Local
Hitting out
Wednesday 11 August 2010 | Published in Local
Aitutaki MP Terepai Maoate Jnr has spat the dummy over allegations he had a conflict of interest in receiving a $30,000 business support loan saying the Audit Office budget needs to be cut. During Parliament yesterday he defended taking the loan, talking at length in reference to outer islands businesses being the hardest hit by […]
Maoates attack audit
Wednesday 11 August 2010 | Published in Local
The audit report into the Toagate scandal is ‘full of rubbish’ according to former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Terepai Maoate. The Ngatangiia MP has lashed out once again at the Audit Office and the Audit Director Paul Allsworth following the report that condemns government’s attempt to nationalise the fuel industry. “The auditor’s comments – the […]
Major arts symposium starts
Tuesday 10 August 2010 | Published in Local
The Pacific Arts Association (PAA) 10th International symposium opened yesterday at Rarotonga’s Crown Beach and brought together artists, scholars and students from across the region and all over the world Although the three day symposium is not open to the public, anyone is free to attend related exhibitions and functions Tonight, NZ-based media artist Janet […]
Maoate plays down Toagate
Tuesday 10 August 2010 | Published in Local
Former finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate downplayed the Toagate scandal when he spoke on the supplementary bill in Parliament yesterday. It is one of the first times the disgraced MP has spoken publicly about his involvement in the failed attempt to nationalise the fuel industry. Sir Terepai was critical of the Audit Office review of […]
Amended budget likely
Tuesday 10 August 2010 | Published in Local
An amended version of the 2009-10 supplementary budget is likely to be tabled when Parliament resumes today. Acting Prime Minister and Finance Minister Wilkie Rasmussen plans to withdraw the $186.4 million bill and then table the new appropriation amendment and validation bill in its place. Progress on the budgets has been slow but at least […]
Manihiki's main man on the drum
Monday 9 August 2010 | Published in Local
Papa Teokotai Ioapa and his Manihiki drummers Te Fuinga o Niva successfully defended their drumming champion’s title at the last day of Te Maeva Nui competitions on Saturday. Report and photos, pages 10-12 today. 10080826
Tini's appointment 'political' and 'biased'
Monday 9 August 2010 | Published in Local
A new audit report reveals former Cook Islands Investment Corporation chief executive John Tini was actually a political appointment despite the appearance that he got the job on merit. The Audit Office review, dated August 3, has yet to be made public but has been sent to key government officials. The report warns that with […]
Top three cutbacks
Monday 9 August 2010 | Published in Local
Finance Minister Wilkie Rasmussen has delivered on his promises to cut the allocations to MPs and Parliament. In the 2010-11 Budget, parliamentary services have been slashed by 24.4 per cent – the largest drop in funding for all the ministries. The cut represents a saving of $178,497. In the budget for 2009-10, parliamentary services received […]
Budget push
Saturday 7 August 2010 | Published in Local
Parliament resumes on Monday as government hopes to tackle the passage of the supplementary budget and new annual Budget. MPs have met informally for the past two days to discuss the validity of the supplementary budget and how to progress with its passage in the House. Parliament adjourned on Tuesday amid concern that the budget […]
Rupert moves to Raro
Saturday 7 August 2010 | Published in Local
Not many dogs get a second chance. But this little lion was rescued from the pound and has now started a new life on Rarotonga. Rupert is a new addition to an exclusive club of around less than 20 pedigree dogs on Rarotonga. He is a breed called a Lwchen, which means “little lion” in […]
Trade Day delights
Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Local
If you missed out on yesterday’s Trade Day market, don’t worry because it’s on again today, but you’d better cross your fingers that everything hasn’t sold out. That’s because yesterday, huge crowds took advantage of the market day to buy some of the finest Cook Islands art, crafts and locally made oils, soaps and food. […]
MPs meet again
Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Local
Members of parliament are set to meet again today to hold talks about the passage of the supplementary budget and the main budget for 2010-11. Finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen told CI News that both budgets should now be passed by next Thursday. He said yesterday’s talks resulted in agreement over the passing of the supplementary […]
QR's warrant expires
Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Local
Sir Frederick Goodwin was replaced by an acting Queen’s Representative last month following delays in the arrival of a warrant for his new three-year term. When Parliament resumed late last month it was Acting Chief Justice Robert Fisher who carried out the functions of the QR and issued the formal notice recommending the bills be […]
Snap election
Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Local
Members of parliament are eyeing up October 27 as the snap election date – an election likely to be called next Thursday. Acting Prime Minister Wilkie Rasmussen says government will announce the date of the election when parliament completes the passage of the two budgets next week. Parliament resumes again on Monday after adjourning on […]
Row escalates
Thursday 5 August 2010 | Published in Local
An escalating row between Opposition Party deputy leader Teina Bishop and Norman George resulted in a strong warning about ‘dishonourable conduct’ in Parliament earlier this week. Speaker, Mapu Taia, was forced to suspend the sitting for 10 minutes to allow MPs to ‘cool off’ after a motion by Acting PM Wilkie Rasmussen to adjourn Parliament […]
More questions
Thursday 5 August 2010 | Published in Local
Finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen said the first instalment in the Toa profit guarantee agreement of almost $900,000 is one of two items in the supplementary budget that needs to be reviewed by Parliament before it can be passed into law. On Tuesday Parliament adjourned until next Monday to allow time for government to seek more […]
Heavenly harmony
Tuesday 3 August 2010 | Published in Local
Enuamanu warriors and maidens sang with big hearts and big voices on Sunday night when they gathered at the National Auditorium for the choir and imene tuki competition of Te Maeva Nui. Beautiful sounds of praise page 10. 10080215
All welcome
Tuesday 3 August 2010 | Published in Local
Everyone is invited to tomorrow’s Constitution Day flag raising ceremony at the National Auditorium. Tomorrow marks the 45th year of the Cook Islands’ self governance and the commemoration programme will begin at 9.30am. Between 9.30am and 10am dignitaries will be welcomed to the auditorium before the official programme begins with a prayer followed by the […]
Demos told to apologise
Tuesday 3 August 2010 | Published in Local
CIP MP Norman George has challenged the Democratic Party government to ‘show repentance’ over the Toagate ‘balls-up’ by not putting up candidates this election. George told Parliament yesterday that the saddest aspect to the scandal was that the author, who he said was former finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate, was non-repentant and had not even […]
Govt seeks Budget advice
Tuesday 3 August 2010 | Published in Local
Government will seek more legal advice on whether the supplementary budget, tabled outside of the 2009-10 financial year, can be passed in Parliament. On the eve of Constitution Day, Parliament is still uncertain whether the extra budget will comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the Cook Islands. Local businessman John Scott’s letter to […]
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