Local
China envoy promoting relationship
Thursday 13 January 2011 | Published in Local
A special envoy from China is on Rarotonga and an announcement about funding is expected this morning. Du Qiwen has been in meetings with ministers to discuss promoting the relationship between Cook Islands and China and increasing cooperation between the two countries. Nandi Glassie, who is acting as minister of foreign affairs and immigration while […]
Kara-Lee 'did good' at NCEA
Thursday 13 January 2011 | Published in Local
Seventeen-year-old Tereora College student Kara-Lee Hunt had no idea when her NCEA exam results would be posted online – so she spent every day this month logging on to the NZQA website until results were released on Tuesday. “I didn’t know when the results would be up so I checked every day,” says Hunt. “I […]
Island elections on today
Thursday 13 January 2011 | Published in Local
The four-yearly outer island local government elections take place today. Every island apart from Palmerston, Atiu and Rakahanga will be going to the polls to elect council members and a mayor. Palmerston has its own customary way of appointing officials which does not involve an election, Rakahanga’s council and mayor are all uncontested, and Atiu’s […]
'Sexy eyes' spreading in Rarotonga
Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in Local
The conjunctivitis outbreak in Rarotonga is escalating. So far 103 people have presented with the condition, locally known as ‘sexy eyes’ and more commonly known overseas as ‘pink eyes’. From January 1 to 11, 103 people presented at outpatients with symptoms. The highest number of affected people came through outpatients on January 10, with 33 […]
Nu stall for brothers' school fees
Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in Local
While most kids get a holiday job to buy luxury items – entrepreneurial brothers Revival (14) and Faithful Turua (7) are selling nu to pay for their 2011 school fees and stationery. Since Boxing Day the pair, with the help of their dad Pastor Clerk Turua, have been collecting, husking and selling nu from a […]
Palace land secure says Pa's lawyer
Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in Local
Lawyer for Pa Marie Ariki Tina Browne says that the challenge over ownership of land earmarked for Pa Marie Ariki’s palace will not have any impact. Te Konini Amy Cowan Whittaker voiced her protest at the stone laying ceremony on December 28, saying that the land rightfully belongs to the Ngati Vaikai clan. Since then […]
Tsunami escape routes signposted
Tuesday 11 January 2011 | Published in Local
While residents of the Cook Islands generally knew how to respond to the tsunami warning issued in February of last year, Muri Environment Care Group members raised concerns that some people – particularly tourists – were not adequately informed of evacuation procedures. Muri Environment Care Group spokesperson Mata Hetland said that “quite a number of […]
Old medical rules applied
Tuesday 11 January 2011 | Published in Local
Kave Ringi, Director of Immigration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), has said that the individual who has HIV came into the country before rules on entry were tightened up. Ringi said, “In relation to the person in question, this person entered the Cook Islands prior to the current very strict medical […]
PM praises new police initiatives
Tuesday 11 January 2011 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna has praised two new community policing initiatives which give power back to the community. Police Commissioner Maara Tetava said that the two schemes in Rutaki and Ngatangiia are showing promise. The projects are joint efforts between the police and the Aronga Mana in each of the villages to manage and decrease […]
National debt tops $115m
Monday 10 January 2011 | Published in Local
Government debt is estimated at $114.9 million. The net debt is 19.3 per cent of gross domestic product. The new Fiscal Update states that net debts should not exceed more than 35 per cent – and even though debt levels are currently far below this, the government’s Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update is advising […]
Young mum gets dying wish
Monday 10 January 2011 | Published in Local
A bittersweet wedding was held in Christchurch at the weekend to respect the dying wish of a 19-year-old mother. Cook Islander Maire Taomia, of Ashburton, was diagnosed with gastric cancer in October 2009 and has been in the oncology ward of Christchurch Hospital for the past two months. “Ever since I found out I was […]
Wedding of her dreams
Monday 10 January 2011 | Published in Local
Cook Islanders Maire Toamia and Marouna Tunui married in New Zealand at the weekend after CanTeen and the Cancer Society helped make it possible. 11010723
PM voices concerns over HIV case
Saturday 8 January 2011 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna has spoken out for the first time on the first case of HIV diagnosed in the Cook Islands. He said yesterday that he understood the need to protect the person’s identity – but there was an equally compelling case for protecting the public. At next Tuesday’s cabinet meeting ministers will be […]
Infection spreading
Friday 7 January 2011 | Published in Local
An outbreak of conjunctivitis is spreading on Rarotonga and people are being asked to see a doctor if they have any of the symptoms. The first case was diagnosed before Christmas but numbers have been increasing steadily ever since. On Wednesday, 12 people were diagnosed with it. Conjunctivitis affects the eyes causing uncomfortable or irritating […]
21 stand for Mayor
Friday 7 January 2011 | Published in Local
The list of candidates for the Island Council elections, taking place on January 13, was released yesterday. Nine elections are being held – one for every island except Palmerston. Palmerston has its own system of deciding on island’s mayor and council and does not run official elections. Three heads and three elders are chosen from […]
Minister wants to see pride
Friday 7 January 2011 | Published in Local
Minister of Infrastructure and Planning Teariki Heather comes from a successful background in business and sees a big difference between the way staff in public service work and those in private enterprise. After a two and a half hour meeting with head of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Otheniel Tangianau, he decided that it would be […]
'I had the tress cut down'
Friday 7 January 2011 | Published in Local
Teariki Heather, the new Minister of Infrastructure and Planning, cheerfully takes responsibility for cutting down the coconut trees along the main road by the golf course. “Yes, I had them cut them down,” he said yesterday. “The thing is, if you do something, you get criticised. If you don’t, you get criticised. I’m willing to […]
Punanga Nui expansion in the pipeline
Thursday 6 January 2011 | Published in Local
Minister for the Cook Islands Investment Corporation Mark Brown says government is likely to give further consideration to a proposal to expand the Punanga Nui marketplace through reclamation. Brown said the materials dredged from the Avatiu Harbour during its upgrade over the next 18 months could be used to fill in part of the lagoon […]
Island council structure criticised
Thursday 6 January 2011 | Published in Local
As the team at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning prepares for the four-yearly outer island elections on Thursday January 13, the structure of the outer islands councils faces criticism. Aitutaki Mayor Tai Herman has been in office for five terms. He said that the structure of outer islands council has been severely neglected by […]
Still promoting Pacific Ombudsman
Thursday 6 January 2011 | Published in Local
Andrew Turua Pamatatau has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his 33 years in public service. “I owe this to my wife and family and all my associates, especially my family who have tolerated so many absences from home. “We are often reluctant to recommend our own people for an award. […]
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