National
Family first for phone book artist
Wednesday 20 November 2013 | Published in National
The winner of Telecom’s annual art competition will have her family’s faces featured on next year’s phone book. Rarotonga resident Rebecca Teinakirahi was announced yesterday as the overall winner of the competition, with her masterpiece seeing her awarded $700 cash, a mobile phone, a SIM card and top-up credit, not to mention the pride of […]
Conference attendees soak in local flavours
Wednesday 20 November 2013 | Published in National
A closing gala was held late last week for a regional audience attending the 6th Pacific Water Conference and Expo. Under a theme of greater Pacific co-operation, regional attendees from 23 Pacific Island countries gathered for an expo and a series of workshops on water-related issues. Come Friday night, it was celebration time – Raro […]
$10,000 raised for Philippines
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in Local
The Filipino community in the Cooks has raised $10,000 for their family and friends in the Philippines that was recently devastated by super typhoon Yolanda. “We never expected such an overwhelming response,” says vice president for the Filipino committee Gemma Untalasco. The funds were raised with the help of between 60 and 70 Filipinos and […]
Fresh mandate needed from Atiu – PM
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in Local
The Prime Minister has called for a by-election in Atiu following Member of Parliament Norman George’s recent party switch. PM Henry Puna says George should do what is “morally right” and face the Teenui-Mapumai constituency for a fresh mandate now that he has formally resigned from the Cook Islands Party (CIP). “Norman consistently argues about […]
Prayers for rainfall 'answered' in Raro
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in Local
Last weekend’s downpour has helped Rarotonga emerge from a prolonged dry spell that stressed resources across the island. According to the Cook Islands Meteorological Service, 37.8mm of rain was received from the period beginning Friday at 10am to early Monday morning. According to the agency’s latest data, low to medium rainfall is forecasted for the […]
Just Play reaches Lucky School on Palmerston Island
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in National
An atoll in the northern group of the Cook Islands, Palmerston Island has become the latest to join the Just Play family. The Just Play programme was launched at the school in September during the third term by school teacher Rose Clark. The launch took place at the only school on the island, Palmerston Lucky […]
Tree planting helps protect the coast
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in National
The National Environment Service (NES) conducted a presentation on Friday, November 15 with Apii Rutaki students to raise awareness of their tree planting programme. Love Your Coast- To Tatou Pirianga Tai is the 2013 theme for the NES tree planting programme and it links the connection between coastal protection and tree planting, says NES senior […]
Rainwater harvesting under discussion
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in National
Rainwater harvesting and the safety of drinking water will be under discussion at a workshop today. A key objective of the event in Rarotonga is to look at safety issues around harvesting rainwater as drinking water, and prepare participants to be able to train others in this area. The workshop also aims to improve understanding […]
Mauke residents urged to use less water
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in National
Residents on Mauke in the Cook Islands have been urged to stop using so much water. The island’s water system was upgraded just over two years ago with funding from New Zealand, to ensure a regular supply of clean water to residents on the island. More recently, the island council has been looking at ways […]
Tinomana Ariki title under dispute
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in National
As well as celebrations at the investiture of Munro Tokerau with the Tinomana Ariki title, there will also be protest against the investiture by Ngati Isaia (Matoi Rangatira). They claim that the Kopu Ariki of Ngati Tinomana have been denied the right to exercise their powers in selecting the next successor to the Tinomana title. […]
Mangaian leaders 'frustrated' with govt inaction
Tuesday 19 November 2013 | Published in National
Frustrated leaders of Mangaia say they are sick of waiting on support from central government and have decided to tackle their infrastructural challenges alone. Beset by water problems, a lack of health resources, poor roads and a shrinking workforce, the Mangaian people are developing long-terms plans to become self-reliant. Tangi Matapo, one of three MPs […]
Ministers attend traditional Tinomana Ariki investiture
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in National
The premier event of the week that will see most cabinet members in attendance will be the investiture of Tokerau Munro with the Puaikura Paramount Chief title, Tinomana Ariki. The event takes place on Thursday, and is expected to draw huge crowds from across the island. Prime Minister Henry Puna will be in the country […]
Youth not allowed to call a lawyer while imprisoned
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in Crime
A young man accused of assault claims he was not given the opportunity by prison officers to use the phone and contact a lawyer while he was imprisoned for 10 days. Maara Teretaiti, 18, had been in remand at Arorangi Prison after being arrested for assaulting a female, and appeared on Thursday for a call-over […]
PM burglary accused acquitted
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in Crime
Burglary accused William Wade has been found not guilty of breaking in to Prime Minister Henry Puna’s house and taking 4000 black pearls. Justices of the Peace Gina Williams, John Kenning and Mata Nooroa relayed their decision to an empty court room on Friday, saying prosecution had not proven that Wade broke into the house […]
Criminal association revealed in Wade trial
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in Crime
A defence witness in the trial of burglary-accused William Wade had admitted to receiving black pearls from well-known criminals Michael Brown and Riki Carlson. Wade, 27, accused of stealing 4000 black pearls from the home of the prime minister, appeared for his final trial session last Friday. Wade’s partner, Clare Piniata, and mother-in-law, Fialoma Piniata, […]
Operation Eagle appeals today
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in Crime
An array of public interest cases will be heard in this year’s court of appeal session starting today. Disgraced New Zealand ex-cop Mark Franklin is scheduled to appear in the annual Court of Appeal session beginning next Monday, in an attempt to appeal his 12 month prison sentence. Franklin will be joined by fellow Operation […]
Assault natural reaction to 'testicle grab'
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in Crime
The High Court on November 11 was presided over by Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro, who made the following judgements: Jim Arai, 46, appeared in court to face sentencing for a charge of assault on a female. Both police and Arai’s lawyer Norman George recommended a six month suspended sentence for the charge as […]
Diaries of a climate change negotiator
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in Environment
The following guest column is written by director Ana Tiraa of the Cook Islands Climate Change Division with the Office of the Prime Minister. She is currently in Warsaw, Poland attending the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change. Tiraa recently shared data gathered through a vulnerability and […]
UN Climate talks important for Cooks
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in Local
A vulnerability and adaptation study in Penhryn, Manihiki, Rakahanga and Atiu identified coastal erosion, salt water inundation, droughts and availability of water as some of the climate change impacts experienced by the communities. At the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change, these very real experiences are propelling […]
Air New Zealand wins long-haul tender
Monday 18 November 2013 | Published in Local
Kiwi airline Air New Zealand has won the tender to provide long haul aviation services for the Cook Islands. The official announcement was made by Minister of Finance Mark Brown at Friday’s 2013 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards. As a result, the airline is now expected to enter into an agreement with the […]
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