National
Roadside rubbish an issue up hospital hill
Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Environment
For 35 years Dianne Dorrell has been picking up roadside rubbish on Rarotonga, and she has had enough. Dorrell and neighbour Len Edwards live on hospital hill and they have taken it upon themselves over the years to clean up the mess that others leave behind. This means clearing away the beer bottles, cans and […]
Marumaru Atua leads Pacific Voyagers fleet into Arutanga
Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Local
Drum beats and traditional chants welcomed six of the seven voyaging vaka into Arutanga harbour in Aitutaki yesterday as the whole island gathered to welcome the 120 voyaging warriors. Long before the canoes arrived in the harbour, Aitutaki islanders flocked to the beaches to watch the majestic double-hulled canoes under full sail across the reef. […]
Review needed on investor screening
Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in National
Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen says the recent experiences of hopeful start-up Kia Orana Air are revealing some potential problems for the Cook Islands in its methods for allowing foreign investors in to the country. The recent announcement by Kia Orana Air that it will no longer be viable for it to set up and operate […]
BTIB suggests an investment 'bond'
Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in National
The investor troubles that have grounded domestic airline hopeful Kia Orana Air raise ”grave concerns“ about the measures governing foreign investors in the Cook Islands, Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen said. The airline’s managing director Mark Lusby last week announced that Kia Orana Air would be grounded indefinitely because he had some ”serious questions“ about American […]
Candlelight vigil to raise AIDS awareness
Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in National
Promoting health and dignity together in the Pacific is this year’s theme for the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, which the Pacific will join the rest of the world in commemorating on May 20. This year marks the 29th anniversary of the candlelight memorial, and Pacific Island countries and territories including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua […]
3 dancers on Japan mission
Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in National
Three of the Cook Islands’ star dancers left Rarotonga for Japan at the weekend with a three-pronged mission – to star on Japanese television, perform at the high-level PALM6 meeting and represent the country at the Pacific Cultural Art Festival in Tokyo. For weeks group leader Tina Kae has been organising rehearsals for the trio, […]
Pa promotes the coconut
Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in National
Pa Marie Ariki has been vocal in her crusade against diabetes and unhealthy habits. Her ultimate goal is the health and well-being of her Cook Islands people, too many of whom she has seen succumb to non-communicable diseases brought on by unhealthy lifestyles. Here, Pa Ariki discusses the health benefits of the coconut. There are […]
Patrick proves it's possible
Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in National
New Zealand media recently covered a story about Cook Islander Patrick Kauraka, who lost 60 kilograms in one year. The story, reproduced below, featured in Stuff at the weekend. Patrick Kauraka shed 60 kilograms over the past year using nothing but pure will and determination to reach for steamed broccoli instead of fried chicken. The […]
Jetty design tweaked
Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in Local
A number of minor changes to the Arorangi cruise ship jetty project have been incorporated into the jetty’s design plans, bringing the project another step closer to the start of its construction. The jetty design last month underwent a peer review through companies in New Zealand to ensure it can stand up to the forces […]
Australia proposes $55 departure tax
Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands government might consider accusing the Australian government of plagiarism after they announced their plans for the nation’s departure tax in last week’s budget announcement. The Australian plans for their so-called passenger movement tax are similar to the Cook Islands’ intentions and financial secretary Richard Neves looked on with interest as the Australian […]
Dredge arrives for Avatiu port project
Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in Local
Ten weeks of 24-hour dredging is due to begin in Avatiu Harbour from today. The backhoe dredge Kimahia has arrived in the port after a two-week tow from Auckland. The 100-tonne, barge-mounted excavator is the largest of its type in New Zealand and will carry out the dredging of the port as part of the […]
Film challenge accepting scripts
Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in National
The Cook Islands’ own international film challenge – which claims to be like ”no other in the world“ – is now accepting scripts. Driven by Cook Islander and experienced filmmaker Stan Wolfgramm, the challenge will encourage eight international film crews to shoot and create films on Rarotonga in March of next year. Their expenses will […]
Bishop helps identify Pacific priorities
Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in National
Minister Teina Bishop is in Vanuatu this week to help identify the education priorities for the Pacific in a Forum Education Ministers Meeting in Port Villa. The meeting is the ninth gathering of Forum education ministers and will provide an opportunity for the Pacific leaders to explore how they can work together in developing education […]
Busy work sheet for health minister
Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in National
Minister of Health Nandi Glassie will attend the Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting followed by the World Health Assembly in Geneva this month, at which he will discuss with leaders how they are tackling critical issues such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in their countries. More than 170 countries are expected to be represented by their ministers […]
PM estimates energy overhaul at $800m
Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in National
Prime Minister Henry Puna has estimated it will cost US$800 million to overhaul the country’s energy template in order that all of its electricity comes from renewable sources. Puna, who is also in-coming chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, told a high-level conference in Barbados that he is still committed to supporting the Sustainable Energy […]
Teen enters pageant 'to gain confidence'
Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in National
Proud Telecom staff crowded the room to watch as this year’s Miss Telecom Cook Islands Saramata Takai signed her sponsorship agreement on Friday, sealing her status as the second Miss Cook Islands pageant contestant to be introduced to the public. The 18-year-old beauty will represent Telecom Cook Islands at the Miss Cook Islands pageant in […]
Organic farming venture advanced
Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in Environment
A successful public-private partnership in Cook Islands is helping the country realise its plans to revitalise agriculture by developing organic farming. The partnership was last week highlighted at a meeting of the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) in Papeete, French Polynesia. The Cook Islands delegation was led by associate minister of agriculture Kiriau […]
Moringa plantation launched
Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in Environment
The first moringa oleifera plantation on Rarotonga was launched on Wednesday morning with light showers of rain at the time deemed a blessing on the project. The nutritional benefits of the moringa oleifera plant were discovered by Mauke resident Hugh Graham when he was researching stock feed for his goat project on the island. On […]
3 ministers abroad next week
Saturday 12 May 2012 | Published in National
Minister Nandi Glassie this weekend begins a trip that takes in New Zealand, Israel and Switzerland and covers duties in his health and agriculture portfolios. The main purpose for his journey is to join more than 170 countries in Switzerland for two health meetings, the first being the Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting followed by the […]
Calling out tech-savvy girls
Saturday 12 May 2012 | Published in National
Cook Islands internet advocates are using a rather novel tribute day with a more serious value to highlight one shortcoming of information and communication technology (ICT) industry. Maureen Hilyard, the Rarotonga-based chair of the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society, backed the message behind the recent ”Girls in Tech Day“ and said she’d too […]
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