Local
Govt vehicle policy
Wednesday 5 January 2011 | Published in Local
The office of the Public Service Commissioner plans to introduce a blanket policy on the use of government vehicles this year. Public Service Commissioner Navy Epati says there is currently no policy on the use of the hundreds of vehicles used by public servants every day. He says since the 1996 reform, government ministries have […]
Tourism growth key: report
Wednesday 5 January 2011 | Published in Local
Investment in tourism predicted to drive economic revival Government’s Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2010-11 issued on Friday, predicts growth in the economy through new investment in tourism. The economic update provides an overview of the economy’s performance in recent years and going forward. The last update, the pre-election economic and fiscal update, was […]
Police presence works
Wednesday 5 January 2011 | Published in Local
The increased police presence and patrol over the New Year weekend has been credited for the low number of incidents on Rarotonga. Police attended three minor motor vehicle incidents, one excessive noise complaint, four unlawful taking cases, one burglary and one theft from December 30 to January 2. Police also forbade six motorists from driving […]
Glassie supports re-opening of nursing school
Friday 31 December 2010 | Published in Local
Health Minister Nandi Glassie says he supports plans to re-open the School of Nursing, but is concerned where government will find the funding for it. “I support the school of nursing. My only concern was that the preparation was not properly done. There is no certainty of funding, especially from NZAID.” It’s understood those working […]
Local government elections next month
Friday 31 December 2010 | Published in Local
Ten mayors and 55 island councillors will be elected through the Outer Islands Local Government Election on January 13. Acting Secretary of Infrastructure and Planning Otheniel Tangianau says the elections must be held two months following a general election. An amendment to the Outer Islands Local Government Act in 2004 saw the term for island […]
Medical clearance questioned
Friday 31 December 2010 | Published in Local
The growing furore over the Cook Islands’ first case of HIV has raised questions over whether the individual in question underwent the same stringent heath testing process that other foreign workers undergo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration says that the new medical checks for foreign workers began in 2008. The new system involves […]
Former PM honoured
Friday 31 December 2010 | Published in Local
At least five Queen’s New Year Honours have been awarded to Cook Islanders for 2011 – most of them health professionals and teachers. Former PM Dr Joseph Williams, who runs a private clinic in Auckland, was among seven Pacific Island New Zealanders to receive a Queen’s Honour in New Zealand – he will receive the […]
Message call
Thursday 30 December 2010 | Published in Local
Cook Islands News is inviting prominent leaders and organisations in our community to send us their New Year’s messages for publication in tomorrow’s edition. Messages should be a maximum of 200 words and should reach us by noon today. Please email your messages to editor@cookislandsnews.com or drop them off at our office.
Fines uncertain
Thursday 30 December 2010 | Published in Local
Chief Censor Alfred Morris says that he is not sure exactly how the anti-piracy laws will be applied when DVD owners caught in last week’s raids are charged. “The law states that if you sell a pirate DVD you will be fined $5000, so they could be charged for every single copy. It depends on […]
HIV name advice sought
Thursday 30 December 2010 | Published in Local
Government seeking legal advice on naming person with HIV Health Minister Nandi Glassie has confirmed that government is seeking legal advice on whether it can report the name of the HIV positive person announced this month as the first case found in the Cook Islands. Patient confidentiality and human rights have prevented the ministry of […]
Fight back against video piracy
Wednesday 29 December 2010 | Published in Local
The police carried out raids on three DVD outlets known to be selling pirated and uncensored DVDs last week. Although no arrests were made at the time, the task force seized evidence which Police Commissioner Maata Tetava said would take some time to sift through. But he added that the evidence seized would lead to […]
Jetty shifts
Wednesday 29 December 2010 | Published in Local
The proposed site of the alternative cruise ship landing was moved this month following further consultation with the Puaikura community. The jetty, to be built using a $2 million allocation from NZAID, had been set to be built outside Rutaki but plans are now in place to have it constructed straight out from the Arorangi […]
Lone protest at palace ceremony
Wednesday 29 December 2010 | Published in Local
A foundation stone-laying ceremony for the new Pa Ariki Palace in Ngatangiia was marked by a solemn protest yesterday. For hours the village of Takitumu had cooked food and prepared for the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone at the proposed site of the new palace for paramount chief Pa Ariki. The ceremony, held yesterday […]
Dispute leads to reinstatement
Friday 24 December 2010 | Published in Local
Director of Nursing Iokopeta Ngari was reinstated on Tuesday after a week’s suspension after being accused of insubordination by Secretary of Health Tupou Faireka. It is understood a proposal to reopen the Cook Islands School of Nursing which Ngari gave to the new Health Minister Nandi Glassie prompted Faireka to suspend her. Several officials have […]
No mercy for drink drivers
Friday 24 December 2010 | Published in Local
Don’t be an idiot – don’t drink and drive. Local police officers will be out in force this festive season with a no nonsense attitude for drink drivers, violent and careless behaviour. Basically police say that if you commit the crime – you will most definitely be doing the time, either in the police holding […]
$27m contract
Thursday 23 December 2010 | Published in Local
A $27.2 million contract for the Avatiu Port Development Project has been awarded to McConnell Dowell Constructors Ltd of New Zealand. The Ports Authority expects work to begin in March and the project completed by mid-2012. Minister for the Cook Islands Investment Corporation and Ports Authority, Mark Brown, announced the awarding of the contract yesterday […]
Police staff stand out
Thursday 23 December 2010 | Published in Local
Non-sworn police staff at the Police Headquarters in Avarua have received an early Christmas present with the arrival of their new uniforms. The 13 staff, working in the finance, administration, data entry and front office areas, now stand out in their turquoise blue blouses matched with blue print skirts plus they also have the option […]
Tourist numbers lower
Thursday 23 December 2010 | Published in Local
Tourist numbers are lower than they were at the same time last year due in a large part to a reluctance of UK tourists to travel, according to three major tour operators. “We are down this year and a lot of that is down to the UK. It’s a sizable market and this is the […]
Benefit bonus
Wednesday 22 December 2010 | Published in Local
About 5690 welfare recipients are expected to receive this year’s $50 Christmas Bonus payment. The payments will be made between today and Friday. People receiving the old age pension, child benefit, destitute allowance, infirm allowance, and caregiver allowance will get the Christmas bonus. Cabinet and Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin, collectively known as the Executive […]
Eclipse disappoints
Wednesday 22 December 2010 | Published in Local
Monday night was a disappointing one for stargazers as rain and cloud prevented the people of Rarotonga from getting a view of the lunar eclipse. Lunar eclipse fans will have to keep their fingers crossed for clear skies on June 4, 2012, when a two hour long partial lunar eclipse may be seen over the […]
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