Local
'Tag team' not talking
Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Local
Once best political buddies who described themselves as the Atiu tag team, MPs Norman George and minister Nandi Glassie haven’t spoken since November 17 – election day. “When Nandi left me, we haven’t contacted each other. He’s supposed to come back but he hasn’t,” says George, adding he’s used to such treatment from so-called friends. […]
PM pleased with NZ response
Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna says he’s pleased with the New Zealand government’s response to Cook Islands’ renewable energy polices and the direction being taken. Puna says he’s particularly glad that NZaid has supported the government’s plans for waste management, “and we are getting on with that right now”. In preparation for NZa id related meetings […]
Forum to help officials understand big picture
Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Local
A Commonwealth forum to be held here next week aims to provide top Pacific government officials the opportunity to reflect on understanding the ‘big picture’ for strategic leadership to achieve government objectives. Aimed at cabinet secretaries and heads of the public service, the forum will be held on February 21-24 and is a follow-up to […]
Stringent recruitment process for Finsec job
Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Local
Extra steps are being taken by the Public Service Commission to have a stringent recruitment process in place to evaluate suitably qualified candidates for the top job of Financial Secretary. A New Zealand specialist recruitment firm has been engaged to scrutinise all applicants and provide the local selection committee with expert advice on ranked candidates, […]
PM to NZ for first formal talks
Wednesday 16 February 2011 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna has been invited to New Zealand by Prime Minister John Key to hold their first formal discussions as leaders of two countries which share a special relationship. This will be the first time Puna will meet John Key. Puna is scheduled to leave this Thursday on what will be his first […]
'Buy Local' resistance
Wednesday 16 February 2011 | Published in Local
The government funded “Buy Local” initiative intended to give cottage industries an airport outlet for their products has stalled. Existing airport retailers believe the Business, Trade and Investment Board driven venture wasn’t planned properly from the outset and would have offered products that were in direct competition to their own. BTIB chief executive Terry Rangi […]
George opposes salary deal
Wednesday 16 February 2011 | Published in Local
Rebel MP Norman George has turned his attention on Cook Islands Party stalwart Sir Geoffrey Henry alleging the former prime minister is demanding an $85,000 salary package to be speaker of parliament. Under civil list regulations if Sir Geoffrey were appointed speaker, he would be entitled to a $35,000 salary as an unelected member. A […]
Stick to the dress code says George
Wednesday 16 February 2011 | Published in Local
The casual dress code of Tahiti’s parliament makes members look like they’re “party goers having cocktails” when in session, says MP Norman George. George wants parliament to stick to the present formal dress code saying Tahitian MPs “sometimes even wear jandals” to their parliament. “It’s very slack and casual, there’s no dignity and respect and […]
Eye lady returns with glasses for studentss
Tuesday 15 February 2011 | Published in Local
Tereora College graduate Raukura Ellison said she didn’t realise how much she needed eyeglasses until she donned her first pair. “I just kind of ignored it until mum made the appointment (with the eye doctor),” Ellison said. But now her world is clearer – “I can even read that!” she said, pointing to a chart […]
'Agriculture lacks diversification and organisation'
Tuesday 15 February 2011 | Published in Local
The agriculture industry has only itself to blame for failing to develop fast enough to meet consumer demand here and introducing measures to protect it isn’t the answer, says leading grower and Economic Taskforce member Teava Iro. “Protect them from what?” he replies to the possibility of government providing protective measures that may help expand […]
National hero award merited?
Tuesday 15 February 2011 | Published in Local
The government is to give some thought to creating a national hero award, says Prime Minister Henry Puna. Puna, who has yet to be “fully appraised” by police commissioner Maara Tetava of the facts in last week’s boating accident in which three men could have lost their lives at sea, says why and how it […]
House fire in Arorangi
Monday 14 February 2011 | Published in Local
Police, Rescue Fire Services and the Vaka Puaikura Fire Services responded to a fire in Inave, Arorangi, around 2.40am on Saturday after a passing motorist noticed smoke coming from the house and called 999. Four trucks attended the fire which gutted the first house and part of the house next door It is unclear how […]
Good catch
Monday 14 February 2011 | Published in Local
An Aitutaki tiddler – this 17kg yellow fin tuna was caught by these two boys at the weekend during a fishing trip at the end of a promotion to launch the new Aitutaki Bonefishery. Story, page 8. 11021328
Telecom NZ to hear govt's telecom plans
Monday 14 February 2011 | Published in Local
Telecommunications Minister Mark Brown is scheduled this month to hold his first meeting with the Telecom Cook Islands Ltd board and CEO including representatives of 60% shareholder Telecom NZ. Brown is looking to that meeting to advise of the direction government wishes to take with telecommunications development in the Cook Islands, including tabling his wish […]
Public ought to know: Glassie
Monday 14 February 2011 | Published in Local
Opening up civil list travel figures is a way of “curbing corrupt practices,” says Health Minister Nandi Glassie who is in full support of public disclosure. Prime Minister Henry Puna intends to present a cabinet submission tomorrow asking ministers to support the lifting of the ban imposed almost 30 years ago. Glassie says he will […]
Price Tribunal revived
Monday 14 February 2011 | Published in Local
The new Cook Islands Party Government has revived the Price Tribunal and given it a new brief. Finance and Internal Affairs Minister Mark Brown says the three-member tribunal will serve only until government passes the Commerce bill. Brown last week re-affirmed the appointment of Terry Hagan as president with businesswomen Madeline Sword and Tatiana Burn […]
McCully names John Carter as new High Commissioner
Saturday 12 February 2011 | Published in Local
John Carter. “/> New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to the Cook Islands will be the Minister of Civil Defence, John Carter. Announcing this on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said, “New Zealand and the Cook Islands enjoy a special relationship based on historical, constitutional, and strong people to people links. “The Cooks have been self-governing […]
PM to reveal secret travel figures
Saturday 12 February 2011 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna has made an historic decision that no other prime minister in over 20 years has been bold enough to make – with the support of cabinet, he plans to lift the ban on public disclosure of civil list travel figures. Travel costs incurred by ministers and members of parliament have been […]
Workers want $8 minimum
Friday 11 February 2011 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands Workers Association is asking government to increase the minimum wage rate from $5 to $8. CIWA president Anthony Turua and a workers representative met with the Minister of Internal Affairs Mark Brown and internal affairs secretary Bredina Drollet on Monday to discuss various labour issues concerning workers in the Cook Islands. “In […]
Villagers rejoice
Friday 11 February 2011 | Published in Local
An emotional thanksgiving service was held on Wednesday night in Arorangi for the lives of Te Ina Tapurau, Augustine Heather and Johnny George – who survived the boating accident on Monday night. Puaikura villagers packed into the Calvary Hall to give praise to the Lord for protecting their three sons and to thank everyone involved […]
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