Local
Govt to consult northern group on tax review
Thursday 21 November 2013 | Published in Local
People living in the northern group will get their chance to hear about and give feedback on the government’s proposed tax review next week. A team from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) will be visiting the northern group of the Pa Enua to hold discussions about the review, which includes plans to […]
George must vacate seat to trigger Atiu by-election
Wednesday 20 November 2013 | Published in Local
Atiu Member of Parliament Norman George must his vacate seat to trigger a by-election in the constituency of Teenui-Mapumai, says the chief electoral officer. This week, Prime Minister Henry Puna said George – who resigned from the Cooks Islands Party in October and is now claiming to be a member of Democratic Party caucus – […]
3G is likely to cut data costs
Wednesday 20 November 2013 | Published in Local
Mobile data prices will almost certainly be cut when Telecom launches its new 3G mobile network early next year, says chief executive Jules Maher. Telecom Cook Islands has confirmed it is building a 3G (Third Generation) network on Rarotonga, after signing a deal with Chinese multinational firm Huawei earlier this year. The service means people […]
$10,000 raised for Philippines
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in Local
The Filipino community in the Cooks has raised $10,000 for their family and friends in the Philippines that was recently devastated by super typhoon Yolanda. “We never expected such an overwhelming response,” says vice president for the Filipino committee Gemma Untalasco. The funds were raised with the help of between 60 and 70 Filipinos and […]
Fresh mandate needed from Atiu – PM
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in Local
The Prime Minister has called for a by-election in Atiu following Member of Parliament Norman George’s recent party switch. PM Henry Puna says George should do what is “morally right” and face the Teenui-Mapumai constituency for a fresh mandate now that he has formally resigned from the Cook Islands Party (CIP). “Norman consistently argues about […]
Prayers for rainfall 'answered' in Raro
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in Local
Last weekend’s downpour has helped Rarotonga emerge from a prolonged dry spell that stressed resources across the island. According to the Cook Islands Meteorological Service, 37.8mm of rain was received from the period beginning Friday at 10am to early Monday morning. According to the agency’s latest data, low to medium rainfall is forecasted for the […]
UN Climate talks important for Cooks
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in Local
A vulnerability and adaptation study in Penhryn, Manihiki, Rakahanga and Atiu identified coastal erosion, salt water inundation, droughts and availability of water as some of the climate change impacts experienced by the communities. At the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change, these very real experiences are propelling […]
Air New Zealand wins long-haul tender
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in Local
Kiwi airline Air New Zealand has won the tender to provide long haul aviation services for the Cook Islands. The official announcement was made by Minister of Finance Mark Brown at Friday’s 2013 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards. As a result, the airline is now expected to enter into an agreement with the […]
Pa flies Cooks flag
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in Local
Movers and shakers in the nation’s tourism industry were out in full force on Friday evening for the 2013 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards. Held at the official residence of the NZ High Commissioner in Ngatipa, the theme of the event was “Tourism, Then and Now”, complete with classic Polynesian music and a […]
Atiu 'parched'
Saturday 16 November 2013 | Published in Local
The island of Atiu is experiencing some of the lowest levels of rainfall in decades. “In all the time I’ve been here, this is the driest,” said Atiu mayor Taoro Brown, who has been in Atiu permanently since 2010 and on an on-off basis since 1992. “Without rain in the next month, there could be […]
3G mobile service coming to the Cooks
Saturday 16 November 2013 | Published in Local
Telecom Cook Islands is currently building a 3G (Third Generation) mobile network on Rarotonga, for launch next year. Telecom chief executive officer Jules Maher confirmed that he had signed a contract with Chinese telecommunications company Huawei earlier this year for the purchase and installation of a 3G mobile network for Rarotonga. Most of the equipment […]
NZ trainer back in the Cooks
Saturday 16 November 2013 | Published in Local
A visiting instructor from New Zealand provided some hands-on training this week for local fisheries and maritime police officers. New Zealand fisheries compliance and enforcement advisor Pete Southen is back in the Cook Islands to work with fisheries officers from the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) and officers with the Cook Islands maritime police. Southen […]
PM in Manihiki for renewable energy
Friday 15 November 2013 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna is in Manihiki this week spearheading the final planning stages of the northern group’s renewable energy projects. This particular phase of the solar power projects will involve the settlement of the site negotiations and technical requirements for the establishment of a photovoltaic (PV) power installation on the island. “We are at […]
Third arson confirmed
Friday 15 November 2013 | Published in Local
The destructive fire at the Turoa Bakery and the Saltwater Cafe has been declared an act of arson. The latest development was revealed by detective inspector Areumu Ingaua of Cook Islands Police, who is in charge of the fire investigations. In a further development, Ingaua said police are working on three people of interest in […]
Grey Power donates
Friday 15 November 2013 | Published in Local
Pensioner activist group Grey Power is lending a helping hand to the victims of recent fires that have swept across Rarotonga. Yesterday, the group began what will be the first round of donations to those affected by the blazes with a morning visit to Nukutere College. In front of destroyed classrooms, Grey Power president Tupe […]
Opposition criticises underwrite tender process
Friday 15 November 2013 | Published in Local
The recent tendering process for long haul flights in and out of the Cook Islands has been described as a futile affair by leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen. Currently serviced by Air New Zealand, Rasmussen said it was highly unlikely the government would consider awarding the contract to another airline as he said Air […]
House fire suspicious
Thursday 14 November 2013 | Published in Local
While stopping short at calling the fire an act of arson, an official with Rescue Fire Service is saying Tuesday’s house fire in Titikaveka could be the work of an experienced firestarter. An investigation team – including senior fire officer George Nicholls of Rescue Fire Service, rescue fire officer Paul Matapo, senior fire-fighter Amosa Tobia, […]
Crime against tourists 'detrimental'
Thursday 14 November 2013 | Published in Local
Crime against visitors to the Cook Islands is a serious problem and will have a detrimental impact on the local economy if it continues, says the chief executive of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (CIT). Halatoa Fua said tourism is the Cook Islands’ largest and only sound economic driver, which is why more must be […]
Glassie takes on Internal Affairs
Thursday 14 November 2013 | Published in Local
Cabinet member Nandi Glassie was formally introduced yesterday as the incoming Minster of Internal Affairs. Present at a midday event held at the ministry’s main offices were former minister Mark Brown, Glassie, secretary Bredina Drollet and various members of staff. Drollet said the ministry has accomplished a lot under the leadership of minister Mark Brown. […]
PM's company struck off twice
Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna and his wife Akaiti have had their business struck off the companies register for failing to pay their annual fee – and this is not the first time. Last week, the Ministry of Justice issued a public notice which named nearly 80 domestic companies being dissolved with immediate effect. Among them […]
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