Local
Fish poisoner convicted
Thursday 25 March 2010 | Published in Local
An Atiu man, Tangata Metuangaro, pleaded guilty to charges of breaching fishing regulations in Atiu waters earlier this month,. He was convicted and instructed to pay a fine of $500, which was handed over to the Atiu Island Council to be used for environment management. The maximum penalty for breaching fishing regulations is $50,000 or […]
Tourism people 'extremely concerned'
Thursday 25 March 2010 | Published in Local
Tourism council calls on board to explain new strategies to industry Local tourism industry operators want answers on staff resignations and the future strategy. The tourism industry council is calling on the tourism board to outline its forward strategies to an urgent general meeting of industry members. The council executive met yesterday and resolved to […]
Cassey joins cabinet
Wednesday 24 March 2010 | Published in Local
Prime minister Jim Marurai welcomed the appointment of Matavera MP Cassey Eggelton as the sixth minister of his cabinet yesterday. He says the addition of Eggelton adds a new dimension to cabinet, which up until now has been dubbed the ‘tight five’. Mararai says it’s not simply because she represents another milestone for female cabinet […]
Hotels must preach water safety: police
Wednesday 24 March 2010 | Published in Local
After the rescue of four tourists from the Rutaki passage on Saturday, police say it’s time to re-visit some water safety initiatives. “We need more awareness programmes, especially for tourists,” senior sergeant Nga Pouao said. “We need hoteliers to tell our tourists not to swim and snorkel around the passage areas and to swim at […]
She hopes to heal rift
Wednesday 24 March 2010 | Published in Local
New cabinet minister Cassey Eggelton (above) hopes her appointment will help heal the Democratic Party’s deep divide. “I don’t want to see this country in turmoil,” she said at her swearing in at Government House in Titikaveka yesterday. She said the move should help bring some stability to government and heal the rift between the […]
New HOM wants 'clear' foreign policies
Tuesday 23 March 2010 | Published in Local
Jim Gosselin officially took up his new post as the new secretary of foreign affairs last week. Until this month, Mike Mitchell had been acting secretary. Gosselin, who has been a resident of the Cook Islands for over 30 years, speaks Pukapukan and Rarotongan dialects and has occupied various Cook Islands government posts since 1972. […]
Tourism heads quit
Tuesday 23 March 2010 | Published in Local
Acting Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Glenda Tuaine resigned yesterday amid continued controversy over board chairman Tata Crocombe’s ‘vision’ for the industry. It has also come to light that CI Tourism NZ manager Chris Ingram resigned last Friday. Both Tuaine and Ingram are reportedly citing ‘excessive interference’ by Crocombe and the tourism board. The Democratic […]
Tourists rescued from Rutaki passage
Monday 22 March 2010 | Published in Local
Police are calling for more warning signs near treacherous lagoon passages around Rarotonga after the rescue of four tourists from Rutaki passage on Saturday. Senior sergeant Ngatamariki Pouao says the incident points towards the need for more signs to warn the public. Police received a report of tourists stranded in the Rutaki passage and on […]
Income testing for benefits, key in review
Monday 22 March 2010 | Published in Local
Public views on welfare benefits have centred on whether people’s incomes should be tested to determine their eligibility. Internal affairs secretary Bredina Drollet says two directions of thinking on the system are emerging from public submissions received over the past month. One is that government has a social responsibility to care for children, the elderly […]
Party politics non-issue with NZ
Monday 22 March 2010 | Published in Local
Finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen has called CIP leader Henry Puna’s criticism of next month’s joint ministerial forum with New Zealand as ‘out of touch’. Last week Puna told CI News there was concern that the forum may be perceived as a show of support by NZ of a government now embroiled in political turmoil. Indeed, […]
Rakei Toa get new look
Saturday 20 March 2010 | Published in Local
Te Rakei Toa student Callum Richmond (11) and tutor Turori Matutu show off their new uniforms sponsored by the Mariti Community Fundraising group. Te Rakei Toa, an educational programme developed by league great Kevin Iro, is for boys aged 11 to 14. It focuses on creating pathways for students to return to the school system […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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