Local
Christian values needed
Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in Local
Education and a return to Christian values are key for the Cook Islands battle against theft, Minister for Tourism and Education Teina Bishop says. Bishop said he was worried that thieves who have been targeting tourist accommodation were hurting the Cook Islands reputation as an attractive holiday destination. In this day and age with the […]
Ceremony divides opinion
Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in Local
There are mixed opinions within parliament about whether todays opening ceremony, expected to cost more than $20,000, is a waste of time and money. Deputy leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen says it is. My personal view is its an outdated form of opening parliament. My suggestion would be to have an opening down at […]
$1.5m more to be spent on health
Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in Local
The New Zealand government has committed to continue its support for the Health Specialist Visits Programme that aims to improve health care for the people of the Cook Islands. Yesterday, New Zealand Aid Programme manager Jonathan Rowe along with acting secretary of health Rangiau Fariu and acting secretary of finance Priscilla Maruariki signed an agreement […]
Budget presented to Parliament
Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in Local
The government will table this years budget in Parliament today. A ceremonial opening of Parliament commences at 10am in the National Auditorium which in this context is being referred to as the Queens Chambers and is expected to last through to early afternoon. An eight-page programme details the timetable for this mornings affair, to which […]
Operation Eagle in court
Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in Local
Operation Eagle will again be the focus of the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua today when most of the 13 arrested through the drugs bust are due to appear before a Justice of the Peace. Those scheduled to appear, based on decisions made during their last court appearances, are Scott Arlander, Victor Wichman, Dina […]
Parliament ceremony to cost $20,000
Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in Local
Five months after its first parliamentary session, the government is preparing to stage the ceremonial opening of the house. The 47th session of the Cook Islands Parliament formally opens tomorrow. From 10am, a strictly structured ceremony will mark the occasion. More than 1200 guests have been invited to observe the opening at the National Auditorium […]
Police trained in batons
Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in Local
Residents and visitors within the Cook Islands may get used to seeing this a baton-wielding police officer. Here senior constable Epii Poila and constable Tupou Patia demonstrate some of the ways in which batons can be used by officers as defensive weapons in violent, life-threatening situations. About 50 expandable batons are being issued to Cook […]
We can only do so much
Wednesday 29 June 2011 | Published in Local
Almost half of all burglars and thieves in the Cook Islands are caught by police but residents and visitors alike need to remain vigilant in the prevention of such crime, police commissioner Maara Tetava says. He was asked to comment yesterday on new reports of burglary and theft within the community, following two new letters […]
Plan to boost local production
Wednesday 29 June 2011 | Published in Local
A relationship between the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) and a New Zealand trade development company is being formed due to a proposed importation substitution strategy. BTIB and Tuia International have signed a memorandum of understanding which will see both organisations work towards implementing a strategy to address the Cook Islands reliance on imported goods. […]
Direct flights begin again
Wednesday 29 June 2011 | Published in Local
Australia and the Cook Islands will soon be directly connected by air services again with non-stop flights between Sydney and Rarotonga set to restart next week. The first planeload of Australian visitors will touch down at Rarotonga International Airport on Tuesday, July 5. Cook Islands Tourism Board director of destinations development Metua Vaiimene said the […]
Women, families ignored - council
Tuesday 28 June 2011 | Published in Local
The basic needs of women and families continue to be ignored in the Cook Islands despite donor funding, members of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have been told. An ADB delegation to the Cook Islands yesterday met with members of the Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) at its Takuvaine headquarters. CINCW president Vaine […]
Board keeps eye on project promises
Tuesday 28 June 2011 | Published in Local
There is no set programme in place for the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) to monitor whether contractor McConnell Dowell is honouring an agreement over the $27 million Avatiu harbour upgrade. BTIB initially rejected McConnell Dowells application to operate within the Cook Islands but the parties reached an agreement subject to the delegation of some […]
Hospital work left hanging
Tuesday 28 June 2011 | Published in Local
Work on a $670,000 upgrade of Rarotonga hospitals sewerage system has been stopped, pending an environmental impact assessment (EIA). There has been mounting confusion between stakeholders about whether the project, for which work began in April, required an EIA from the beginning. It appears an EIA was not ordered of engineers by the National Environment […]
Confusion continues
Monday 27 June 2011 | Published in Local
More meetings are to be held between those involved in a $670,000 upgrade of the Rarotonga hospitals septic system. There is still confusion about whether the necessary permits were obtained for the upgrade as well as whether processes required by legislation were followed. Last week a meeting was held at the Ministry of Health following […]
Dad proud of family flight
Monday 27 June 2011 | Published in Local
Flying is a family business for the Willis clan. Air Rarotonga pilot captain Sean Willis was beaming with pride on Friday morning after he and his children first officer Stephen Willis and head flight attendant Frances Willis ran a return flight to Aitutaki. Captain Sean Willis has been flying for Air Rarotonga since 1986 and […]
Too soon to find new NZ envoy
Monday 27 June 2011 | Published in Local
Acting Prime Minister Tom Marsters says it is too soon to appoint a new high commissioner to New Zealand following the death of Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid (above). Marsters said cabinet would decide on Te Tikas replacement under the same process that led to her appointment, but that the process was only just beginning. […]
Cook Islands stakes high seas claim
Monday 27 June 2011 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands government is set to officially take claim of more than 400,000-square-kilometres of continental shelf on its northern border in September this year. Deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Marsters said on Friday that the government expected the Cook Islands would officially sign a deal to extend its ocean sovereignty […]
ADB supports renewables
Saturday 25 June 2011 | Published in Local
Te Aponga Uira O Tumutevarovaro chief executive Apii Timoti says the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has finance opportunities for renewable energy projects which could be useful to the Cook Islands. Members of the ADB board of governors spent yesterday afternoon with senior Te Aponga Uira staff including Timoti. Following a round table discussion about the […]
Seabed exploration by 2013
Saturday 25 June 2011 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands government is aiming to begin issuing deep sea mining exploration licences by 2013, deputy prime minister Tom Marsters said yesterday. Marsters, the Minister for Minerals and Natural Resources, told Cook Islands News he expected the Cook Islands would be in a suitable position to begin offering licences in about 18 months. He […]
Ash grounds passengers
Friday 24 June 2011 | Published in Local
Volcanic ash spewing from a Chilean volcano has again put travellers plans into disarray at Rarotonga International Airport. Pacific Blue flights into and out of Rarotonga have been cancelled until Sunday as the ash cloud settles over New Zealand airspace. Flight numbers DJ162, scheduled to leave Rarotonga at 1.15am, and DJ163, scheduled to depart Auckland […]
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