Local
$4.9m added to Games budget
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 2: Pacific Mini Games operating costs estimated to grow to about $9m Government tabled its third supplementary budget yesterday adding $4.9 million in expenditure to the 2008-09 year to cover the growing Pacific Mini Games costs. Finance minister Sir Terepai tabled the budget in parliament saying that a further $3 million has been added […]
New Maine Kuki Airani was the clear audience favourite
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Monday 6: It was definitely a night to remember. Engara Gosselin was crowned Miss Cook Islands on Friday night in front of a near sell-out crowd at the National Auditorium. The 24-year-old was a clear audience favourite with many yelling words of encouragement and holding signs of support. Gosselin not only won the Maine Kuki […]
Cyclone Lin off Tonga
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 4: The Fiji Metrological service issued a warning yesterday morning of a cyclone forming off the coast of Tonga. At 10.30am, cyclone Lin was travelling in a southeasterly direction at about 12 knots. It is expected that if the grade one cyclone continues on its southeasterly path it will pass well to the southwest […]
Actors treated to dance show at Avatea
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 4: Avatea School students came face to face with Shortland Street actors Will Hall and Toni Potter at their Friday assembly yesterday. It was Shortland Street’s last call before heading back to New Zealand after a week-long shoot for an upcoming episode. The students and teachers put on a great colourful dance show for […]
CIP want Pukapuka seat declared vacant
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Local, National
Enough is enough as CIP take final step to get rid of MP
Leaflet demands deportation
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 26: Leaflets have been distributed around Rarotonga stores demanding that a Fijian woman be deported. In what could be considered vigilante-type action, the poster shows a mug shot of the woman and accuses her of “stealing from your store”. “Do not let her into your shop. Report her to the police and immigration,” it […]
3 arrested for driving offences
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 31: Driving related matters landed three people in police custody last week. A woman was arrested for disqualified driving on Saturday outside the Empire Theatre. She was released on bail and will appear in court on Thursday. A 24-year-old male who was involved in a crash in Tupapa will also appear in court this […]
Shorty shoots in Raro
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 26: A few locals will get speaking roles and even more will be extras in next week’s filming of a Shortland Street episode in Rarotonga. A large production crew of about 20 will soon be here along with a few of the star cast from Shortland Street. Fans of the show – keep an […]
Fuel issue leads to rationing
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 31: A fuel pricing issue in Aitutaki last week left the island dangerously close to running out of petrol and diesel. On Saturday the price order was issued which allows petrol to be sold for a maximum of $2.80 per litre from this week. Businessman Teina Bishop had shut down his petrol pumps last […]
Pearl farmers approve plan to boost industry
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 26: Manihiki pearl farmers have given the much needed go-ahead to an overall strategic plan designed to kick-start the industry and get it earning more than it was at its peak in the mid-1990s. Put together by the Cook Islands Pearl Authority (CIPA), the plan was launched on Tuesday night by CIPA chief executive […]
Raro romance for Kip and Alice
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 31: A lucky Shortland Street fan will get an opportunity to meet with the actors who play Alice and Kip on the New Zealand show this week. Shortland Street’s producers are here on a week-long shoot of an episode centered on a romance between Alice the nurse and Kip the doctor. When Dr Kip […]
Pukapuka threaten to reject EU aid
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 26: Outer island community objects to overseas company getting contract Pukapuka could turn down the building of the European Commission-funded cyclone centre, after a local company’s unsuccessful bid to design and supervise the project. Pukapuka community president on Rarotonga, Makirere Poila, says they intend to write to the European Union to register their disappointment […]
Call for inquiry into $50m loan
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 31: Opposition says country cannot afford to pay $5000 per person for next 20 years The Cook Islands Party Opposition is calling for an inquiry into the new $50 million China soft loan. Finance and economics spokesperson Norman George says while the opposition agrees in principle to the loan being spent on Rarotonga road […]
PMG broadcast contract on hold
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Monday 30: The host broadcast agreement for the Pacific Mini Games is being looked over by government officials, to ensure that it complies with Cook Islands legislation. After a two-day visit earlier this month South Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan said that council had a number of concerns with the organising of the games […]
542 traffic tickets in one month
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Monday 30: Despite only two serious crashes last month, police were kept busy issuing a total of 542 tickets for minor traffic offences. According to a report released by the Road Safety Council (RSC), 249 tickets were issued for speeding and 126 for motorcyclists exceeding 40 kilometres per hour without a helmet. A total of […]
Pearl farmers buy into marketing plan
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Monday 30: China funding seen as only recourse for pearl farm loans Deputy Prime Minister Sir Terepai Maoate says he is pleased with the enthusiasm shown by Northern group pearl farmers with plans to increase pearl production over the next three years. “I can sense a new level of confidence and enthusiasm on the part […]
Tav's in Europe
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 28 March: The Cooks Islands’ most famous fashion designer is set to turn heads in Europe next week. Ellena Tavioni (above) of Tav’s is the only Pacific designer to be invited to the Afiique-Caraibes-Pacifique (ACP) Music and Fashion show held in Brussels, Belgium. Tavioni will leave on a fully funded trip today with 25 […]
Man pleads guilty to hit and run
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 28 March: A 21-year-old has pleaded guilty to a hit and run incident last Sunday involving two Chinese workers. Eli Cumming appeared in the Rarotonga High Court on Thursday pleading guilty to driving while disqualified, failing to stop to ascertain injuries and render assistance, and two counts of careless driving causing injury. Police have […]
Holiday crash extends Kiwi's visit
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 28 March: A New Zealand tourist has had his holiday extended, courtesy of the Rarotonga High Court. Russell Corfield had his passport confiscated after pleading guilty on Thursday to careless driving causing injury. He was due to leave the country today. Appearing before Justice of Peace Carmen Temata yesterday, the 57-year-old admitted to failing […]
WSBC victory earns praise
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 28 March: Sir Terepai Maoate gives credit to FSC and legal team for successful settlement Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sir Terepai Maoate has credited his small team at the Financial Supervisory Commission and its board for the successful settlement of the long-running WSBC court case. “I am extremely pleased with this outcome […]