Local
Wilkie seeks 'true facts'
Tuesday 2 February 2010 | Published in Local
FINANCE minister Wilkie Ras¬mussen yesterday deflected criticism and demands for dis¬closure of secret sums in the Toagate scandal. He issued a statement to Cook Islands News that did not reveal figures but said the government of today is diligently working its way through the contents of the settlement agreed with Toa Petroleum Limited. “It is […]
Cyclone Oli passes through 2 ships wait
Tuesday 2 February 2010 | Published in Local
ANOTHER cyclone travelled through the Cook Islands yes¬terday. The tropical depression had been monitored since last Friday and was officially named tropi¬cal cyclone Oli early yesterday morning. By the afternoon it had passed through the northern group and was heading towards the southern islands. Acting Cook Islands met service director Maara Vaiimene said Oli came […]
New storm hits north
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in Local
A tropical depression had Pukapuka, Nassau and Suwarrow on alert for a cyclone yesterday. By yesterday afternoon police had re-opened their emergency response operation centre – just days after the threat of cyclone Nisha passed – to monitor and update the Northern islands on tropical depression 07F. The Fiji Meteorological Service released the first bulletin […]
'Come clean'
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands Party is stunned and alarmed at the latest revelations in the Toagate debacle. “The startling new allegation that the agreement with Toa Petroleum includes a guarantee of $1.2m profit for the next eight years is a scandalous burden that the taxpayer is expected to carry,” party leader Henry Puna said yesterday. “The […]
Wing man
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in Local
Local kitesurfer Pauro Arnold just couldn’t wait to rig up and hit the high winds and choppy waves on Muri lagoon, with winds up to 28 knots making for a spectacular day of high speed action on Saturday.
New plan for Sheraton property
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in Local
New developers are in the wings saying they want to develop the famous ‘Sheraton’ ruins in Vaimaanga. New Zealand based development company Mirage Group Ltd hopes to complete the construction of the ill-fated Sheraton – which amounts to a complex of derelict buildings on the ten-hectare Vaimaanga property owned by Takitumu paramount chief Pa Marie […]
Toa payments 'top secret'
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in Local
A new outcry and legal action are brewing over ‘top secret’ costs still not revealed in the Toagate scandal. Prime minister Jim Marurai continues to claim he does not know when and how the $1.75 million settlement that government made with fuel company Toa Petroleum is due to be paid. The details remain a secret […]
Trader Jack awaits Nisha
Friday 29 January 2010 | Published in Local
As local businesses boarded up yesterday and got ready for cyclone Nisha, Trader Jack was quietly sitting at his Avarua harbour bar sipping on a gin and watching the waves and clouds roll in. Jack Cooper knows more than most the devastation of a cyclone having rebuilt his harbour side restaurant and bar three times […]
Nisha still a threat
Friday 29 January 2010 | Published in Local
Tropical cyclone Nisha could approach Rarotonga within the next 24 to 48 hours, after slowing down yesterday. Senior meteorological service officer Maara Vaiimene said Nisha will continue to head in a south or south easterly direction but today will prove critical in determining which path it chooses. As of 5.30pm yesterday, Nisha had a wind […]
PM invites submissions on reform
Thursday 28 January 2010 | Published in Local
Prime minister Jim Marurai says his office will accept written views on political reform from any person or party leading up to his planned public conference on the issue. In a statement yesterday, Marurai said written submissions from any interested person or party can be made in advance of the conference. There will be a […]
Cyclone alert!
Thursday 28 January 2010 | Published in Local
The Metrological Service is closely monitoring a cyclone that is moving towards the southern parts of the Cook Islands. Yesterday at 5pm tropical cyclone Nisha, with 35 to 40 knot winds (64 to 74kph), was situated about 225 nautical miles (416km) to the west of Palmerston. The cyclone was expected to gradually turn east and […]
Wong investigation completed
Wednesday 27 January 2010 | Published in Local
The investigation into former tourism chief executive Chris Wong has been completed. Detective inspector Mark Franklin said the police enquiry into the former tourism boss wrapped up late last year and is now in the hands of crown law. “Police have now referred the matter to crown law for legal opinion to establish whether criminal […]
Police ask for help in Aitutaki rape case
Wednesday 27 January 2010 | Published in Local
Police are calling on the help of the Aitutaki community with the ongoing investigation into a rape of a young girl last year. The offence was first reported in April 2009 when the victim was nine-years-old. A review has recently been completed in what areas police still need to work on. Suspects have been interviewed […]
CT scanner costs considered says health
Wednesday 27 January 2010 | Published in Local
The feasibility of accepting a donated CT scan machine from Waikato Hospital has been given alot of consideration says health secretary Tupou Faireka. Last week health minister Apii Piho announced that Rarotonga Hospital may soon have its first such machine which could save many lives and reduce the high cost of patient referrals to New […]
Crocombe on mission in NZ
Wednesday 27 January 2010 | Published in Local
Chairman of the economic development taskforce Tata Crocombe was headed to Wellington yesterday to pursue discussions with New Zealand government officials on a range of initiatives proposed by the taskforce. Mac Mokoroa, chief of staff at the office of the prime minister is accompanying Crocombe on the weeklong mission funded by the OPM budget. Mokoroa […]
Police force faces restructuring
Tuesday 26 January 2010 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands police force is facing a major restructure. Police minister and prime minister Jim Marurai made the announcement last week during a press conference and said it was a move to lower the average age of the force. “He (police commissioner Maara Tetava) was saying for staff at the top level he was […]
Girl bound and gagged
Tuesday 26 January 2010 | Published in Local
A female teenager was taken to Rarotonga Hospital with injuries sustained during a break-in to her Tutakimoa home on Sunday morning. Police say that the two masked persons entered the girl’s bedroom while she was asleep, bound and gagged her and took her to a nearby plantation. Police were told by the victim that at […]
PM keen on telecommunications reform
Tuesday 26 January 2010 | Published in Local
Prime minister Jim Marurai has issued a statement saying he hopes to maintain momentum on the proposed reform to the telecommunications sector this year. Last November the telecommunications minister announced government’s intention to open the market to competition but said it could take until February to formalise the changes under law. The reform not only […]
Lobby group supports PM
Monday 25 January 2010 | Published in Local
Aitutaki’s lobby group Te Kura O Te Au is backing prime minister Jim Marurai and his cabinet. Leader Taraota Tom says the people’s movement is fully supporting Maurai and his team “for their effect in leading this country toward the election”. Although the group was formed as a result of discontent over Sunday flights to […]
PM turns down invite to summit
Monday 25 January 2010 | Published in Local
Prime minister Jim Marurai has turned down an invitation to attend what has been touted as the first major gathering of world leaders following last month’s Copenhagen climate change conference. The Delhi Sustainable Development Summit in New Delhi, India, will run from February 5 to 7under the theme ‘Beyond Copenhagen: new pathways to sustainable development’. […]
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