National
Woman convicted of breach told not to rely on police
Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Crime
The High Court on December 5 was presided over by Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata, who made the following judgements: Crystal Arona, 22, entered a plea of guilty to a charge of breach of community service despite providing a legitimate excuse for not showing up. Her explanation was that she was called for interviewing […]
Telecom prices come under attack
Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Technology
Broadband prices in the Cook Islands are among the highest in the Pacific region when ranked in real dollar terms, says the owner of a local computer business. A recent peer review of the Cook Islands highlighted “the high cost of telecommunications” as being a major issue in the country. Telecom Cook Islands responded with […]
Fate of Murienua seat unknown
Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Crime
An announcement from parliament declaring the Murienua seat vacant is needed before another by-election can be called, says a justice official. On Friday, Cook Islands Party candidate Kaota Tuariki – who won a September by-election – tendered his resignation for the Murienua seat only days before a scheduled court hearing concerning a petition filed by […]
5 honoured with NZ citizenship
Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Local
Five Cook Islands residents placed a hand on the Bible, swore an oath and officially became New Zealand citizens yesterday. In a warm, upbeat ceremony, High Commissioner Joanna Kempkers presented certificates to Motufaga Tifare Finiasi, Viliame Gukisuva, Teurihei Kainuku, Taniora Lowry and Ariimanu Jean-Marc Shan Sei Fan. About 30 family members and friends gathered for […]
Oriental fruit flies persist in Aitutaki
Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Local
Efforts to eradicate the Oriental Fruit Fly are proving challenging in Aitutaki, despite an elimination programme showing good results in Rarotonga. The Ministry of Agriculture’s efforts to achieve zero catches of the pest in baited traps have continued successfully in Rarotonga over the past four months, but eradication efforts in Aitutaki have shown mixed results. […]
'Fast track' to success
Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Local
Mum Takau Moeka’a was beaming with pride as daughter Rima received her teaching diploma at yesterday’s Ministry of Education Certificate and Special Awards Presentation. Rima was one of nine recipients of diplomas as part of the ministry’s Fast Track Teacher Trainees programme. The training certificate programme looks to encourage locals who have a passion for […]
Offloading hurting local fishers
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands Fishing Association is saying a recent decision to extend a trial programme that allows a foreign fishing company to offload by-catch in Rarotonga is destroying the livelihood of local fishers. Last month, the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) extended a business licence variation for Huanan Fisheries Ltd, permitting the offloading for a […]
Tropical Christmas heats up Raro
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National
Local businesses and community groups behind the Tropical Christmas movement will be stepping up the Christmas cheer this week with the Sarong Day at Vonnia’s on Wednesday followed by the judging of the ‘light up your tree’ competition, which will take place after dark. As well as in store specials on sarongs (pareu), Santa’s elves […]
Christmas comes alive with candy
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National
Santa’s little helper Grainne Patterson (right) had no trouble handing out hundreds of free lollies to help kick-start Christmas in Rarotonga. Santa’s little helpers were spotted handing out bags of chocolates and candy to all those passing by the Knickers in a Twist women’s lingerie store in Tupapa a few days ago. If you were […]
'The canoe is the people' - workshop
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National
‘The canoe is the people’ was the theme of workshops that brought educators from across the Pacific together last week in Rarotonga. Educators from Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Nuie and New Zealand took part in the week long series of workshops, which was an initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). “‘The […]
MP's wives host gathering
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National
Are Pa Metua, Te Kainga and Creative Centre members gathered at Te Atukura Grounds on November 28 for a kaikai hosted by MP’s wives. Prime Minister’s wife Akaiti Puna says each year the group of ladies usually visits the organisations during the festive season to hand out gifts and to share in a kaikai. "It’s […]
Prayer to address world hunger crisis
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National
The Cook Islands Catholic diocese will today join a global wave prayer initiated by Carita International to bring urgent awareness to the worldwide crisis of hunger. Catholic Bishop Paul Donoghue, local priests and Sisters of the Diocese of Rarotonga (Cook Islands) and Niue are honoured to support the global hunger awareness campaign. A ‘wave of […]
Hospital bed donated to school
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National
Sick students at Nukutere College were deprived of a bed when an act of arson destroyed a block of rooms at the school. The Rotary Club of Tauranga Te Papa decided to pitch in and help out and the school is very grateful for all the donations it has received to date, including the bed. […]
French Ambassador visits Cook Islands
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National
French ambassador designate Laurent Contini arrives today as part of an official visit to the Cook Islands. His schedule, which will run from today until December 19, will include presentation of his credentials to the Queen’s Representative as the Ambassador for the Republic of France to the Cook Islands. The Ambassador is based in Wellington […]
Te Mato Vai water daily demand over 11m litres
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National
An official involved in the development of the master plan for the Te Mato Vai water project says planners are estimating daily water demand in Rarotonga to be 11.2 million litres. The number was confirmed by Latu Kupa from KEW Consult Limited, the company selected by the government to manage the project from start to […]
Aitutaki welcomes rain and water filter
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National
Aitutaki residents are hoping for a worry-free Christmas after receiving a new water treatment system and half a day’s worth of rain. Fires ravaged hectares of scrubland on the island last week, leaving the fire service and local volunteers run off their feet. At the same time, residents were facing a drinking water crisis after […]
Beachfront 'annihilation' leaves locals fuming
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National
A woman from Vaimaanga is furious about more than a dozen trees being cut down on a nearby beachfront property without any public consultation. Diane Holford said she came home from work on Friday night to find the section had been “annihilated”. “I cried. I stood on the beach and I cried. I’m just in […]
Tuna Commission eyes conservation
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in Environment
The Western Central Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is seeking to adopt its most significant conservation and management measure for tropical tunas as a means to control purse seine fishing at its annual session currently being held in Cairns. In attendance at the meet for the Cooks delegation are secretary Ben Ponia and senior fisheries officer Andrew […]
Cook Islands fishing bid resisted
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in Environment
The Cook Islands delegation has withdrawn a watered-down response to its proposal at the annual meeting of the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) to ban longline fishing in the eastern high seas pocket. The proposal is significant because it would create the first area to be closed to longlining on the high seas. Distant […]
New contract to incentivise Air NZ
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in Local
Air New Zealand will be given more incentive to cut costs and maximise revenue under a new contract being negotiated with the government. The Kiwi airline recently won the tender to continue providing flights to Rarotonga from Los Angeles (LA) and Sydney between November 2014 and November 2018. The Cook Islands government currently underwrites both […]
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