Local
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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