National
Parliament discusses pine trees on Mangaia
Saturday 7 December 2013 | Published in National
During question period on Thursday, Tamarua Member of Parliament Tetangi Matapo resurrected the issue of pine trees on Mangaia – a problem that has festered on the island for over 20 years. “What is government going to do to remove the pine trees on the island?” asked Matapo. “What I have heard is that government […]
Free fun at wildlife centre
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
It’s all fun and games at the Cook Islands Whale and Wildlife Centre today, and everyone is welcome! After a fantastic year with lots of support from locals both on Rarotonga and in the outer islands the centre wants to say thank you with fun, games and discounts on products. The fun begins at 2.30pm […]
Who will wear the crown?
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
Tonight’s the night for contestants in the ‘Carpenters Miss South Pacific 2013’ including our very own Miss Cook Islands, Teuira Napa (20). It’s been a busy week for the lovely ladies who’ve been engaged in activities leading up to the crowning tonight including the official photo shoot, a tour of the Vilu War Museum and […]
Cook Islands seeks fishing ban in high seas pocket
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
The Cook Islands is seeking a ruling from the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meeting being held in Cairns this week for a complete ban on longline fishing in its adjacent eastern high seas pocket. The high seas pocket which sits between the exclusive economic zones of the Cook Islands, Kiribati and French Polynesia […]
Cook Islands 'stands up' to big fishing nations
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
Regional media reports are painting the Cook Islands as a leading force in standing “up to big fishing nations on conservation” at a regional meeting in Australia. A local delegation is attending the weeklong Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meeting in Cairns, and pushing for a complete ban on longline fishing in the eastern […]
Bonny cash could pay local officials
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
Money found aboard the infamous yacht ‘Bonny’ could be used to pay local authorities and a private company that incurred costs when the vessel was towed back to Avatiu Harbour nearly two years ago, says a police investigator. Inspector John Strickland said Cook Islands Police have been consulting with the Crown Law office on what […]
Outer islands MPs voice concerns in parliament
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
Pointed questions have been thrown at the government by outer islands members of parliament during the first few days of parliament sitting. On Tuesday, Rakahanga MP Taunga Toka asked the government about their perceived failure to appoint an island council member on the island for three years. “As the PM promised, when everything has been […]
Arson investigation passes six-week mark
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
Police have executed three more search warrants in their efforts to solve an arson investigation that has now been running for more than six weeks. People in Rarotonga were shaken when an arsonist burned down six classrooms, three resource rooms, a canteen and small side room at Nukutere College on October 20. Later that day, […]
'The future for this government is being limited'
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
Dear Editor, Geoff Stoddard has made a statement in your paper (Wednesday December 4), and I hope there will be many more. Geoff Stoddard may, and I mean “may”, have a better recollection than me three or seven years ago but I do recall two things: 1) I was satisfied with his answer and the […]
Rain snuffs out fires in Aitutaki
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in Local
Aitutaki residents had their prayers answered on Wednesday night when rain finally arrived to snuff out scrub fires burning on the island. The downfall was a huge relief for locals, who have been battling numerous fires since a huge blaze scorched acres of land in Amuri on Saturday night. Miimetua Blenkarn, head of the Airport […]
Parliament pays tribute to Mandela
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in Local
Parliament began on Thursday with a solemn tribute to the late Nelson Mandela. Described in the house as a “great man", Speaker Niki Rattle said the South African Nobel Prize winner and peace activist “should be dignified in this house”. Addressing parliament, acting PM and finance minister Mark Brown said it was a “sad occasion […]
Ei day before Santa walkabout
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
It’s ei katu day at Foodland today so show your tropical Christmas spirit and be in to win. Wear an ei katu or any ei, spend $5 or more on Christmas products and you could win one of three fabulous Lindz chocolate prizes. The draw for the ei day initiative will be done on Saturday […]
Te Kainga gives thanks for new van and building
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
A building on its last legs and one old car prompted the community into action to help the Te Kainga Mental Health Trust. A van was gifted to the trust in September with the aid of the Indian government’s India Grant and the trust is grateful for the use of the vehicle. “When we started […]
Sixth mental health training workshop in Raro
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
Mental health professionals came together to discuss mental health this week, with a focus on how to reduce anxiety disorders and depression in the Cooks. Anxiety forms 60 per cent of all mental health illness reported in Rarotonga and depression comes in second at 20 per cent. These are statistics that the Te Kainga Mental […]
Resort owners gather for tourism trade day
Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in National
Local resort owners put their best foot forward yesterday to strike new contracts with dozens of travel wholesalers from offshore markets. About 65 wholesalers from 15 different countries are in the Cook Islands this week to meet with members of the tourism industry at the Kia Orana Cook Islands event. Now into its fourth year, […]
Parliament's 'false start' a false alarm
Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Local
Parliament was nearly brought to a standstill yesterday after the opposition questioned the constitutionality of the current sitting. At the beginning of question period, leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen questioned the legality of the sitting by referring to a letter published in CINews yesterday. The letter, written by Rarotonga resident and businessman John Scott, […]
Aitutaki water woes addressed
Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Local
Emergency measures are being taken to provide Aitutaki residents with clean drinking water as they stare down the barrel of another six months without rain. Most people living on the island rely on rainwater tanks for their drinking supply but the skies have not opened since July. Otheniel Tangianau, director of the Pa Enua division […]
Queen's Baton here
Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in National
An intimate turou ceremony was held for the arrival of the Queen’s Baton early this morning at the Rarotonga International Airport and will begin its Cook Islands leg of the baton relay today. The Queen’s Baton is on a global relay across the 70 Commonwealth nations as part of the build up to the 2014 […]
CI marine park is looking for a name
Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in National
A competition is underway to provide the Cook Islands Marine Park with a unique name with some local flavour. Launched by Prime Minister Henry Puna, $250 is up for grabs in the contest and is open to everyone currently residing in the Cook Islands and all Cook Islanders living abroad. At the current stage of […]
Tetautua 'mini wharf' project complete
Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in National
Residents along the shores of Tetautua village on the island of Penrhyn are now protected against the forces of nature after the village’s crumbling foreshore safety barriers have been rebuilt. Tetautua island council member Rio Teika instigated the project earlier this year but with no luck in funding from government agencies – he turned to […]
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