National
Police training stresses community involvement
Wednesday 27 November 2013 | Published in National
Community involvement was the focus of a recent police training programme. Constable Martin Iro underwent eight weeks of pre-deployment training in preparation for his services in Regional Mission of Solomon Islands (RAMSI) starting October 8. The training is in Canberra, Australia, but due to medical reasons he had to come back to Cook Islands earlier […]
Animal lovers unite and donate!
Wednesday 27 November 2013 | Published in National
Christmas has come early for staff and animals at the local Esther Honey animal clinic in Nikao with a whopping $22,000 donation of food and pet equipment by the visiting Rogz for Dogz Vaka Eiva team. This is the sixth year the visiting Australian paddling team has donated so generously to the local animal clinic […]
New 'persons of interest' in arson cases
Wednesday 27 November 2013 | Published in National
Police are investigating new ‘persons of interest’ who may have played a part in the arson attacks on two schools, a bakery and cafe in Rarotonga recently. There have been no breakthroughs in the case though, and $20,000 in reward money has failed to entice information from the public. Detective inspector Areumu Ingaua said police […]
30 physical activities for 31 young men
Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in National
“Go team”, “hurry up” and “we can do it” were the catchphrases of an obstacle course at the Mitiaro Hostel held on November 21. The military-style obstacle course at the hostel saw the fitness and teamwork skills of 31 young men aged 13 to 20 being tested to the limit. The young men are part […]
School leavers wanted: MFEM
Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in National
School leavers are invited to apply for a government programme that provides work experience and an offer of full-time employment at the end. The Young Achievers (YA) Programme sees bright young graduates taken under the wing of staff at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM). The school leavers learn the ropes in all […]
Earlier reporting needed – maggots
Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in National
Piles of maggots that were recently found floating in Avatiu Harbour should have been reported earlier by witnesses to increase the chances of prosecution, says an inspector at the Ministry of Health. William Taripo found out about the maggots, which were floating on pieces of polystyrene in the Western Marina, only by chance as he […]
Northern group offers rainwater lessons
Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in National
Hard lessons taken from the northern islands should inform future attempts to get people collecting rainwater in the southern Cooks, says a ministry of finance official. A major rainwater harvesting project in 2011 saw a total of 356 water tanks installed on four of the northern islands – Pukapuka, Nassau, Penrhyn and Rakahanga – but […]
Superannuation scheme unconstitutional - lawyer
Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in Local
A lawyer is arguing that compensation for superannuation contributions should be guaranteed in a high-profile court case. The Cook Islands High Court saw the second day of the superannuation case yesterday, where lawyer Tim Arnold – representing eight defendants – built on his argument that a lack of guarantee of fund contributions infringes on an […]
Stoddart role with PERC to be reviewed
Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in Local
The Crocombe tax case has prompted the minister of finance to look into the involvement of Rarotonga resident Geoff Stoddart with a body dealing with accountability of public servants and spending. Minister Mark Brown’s intention to review Stoddart’s role with Public Expenditure Review Committee (PERC) comes after last week’s court of appeal judgement, which criticised […]
The art of giving
Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in Local
New Zealand High Commissioner Joanna Kempkers (left) gifted a stunning Tongan tapa cloth to the Cook Islands National Museum, accepted by museum manager Justina Nicholas. Kempkers was gifted the beautiful tapa cloth during the 6th Pacific Water Conference and Expo held recently by members of the Tongan delegation. As the cloth was crafted by Tongan […]
Puka tapu Maori no Apii Ruamanu
Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in National
Ruamanu School students on the island of Manihiki will receive a Maori bible each for their end of year prize giving. Some 50 new Maori bibles were sourced for the school with the support of Vania Kenning from internal affairs and the Rarotonga-based Manihiki community. Ruamanu School principal Retire Puapii shares the school and students’ […]
Ringi not hired by MFAI secretary
Monday 25 November 2013 | Published in Crime
Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jim Gosselin did not have the authority to sack Director of Immigration Kave Ringi last year, because he was not the one who appointed him to the role. That was one of the arguments presented to the Court of Appeal on Tuesday last week by Ringi’s lawyers Brian Mason and […]
Trevor Clarke censured in Crocombe case
Monday 25 November 2013 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Local
One of the most prominent businessmen in Cook Islands history has been censured by the court for providing advice on a competitor’s tax assessment. On Friday, the Court of Appeal delivered its judgement on the second ground of a tax-related appeal by businessman Tata Crocombe – managing director and shareholder of the Rarotongan Beach Resort […]
Ministry focuses on teacher aides
Monday 25 November 2013 | Published in National
Teacher aides in Rarotonga had the opportunity to update their first aid skills recently, as part of their professional development through the Ministry of Education. Thirteen teacher aides took part in the first aid course taken by the Red Cross this month, with inclusive education and assistive technology advisor at the Ministry of Education Ngaria […]
Glassie in Bangkok to bolster AIDS fight
Monday 25 November 2013 | Published in National
Minister of Health Nandi Glassie launched a regional sexual diversity plan on Wednesday at the 11th International Congress on Aids for Asia Pacific. “This five-year plan focuses the network to speak out for equality, justice and achieving the Three Zeros to end HIV/AIDS in the Pacific,” said Glassie, after launching the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network’s […]
Cultural project funding to be discussed at workshop
Monday 25 November 2013 | Published in National
A workshop relating to cultural and creative projects will be held today by the ministry of culture. The workshop looks to gauge the interest and needs of those in the industry, and see what projects practitioners and organisations wish to pursue that might be candidates for government funding. “In order to establish a clearer idea […]
Ministers attend retreat
Monday 25 November 2013 | Published in National
Cabinet ministers and their respective secretaries will be gathering for a two-day retreat at the Edgewater Resort and Spa today. “It’s basically a prelude to the budget process,” said Finance Minister Mark Brown. Described as an annual retreat, the meeting includes the government outlining its priorities for the next fiscal year, and results in the […]
'Exciting' work for water master plan architects
Monday 25 November 2013 | Published in National
Representatives from the global engineering company commissioned to design the Te Mato Vai master plan were recently in the Cook Islands to work on the $60 million project. AECOM, a global engineering company, was selected by the Cook Islands government through tender to develop the master plan. The company’s principal consultant Colin Gerrard and associate […]
No loan offer from BTIB, says victim
Monday 25 November 2013 | Published in National
The victim of an arson-related fire feels left out after receiving no offer for a startup loan from the Business Trade Investment Board. Eric Short, the former owner of Avatiu’s Eric Short Automotive Limited, had his business razed to the ground in a November 2012 fire, alongside adjoining entity Raro Cars. Earlier this week, Turoa […]
Pay rise is possible for minimum wage earners
Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in National
The Cook Islands’ minimum wage will come up for review early next year after sitting at the same rate for the past seven years. Minister of Internal Affairs Nandi Glassie announced yesterday that a panel is currently being formed to consider lifting the $5 minimum wage. Under legislation passed last year – the Employment Relations […]
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