National
Diwali celebrations on in Rarotonga tomorrow
Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National
Diwali, a Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, is being celebrated in Rarotonga tomorrow at the Akaoa Hall in Arorangi. The programme starts at 7.30pm and members of the public are welcome to join in the festivities. To welcome the guests there will be a speech by president of the Indian […]
Raise the tax threshold, say NZ-paid pensioners
Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National
Increasing the amount any individual can earn without paying taxes in the Cook Islands will solve the current dispute between Grey Power and revenue collectors with the government, said a couple earning the NZ-paid pension. Ray and Vaine Robinson said raising the personal tax threshold from the current $10,000 to at least $16,000 will help […]
Tereora students awarded for year's work
Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National
The community joined the celebrations at Tereora College yesterday, as the school recognised the hard work of its senior students over the year. “It’s a really important occasion where we come together as a community and celebrate excellence,” said principal Bali Haque, adding that this could be academic, cultural or sporting excellence. Students proudly walked […]
Turoa Bakery fire under investigation
Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National
Two fire investigators from New Zealand are helping police with the recent Turoa Bakery and Saltwater Caf fire that destroyed the businesses last Saturday morning. They are also here to investigate the Nukutere College and Avatea School fires that took place on October 20. “We are investigating the fires at the bakery and caf and […]
Companies struck off for unpaid fees
Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National
Nearly 80 Cook Islands businesses have been struck off the companies register for failing to pay their annual fee. However, several of those businesses contacted by the Cook Islands News on Wednesday still had their doors open. The Ministry of Justice issued a public notice on Tuesday with a long list of domestic companies being […]
Grey Power goes on PR offensive
Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National
Members of pensioner activist group Grey Power gathered yesterday in Avarua to step up their public relations efforts. Group members gathered across the road from the headquarters of Cook Islands Police, where they took turns with a microphone to voice their grievances with government efforts to tax their pensions. Roughly 35 members of the group […]
Water drainage jobs in the pipeline
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National
Work is being planned to tackle the problem of drainage water flowing out of streams and onto nearby property in some parts of Rarotonga. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP) is currently inviting contractors to tender for four separate jobs. Joseph Akaruru, acting director of policy planning and asset management services, said the ministry […]
Airline selected as possible long haul flights candidate
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National
An airline has been selected by a government group as a possible candidate to provide long haul aviation services between the Cook Islands and destinations in the United States and Australia. A total of eight commercial airlines were approached to provide aviation services from the Cook Islands to the United States and Australia. Four responses […]
'Stolen' pearls came from father-in-law
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Crime
The identification by the Prime Minister’s wife of pearls taken from their home is being disputed in court, with the defendant saying he gets pearls from his father-in-law. Fijian man William Wade, 27, testified in court on Monday for the third day of his defended hearing. He is accused of taking 4000 pearls from the […]
National issues at climate change forum
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Environment
Climate change financing and adaption will be a key focus of the Cooks at a United Nations Convention. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held in Warsaw, Poland from November 11-22. The climate change conference will be attended by 195 parties and this will be the 19th session of the […]
TIS 'okay' with purse seining, blasts FADs
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Environment
It’s a method of fishing capable of taking massive amounts of fish out of the water at a single time – but purse seining itself doesn’t necessarily fall on the hit list of environmental conservation groups. “It’s not a great method of fishing, but I can live with it,” says Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) technical […]
Tourists robbed while snorkelling
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Local
A Japanese couple who had their scooter compartment broken into and possessions stolen earlier this week had been in the country less than 24 hours when the incident occurred. Despite being robbed of cash, a camera and other belongings, the married couple said the saddest part was losing photos of their dog that passed away […]
Foreign by-catch sale extended
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Local
The extension of a trial fishing programme will allow a foreign company to sell its by-catch to local retailers until next year. In July, the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) approved a three-month licence variation as part of a trial programme for Huanan Fisheries Ltd – a subsidiary of Luen Thai Fishing Venture – allowing […]
Theft leaves tourist family broke
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National
A family from New Zealand was recently robbed on their second night in Rarotonga. The incident took place on October 29 in the early hours of the morning while the family from Muriwai beach – a coastal community on the west coast of Auckland – was still asleep in their beds. “The people who stole […]
Festival of lights in Rarotonga
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National
Lights, candles and Bollywood performances will all be part of this year’s Diwali celebrations. Taking place at the Akaoa Hall in Arorangi on November 9, the celebrations will begin at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy a little bit of Indian culture. There will be a welcome speech by president of the […]
No cabinet endorsement for fuel tanker – Ports Authority
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National
The general manager of the Ports Authority has apologised to Triad following a letter issued from his office that incorrectly stated there is cabinet endorsement for an offshore fuel tanker project. The statement follows a letter to the editor from Triad Pacific Petroleum director Chris Vaile in CINews on November 6, which raised concerns that […]
Cooks joins cyclone risk insurance scheme
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National
The Cook Islands has signed on for a disaster risk insurance scheme. The Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Pilot was recently renewed for its second season, with the Cooks newly joining five other participating Pacific island countries – Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu – to gain insurance coverage against earthquake, tsunami and tropical […]
December start date for parliament proposed
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National
An official with the Cook Islands parliament is proposing December 9 as a start date for the house’s next sitting. Recently-hired parliament clerk John Tangi – who began the job in September – announced the proposed date this week. “Given the nature of the bills, we are looking at perhaps five days,” he said. “That […]
Te Mato Vai work continues despite BTIB warning
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National
The company tasked with managing the $60 million Te Mato Vai water infrastructure project is continuing with its work despite a warning from a government agency to cease operations. KEW Consult Limited – the company selected through government tender to manage Te Mato Vai – is continuing with ‘planning’ work, despite being warned last week […]
Hospital runs short on water
Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National
Rarotonga Hospital ran low on water this week and three tank-loads had to be trucked in to avoid sending patients home. Hospital staff noticed water pressure weakening late Monday night and alerted management the next morning. Director of hospital services Dr Henry Tikaka Henry said low pressure in the mains system meant water was not […]
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