Local
PMG inquiry stalled
Friday 4 March 2011 | Published in Local
Attempts to resolve a dispute over money allegedly held by the Cook Islands National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) in Pacific Mini Games per diems have stalled. In September last year lawyer for Pacific Mini Games Ltd (PMG) Tim Arnold made plans to recruit an arbitrator to deal with the issue. Arnold says the change in government […]
9 new songs in Mire Atu
Thursday 3 March 2011 | Published in Local
Nine new Cook Islands songs will feature in tonight’s annual Mire Atu composer’s competition at the National Auditorium starting at 7.30pm. This year’s nine composers are accomplished composers in their own right and include Kylie Herman, Yuwunga Mataora, Rurutaura Tauta, Tuakeu Harry Papai, Vaitoti Tupa, Poti Maeva, Samuel Crocombe, Thomas Peyroux and Piritau Nga. As […]
Violent attack stirs Sea Eagles
Thursday 3 March 2011 | Published in Local
Ngatangiia community leaders are taking the violent attack on a Titikaveka youth by three men from the village on Saturday morning seriously. It has been alleged that the three Ngatangiia youths are members of the Ngatangiia Sea Eagles rugby league club and president of the club Tamaiva Tuavera says they will not tolerate this kind […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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