National
Sex accused's exit reads like fiction
Monday 16 April 2012 | Published in National
New Zealand Police have abandoned their efforts to prosecute a man in absentia after he fled the country by yacht six weeks before his child sex charges trial. Aucklander Christopher Michael David Peppiatt sparked an international mystery after his unmanned yacht Bonny was found drifting off the Cook Islands in January. Peppiatt, 62, had sailed […]
Heads of ministry jobs close today
Monday 16 April 2012 | Published in National
The recruitment process for heads of government departments is now well underway with applications for the 10 positions closing today. The positions have been advertised for three weeks and public service commissioner Russell Thomas said although a number of applications had already been received, more were expected to arrive by Monday for the positions of […]
Theft, drugs, assault cases dealt with
Monday 16 April 2012 | Published in Crime
Justice of the Peace John Kenning presided over a session of the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua on Thursday morning. Rodney Ngatikao did not appear when called to face a single charge of assaulting a female. Defence counsel Norman George admitted he did not know his client’s whereabouts, and the bench ordered a warrant […]
Carbon emissions rise 64% in 12 years
Monday 16 April 2012 | Published in Environment
The Cook Islands’ carbon dioxide emissions have risen by 61 percent between 1994 and 2006 according to a report released by the National Environmental Service. The large majority of emissions are emulating from generators and transport throughout the country, which account for four out of every five tonnes of CO2 being released by the Cook […]
Nine apply for Suwarrow jobs
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in Environment
The National Environment Service (NES) has received nine applications for two Suwarrow park ranger positions. The positions were advertised recently, and the deadline to submit passed this week. Elizabeth Munro of NES says a panel of three people will be interviewing all nine applicants, as there is “no need for shortlisting”. The interview panel will […]
Pearl auction to help sailors
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in Local
Two pearls of Manihiki have received an added push in their Olympic dreams thanks to a contribution from the Cook Islands Pearl Authority. The authority has donated a pearl necklace to the Cook Islands Sailing Association to help fund Helema Williams and Taua Elisa’s Olympic qualifier attempts and – all things going to plan – […]
Salute to Wigmore
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in Local
The Democratic Party is mourning the loss of one of its most prominent leaders. The Honourable Robert Wigmore lost his battle with cancer yesterday morning, his passing leaving a void in the heart of Titikaveka and within the Democratic Party. Described by those who knew him as a “very hardworking man” and a “quiet achiever”, […]
Hostile backlash to charges
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in Local
Backlash to proposed increases to airport charges appear to have sunk Airport Authority plans for dramatic rises to its fee structure, although no official word from government has confirmed such reports. Cook Islands News understands draft proposals that pitched increases to airport usage fees of between 80 and 300 percent over three years have now […]
Elderly called to discussion
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in National
Elderly people aged 60 and over are invited to a meeting on Monday at the Sinai Hall to discuss what services and activities they would like access to here in the Cook Islands. According to Dr Rangi Fariu, director of community health services, a number of different agencies are currently involved in providing services to […]
Economic Summit scorecard: 2/10
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in National
By Vaine Wichman Development Economist Almost a year has passed since government hosted an economic summit that promised: So what is on the ground today? A pledge was made to ensure that policy interventions would boost economic growth. Since then an economic taskforce was set up and the second Sustainable Development Plan was softly launched […]
PM expresses condolences
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in National
Prime Minister Henry Puna expresses his condolences to the family of the former leader of the Democratic Party, Robert Wigmore, who passed away yesterday. Paying tribute to Robert Wigmore, who was deputy prime minister in 2010 and a cabinet minister the year prior, Puna said he had forged a formidable legacy as a businessman and […]
'Man of wisdom' honoured
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in National
Papa Robert Wigmore’s passing leaves a void in the Cook Islands Parliament, the Democratic Party, the village of Titikaveka and the heart of the nation. A senior politician, successful businessman and diligent grower, Wigmore, who died at age 62, made myriad contributions to his beloved village and to his country. Wigmore lost his battle with […]
Youth offenders – what to do?
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in National
Cook Islands Police are becoming increasingly frustrated with the repeat offending of delinquent youth at Rarotonga and are considering a range of suggestions in order to crack down on underage burglars. A number of delinquent youth have been apprehended by police for committing burglaries during the last fortnight. This week a 17-year-old male was apprehended […]
Tourism a contributor to youth crime?
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in National
Following years of research into Cook Islands criminal behaviour, Australian psychologist Meg Perkins proposes a means of combating the problem of young children stealing from tourists. She believes tourism has widened the gap between rich and poor in the Cook Islands, thereby elevating crime rates. Accordingly she suggests that tourism operators should be responsible for […]
Police portfolio goes to Heather
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in National
Teariki Heather will take over duties as Minister of Police from Prime Minister Henry Puna in a swap that will also see Puna become Minister for the Outer Islands. Puna will officially hand over the duties to Heather at a police parade to be held on Tuesday. The ministerial duties of the outer islands has […]
'No decisions'
Friday 13 April 2012 | Published in National
Government late yesterday confirmed that it is proposing increases in airport charges and departure tax. A curt media statement by Prime Minister Henry Puna said that no decisions have been made with regard to the airport departure fees or airline industry aeronautical charges. Described as a comment on media speculation, the statement quoted Puna as […]
New charges 'not in interest of country'
Friday 13 April 2012 | Published in National
Any increase to domestic airfares in the Cook Islands caused by an increase to airport charges at Rarotonga would be a major concern for the people of the pa enua, Aitutaki tourism operator Michael Henry says. Henry said the tourism industry of the outer islands was still struggling to pull people away from Rarotonga despite […]
Departure tax increase 'up for discussion'
Friday 13 April 2012 | Published in National
Travellers leaving Rarotonga can expect to pay more in departure tax by year’s end as government considers introducing a tax increase. Cook Islands News understands the government is considering an increase of $15 to the departure tax, bringing it to $70 in total, but there is speculation that the tax could increase up to $80. […]
12 charges
Friday 13 April 2012 | Published in Crime
Ngatupuna Rata appeared in the Cook Islands High Court yesterday on 12 charges. The defendant has admitted charges of theft and denied further charges of theft, being party to an offence and breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime. He has yet to enter pleas on charges of breaking and entering, aiding and […]
Second climate change report to be launched
Friday 13 April 2012 | Published in Environment
Environment minister Henry Puna and the National Environment Service (NES) will be launching the Cook Islands Second National Communication Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) today at USP from 12.30pm. This report outlines the Cook Islands’ progress in addressing the issue of climate change since the Initial National Communication report […]
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