National
US funding maritime surveillance
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in National
Recognising nearly 70 years of the United States military’s involvement in the region, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton announced that her government would be earmarking funding for increased maritime surveillance in the Pacific. The United States first penetrated the region at the start of World War II, she said, and since then has kept […]
Japan hands over Te Kainga centre
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in National
The Japanese government handed over a refurbished mental health respite facility to the Te Kainga O Pa Taunga Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre on Friday. Te Kainga received a grant of about $141,000 under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), under which it was able to complete the project. This project is […]
Lynch new seabed minerals commissioner
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in National
Local lawyer and ministerial advisor Paul Lynch has appointed to the position of seabed minerals commissioner. This was announced on Friday by deputy prime minister and minister for minerals and natural resources Tom Marsters. A selection panel short-listed applicants for the advertised position, and Marsters made the final decision pursuant to the Seabed Minerals Act […]
SPC study helps Mangaia prepare for cyclones
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in Environment
A study of tropical cyclones and associated wave action is providing information that can be used to assess the resilience of Mangaia, the most southern of the Cook Islands, to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Jens Kruger of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) said that with coastal communities, private […]
Undersea cable 'urgent'
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in Local
Talk of a new undersea cable in the region was rampant last week. Within the Forum communiqu released on Thursday, leaders acknowledged an “urgent need to implement submarine cable connectivity in the Pacific Islands region”. They asked that the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and University of the South Pacific conduct “further urgent analysis of […]
Clean water for Raro: $65m
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in Local
Rarotonga’s dirty drinking water is set to be a thing of the past, with a tri-lateral agreement promising potable water by 2015. The water partnership agreement – signed by the Cook Islands, China and New Zealand last week – aims to deliver clean drinking water to all buildings connected on Rarotonga’s existing water network. The […]
Arorangi jetty taking shape
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in National
Work on the $2 million alternative cruise liner landing platform and jetty in Arorangi is well on track for completion in mid October. Funded by the New Zealand/Australia Harmonised Aid Programme – the project includes the building of a landing platform in the middle of the lagoon with a 65-metre jetty extending from the shore […]
Cooks commemorate Merchant Navy
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in National
A service to recognise the efforts of the Merchant Navy during wartime will be held at the RSA clubrooms at 11am today. The Merchant Navy flag will be hoisted for the first time ever at the RSA. Merv Martin, an ex-fireman who served in the Merchant Navy from 1951 to 1965, explains the world is […]
Big fishing grant hooked by Mangaia
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in National
The Mangaia Island Fishing Association (MIFA) has landed the big one – a $153,921 grant from the Japanese Government. Formally known as Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP), the funding will go towards completing the island’s training facility, which will be complete with cool storage facilities and will run from solar power. Funding […]
Leaders ignore Papuan rights abuses, call for observer status
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in National
While calls from civil society organisations continued last week for Pacific leaders to grant observer status to West Papua amid fresh reports of human rights violations in the Indonesian-ruled Melanesian region, there was little interest in Forum circles. Vanuatu deputy prime minister Hamilson Lini told Pacific Scoop that while he supported the call by West […]
Call to clean up 'nuclear mess'
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in National
Ahead of US secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s visit, Pacific Forum leaders called on her government to clean up its nuclear mess in the Marshall Islands. Clinton confirmed yesterday that her government has earmarked US$3.5 million in additional funding to clean up unexploded bombs and warheads in the region. In a Forum communiqu released on […]
Celebrity guest at Manuia Beach Resort
Monday 3 September 2012 | Published in National
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been the buzz on the island for the past week, where between official meetings and photo shoots the diplomat has also taken the time to pose with local and visiting admirers. Here she is pictured with management of Manuia Beach Resort Tom and Sue Vea along with Loren […]
Clinton makes like a shark
Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton takes time out of her busy schedule to chat with Pacific Islands Conservation Initiative programme manager Jess Cramp, originally from America. Clinton accepted a request by Cramp to pose with a shark fin in support of shark protection in the Cook Islands. Clinton engaged with Cramp about her programme […]
Man jailed for assaulting female
Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in Crime
A Fijian man living in Rarotonga has been sent to prison by the chief justice for committing 10 offences, including assaulting a female. Sakaraia Sucuigau pleaded guilty to assaulting a female, threatening to kill, escaping from police custody, two thefts, two traffic offences including excess breath alcohol, and three contempt of court charges. The most […]
Clinton speaks for gender equality
Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday met with a group of men and women committed to improving the lives of their Pacific sisters. She convened the Rarotonga Dialogue on Gender Equality at Tamarind, attended by men and women from the Australian government, International Development, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, United Nations Development Program, […]
CJ Weston robbed
Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in Crime
Chief Justice Tom Weston is usually the one sentencing criminals for burglary – now he is at the receiving end. His accommodation at Sokala Villas in Muri was burgled at 5.45 yesterday morning, in the short time it took him to go outside and get the newspaper. A cellphone and wallet was taken, although the […]
'Pacific is big enough for all of us'
Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the Pacific is “big enough” to accommodate the presence and interests of both Washington and Beijing. Speaking to reporters at Ngatipa yesterday, Clinton said she welcomes China’s involvement in the Pacific. “The United States welcomes the chance to work with a broad array of partners in […]
MP sentenced for tax evasion
Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in Crime
The name suppression order against a prominent politician and lawyer convicted on tax evasion charges has been lifted. Norman George pleaded guilty in the High Court yesterday to 12 charges against him and his company Norman George and Associates. The Teenui-Mapumai (Atiu) MP was fined $21,800 on eight charges against his company for failure to […]
United States 'a Pacific nation'
Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National
Labelling the United States a “Pacific nation”, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says her government intends to be present in the region “for the long run”. “The United States is very proud to be a Pacific nation with a long history in this region, and we are committed to be here for the long […]
$25m for climate change
Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in Environment
The United States has pledged US$25 million over five years to alleviate the destructive impact of climate change on Pacific Island nations. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said yesterday that her government understands the immediacy and urgency of the issue of climate change for the Pacific Islands. “We understand very well that many of […]
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