Local
Two teens admit to robbery
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 15: Two teenagers pleaded guilty on Saturday to the armed robbery of Raviz Indian restaurant. The two 15-year-olds appeared in the Cook Islands High Court before Chief Justice David Williams. Their names are unable to be printed as the matter has fallen under the jurisdiction of the Children’s Court. One defendant pleaded guilty to […]
Work halts at airport
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 15: Work on the airport terminal has almost ground to a halt, with materials not making it on the last voyage of the Southern Express. Airport authority chief executive Joe Ngamata says most of the steel needed for starting on the foundation has not arrived, along with pre-cast moulds, which are needed for the […]
Dengue cases up to 170
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 15: Rarotonga has now had 170 reported cases of suspected dengue fever over the last three weeks. In a statement released by Ministry of Health on Monday, 13 people have been admitted to hospital showing symptoms of the mosquito-borne disease with results expected to be received from Australia this week confirming the presence of […]
Oasis still restaffing
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 14: CITC Food Group has received a positive response from those applying for jobs at the Oasis Energy Centre. “Several positions have been filled with several others pending final interviews/selection,” says CITC general manager Gaye Whitta. “We have received good response to our advertising from a good calibre of applicants.” Up to 15 staff […]
Electoral rolls update underway
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 14: The Cook Islands electoral roll is currently in the process of being updated, with an eye on whether voter numbers have decreased or not. When the roll was first updated last year, following the September 2006 general elections, there was a total 10,025 registered electors on the roll. There were 10,181 on the […]
Pukapuka MP status to be determined
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 14: A legal opinion on the status of the member of parliament for Pukapuka-Nassau is expected any day now. The opposition Cook Islands Party want to have the seat declared vacant under the ‘anti-vaka jumping’ legislation, after the Pukapuka-Nassau MP Vai Peua supported government on an issue of confidence last year. Solicitor general Tingika […]
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 […]
Coral removal proposed at Muri
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 9: Obstacles earmarked for removal to make way for mini games canoeing course News that coral heads may be removed from Muri lagoon for the oe vaka Pacific Mini Games event has sparked concern among environmentalists and residents of the area this week. On Tuesday PMG chief executive Mac Mokoroa told Radio NZ that […]
Teenger wanted urgently
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 9: Fifteen-year-old Andrew Teroi (pictured) is wanted urgently by police for a breach of bail conditions. After police bail checks on Wednesday morning, police found that Teroi was not at his parent’s home in Avatiu. Teroi is connected to a string of robberies and last appeared in court on March 26 for contempt of […]
'I was scared for my life'
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 9: Nayshad Akhatar bears the bruises of being beaten with a lump of wood when he disturbed the burglars. But he counts himself especially lucky that he didn’t get riddled with pallets from the 12-gauge shotgun blast. Nayshad told Cook Islands News yesterday that because the restaurant had been robbed three times before, he […]
Armed robbery foiled
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Shotgun blast narrowly misses, case treated as attempted murder Thursday 9: An armed burglary went wrong at Raviz Indian restaurant in the early hours of Wednesday morning and is now being treated as attempted murder. Police said yesterday that three employees were in the Avarua restaurant around 2.30am when two offenders – one carrying a […]
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 […]