National
Avatea proposes brand new school
Wednesday 4 December 2013 | Published in National
A proposal by Apii Avatea to build a new primary school in Nikao will be considered by the Ministry of Education, alongside some opposition from the Nikao Maori School community. The proposed idea is to replace the two schools, which are situated next door to each other, with a single new school. This follows extensive […]
Govt proposes at least 12c rise to minimum wage
Wednesday 4 December 2013 | Published in National
A government proposal which may see the minimum wage raised by only 12 cents has been labelled “ridiculous” by the head of the Cook Islands Workers Association. Minister of Internal Affairs Nandi Glassie announced last month that a panel is being formed to consider increasing the $5 minimum wage. Workers at the bottom of the […]
Public imput at TMV meeting
Wednesday 4 December 2013 | Published in National
The public may have an opportunity to provide input for the $60million Te Mato Vai water infrastructure project before the end of the year. Te Mato Vai communications advisor Jaewynn McKay said she is hopeful public consultations will begin by the end of 2013. She said project officials are working on the summary of the […]
Chamber raises Te Mato Vai concerns
Wednesday 4 December 2013 | Published in National
The Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce has expressed concerns about the lack of consultation with the business community regarding the $60 million Te Mato Vai project. The organisation, which represents private business owners, has published an open letter to Finance Minister Mark Brown expressing their “immediate concerns … with respect to the planning, design and […]
Opposition questions Te Mato Vai salaries
Wednesday 4 December 2013 | Published in National
Debate on the $60 million Te Mato Vai water infrastructure project dominated question period during the second day of the current sitting of parliament yesterday. Discussion on the large-scale infrastructure undertaking began with a question by opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen, who asked the government about the rates of pay for those currently involved with the […]
Open letter stirs up fuel debate
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in Local
A long-running feud between two local fuel companies has been stirred up again by an open letter of warning written to the public. Triad Pacific Petroleum and Toa Petroleum are both competing for a contract to store fuel for Crown-owned power authority Te Aponga Uira (TAU), which supplies 90 per cent of the country’s electricity […]
Pig hunters may have started fire
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in National
A massive bushfire in Aitutaki at the weekend was probably started by hunters trying to flush wild pigs out of the scrub, says the island’s mayor. Although the main blaze has now died out, locals are still on guard in case any one of several remaining spot fires are fanned up by strong winds. Mayor […]
Take the cake
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in Local
40 years ago, Mere Macquarie, Tina Manuel, Akaiti Puna and Amene Rangi were among the small group of Air New Zealand employees that welcomed the first Air NZ jet to Rarotonga – the DC8 on December 2 in 1973. While the three women have moved on after long careers with the airline, Amene Rangi is […]
Opposition: Where's the deputy PM?
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in Local
The opposition Democratic Party hit at the Puna government yesterday in parliament for delaying the appointment of a deputy prime minister. The issue was raised by Nikao member of parliament Aunty Mau Munokoa, who said in parliament she was surprised to see infrastructure minister Teariki Heather sitting in the seat previously occupied by former deputy […]
Funds raised by restaurant to be donated to two schools
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in National
A three-course set dinner to raise funds for Nukutere College and Avatea School has sold out. Organised by Kikau Hut Restaurant for today, 60 tickets were sold at $40 a pop, with 100 per cent of the funds raised on the night to go to the schools. The dining hours for the fundraiser are 6pm […]
Books donated to Avatea School
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in National
Around 1000 books were donated to Apii Avatea to assist in the speedy recovery of the school’s learning programme. On Wednesday, Tungane Broadbent donated her own Rainbow Reading Programme resources to the school, which recently lost buildings and resources – including its library – due to an act of arson. The resources were funded by […]
Local help for Filipino community
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in National
When Aitutaki was hit by a cyclone in 2010, the Filipino community of the Cook Islands helped in whatever way they could. Now, it’s payback time. The Philippines was recently devastated by super typhoon Haiyan, locally called Yolanda, which killed thousands when it barrelled through the islands on November 8. According to Aituaki MP and […]
Budget consultation document 2014/15 released
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in National
The Budget Consultation document 2014-15 has been released. The document, which contains some basic facts to inform people on how to prepare for the 2014-15 budget, is available electronically on the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) website and in hard copy from the MFEM office. The upcoming budget intends to outline in detail […]
Spotlight on 'branchless banking' in Pacific
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in National
A growing trend towards mobile banking in the Pacific has prompted financial services experts to meet and discuss the future of ‘branchless banking’. Senior executives from the Central Banks of six Pacific Island countries gathered in Sydney, Australia last week to look at the shift in banking practises throughout the region. Many Pacific peoples now […]
Breast cancer foundation president leaves her post
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in National
After six years in the role, the president of the Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation (CIBCF) Dawn Baudinet has stepped down. “We have done and achieved a lot,” says Baudinet. “It is time for me to move on and is time for a change. This year has been a very busy year and we’ve done […]
Air NZ celebrates 40 years with cake
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in National
Air New Zealand paid homage to original staff members and tourism industry players who have played a part in the airline’s 40-year history of flying jets into the Cook Islands. An intimate celebration ceremony was held at the Rarotonga International Airport Koru lounge where Air New Zealand Cook Islands branch manager David Bridge thanked those […]
Cook Islander serves as a role model for youth
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in National
Helping Cook Islands youth find direction and purpose in their lives is what drove Cook Islander corporal Tapaitau Williams to be part of a youth leadership course. Williams is a descendant of the Tapaitau family line from Penrhyn and he has been a serving member of the New Zealand army for 10 years and he […]
Proud moments at youth graduation
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in National
A group of young men graduated from a military-style leadership course on Friday. The 31 young men took part in the course at Mitiaro Hostel from November 11-29, which included drills, early-morning wake-up calls and work experience. The course was run by New Zealand defence force’s youth development unit and the Blue Light committee, which […]
Western Union electronic draw
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in Economy
One Vaka Eiva paddling crew were winners before they even hit the water, before they walked off the plane in fact! The Paddle Chicks stepped off the plane from New Zealand and were pleasantly surprised when told they had won the Fexco Western Union electronic draw. In previous years winners of the electronic draw have […]
Pukapuka community calls for food
Tuesday 3 December 2013 | Published in National
The Pukapuka community is calling for food donations as it prepares for the official opening of its new accommodation unit. The two-storey building, which began construction in May, will be unveiled on Friday, amid more fundraising efforts to assist with the project. President of the Pukapuka community on Rarotonga Makirere Poila says people are encouraged […]
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