakapora Nicholls, fondly known as ‘Mum’ by the staff at Aitutaki hospital, and many others who she has cared for over the last 48 years. It is also why she has received an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the […]

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'Airline of the Year'

Air New Zealand was congratulated by NZ prime minister and tourism minister John Key last week for being named Airline of the Year by ‘Air Transport World’ magazine. “This is a great honour but, then again, no great surprise to those of us who continually experience the service that our national airline delivers,” said Key. […]

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Prison roof for renewal

Work has finally begun on replacing the rotten roof of the Arorangi prison. The decomposed wood, which covered the cell block, was being ripped off yesterday to make way for concrete later this week. Superintendent Metuatini Tangaroa said a more secure covering has been needed for years. Previous escapes have been made by inmates breaking […]

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Rescue team searches for more volunteers

Rescue Cook Islands, the voluntary search and rescue organisation, is looking to increase its numbers and capacity to carry out searches in Rarotonga’s rugged interior. Trainer Ron Bird says they are looking for more volunteers – male and female – who are generally fit and able, who have knowledge of the interior, and who may […]

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New uniform for 2011

Air New Zealand has announced that it will introduce a new uniform in 2011 to coincide with the introduction of a new fleet of 777-300 aircraft. The airline has engaged Trelise Cooper, one of New Zealand’s leading fashion designers, to assist in the design of the next Air New Zealand uniform. “We will introduce a […]

National

Teachers study at uni summer school

Eight courses or papers are being conducted during this year’s summer school at the University of the South Pacific campus at Takamoa. Seventeen participants have signed up for the two papers which will go towards attaining a diploma of early childhood, while a similar number are doing two papers which will count towards a Bachelor […]

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2 St Joseph's buildings relocating to Arorangi

Contractor Paul Mangakahia and his team are in the process of moving what remains of the old St Joseph’s Primary School to Arorangi. Built in 1946, the two buildings that were not a part of last year’s renovation project will be relocated and sold as private homes. According to Mangakahia, both buildings are made of […]

National

Pet clinic plans garage sale

The Esther Honey Foundation is appealing to the general public for household goods for a planned garage sale at the animal clinic in Nikao this Saturday. The clinic will be raising money for the care of animals at the clinic and is asking the general public for donations of goods for the sale. Clinic manager […]

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