Local
Body found in sea near Avatiu
Tuesday 22 February 2011 | Published in Local
The body of a man believed to be in his early 40s was retrieved from the sea near Avatiu Harbour yesterday. At press time, police had not yet notified next of kin and refused to release the man’s name. Just after 7am yesterday, police received a call about a missing person. Officers conducted a search […]
Tax increase not on
Tuesday 22 February 2011 | Published in Local
Finance Minister Mark Brown said at a press conference on Friday that there is “no truth at all” to recent speculation that government has plans to increase taxes. “In fact, what we’re looking at doing is trying to provide an environment for business to actually thrive and adding taxes to the equation definitely doesn’t do […]
Acting Finsec first woman
Monday 21 February 2011 | Published in Local
Office of the Public Service Commissioner chief executive Priscilla Maruariki has been appointed acting financial secretary. She will serve in the position until a permanent appointment is made – as the first woman ever to hold the post. “We have come to the conclusion that Priscilla Maruariki is the most experienced professional we have – […]
Big returns
Monday 21 February 2011 | Published in Local
It is estimated Aitutaki’s economy will benefit from an additional $2.35 million each year, as a result of the Ministry of Marine Resources’ new bonefish management scheme for the island’s lagoon. MMR regulations aimed at preserving the species in Aitutaki and Manuae were formally adopted in October and will begin to be enforced at the […]
Sir Geoffrey back in parliament
Saturday 19 February 2011 | Published in Local
Former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Henry was sworn in as the Speaker of the House in Parliament yesterday. Prime Minister Sir Henry Puna nominated Sir Geoffrey as speaker, a motion which Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters seconded. Puna said he did not anticipate any “violent objections” to the nomination, as he considered Sir Geoffrey “one […]
Opposition back confidence vote
Saturday 19 February 2011 | Published in Local
Members of Parliament – including those occupying the bench of the Opposition – yesterday expressed their confidence in Prime Minister Henry Puna during the opening of the 47th session of the Parliament of the Cook Islands. Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters told parliament that he and other members present have known Puna for a while […]
PM delays NZ departure
Friday 18 February 2011 | Published in Local
A meeting that was to be held tomorrow between Prime Minister Henry Puna and the Cook Islands Taokotaianga Trust in Auckland has had to be cancelled. In order to be present for the opening of parliament today, Puna has had to reschedule his New Zealand departure until early tomorrow morning. Trust members had wanted to […]
Banker sees potential for food exports
Friday 18 February 2011 | Published in Local
ANZ Asia Pacific, Europe and America (APE&A) chief executive officer Alex Thursby speaks to local ANZ customers at a breakfast function yesterday. He believes the Pacific has potential as a food supplier to Asia. Report, page 9. 11021715
More pay for a foreign Finsec
Friday 18 February 2011 | Published in Local
If a new Financial Secretary is recruited from overseas, that person will be paid a higher salary than someone hired locally. The position of Financial Secretary commands a salary of about $120,000 for a local appointment. A salary top-up offered through the NZAid programme for an overseas recruit means the salary package will be considerably […]
Demos threaten parliament boycott
Friday 18 February 2011 | Published in Local
The Opposition Democratic Party opposition is threatening to boycott today’s sitting of Parliament if their MPs don’t receive written notices from the Queen’s Representative summoning them. Opposition leader Robert Wigmore says he’s discussed the matter with his team and they believe government should do the right thing and what has been practiced in the past […]
Parliament opens today
Friday 18 February 2011 | Published in Local
The 47th session of parliament was scheduled to get underway at 10 o’clock this morning now that the High Court has handed down a decision on the Pukapuka petition. Prime Minister Henry Puna confirmed yesterday that as soon as a Pukapuka decision was confirmed, parliament would go ahead today. The Opposition Democratic Party has been […]
Tribunal to hear police complaints
Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Local
Cook Islands Police will be establishing a formal tribunal to hear a number of outstanding public complaints lodged against officers. CINews understands that Police Commissioner Maara Tetava is in discussions with New Zealand police for a commissioned officer to be on the tribunal. Police are said to be reviewing disciplinary processes assisted by a NZ […]
'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, […]
'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 […]
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 […]
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