Local
Avaiki marketers being sought
Thursday 7 January 2010 | Published in Local
The pearl authority is seeking locals to market Avaiki, the new Cook Islands premium pearl brand, to the international jewellery trade as part of the brand’s development. Launched last September, Avaiki now needs a network of wholesalers and marketers as well as manufacturing and retail jewellers here and overseas to attain higher prices for the […]
PM's priority is to cut costs
Thursday 7 January 2010 | Published in Local
Cutting the cost of government is the top priority going into the New Year for prime minister Jim Marurai. The prime minister and cabinet have endorsed a review of the burgeoning cost of government to find ways to use funds with greater efficiency. Marurai has already taken the first step by deciding to reduce costs […]
New portfolios allocated to ministers
Wednesday 6 January 2010 | Published in Local
Jim Marurai “/> Robert Wigmore “/> Wilkie Rasmussen “/> William Heather Jnr “/> Apii Piho “/> The ministers of the country’s new five-member cabinet were allocated their responsibilities within government yesterday with Wilkie Rasmussen scoring the key finance portfolios. Rasmussen said he was happy to be allocated the responsibilities of the finance and economic management […]
Rheumatic fever medication problem causes upset
Wednesday 6 January 2010 | Published in Local
The recent shortage of the antibiotic injection for rheumatic fever patients prompted one local to send his 11 year old granddaughter to New Zealand for treatment last week. She was seen by a doctor at Auckland’s Starship Hospital – the same hospital that has now advised Rarotonga hospital to use an alternative injectable antibiotic for […]
Tough times ahead: Wilkie
Wednesday 6 January 2010 | Published in Local
Cabinet minister Wilkie Rasmussen — now the new finance minister — has warned the country faces difficult times ahead as government struggles to curb its spending in the face of falling revenues. He has vowed to put in ‘maximum effort’ in managing the financial affairs of the nation saying that the level of borrowing has […]
Car goes off road at Blackrock
Tuesday 5 January 2010 | Published in Local
Only one car accident was reported during the New Year with a vehicle hurtling into rocks at Blackrock on Sunday morning. A Toyota Levin was heading towards Arorangi around 5am when the male driver – a Cook Islander from Australia – lost control at the bend on the main road at Blackrock. The 26-year-old suffered […]
Foreign aid increases
Tuesday 5 January 2010 | Published in Local
Foreign aid has increased by 43.8 percent over the last financial year to around $30 million this year. According to government’s half yearly fiscal and economic update released last week, the increase in aid for the current financial year to June 2010 is due to the new Air New Zealand- Los Angeles flight subsidy of […]
Rheumatic fever medication in short supply
Tuesday 5 January 2010 | Published in Local
The ministry of health is currently experiencing a shortage of an antibiotic medication used to treat patients who suffer from rheumatic fever – a serious disease that can cause permanent damage to the heart. The ministry currently treats around 87 adults and 42 children who suffer from rheumatic fever and chronic rheumatic heart disease. Following […]
MFEM warns about debt levels
Tuesday 5 January 2010 | Published in Local
Government has now forecast that its spending will outstrip its revenue from the current financial year onwards with debt levels dangerously close to reaching ‘unsustainable levels’. According to the just-released half yearly fiscal and economic update produced by the ministry of finance and economic management (MFEM), government will not be in a position to raise […]
Paara, Tearuru Maoate reunion wraps up
Saturday 2 January 2010 | Published in Local
The descendents of Paara and Tearuru Maoate have spent five fun-filled days enjoying each other’s company during their family reunion this past week. More than 50 members were based at the Enua Manea Hall representing the six children of Paara and Tearuru (nee Tione). Grandson of the couple, Pari Karika said family travelled from as […]
Tourism marketing efforts pay off
Saturday 2 January 2010 | Published in Local
Extra visitors to our shores during a six month marketing campaign injected an extra $8 million into the local economy this year according to latest estimates. According to the half yearly fiscal and economic update report published by the ministry of finance (MFEM) this week, tourism continues to be the cornerstone of the economy, contributing […]
Eight-year-olds break into store
Saturday 2 January 2010 | Published in Local
Security officers discovered two young boys inside the CITC Mainstore just after 10pm last Monday night. The eight-year-olds were handed over to police for interviewing where the children and their parents were questioned. The matter is to be referred to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee. Inspector Tere Patia said the offending is alarming due to […]
Aunty Mau named in New Year's honours
Thursday 31 December 2009 | Published in Local
Just a week after resigning as a minister of the crown, Ngamau Munokoa has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list. Munokoa – or Aunty Mau as she is more commonly known – will be made an officer of the civil division of the most excellent order of the British Empire (OBE) for […]
$3.5m boost to agriculture
Thursday 31 December 2009 | Published in Local
A $3.5 million government project will attempt to revitalise the declining agriculture industry in the outer islands from next year. The funding, approved by cabinet last month, will come directly from the Asian Development Bank $13.4 million economic recovery support loan secured in October. Deputy prime minister and agriculture minister Robert Wigmore says he is […]
Exports hit new low
Thursday 31 December 2009 | Published in Local
Export figures hit a new low for the September quarter according to a report released by government this week. Total exports for the September quarter were $500,000 — the lowest export figure recorded since the $700,000 low of September 2006 according to the most recent trade information available. This is 72 percent or $1.2 million […]
Immunisation to restart next week
Wednesday 18 November 2009 | Published in Local
The ministry of health (Te Marae Ora) will restart the national immunisation programme on November 25. The programme has been on hold following the death of an infant in Mitiaro last month following what should have been a routine immunisation. The ministry has assured the public that child immunisation is still very safe and side […]
Accident victim flown to NZ
Wednesday 18 November 2009 | Published in Local
A 54-year-old woman was flown to New Zealand on Monday night after sustaining serious injuries in a crash on Sunday. Around 1.15pm, a blue Toyota vehicle and a motorcycle collided in Avatiu. Nancy Watkinson was driving the motorcycle and suffered extensive injuries. “She was taken by air ambulance to New Zealand last night because of […]
Driver and passenger arrested
Wednesday 18 November 2009 | Published in Local
A 28-year-old man was arrested early Sunday morning and charged for refusing to be breath tested and resisting arrest. Police say just after 12am, they saw a car driving erratically near Super Brown in Tupapa. After the driver was stopped, he was asked to undergo an excess breath alcohol test. Police say he refused. He […]
Decision due on Tini application
Wednesday 18 November 2009 | Published in Local
A decision is expected to be delivered this morning on an interim injunction application brought on by suspended Cook Islands Investment Corporation chief executive John Tini. Tini applied for an interim injunction order to be granted by the high court to force the attorney general Sir Terepai Maoate and the public expenditure review committee (PERC) […]
When in Rome ...
Tuesday 17 November 2009 | Published in Local
Prime minister Jim Marurai is attending the World Summit on food security in Rome and he spent some time at the weekend exploring the Vatican. He walked around St Peter’s Square and the Basilica – and up the 2000 steps to the top of the dome, which has an amazing view of all of Rome. […]
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