Local
Atiu man dies in seawall accident
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 14: An Atiu man died after falling from his motorcycle along the seawall on Saturday night. Tumaru Iona, believed to be in his late 30s, suffered head injuries when the accident happened between 9pm and 10pm. There was speculation that another vehicle may have been involved. Pastor Tutai Pere arrived at the scene around […]
Teenage charged over Raviz robbery
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 11: A 15-year-old will appear in court today (Saturday) in connection with the armed burglary of Raviz Indian restaurant early on Wednesday morning. Police Commissioner Pat Tasker told Cook Islands News yesterday the defendant was “located” on Thursday and led police to the firearm which was in a building on a back road that […]
Chinese investors show interest
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 11: Two Chinese businessmen caught the interest of locals last month when they began asking about investment opportunities here. The businessmen reportedly came to Rarotonga for the first time to purchase local black pearls. According to Manihiki MP and pearl farmer Apii Piho, the men said they were based in Papua New Guinea where […]
Easter celebrations
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 11: Easter ritual in Avarua More than 100 Catholic worshippers walked through the Avatiu township yesterday as they re-enacted the final moments before Jesus Christ was crucified. The death and resurrection of Christ is one of the most significant dates on the Christian calendar celebrated over the Easter weekend. Worshippers gathered at the Avatiu […]
Niue cut increases capacity
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 4: Reef Shipping has announced that the Southern Express will now only service Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Trade manager Ewen Grant says that from voyage 116, the Southern Express will call into the two islands every 24 days. “This will mean increased capacity as well as improved frequency and transit time.” Grant says the turnaround […]
Awards lacklustre
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 4: Chairman of major events and Team Cook Islands chef de mission George George has put the blame for a somewhat lacklustre sports award ceremony squarely on sports managers. “You know the sports awards are a chance for national federations to highlight their athletes,” says George. “But you could tell it wasn’t the best […]
Meningitis scare
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 4: A young girl from Aitutaki suspected of having the contagious disease meningococcemia (meningococcal meningitis) is now in Auckland’s Starship Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Health officials averted the possible infection of passengers and crew on an Air Rarotonga flight from the island on Wednesday by contacting all of them and issuing […]
Penrhyn makes Mars
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Friday 3: The Cook Islands is making its mark in outer space. A rock outcrop on Mars has been informally named ‘Cook Islands’ by NASA during their Mars Exploration Rover mission. Using the robotic explorer ‘Opportunity’, NASA has been searching for and naming a wide range of rocks and soils that hold clues to water […]
It's good news to the DPM
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 8: It sounds like a good riddance statement. In response to comments by WSBC, deputy prime minister and minister of finance Sir Terepai Maoate says he’s pleased to see confirmation that WSBC Bank is leaving the Cook Islands. “After close to five years, my government will now turn its efforts and attention to the […]
Rangi to take over BTIB top job
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Friday 3: Business Trade and Investment Board executive manager Terry Rangi has been appointed its new chief executive this week. It is understood there will be a handover period before Rangi officially takes over the position which Mark Short has held for the past six years. Rangi has been working at BTIB for almost five […]
Cook Islanders second largest PI group in NZ
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 8: Some interesting new statistics have come to light on the Cook Islands Maori population in New Zealand. Drawn from the 2006 census released at the end of last year, the figures show that the Cook Islands Maori population living in New Zealand increased by 10 percent (5442) to 58,011, between 2001 and 2006. […]
Parliament warned against electronic release
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Friday 3: The Seabed Bill select committee says releasing the draft law electronically is risky. In its interim report tabled in parliament on Wednesday, the committee says in its view the electronic release to the growing number of regional countries and organisations who want a copy would demand caution. “The possibility of deep sea mining […]
New PFL service approved
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 8: Transport minister Tangata Vavia has given approval to Pacific Forum Line to start and run a new shipping service to the Cooks. Transport secretary Aukino Tairea says that a licence will be issued once a schedule of voyage dates is put to the ministry. New PFL chief executive Sean Bolt, who visited Rarotonga […]
PDL makes third creditor payment
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Friday 3: Pacific Distributors Ltd paid out its third and final court ordered payment to local creditors on Wednesday. The third payment of around $372,000 represents 15 cents in the dollar towards what creditors were owed after the PDL collapse. Just over $2.5 million was owed to local creditors, so they are still owed around […]
Day off work to fight dengue
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 8: Public servants called in to help with tutaka clean up campaign. Tomorrow has been declared a day off work for public servants – as a Dengue Tutaka Clean Up Day. It conveniently makes an extra long weekend out of the Easter break for hundreds of government employees. This is part of the campaign […]
Seabed review widens
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Friday 3: Seabed Bill meetings wanted for Cook Islanders in NZ and Aust The Seabed Minerals Bill select committee has extended its review of the proposed legislation from its initial two weeks to a three-month period ending June 30. The bill relates to the exploration and mining of the Cook Islands manganese nodule resources which […]
Man held for assault of toddler
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 7: A 45-year-old man has been arrested for assaulting a three-year-old. Police arrested him on Sunday in Arorangi after a family member of the child reported the incident. It is believed the man was the brother of the victim. Inspector Arama Tera says he has been remanded in custody and will appear in court […]
ATM joke 'not funny'
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 2: It was a day for practical jokes yesterday, but Westpac Bank weren’t laughing. Victims of an April Fools prank, their ATM machines in Muri and Avarua were labelled with an ‘Out of order’ sign despite being fully operational. “Upon taking the note off the screen, someone had put an April Fools message underneath,” […]
They're ready for business!
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 7: The three title holders from the Miss Cook Islands pageant went straight into business yesterday. Miss Cook Islands Engara Gosselin, Maine Tapairu Joyana Meyer and Maine Purotu Uirangi Bishop were at the Beachcomber to sign their legally binding contracts with the Miss Cook Islands Pageant Committee. The three girls pledged their availability to […]
Fake $50?
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 2: A $50 note that looks fake has been sent to New Zealand to see if it is counterfeit. A front teller staff member at Westpac bank noticed the “suspicious” note in their cash bundle and alerted the managers. General manager Rob Buick says they sent the $50 to New Zealand yesterday for testing […]