National
Belles and Tahiti Nui crowned champs
Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in National
Australian womens oe vaka crew Crown Beach Belles and French Polynesia mens team Tahiti Nui were crowned the ultimate Vaka Eiva paddling teams yesterday when they took out the pinnacle race of the paddling festival – the 36km round Raro Relay Race. The Crown Beach Belles gunned it home in a time of 3.25.53 to […]
Vaka team welcomed to Nikao Maori
Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in National
Nikao Maori School opened their arms wide in welcome on Friday morning for their adopted vaka team. It was the second visit to the school for vaka team Fluffy Slippers, whom they also adopted last year. The morning was a time of giving from both sides, with the vaka team donating 37 boxes of school […]
Chinese Ambassador visits QR
Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in National
Chinese Ambassador designate to the Cook Islands Wang Lutong presented his credentials to Queen’s Representative Tom Marsters on Wednesday during a morning ceremony at Government House. During the event, which was attended by various local dignitaries, government officials, and members of the local Chinese community, Ambassador Wang made an address, saying, “… the Chinese government […]
Inventor's dream one step closer
Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in National
After an informative meeting earlier this week, Rarotonga inventor Ken Kingsbury thinks he’s one step closer to achieving his dream of seeing a wave-powered vessel plough the seas of the South Pacific. The inventor of the popular ‘Treddlecat’ vessels – which can be seen zipping across the lagoon in Muri – held the meeting to […]
Tax changes 'in favour' of outer islands – economist
Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in National
A series of changes being proposed to the Cook Islands tax system will be “very much in favour” of people living in the outer islands, says a government economist. Officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) have been in the northern group this week speaking about the tax review, which includes plans […]
Seasoned paddlers lead the way round Raro
Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in National
Seasoned paddlers in the senior master men’s division led the early charge in yesterday’s Bob Worthington Memorial Trophy round Raro relay race in choppy and messy seas. Local senior master men’s crew Boiler Boys of the Te Tupu o Te Manava club flew off the line to lead the fleet of senior mixed master men […]
High Commissioner tackles new obstacles
Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in National
New Zealand High Commissioner Joanna Kempkers tackled a military-style obstacle course on Tuesday, with help from her team. The ‘time trial’ course rules meant that the team was penalised for breaking a rule by having seconds added to their overall completion time. The exercise took place at 2.30pm at the Mitiaro Hostel, with the high […]
Business group supports Muri night market
Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in National
Most of the people selling food at a night market in Muri are experienced vendors who are unlikely be serving up contaminated meals, says the head of a major business support group. Tourists have been flocking to the Thursday night market in Muri but a number of restaurant owners approached the Business Trade Investment Board […]
Waiting time for fuel hosting bidders
Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in National
Companies competing for a controversial fuel storage contract have submitted their best offers and are waiting to find out who the winning bidder is. Crown-owned power authority Te Aponga Uira (TAU) invited tenders for the fuel hosting contract at the start of November and closed the door to bids earlier this week. The contract involves […]
Parliament start date announced
Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in National
A firm date for the beginning of the final session of parliament in 2013 has been announced by clerk John Tangi. A sitting of five days is scheduled to begin at 1pm on Monday December 2, with a possible spill-over into the following week. Tangi said the final day will be devoted to members of […]
Telecom calls for old SIM cards
Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Technology
A late shipment and extra demand created by Vaka Eiva visitors have combined to leave Telecom running low on SIM cards and calling out for help. Telecom Cook Islands mobile customers received a text message yesterday asking them to return any old SIM (subscriber identification module) cards sitting at home. Telecom sales and marketing manager […]
Kora brings 'alien funk'
Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Local
Rarotonga music lovers can expect to have an out of this world experience tonight when New Zealand five-piece band Kora drop a fresh set at the Vaka Eiva ‘paddles up’ party tonight at Avarua harbour. On Rarotonga for the first time, band members (from left) Stu Kora, Richie Allan, Joe Brownless and tour manager Ben […]
BTIB to consider arson loan query
Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Local
A retrospective loan query from a victim of arson, who saw his business burn to the ground a year ago, will be considered by the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) following its loan offer to a more recent arson victim. Eric Short, the former owner of Avatiu’s Eric Short Automotive Limited which was razed to […]
'Suspicious' fire investigated
Thursday 28 November 2013 | Published in Local
A fire alleged to be deliberate and a stolen motorbike were among the incidents that kept the police on their feet over the weekend. “At about 6pm on Friday November 22, a resident of Turangi, Ngatangiia reported of a suspicious fire to their property. It is alleged to have been a deliberate act. As yet […]
Stoddart 'advised on tax-free pension'
Thursday 28 November 2013 | Published in Local
A New Zealand pensioner says he was advised to transfer his plan to the Cook Islands for tax-free treatment by former Inland Revenue collector Geoff Stoddart. Rarotonga resident Don Reid – who collects the NZ-paid pension after working and paying income taxes in New Zealand for most of his life – said Stoddart provided the […]
High achiever!
Thursday 28 November 2013 | Published in Local
It was a wobbly start on the stilts for young Johahn Strecker (12) at Titikaveka College yesterday where he, along with his Sunshine Coast teammates, were invited to take part in traditional games and taught coconut husking and ei making. As part of the Vaka Eiva ‘adopt a school’ programme, the crew visited the college […]
Purse seine consultations conducted on Mauke
Thursday 28 November 2013 | Published in National
Tension on Mauke concerning purse seine fishing has been lifted following a meeting with the public and the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) on Thursday last week, according to an MMR release. Held at the church hall, the meeting was attended by around 50 people and chaired by the Mauke Island Council. Ministry of Marine […]
2014-2015 budget up for discussion
Thursday 28 November 2013 | Published in National
Ministers, secretaries, and an assortment of public service officials gathered earlier this week as a prelude to the 2014-15 budget process. At a retreat held at the Edgewater Resort and Spa on Monday and Tuesday, government officials from the various ministries discussed their priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Finance minister Mark Brown said the […]
Muri market upsets local businesses
Thursday 28 November 2013 | Published in National
A number of restaurant owners in Muri have expressed concerns that a regular night market in their neighbourhood is putting the health and safety of tourists at risk. There are also fears that the market vendors have an unfair competitive advantage through not having to pay tax. Debbie Hunter began running a day market at […]
Plaintiffs weigh in on superannuation case
Wednesday 27 November 2013 | Published in Local
Day three of the superannuation case saw the focus shift to the plaintiffs, who began to present arguments that fund legislation is in line with the Cook Islands constitution. In court, the superannuation fund’s legal team – led by solicitor general Kim Saunders and NZ-based lawyer Mike Ruffin – began presenting arguments for the court […]
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