Local
Cuban envoy visits
Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in Local
A Cuban diplomat arrives in the Cook Islands today. Her Excellency Maria del Carmen Herrera Caserio, ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, will be visiting the Cook Islands from today until Friday. The purpose of her visit is to present her credentials to the Cook Islands government. A ceremony is yet to be confirmed. Diplomatic […]
20th Pasifika celebrated
Monday 12 March 2012 | Published in Local
AUCKLAND – Islands from throughout the Pacific came together in a display of art, music, song, food and dance in Auckland over the weekend. Western Springs Park was transformed into 10 ‘villages’ representing Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Niue, Tahiti, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Aotearoa for the annual Pasifika Festival. Event organisers estimate more than […]
Forum is for and by youth
Monday 12 March 2012 | Published in Local
Rather than spending exorbitant amounts of money on outside experts, the youth forum being held on Rarotonga this week will instead honour the ‘expertise’ of Cook Islands young people. Drawing out young peoples’ views on the challenges they face and solutions that could make a difference to their lives will be the focus of the […]
Airline tax 'a national issue'
Monday 12 March 2012 | Published in Local
Government has not made any concrete decisions about whether or not to tax foreign airlines operating in the Cook Islands, but the opposition hopes to be included in deliberations when it does. A paper was tabled in parliament last month which authorised the possible lifting of an income tax exemption foreign airlines have enjoyed for […]
Not the PM's nephew
Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna has dismissed opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen’s allegations of political favouritism and nepotism. Rasmussen yesterday raised concerns that the prime minister appointed his nephew to the position of public service commissioner, in the process ignoring the recommendation of a selection panel. It is within Puna’s rights, under schedule one of the Public […]
Social welfare changes proposed
Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in Local
An Asian Development Bank (ADB) report recommending possible changes to the Cook Islands social welfare system and the 1989 Welfare Act was released yesterday. The report is available for viewing on the government’s website. Government says it will consider the recommendations in light of its commitment to supporting and assisting the elderly and most vulnerable. […]
Crime on an upsurge
Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in Local
Despite the proliferation of neighbourhood watch groups and their reported success, Muri resident Mii Kauvai is concerned that crime is making a comeback. Police reported last year that crime had dropped off significantly, but Kauvai believes there has been a recent resurgence of burglary. She believes the burglars are getting cleverer, and judging by the […]
Tetava elected chairman of regional group
Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in Local
Cook Islands Police commissioner Maara Tetava has returned from a meeting in Australia where he was elected chairman of the Pacific Police Training Advisory Group for a two year term. On March 2, a meeting sanctioned by the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Conference and supported by the Australian Federal Police was held in Sydney […]
Opposition alleges political favouritism
Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in Local
Alleging ‘nepotism’ and ‘political favouritism’, the opposition is concerned by the prime minister’s appointment of Russell Thomas as the new public service commissioner. “We’re concerned because as we understand it the prime minister exercised his discretion to overlook the recommendations by the selection panel and appointed his nephew,” leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen said […]
Public service commissioner appointed
Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in Local
Prime Minister and Minister of the Office of the Public Service Commission Henry Puna yesterday announced the appointment of Russell Thomas as the new public service commissioner. A former chief executive of the Office of the Public Service Commission, Thomas’s appointment was unanimously approved by Cabinet this week following a decision by the prime minister […]
Funding available for civil society groups
Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Local
Civil society organisations are being encouraged to apply for a final round of community initiative scheme (CIS) funding this month. Non-government organisations, Cook Islands-based partners of international non-government organisations, community-based organisations, sports organisations and other groups – individuals and business excluded – are invited to submit proposals for funding. The CIS has $219,000 in available […]
Avatiu seawall the best option
Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Local
Criticism of the Avatiu seawall is off target, says Ports Authority chairman Mike Henry. “This is the best option. This plan has been developed over the past four years with input from port users, the main shipping companies,” he said in response to recent criticism of the seawall design. Henry explained the basic concept of […]
Government supports Women's Day today
Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Local
The government is throwing its full support behind International Women’s Day. “Empowering Women – today’s global theme for International Women’s Day 2012 – is not only a goal in itself, it is a condition for creating better lives for everyone,” said Prime Minister Henry Puna. Acknowledging events locally and internationally to mark International Women’s Day, […]
Airlines to pay income tax
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in Local
For the first time in Cook Islands history, foreign airlines have lost their income tax exemption. A new executive order, tabled in parliament recently, could potentially generate hundreds of thousands of extra dollars for Cook Islands government coffers. “Previous governments have promised foreign airlines exemptions but have never put in place the legal framework for […]
Pokoinu hearing delayed
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in Local
A major land court hearing scheduled to begin today has been pushed to October. The hearing involves five family groups, who are vying for 60.57 hectares (149.67 acres) of Pokoinu land. It was expected to start this morning and last through Friday afternoon, but visiting land court Justice Wilson Isaac has excused himself from presiding […]
LPG filling station proposed in Aitutaki
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in Local
Aitutaki MP Teina Bishop has a vision to build a liquid petroleum gas filling station in Amuri as a means of alleviating frequent fuel shortages on Aitutaki. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been prepared to point out the potential risks of said project, copies of which are available for public viewing until March […]
Triggerfish EP ready for Pasifika
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in Local
Two-piece band Triggerfish is the only Cook Islands-based act performing at Pasifika this weekend. Set for Saturday New Zealand time – or Friday Cook Islands time – the festival is expected to attract over 120,000 Aucklanders. Triggerfish, made up of local musicians Kura Happ and Maurice ‘Mo’ Newport, takes the stage at midday for half […]
MP calls Avatiu meetings
Tuesday 6 March 2012 | Published in Local
Avatiu-Ruatonga-Atupa-Palmerston member of parliament John Henry has called three community meetings to listen to the public’s views on the contentious Avatiu sea wall. “The letters to the paper have been from people outside my community,” he says. “I want to listen to what the community thinks and give the experts the opportunity to give the […]
Toa Petroleum's future in limbo
Tuesday 6 March 2012 | Published in Local
A group of landowners has served papers on Apex Agencies, principal of Toa Petroleum Ltd, over the lease on the tank farm site. In an application filed with the Land Court on February 28, landowners raise concerns about the company’s treatment of – and alleged contamination to – their land, and indicate they have no […]
Winning H Factor dream comes true
Tuesday 6 March 2012 | Published in Local
Confidence, stage personality and a smooth singing voice earned fitness instructor Joseph Pakitoa the H Factor talent quest crown for 2012. Winning the title was also the best birthday present for Pakitoa who turned 19 on Sunday – a day after taking out the five-week singing competition. For Pakitoa, singing is a passion and one […]
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