Local
Fines possible for dangerous operators
Friday 20 April 2012 | Published in Local
Fuel suppliers in the Cook Islands are being gently pushed into making reforms that will improve the safety and standards of the handling of dangerous goods, but authorities have the option to penalise or remove the licences of any operators that don’t show improvements. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the body tasked with issuing and […]
Takitimu land case heard in London
Thursday 19 April 2012 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands made its first appearance at the Privy Council, thousands of kilometres away in London, this week. A dispute over 53 acres of Takitumu land came before the Supreme Court judges of the United Kingdom – the highest judicial authority throughout the Commonwealth. Popular UK newspaper The Independent published the story about the […]
Power station posed 'dire' threat
Thursday 19 April 2012 | Published in Local
“Unacceptable” levels of leaking diesel at the Te Aponga Uira (TAU) Avatiu valley power station have the potential to ignite and cause “dire consequences” for the power station and Rarotonga as a whole, according to a report released to the media this week. The report, conducted by New Zealand Department of Labour inspector Kim Comben […]
New police minister 'impressed'
Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in Local
Minister of Police Teariki Heather says community involvement is key to police work and he will use his new role to encourage Cook Islands Police to meet as often and as regularly as they can with the people of each vaka. Heather officially took over the police portfolio from Prime Minister Henry Puna at a […]
Fuel farms on 'provisional' licences
Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in Local
Both Toa Petroleum and Triad Pacific Petroleum are operating under provisional dangerous goods licences. The Ministry of Internal Affairs became aware of issues of non-compliance at both facilities following the release of a damning independent report in late 2010. Both were subsequently denied full dangerous goods licences. Since then, Toa and Triad have taken steps […]
Tutaka underway
Tuesday 17 April 2012 | Published in Local
Public health inspectors began a new round of tutaka health checks yesterday. The inspections will be conducted randomly with health officials fanning out across the island checking properties. Senior health inspector Charlie Ave says the main purpose of the week-long tutaka will be to check for mosquito breeding and resting place. “We want to make […]
Airport charging plan shelved
Tuesday 17 April 2012 | Published in Local
Proposed changes to aeronautical charges at Rarotonga Airport have been sidelined following the public bashing they received last week. The government will instead consider wider changes to what costs and charges are being asked of airlines in taxes and fees. Airport Authority chief executive officer Joe Ngamata yesterday said government had decided to shelve the […]
8 arrests
Monday 16 April 2012 | Published in Local
Eight burglars have been arrested by police after detectives swooped on a number of homes on Thursday, Friday and at the weekend. Police say the group of eight male youths are believed to be responsible for the spate of burglaries through the Avarua area last week. Some of those arrested appeared in court on Saturday […]
'Signs of desperation'
Monday 16 April 2012 | Published in Local
Any increase in departure tax or increase in airport surcharges will be sternly opposed by the opposition because it is a direct contradiction of the former Democratic Party Government’s plans to lower departure taxes. “Our idea was to lower departure tax back to $35 and let that tax pay the loan by the Airport Authority […]
Pearl auction to help sailors
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in Local
Two pearls of Manihiki have received an added push in their Olympic dreams thanks to a contribution from the Cook Islands Pearl Authority. The authority has donated a pearl necklace to the Cook Islands Sailing Association to help fund Helema Williams and Taua Elisa’s Olympic qualifier attempts and – all things going to plan – […]
Salute to Wigmore
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in Local
The Democratic Party is mourning the loss of one of its most prominent leaders. The Honourable Robert Wigmore lost his battle with cancer yesterday morning, his passing leaving a void in the heart of Titikaveka and within the Democratic Party. Described by those who knew him as a “very hardworking man” and a “quiet achiever”, […]
Hostile backlash to charges
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in Local
Backlash to proposed increases to airport charges appear to have sunk Airport Authority plans for dramatic rises to its fee structure, although no official word from government has confirmed such reports. Cook Islands News understands draft proposals that pitched increases to airport usage fees of between 80 and 300 percent over three years have now […]
TB patient in hospital
Friday 13 April 2012 | Published in Local
A 33-year-old man is recovering in hospital after being admitted in a seriously ill condition three weeks ago and subsequently diagnosed with tuberculosis. The man went into hospital on March 18 and was placed in isolation after it was suspected he may have tuberculosis, a bacterial infection the patient said he once had when he […]
Tax increase 'insane'
Friday 13 April 2012 | Published in Local
Business leaders yesterday used words like “insane” and “gotta be nuts” to describe proposed government increases to departure tax and airport charges. News of the controversial increases was leaked to Cook Islands News despite attempts by officials to play down their intentions as being “for discussion only”. Airlines operating international and domestic flights in the […]
George scoffs at rival
Thursday 12 April 2012 | Published in Local
Teenui-Mapumai Member of Parliament Norman George says Taoro Brown should “focus on being a good mayor for Atiu” and abandon his political aspirations. Recently the Teenui-Mapumai camp of the Cook Islands Party (CIP) staged a run-off, during which it elected Brown the unofficial CIP candidate for the 2014 election. Brown told Cook Islands News his […]
Toa moves before EIA
Thursday 12 April 2012 | Published in Local
Toa Petroleum will not be constructing its new depot in Nikao until it is authorised to do so by the Rarotonga Environment Authority, promises director Brett Porter. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) report was published at the weekend for public viewing, and until May 7 the community has the opportunity to make written objections to […]
Honesty earns praise
Thursday 12 April 2012 | Published in Local
Nikao Primary School student Ngariki Katuke has given renowned cameraman Richard Wollocombe a reason to smile, and an appreciation for the honesty and goodness of the Cook Islands people. Wollocombe, who has worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation on such acclaimed television series as ‘Blue Planet’, was in Rarotonga last month with a Conservation International […]
CIP voters pick new Atiu candidate
Wednesday 11 April 2012 | Published in Local
The Teenui-Mapumai contingent of the Cook Islands Party has designated Taoro Brown its candidate for the 2014 general elections. “I feel this provides some stability here,” Brown said yesterday. “I think the people feel they are not being represented in Parliament at all and feel left out. They want to have their opinions heard.” The […]
Vehicle imports cost $500 more
Wednesday 11 April 2012 | Published in Local
A new $500 surcharge will apply to all vehicles being shipped to or from the Cook Islands on upcoming voyages. Reef Shipping announced yesterday that following a directive from Maritime New Zealand, it is no longer permitted to load cars on top of containers. This has been the traditional way to ship vehicles to the […]
Toa starts relocating to Nikao
Wednesday 11 April 2012 | Published in Local
As the expiry of its lease draws near, Toa Petroleum is preparing to relocate. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) report detailing its proposed relocation was published at the weekend for public viewing. Members of the public have 30 days – until May 7 – to file complaints or objections to the proposed relocation of Toa […]
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