Local
Govt must explain budget blowout: CIP
Saturday 20 March 2010 | Published in Local
THE Cook Islands Party is calling on government to tell the public what the true state of its finances are following revelations of a budget blow out of at least $4 million for the next financial year. Party leader Henry Puna says government must provide answers on the issue of finance. “Right now government needs […]
Kids gather for peace
Friday 19 March 2010 | Published in Local
Arorangi school teacher and peace ambassador Vaine Teokoitu joins Rangi Ina, David Akaruru and Matangaro Manuela in one of their team building exercises. Peace ambassadors from schools across Rarotonga gathered in the peace garden in Taputapuatea for a morning of team building and goal setting to help the ambassadors carry out their roles keeping their […]
NZ appoints acting envoy
Friday 19 March 2010 | Published in Local
Linda Te Puni has been appointed as the new acting New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands this month. Te Puni will be in the post temporarily until about June, according to the New Zealand High Commission office. The New Zealand government has not appointed a new high commissioner since the sudden passing of […]
CIP critical of ministerial forum
Friday 19 March 2010 | Published in Local
Cook Islands Party leader Henry Puna says next month’s joint ministerial forum raises concerns over whether New Zealand supports a government which is embroiled in political turmoil. “The concern is that NZ’s presence may be perceived to be showing support for this political situation. Right now with the prime minister’s cabinet of five with no […]
PM self serving – Parties
Friday 19 March 2010 | Published in Local
A joint statement issued by the Democratic Party and Cook Islands Party warns that Prime Minister Jim Marurai’s refusal to call parliament to sit is ‘irrational and self-serving’. The parties say parliament needs to meet to account for the new aid funds for the rebuilding of Aitutaki and Penrhyn and to pass an extra budget […]
Local Fiji group, Red Cross respond
Thursday 18 March 2010 | Published in Local
In the wake of Cyclone Tomas, the powerful storm that swept through northern Fiji, Red Cross and the Cook Islands Fiji Community Association are still waiting to determine the full extent of the damage. Tomas, which packed winds of up to 205 kilometres per hour, hit Fiji on Friday and petered out on Wednesday, according […]
Ultimatum - ministers must resign
Thursday 18 March 2010 | Published in Local
Leave cabinet or leave party say Demo execs The three remaining Democratic Party ministers in the five-member Cabinet have been given an ultimatum by the party – resign from Cabinet or be booted out of the party. Party loyalty issues within the split ranks of the Demos have come to a head following the dumping […]
St Pat's revellers hit town
Thursday 18 March 2010 | Published in Local
St Patrick’s Day revellers and visitors to the island Robert and Elizabeth Smith brought smiles and laughter to many who saw the pair gaily stroll the streets of Avarua yesterday. The newlyweds on their honeymoon from Whangarei, New Zealand take their St Patrick’s Day celebrations serious – Elizabeth is Irish and moved to New Zealand […]
Ships set sail
Wednesday 17 March 2010 | Published in Local
Taio Shipping’s second boat Maungaroa II has just had a new engine fitted in and will join Te Kou Maru II in servicing the outer islands. They will sail to the outer islands this month. Te Kou Maru is expected to sail for Manihiki today while Maungaroa II voyages to Aitutaki, and then onto Palmerston. […]
Mayor rejects Habitat offer
Wednesday 17 March 2010 | Published in Local
Aitutaki is opposed to Habitat For Humanity New Zeal- and’s offer to build 72 new homes, says island mayor Tai Herman. Yesterday he made this view clear to the recovery coordinator minister Wilkie Rasmussen. Herman told CI News that the island council rejects the proposal that government buy 72 basic 42 square metre, two bedroom […]
Police boss responds on tsunami reaction
Wednesday 17 March 2010 | Published in Local
Tsunami warnings will never be taken lightly by police, nor would any life put at risk simply because some people are saying that a tsunami will never hit the Cook Islands. Police commissioner Maara Tetava responded to the recent outpour of tsunami theories in a letter defending the evacuation as a measure of safety. He […]
Audit looks into claimed Chinese car 'kickbacks'
Tuesday 16 March 2010 | Published in Local
The audit office wants to know why the car on the right, kept at the residence of suspended CIIC chief executive John Tini, is in his personal use but owned by the Chinese construction company which built the new sports stadium. “/> The audit office wants to know why the car on the right, kept […]
PM wants Toagate audit report made public
Tuesday 16 March 2010 | Published in Local
Prime minister Jim Marurai is taking advice on how to make the audit report on the Toagate fuel farm scandal a public document once it is completed. Marurai hopes to find a way to release the document to the public without having to follow the usual practice of tabling it in parliament because he has […]
Pasifika crowds flock to Cook Islands village
Monday 15 March 2010 | Published in Local
The sights and sounds of the Cook Islands once more returned to Auckland’s Western Springs on Saturday (NZT) at the annual Pasifika Festival. Thousands of Cook Islanders from around New Zealand made what has become an annual pilgrimage to the celebration of all things Pacific. Friends, family and fellow countrymen caught up at the small […]
Old age pension could clash with super fund
Monday 15 March 2010 | Published in Local
Collecting an old age pension in future may depend on what a retiree receives from the national superannuation fund. As part of government’s review of the social welfare system, the ministry of internal affairs is currently asking for public submissions on such questions as whether the super fund could eventually replace the old age pension. […]
Political reform conference postponed
Saturday 13 March 2010 | Published in Local
The political reform conference which prime minister Jim Marurai was to host last month has been postponed indefinitely, according to his office. OPM chief of staff Mac Mokoroa says the conference has been put off due to the office’s involvement in the Aitutaki cyclone recovery programme. He says the office will now liaise with political […]
McCully coming
Friday 12 March 2010 | Published in Local
NZ Foreign Affairs minister Murray McCully is leading a government delegation to attend the joint ministerial forum in Rarotonga next month. The meeting will cover issues of economics, infrastructure, and social development. McCully and two other NZ ministers, whose names have yet to be confirmed, are due to arrive on April 6. The first joint […]
Budget blowout
Friday 12 March 2010 | Published in Local
Health and education funding may suffer big budget cuts as the country faces a multimillion dollar shortfall in the next annual budget. Finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen admits a budget deficit of up to $4 million could be seen, but rumour puts the shortfall much higher – at one estimate $7 million. Rasmussen says there’s now […]
Subsidy spent
Friday 12 March 2010 | Published in Local
Government’s water tank subsidy fund is dry. In December, government announced that it would allot $1.5 million toward the water tank subsidy project. MOIP received just $50,000 for the subsidy scheme, which ran out in the course of a few months. There are no immediate plans to top up the fund. Infrastructure minister William (Smiley) […]
Call for seat belts
Thursday 11 March 2010 | Published in Local
In light of Tamarii Pierre’s tragic death at the weekend, police commissioner Maara Tetava says it’s time we made it a point to wear a seat belt while travelling in the car. “It would be advisable for motorists to belt up each time they get into their vehicles,” Tetava said. “Everyone needs to get into […]
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