National
New passion
Thursday 14 June 2012 | Published in National
Former Miss Maine Purotu and national dance champion Uirangi Bishop hopes to take charge of a vaka one day. The 24-year-old Aitutaki woman is on Cook Islands Vaka Marumaru Atua which was part of World Oceans Day celebrations in Suva this week. After boarding in Aitutaki in the Cooks to Samoa and then to Fiji, […]
Shark finning alleged
Thursday 14 June 2012 | Published in Environment
In Parliament Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen asked marine resources minister Teina Bishop to comment on allegations that vessels licensed under the exploratory programme are finning sharks illegally. ”Is the minister aware that under the exploratory licences scheme or regime…people who are fishing in our waters, particularly Asian fishermen fishing in our waters, are finning sharks?“ […]
NZ warship HMNZS Canterbury visits Cook Islands
Thursday 14 June 2012 | Published in Local
New Zealand naval vessel HMNZS Canterbury (right) arrived at Rarotonga yesterday and was anchored off Avarua last night. The ship may be used to transport fuel to the Northern Group, but this could not be confirmed by maritime police. The multi-role vessel of the Royal New Zealand navy was commissioned in 2007 and cost $130 […]
New shipping venture
Thursday 14 June 2012 | Published in Local
Some local importers are still pushing hard to source a new international shipping vessel for servicing the Cook Islands’ needs, and Minister of Transport Tom Marsters believes they will succeed. Yesterday in Parliament Mangaia MP Winton Pickering asked Marsters to confirm whether Pacific Direct Line (PDL) was being allocated a third shipping licence. At present […]
Minister advocates 'smacking'
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in Local
Cabinet minister Teariki Heather has said that to curb youth crime, government should allow ”parents to smack their children“. During question-and-answer time in Parliament yesterday, Nikao MP Ngamau ‘Aunty Mau’ Munokoa raised the issue of youth crime, directing her comment at the minister of police. ”This is to do with our children who are causing […]
'Rocket' man's return
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in Local
Norman George claims to be back with the Demos. The Teenui-Mapumai MP said in Parliament yesterday that he has been admitted to the Atiu branch of the Democratic Party. ”I’m back home, Mr Deputy Speaker,“ he said, adding that he was also nominated as the Democratic Party candidate for Teenui-Mapumai during the 2014 general elections. […]
'Toagate' back in the limelight
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in Local
Atiu MP Norman George raised the ‘Toagate’ issue – long a thorn in government’s side – in Parliament yesterday. He asked finance minister Mark Brown whether government was still giving Toa an annual payout of up to $1 million, and to explain why. Brown confirmed that government is still paying Toa – or topping up […]
A million litres of diesel makes Aitutaki's power
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in National
The Aitutaki Power Supply is currently calling for tenders to supply diesel to the power station on Aitutaki. The contract to supply Aitutaki power station (APS) with diesel has been with Reef Bulk Fuel of Auckland for the last 12 years. Their latest three year contract is about to expire, leaving the way clear for […]
Brown defends levy
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in National
Finance minister Mark Brown hit back yesterday at Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen’s criticism of the fizzy drink import levy. Rasmussen has been vocal in his attack of the Budget, which reflects a $98,000 surplus that he believes is the result of number-shifting rather than wise financial planning. On Monday he alleged that by enacting import […]
Text number up
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in National
A new youth counselling textline is due to start working today – two weeks after the launch of free youth helpline 0800 HELP. The service is run by Youthline New Zealand and is a free and confidential support network that troubled youth can ring – and now text – for advice. The number to text […]
MP swears off fizzy drinks
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in National
Aitutaki Member of Parliament Mona Ioane has praised the Budget for addressing the needs of people in the pa enua. He said Budget Book 3, which outlines all government’s funded capital works over the next three years, is his ”favourite book“. ”This is my favourite book because in there, there is a lot about the […]
Smoke signal in House
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in National
Tupapa-Maraerenga MP George Angene has said that while he supports the Budget, he sympathises with smokers over the increase in the import levy for tobacco. ”I am taking a look around this house and I believe I am the only smoker and I am encouraging my colleagues to smoke so that you will be strong […]
$1.7m for ministerial support
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in National
The Budget reduces funds available for ministerial support offices by $3000, resulting in a net appropriation of $1.79 million a year. ”Over time the Ministerial Support Offices appropriation has increased in amounts and staffing numbers to the point where the appropriations are fiscally unsustainable,“ reads Budget Book 1. ”The Ministerial Support Offices have undertaken a […]
Budget not a 'wish list' – Brown
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in National
Finance minister Mark Brown has dismissed Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen’s allegations that his Budget was ”for show“ and ”about appearances“. He notes that Budget Book 3 is not a ”wish list“, but instead sets out a schedule of projects that are ”definitely“ funded. ”The process we’ve done is outlined exactly the projects we’re going to […]
Shipping relief on the way
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in National
Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters, whose portfolios include transport, says Tapi Taio’s new boat is on the way. He said he has been in discussion with Taio Shipping, who indicated their plan is still to source a second ship. Marsters told Parliament that the Samoa freighter Northern Star was ”only a temporary measure until Tapi […]
'Budget fails to stimulate growth in economy'
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in National
Nukuroa MP Tangata Vavia has said the only sector the Budget actually supports is the pearl industry, and that it fails ”miserably“ to support others. ”My views are similar to (Norman George’s) as we realise there are weak points in the budget,“ Vavia said in Parliament yesterday. ”I was expecting to see policies by government […]
Budget 800 pages of 'verbal diarrhea'
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in National
Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George says the Budget prioritises the Tourism Authority to the detriment of ”the little people“, in particular the country’s growers. ”This budget is for people on high income, for people earning $30,000 upwards. There is nothing here for the little people of this country There is nothing in this budget to cut […]
National plan for sharks
Wednesday 13 June 2012 | Published in Environment
The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) will hold a consultation on its National Plan of Action for Sharks starting on Thursday afternoon at 1pm and continuing Friday morning at New Hope Church, Avarua, Rarotonga. MMR secretary Ben Ponia will lead the consultation which will include a presentation on global and regional shark issues by Dr […]
Recycled sculptures cut waste
Tuesday 12 June 2012 | Published in Environment
Friday morning saw five judges visit 11 sculptures around Rarotonga for the SLM Recycled Sculptures competition which was the last event for National Environment Week. Groups, government departments, businesses and other organisations were invited to participate by creating sculptures of sea creatures out of waste material from their office/workplace/community to display during Environment Week. With […]
Rasmussen delivers long attack on Budget
Tuesday 12 June 2012 | Published in Local
Twice, the time window was extended for Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen to finish his speech condemning government’s Budget in Parliament yesterday. Tabled last Thursday, the Budget is the subject of debate and discussion for the duration of this week. Rasmussen opened the formal Budget debate, which followed the initial question-and-answer time yesterday. He has been […]
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