Local
Forum tour party names released
Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Local
It has taken three days, but the names of those in governments delegation to New Zealand for next weeks Pacific Leaders Forum were released yesterday. Government plans to spend about $48,000 on the delegation, of which at least three members are being paid for by the New Zealand government. Other delegates are also having part […]
Mataiapo title returns to elder
Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Local
Mama Ngametua Enuake Kaota (seated) after being re-invested with the Kaimarama Mataiapo title yesterday beside her is Tangianau Tuaputa.
Rasmussen pulls out of travel junket
Wednesday 31 August 2011 | Published in Local
Deputy opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen has declined an invitation by government to be part of the Cook Islands delegation to New Zealand for the 2011 Pacific Leaders Forum. Rasmussen says he was invited by Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters, in the presence of Prime Minister Henry Puna, to travel to Auckland as part of the […]
Fruit and vegetable import levies kick in tomorrow
Tuesday 30 August 2011 | Published in Local
Seasonal levies on imported fresh fruits and vegetables come into effect from tomorrow. Ministry of Finance and Economic Management customs officer Pokoina Matara says the logic behind the levy introduced in 2006 is to protect the local produce market from a flood of imported fruits and vegetables. It will be lifted in the summer months, […]
Tour party questions unanswered
Tuesday 30 August 2011 | Published in Local
Pressure is building on government to confirm whether it proposes to send a record-size delegation to the Pacific Leaders Forum in New Zealand, at a cost of about $80,000. The Central Agencies Committee, chaired by public service commissioner Navy Epati, is also demanding answers of government about a proposed junket to the forum, which coincides […]
Black fever hits CITC
Tuesday 30 August 2011 | Published in Local
CITC is showing its support for the All Blacks, much to the tongue-in-cheek dismay of its handful of Australian staff members. Yesterday, staff of all CITC branches turned up to work in Black Fever T-shirts, emblazoned with a white fern on the back. Staff will be wearing Black Fever shirts every Thursday and any day […]
Police approach challenged
Monday 29 August 2011 | Published in Local
Cook Islands police are being asked to reconsider their approach to apprehending young offenders. Justices of the peace John Kenning, Tekeu Framhein and Tauei Solomon presided over the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua last week, and heard eight criminal cases involving defendants aged between 20 and 16 years. JP Kenning says he wonders whether […]
Flag bearer humbled
Monday 29 August 2011 | Published in Local
Nineteen-year-old Manihiki sailor Helema Williams was the standout candidate for the job of Team Cook Islands flag bearer. Team chef de mission George George said that the 2010 Sportswoman of the Year was the right candidate because of her impressive sports achievement and especially as she is still growing in her discipline of sailing. Williams […]
PM plugs to host Forum
Monday 29 August 2011 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna is quietly confident the Cook Islands will host next years Pacific Leaders Forum. The annual gathering of political leaders is the largest event of its kind in the regional drawing up to 400 attendees. Puna says as far as he knows no other region nation has made an offer to host […]
Well keep tax promise: finance minister
Saturday 27 August 2011 | Published in Local
Governments withholding tax is an opportunity for the countrys leaders to prove they can keep a promise, finance minister Mark Brown says. Speaking in parliament on Thursday, Brown answered criticism about an amendment bill to the new tax. He expects the tax will be in place for two years. This is a government of integrity, […]
Mangaia man admits rape
Saturday 27 August 2011 | Published in Local
A 31-year-old Mangaian builder has admitted raping a woman on the southern group island between September 1 and 30 in 2009. The man, whose name is suppressed to protect the identity of the victim, changed his plea to guilty when he appeared before Justice of the Peace Bernice Manarangi in the Cook Islands High Court […]
CI govt to pay McCully departure tax
Saturday 27 August 2011 | Published in Local
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration will pay $3190 in departure tax on behalf of New Zealand foreign minister Murray McCully and his 58-person strong delegation that visited the Cook Islands last month. Paul Lynch, a spokesman for the Deputy Prime Minister and foreign affairs minister Tom Marsters, said the minister could not legally […]
Teavas treehouse makes mums monthly column
Saturday 27 August 2011 | Published in Local
Thirteen-year-old Teava Wichman beneath the tree house in his backyard that has taken him and four of his friends about four weeks of work to build. His mum Vaine Wichman writes about it today in her monthly Economy Column. on page 14. 11082629
Controversial tax law passed
Friday 26 August 2011 | Published in Local
Despite heated debate in parliament by opposition members, governments withholding tax amendment bill has been unanimously approved and passed into legislation without change. A third session of parliament took place yesterday afternoon to allow members the opportunity to each speak for up to 20 minutes on the bill, tabled by finance minister Mark Brown on […]
Toa sucking blood from country
Friday 26 August 2011 | Published in Local
Independent member of parliament Norman George is demanding answers from government about its obligation to Toa Petroleum Ltd, costing at least $100,000 each month. During Tuesday evenings parliamentary session George asked finance minister Mark Brown to confirm that the government and people of the Cook Islands are paying Toa director Brett Porter and the company […]
PM starring at Jupiters
Friday 26 August 2011 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna is next week attending a gala function at Conrad Jupiters, a casino on Australias Gold Coast. He will be meeting the Gold Coasts Cook Islands community, which has organised an evening of dinner and dancing, featuring performances by Cook Islands artists and dancers. Cook Islands musicians Mere Darling, Jon Lindsay and […]
60-plus birthday sing-song
Friday 26 August 2011 | Published in Local
Cecilia Herrmann and Chris Raui lead the revelry at Cafe Ariki, ringing in the 60-plus clubs fourth birthday.
Comedy kings touch down again
Thursday 25 August 2011 | Published in Local
Pacific comedy kings the Laughing Samoans have touched down on Rarotonga, saying they have brought a few familiar faces with them to help wow the crowds. The Cook Islands is becoming almost like a home away from home for the Laughing Samoans who have performed here six or seven times in the past. Individually theyre […]
McCully party let off tax
Thursday 25 August 2011 | Published in Local
Audit director Paul Allsworth confirms his office is investigating a complaint about departure tax exemptions totalling $3190. New Zealand foreign affairs minister Murray McCully led a delegation of 58 officials and media professionals to the Cook Islands last month on a Pacific tour to promote the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Allsworth says his office has […]
Deal nearly done for exploratory fishing
Thursday 25 August 2011 | Published in Local
Chinese longline fishing boats are expected to be operating in the northern Cook Islands exclusive economic zone (EEZ) before the end of the year, undertaking exploratory fishing of bigeye tuna and swordfish. A deal marine resources minister Teina Bishop has developed with Chinas fishing associations will see $800,000 in licence revenue paid to the Cook […]
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