National

Social welfare changes proposed

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in Local

An Asian Development Bank (ADB) report recommending possible changes to the Cook Islands social welfare system and the 1989 Welfare Act was released yesterday. The report is available for viewing on the government’s website. Government says it will consider the recommendations in light of its commitment to supporting and assisting the elderly and most vulnerable. […]

Crime on an upsurge

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in Local

Despite the proliferation of neighbourhood watch groups and their reported success, Muri resident Mii Kauvai is concerned that crime is making a comeback. Police reported last year that crime had dropped off significantly, but Kauvai believes there has been a recent resurgence of burglary. She believes the burglars are getting cleverer, and judging by the […]

Cultural revival at Tupapa Centre

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in National

Involving youth in keeping the Cook Islands culture alive was discussed at the Tupapa Maraerenga Cultural Centre annual general meeting last week. At the meeting Tere ‘Johnson’ Strickland officially took on the role of president of the centre. His aim is to encourage the youth of Tupapa to become involved in the cultural group, seeing […]

Women's day knows no political divide

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in National

High-profile women of the Cook Islands celebrated International Women’s Day on Thursday with a breakfast meeting at the Aquarius Hotel. The function recognised the country’s political and diplomatic women, including the wives of the prime minister, deputy prime minister and government members. Also attending the breakfast function were Lady Goodwin, Dame Margret Karika Ariki, Lady […]

A time of reflection for Cook Islands women

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in National

The women of the Cook Islands plan to keep sewing the symbolic tivaivai that represents the tapestry of their achievements. Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) president Vaine Wichman said a light-hearted celebration of International Women’s Day on Thursday was a chance for women to “take a break, enjoy our company, have a coffee, […]

New radios for more efficient policing

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands are already reaping the rewards of new and improved radio technology. Until recently there was a small number of out-dated vehicles radios and some portable radios which only worked in town. There were radio blind spots around Rarotonga, and inclement weather impacted even further on the quality of communications. Police officers relied […]

Parade honours new radio system

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in National

In a culmination of two years of hard work, the Cook Islands police were symbolically handed over their upgraded radio communications system yesterday morning. The project was aptly named ‘Te Karere’, or ‘the message’, by attending Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters. Police Commissioner Maara Tetava gratefully accepted the new system in a formal celebration outside […]

Public meeting addresses seawall concerns

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in National

Safety concerns were a priority to residents who attended a meeting with the Ports Authority organised by Avatiu-Ruatonga-Atupa-Palmerston member of parliament John Henry at the Ruatonga Meeting house on Thursday evening. “How do we know the rock wall isn’t going to fall down or that waves aren’t going to go over it?” asked Ruatonga resident […]

Cabinet minister's weekly travel diary

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in National

Minister travelling to VietNam

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in National

Agriculture minister Nandi Glassie will travel to VietNam this week to meet with the new director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The new director-general Jose Graziano da Silva will be attending the 31st FAO Regional Conference for Asia and Pacific being held in Hanoi on March 12-16. Ministers and senior government officials from […]

Rape case dismissed

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in Crime

Tangi Brown Toa was a happy man when he left the Cook Islands High Court in Avarua on Thursday. Toa had been charged with assault of a female and attempted rape in August 2010. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge but so far his case has not gone to trial. Crown prosecutor Cheryl […]

'Structuring' trial set

Saturday 10 March 2012 | Published in Crime

The long expected trial of Christopher and Akisi Mussell looks set to occur in May under Justice Hugh Williams. The two appeared in the Cook Islands High Court in Avarua on Thursday for a call-over to monitor the progress of their file. Deputy solicitor general Catherine Evans announced that this matter is almost ready to […]

Tetava elected chairman of regional group

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in Local

Cook Islands Police commissioner Maara Tetava has returned from a meeting in Australia where he was elected chairman of the Pacific Police Training Advisory Group for a two year term. On March 2, a meeting sanctioned by the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Conference and supported by the Australian Federal Police was held in Sydney […]

Opposition alleges political favouritism

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in Local

Alleging ‘nepotism’ and ‘political favouritism’, the opposition is concerned by the prime minister’s appointment of Russell Thomas as the new public service commissioner. “We’re concerned because as we understand it the prime minister exercised his discretion to overlook the recommendations by the selection panel and appointed his nephew,” leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen said […]

Public service commissioner appointed

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in Local

Prime Minister and Minister of the Office of the Public Service Commission Henry Puna yesterday announced the appointment of Russell Thomas as the new public service commissioner. A former chief executive of the Office of the Public Service Commission, Thomas’s appointment was unanimously approved by Cabinet this week following a decision by the prime minister […]

Opposition celebrates women's success

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in National

In honour of International Women’s Day, opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen has called women the ‘backbone of the Cook Islands’. “Women are the backbone of the Cook Islands,” Rasmussen said at a gathering to honour women at the Ruatonga opposition office. “Women bring intelligence and warmth to politics and a dimension that men don’t have,” said […]

Toys brighten children's ward

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in National

The children’s ward at the Rarotonga Hospital just became a more kid-friendly place. As part of its ongoing community outreach programme, CITC Building Centre donated $1000 worth of toys to the paediatric ward in an effort to make it a more comfortable place for kids. Amongst the boxes and gift-wrapped packages delivered to the ward […]

Cooks replica sails into museum

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in National

Offering a glimpse into what life is like for a sailor during one of Captain Cook’s voyages will be possible for some lucky people in Australia this week. Cook, the namesake of the Cook Islands, spent much of his life exploring the Pacific. He visited the Cook Islands in 1773 and 1777 and is credited […]

Cruise ship stops at Aitutaki, Rarotonga

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in National

Passengers of sailing ship L’Austral enjoyed a day of activities and sightseeing on Aitutaki on Wednesday, and yesterday visited Rarotonga. Before she arrived in the Cook Islands she stopped at Borabora and her next stop is Vavau, Tonga. Less than a year old, she is the sister ship to L’Boreal. Her passengers yesterday enjoyed a […]

Search and rescue agreement updated

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in National

The updating of an agreement between New Zealand and the Cook Islands will help ensure greater communication and collaboration during search and rescue missions, says Maritime New Zealand (MNZ). MNZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is responsible for responding to major land, sea, air and emergency-beacon related incidents within New Zealand’s Search and Rescue […]