Outer Islands
Crop bank leads way in food security
Monday 17 September 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
The opening of the new Atiu crop bank offers the island the opportunity to bring back yam, taro, sweet potatoes, bananas and many other crops that have been lost, says Agriculture minister Rose Brown.
Aitutaki still reeling from water tragedy
Monday 17 September 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
Calls for water safety training and better visitor education have been echoed by the Aitutaki community, amid sad reflections on the family tragedy that has hit their island recently.
Northern group islands at risk of dry spell
Saturday 15 September 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Outer Islands
Government is aware and wary of the risk that the northern group islands face with below normal rainfall and drought conditions forecast over the next three months.
TMN cargo deal cost country dearly, says Taio
Friday 14 September 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
The Ministry of Culture failed to take advantage of Taio Shipping Services’ final subsidised voyage for the year to the northern islands, opting instead to pay an extra $200,000 for a load of fuel and dangerous goods to be transported on the Cook Islands Towage barge Layar Mas, says company owner Tapi Taio.
Cargo adds $200,000 to TMN bill
Wednesday 12 September 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
Weeks after the last visiting Te Maeva Nui teams from the pa enua were farewelled from Rarotonga, a large amount of their cargo is still on the wharf, waiting to be transported to the northern islands.
Penrhyn water shortage continues
Friday 24 August 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Outer Islands
A second shipment of drinking water was sent to Penrhyn this week as residents continue to battle a water-shortage problem on the northern-group island.
New Mitiaro executive Charlie Rani focused on island agriculture
Wednesday 22 August 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Outer Islands
Development of agriculture on Mitiaro will be the key focus of its Island Government’s new executive officer Charlie Rani.
It's home time for pa enua residents
Tuesday 21 August 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
There were tearful embraces and red-rimmed eyes aplenty at the departure of the Nivaga III for Pukapuka, Nassau, Rakahanga and Penrhyn yesterday – but also smiles, laughter and happy faces too.
Skipper helps out with radio delivery
Tuesday 21 August 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
A helpful boat skipper and his crew have lent a much-needed hand to the National Environment Service (NES) by assisting with the delivery of a new HF radio to the NES park rangers stationed in Suwarrow.
Pukapuka freight costs 'not on'
Saturday 18 August 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
Pukapuka-Nassau MP Tingika Elikana says the high cost of freighting goods from Rarotonga to Pukapuka is “just not on” and he would like to look at the option of freighting goods from Samoa or Tokelau instead.
Pa enua cargo has wharf busy
Tuesday 14 August 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
First in the queue, behind the Imua II container ship which was also being unloaded, was the General Transport barge Layar Mas which was taking on cargo for Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro and Atiu.
Red Cross joins tere party to Nassau
Tuesday 14 August 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
As our Pa Enua families prepare to return home after the recent celebrations, the Cook Islands Red Cross Society will be joining the returning tere party with the aim of preparing our island communities to be resilient and disaster-prepared.
Pukapukan Bible translation almost done
Tuesday 14 August 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
It’s been 20 years in the making, but the Pukapukan translation of the Bible – the Puka Ya (phonetically pronounced Puka ‘Tha’) – is now almost complete.
MOU for agriculture ministry to work with Pa Enua
Thursday 9 August 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Outer Islands
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the southern group islands government and Ministry of Agriculture aimed at achieving part of the country’s National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP), was signed last week.
Musical boost for Mitiaro
Saturday 4 August 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Outer Islands
Mitiaro’s young people have received a major boost in improving their musical skills thanks to timely assistance from Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Power fully restored on Aitutaki after Tuesday failure
Thursday 2 August 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Outer Islands
Failure of an electronic control module resulted in a power outage on Aitutaki from around midday on Tuesday.
Fire razes Aitutaki resort units
Tuesday 31 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Outer Islands
An electrical fault in a kitchen appliance is thought to have caused a fire which completely destroyed three accommodation units and a beach bar at the Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort on Sunday afternoon.
Ambitious plan unveiled
Saturday 28 July 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
Outer islands residents have suffered “economic vacancy” in silence for far too long, while Rarotonga and Aitutaki enjoy the bounty of “developed” status economy without them, says Merchant of Paradise Fred Webb. Webb is calling for support for Merchant of Paradise’s ambitious development plan for the outer islands, in partnership with Chinese interests under One China Policy (OCP).
Trip of a lifetime to northern islands
Monday 23 July 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
Tarani Greig and Monica Boucek so enjoyed their trip to the northern islands on the Layar Mas recently, they decided to write a story about it. This is their account of a trip of a lifetime, to Manihiki and Rakahanga.
Drum beats welcome for northern visitors
Wednesday 18 July 2018 | Published in Outer Islands
The thunderous beat of traditional drums resounded around the port of Avatiu yesterday afternoon as the vessel Tahiti Nui entered the harbour, carrying around 180 people from Manihiki.