Local
Royal visit
Saturday 7 December 2013 | Published in Local
Queen’s Representative Tom Marsters and wife Tuaine hosted the Queen’s Baton and the team accompanying it to mark the start of its Cook Islands visit. The baton arrived on Thursday and after its official visit to the Queen’s Representative’s residence in Titikaveka, it began the first of two relay legs on the island. Papaaroa students […]
Queen's baton passes through parliament
Saturday 7 December 2013 | Published in Local
In addition to the passing of bills, the Cook Islands parliament saw the passing of the Queen’s baton during Friday’s sitting of the house. At roughly midday, a Commonwealth games delegation including Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee president Hugh Graham visited parliament to present the baton to the house. The visit saw the […]
Elderly man slashed in bush knife attack
Saturday 7 December 2013 | Published in Local
A land dispute between two elderly men in Mitiaro escalated into a machete attack on Wednesday, leaving one of them in hospital with severe cuts to his body. Detective inspector Areumu Ingaua said the incident took place late Wednesday afternoon and police were notified at about 6pm. The victim received two cuts to his head, […]
Tuariki resigns Murienua seat
Saturday 7 December 2013 | Published in Local
The winner of the recent Murienua by-election has resigned from his post, pre-empting a court hearing of a petition by his opponent. Cook Islands Party candidate Kaota Tuariki won September’s by-election in the Murienua constituency, defeating Democratic Party candidate James Beer in the bid to fill the seat that was vacated by Queen’s Representative Tom […]
Rain snuffs out fires in Aitutaki
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in Local
Aitutaki residents had their prayers answered on Wednesday night when rain finally arrived to snuff out scrub fires burning on the island. The downfall was a huge relief for locals, who have been battling numerous fires since a huge blaze scorched acres of land in Amuri on Saturday night. Miimetua Blenkarn, head of the Airport […]
Parliament pays tribute to Mandela
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in Local
Parliament began on Thursday with a solemn tribute to the late Nelson Mandela. Described in the house as a “great man", Speaker Niki Rattle said the South African Nobel Prize winner and peace activist “should be dignified in this house”. Addressing parliament, acting PM and finance minister Mark Brown said it was a “sad occasion […]
Debate winner meets EU Ambassador
Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Local
A Titikaveka College student who claimed victory in a youth debate on deep sea minerals has been congratulated in person by the European Union’s Ambassador for the Pacific. Fifteen-year-old Titikaveka College student Teherenui Koteka has been in Fiji this week after winning the Cook Islands debate in October. EU Ambassador Andrew Jacobs met Koteka in […]
Parliament's 'false start' a false alarm
Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Local
Parliament was nearly brought to a standstill yesterday after the opposition questioned the constitutionality of the current sitting. At the beginning of question period, leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen questioned the legality of the sitting by referring to a letter published in CINews yesterday. The letter, written by Rarotonga resident and businessman John Scott, […]
Aitutaki water woes addressed
Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Local
Emergency measures are being taken to provide Aitutaki residents with clean drinking water as they stare down the barrel of another six months without rain. Most people living on the island rely on rainwater tanks for their drinking supply but the skies have not opened since July. Otheniel Tangianau, director of the Pa Enua division […]
Banner rings in Christmas cheer
Wednesday 4 December 2013 | Published in Local
With 21 days to go until Christmas day, colourful tinsel and bright lights are rapidly growing on local businesses and homes – dressing them up for the festive season. Adding to the growing Christmas buzz, a big bright red banner wishing all a Merry Christmas has been erected at the entrance to the Avarua shopping […]
School students visit parliament
Wednesday 4 December 2013 | Published in Local
A special group of visitors were present for Tuesday’s session of parliament. Yesterday, students from Titikaveka College were present at the Cook Islands parliament building, and observed the nation’s members of parliament at work from inside the chamber as well as outside. In introducing the visitors, speaker Niki Rattle said the students have a desire […]
Treated water relieves shortage in Atiu
Wednesday 4 December 2013 | Published in Local
A plan of action has been implemented on Atiu as the island’s water supply, like that of many of the southern group islands, becomes critically low. A Nomad water treatment plant, which treats water by UV (ultra violet) and filter, was shipped to Atiu last week to produce clean drinking water for the 466 residents […]
Open letter stirs up fuel debate
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in Local
A long-running feud between two local fuel companies has been stirred up again by an open letter of warning written to the public. Triad Pacific Petroleum and Toa Petroleum are both competing for a contract to store fuel for Crown-owned power authority Te Aponga Uira (TAU), which supplies 90 per cent of the country’s electricity […]
Take the cake
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in Local
40 years ago, Mere Macquarie, Tina Manuel, Akaiti Puna and Amene Rangi were among the small group of Air New Zealand employees that welcomed the first Air NZ jet to Rarotonga – the DC8 on December 2 in 1973. While the three women have moved on after long careers with the airline, Amene Rangi is […]
Opposition: Where's the deputy PM?
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in Local
The opposition Democratic Party hit at the Puna government yesterday in parliament for delaying the appointment of a deputy prime minister. The issue was raised by Nikao member of parliament Aunty Mau Munokoa, who said in parliament she was surprised to see infrastructure minister Teariki Heather sitting in the seat previously occupied by former deputy […]
Tax changes poised to begin January 1
Monday 2 December 2013 | Published in Local
Working Cook Islanders will be seeing more money on the bottom lines of their paycheques in the New Year as changes to the nation’s tax system become implemented, said finance Minister Mark Brown. Beginning January 1, 2014, cuts to personal income taxes will come into effect, giving a financial boost to workers. Also as part […]
Parliament begins today, without PM
Monday 2 December 2013 | Published in Local
The final sitting of the Cook Islands parliament for 2013 begins today. Five days have been set aside for the upcoming session, with possible sitting the following week if needed. Clerk of parliament John Tangi said the final day will be devoted for the conveying of seasons greetings by members of parliament – a traditional […]
Bush fire fuelled by dry grass, trees
Monday 2 December 2013 | Published in Local
A huge bushfire in the tinder dry hills of Amuri on Aitutaki on Saturday night had residents on red alert as neighbours banded together to help fight the fire which threatened a number of homes in the village. The fire was still burning at 2.30pm on Sunday however no homes were being threatened by the […]
Grey Power to march on parliament Monday
Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in Local
Pensioner activist group Grey Power is planning to march on parliament on Monday for the first day of the house’s final sitting of 2013. Grey Power vice-president Dennis Tunui made the announcement yesterday, and said the group will be chanting slogans and waving placards as part of the march, which is scheduled for 2.30pm. The […]
Team effort!
Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in Local
Jesse Rihari, Kingi Herewini, Tom Robinson and Ruamano Herewini from vaka team Fluffy Slippers, enjoyed a morning of celebration at Nikao Maori School yesterday. The paddling team ‘adopted’ the school last year, and visited the excited young students for a morning of celebration, including exchanging gifts and enjoying dance and haka performances. Related article(s):
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