Local
Portable super for travel perk
Thursday 3 March 2011 | Published in Local
Being able to collect full New Zealand superannuation in the Cook Islands and Kiwis being able to stay up to three months here is seen by Prime Minister Henry Puna as a good exchange of privileges. The issue of New Zealand super portability was again raised during Puna’s talks last week with NZ Foreign Affairs […]
PM hits abuse of travel
Thursday 3 March 2011 | Published in Local
The new government is aware of the prolonged abuse of government travel by some heads of ministries and steps are being taken to put an end to it. Prime minister and minister for the public service Henry Puna says he’s discovered that some HOMs have shown “unscrupulous” habits in relation to official travel. Puna says […]
Remuneration Tribunal may be back
Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local
There’s a distinct possibility that the Remuneration Tribunal will be revived, says Finance minister Mark Brown. With the current minimum wage review underway, Brown says the Public Service Commission will be asked to undertake a further review of salary banding for all public servants. He says this is overdue. “It may be appropriate to revive […]
Manihikian pride in their PM
Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna surrounded by friends and family from the Manihiki community who came together to celebrate in his honour in Auckland last weekend. PM’s report on his first official overseas trip – tomorrow’s CINews. 11030123
Opposition name shadow cabinet
Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local
The Opposition Democratic Party has appointed its shadow cabinet, headed by leader Robert Wigmore who will be agriculture and tourism spokesman. Penrhyn MP Wilkie Rasmussen will focus on issues involving foreign affairs, finance, marine, justice and the public service commission. The only woman in parliament, Ngamau Munokoa, is party spokesman for internal affairs and social […]
Fishing fees for nation's coffers – not middlemen
Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local
The Ministry of Marine Resources is said to be close to changing the rules on how commercial fishing licences can be sold so monetary benefits will go entirely to public coffers, rather than to middlemen. Amongst five new Audit Office reports to be tabled in parliament in April is a review of the deal entered […]
Will he stay, or will he go?
Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local
Will Atiu MP Norman George resign from the Cook Islands Party or continue to be a high vocal and critical member of the governing political party? This is the question that George intends to present to his Teenui/Mapumai supporters when he meets with them this week. George says he’s scheduled to leave for Atiu today. […]
Climate change talks
Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in Local
It is hoped a $5 million fund for climate change adaptation throughout the Pacific can be tapped into by the Cook Islands government and organisations, following a week-long workshop starting in Rarotonga today. The National Adaption Planning Week will be officially opened by Prime Minister and Environment Minister Henry Puna. It is a joint initiative […]
Violent attacks
Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in Local
Police are investigating two incidents of violence over the weekend. A female tourist staying in Ngatangiia was assaulted by a local man carrying a bush knife while out for a run. The woman had jogged from her accommodation in Ngatangiia towards Rutaki where she was attacked. According to police the woman fought off her attacker […]
Aotearoa Society launches appeal
Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in Local
Nine-year-old New Zealander Hannah Bewg collects funds for Christchurch from generous locals on Saturday. Quake appeal report, page 7. 11022740
PM asks for two minutes of silence
Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in Local
A two minute silence will be held in the Cook Islands today at exactly the same time the vigil is held in New Zealand to remember those who lost their lives in the Christchurch earthquake. Prime Minister Henry Puna announced this yesterday when he arrived back in Rarotonga from a week in New Zealand where […]
Wages finally paid to 135 electoral workers
Saturday 26 February 2011 | Published in Local
Public service commissioner Navy Epati has signed off on wage payments to 135 electoral staff, which hit their bank accounts early this week. The PSC review into suspended secretary of justice Mark Short’s management of funds and election overspending revealed that there had been no contracts drawn up for electoral workers, thus delaying the payment […]
TCI books won't be opened
Saturday 26 February 2011 | Published in Local
He wanted Telecom Cook Islands to open up its books, but State Owned Enterprises minister Mark Brown now knows that’s not going to happen. Brown told CINews that government is bound by confidentiality clauses in the Joint Venture Agreement it has with TCI. He says those clauses prevent the disclosure of commercially sensitive information without […]
George should go Demo: Maoate
Saturday 26 February 2011 | Published in Local
When Democratic Party MPs voted in favour of a confidence motion in Prime Minister Henry Puna, it was an indication that there isn’t an opposition in parliament, according to maverick MP Norman George. George sees himself as being the only MP in ‘opposition’. After warning he’d be absent at the first sitting of parliament in […]
Families 'traumatised'
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in Local
Trauma is the main issue affecting Cook Islanders dealing firsthand with the Christchurch earthquake, Mid-Canterbury Cook Islands Community Society president Tony Vainerere says. Vainerere lives in Ashburton – south of Christchurch – where many Cook Islanders live and others have congregated to since the earthquake. As a New Life Church member, Pacific community liaison coordinator […]
Kiwis launch quake appeal
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in Local
The Aotearoa Society of Rarotonga yesterday launched an Earthquake Appeal for the stricken people of Christchurch. To start this initiative, and as a sign of respect , committee members have raised the New Zealand flag and it flies at half mast at their centre in Tupapa. On Saturday morning committee members, association members and volunteers […]
Araura fishing funsters
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in Local
Who says schoolwork can’t be fun? Araura College pupils enjoy learning about the Ministry of Marine Resources’ new bonefish management scheme for Aitutaki and Manuae, with project officer Rebekah Daniel. Daniel and other ministry staff were in Aitutaki recently helping raise awareness among the community about new regulations set to preserve the bonefish population. Aitutaki […]
NZ itinerary scaled back
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna has had to scale back on meetings he was scheduled to hold this week with New Zealand cabinet ministers including Prime Minister John Key – as nearly all are preoccupied with the Christchurch quake tragedy. Speaking from NZ, prime minister’s CEO Edwin Pittman said yesterday they sent a message to Key […]
Alcohol-related accident policy challenged
Thursday 24 February 2011 | Published in Local
Two serious complaints alleging discrimination and unlawful deprivation of medical treatment have been lodged with the Ombudsman Office and are expected to develop into landmark cases. The complaints will most likely result in the Ministry of Health’s policy on the provision of treatment to victims of road accidents in which health personnel decide are alcohol […]
By-election to cost $30,000
Thursday 24 February 2011 | Published in Local
Finance Minister Mark Brown estimates that the by-election for the Pukapuka-Nassau seat will cost government around $30,000. Last Thursday afternoon, Justice Nicholson delivered a decision after hearing independent candidate Vai Peua’s electoral petition hearing, declaring the Pukapuka-Nassau election void. He has not yet handed down a written decision, which means Prime Minister Henry Puna and […]
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