National
Funding available for civil society groups
Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Local
Civil society organisations are being encouraged to apply for a final round of community initiative scheme (CIS) funding this month. Non-government organisations, Cook Islands-based partners of international non-government organisations, community-based organisations, sports organisations and other groups – individuals and business excluded – are invited to submit proposals for funding. The CIS has $219,000 in available […]
Scheme to support female caregivers
Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in National
Vital Voices and AusAID have approved a project proposal submitted by a contingent of Cook Islands women. Just in time for International Women’s Day, four women learned that their proposal to empower female caregivers had been accepted. Global non-government organisation Vital Voices last year selected Teina Mackenzie, Nukutau Pokura, Vaine Nooana-Arioka and Helen Maunga as […]
Avatiu seawall the best option
Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Local
Criticism of the Avatiu seawall is off target, says Ports Authority chairman Mike Henry. “This is the best option. This plan has been developed over the past four years with input from port users, the main shipping companies,” he said in response to recent criticism of the seawall design. Henry explained the basic concept of […]
NZ and CI police working together
Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in National
In a show of its partnership with Pacific countries, members of the New Zealand police force have been visiting the Cook Islands this week. Kim Perks, communications manager for central districts, is in the country to share her knowledge on media and communications with the Cook Islands police. Her visit is part of an advisory […]
Airlines to pay income tax
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in Local
For the first time in Cook Islands history, foreign airlines have lost their income tax exemption. A new executive order, tabled in parliament recently, could potentially generate hundreds of thousands of extra dollars for Cook Islands government coffers. “Previous governments have promised foreign airlines exemptions but have never put in place the legal framework for […]
Pokoinu hearing delayed
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in Local
A major land court hearing scheduled to begin today has been pushed to October. The hearing involves five family groups, who are vying for 60.57 hectares (149.67 acres) of Pokoinu land. It was expected to start this morning and last through Friday afternoon, but visiting land court Justice Wilson Isaac has excused himself from presiding […]
LPG filling station proposed in Aitutaki
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in Local
Aitutaki MP Teina Bishop has a vision to build a liquid petroleum gas filling station in Amuri as a means of alleviating frequent fuel shortages on Aitutaki. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been prepared to point out the potential risks of said project, copies of which are available for public viewing until March […]
Triggerfish EP ready for Pasifika
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in Local
Two-piece band Triggerfish is the only Cook Islands-based act performing at Pasifika this weekend. Set for Saturday New Zealand time – or Friday Cook Islands time – the festival is expected to attract over 120,000 Aucklanders. Triggerfish, made up of local musicians Kura Happ and Maurice ‘Mo’ Newport, takes the stage at midday for half […]
Cocos Island does conservation right
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in National
A log from the journey of Vaka Marumaru Atua, which as of this weekend is anchored at Cocos Island, south of Costa Rica in Central America. Crew member Alex Olah reports. We have only had short bursts of slight wind for only an hour or so since Wednesday! To make it worse the days have […]
New internet cafe on the rock
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in National
Panama’s new internet caf is an internet gamer’s delight. Annie’s Internet Caf, which opened three weeks ago, has been specifically designed to keep gamers happy from its large screen XP terminals to their brand new comfortable chairs. LAN internet gaming is just one of the range of facilities on offer – they provide internet access, […]
Nikao roadwork's causes profit loss
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in National
For the business located near the Rarotonga Airport, the Nikao road project is more than a minor inconvenience. The day the detour signs went up about a week ago, Cafe Jireh’s profits took a 50 percent hit. Cafe manager Brian Aitken says that as a result of the road project he is recording a loss […]
Welfare policy change recommended
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in National
The Cook Islands government strongly reiterates its commitment to ensuring the most vulnerable in the community such as the very elderly continue to receive appropriate support and assistance. “The Cook Islands has one of the most extensive social welfare systems in the Pacific region,” said internal affairs minister Mark Brown, “and it is an integral […]
Customer complaint prompts rate review
Wednesday 7 March 2012 | Published in National
Recent media coverage of a Telecom customer’s complaint has re-opened a conversation between Telecom Cook Islands and its parent company about roaming rates in the Cook Islands. Telecom Cook Islands (TCI) chief executive Jules Maher says New Zealand media reports of disgruntled customer Magnus O’Neill’s experience using his mobile phone in the Cook Islands could […]
Pukapuka leads way in health
Tuesday 6 March 2012 | Published in National
Pukapuka is leading the way in the fight against non-communicable disease. The island held a meeting about healthy living and diet at its school hall on March 2, following which an ‘NCD-friendly lunch’ of local food and fresh fruits and vegetables was served. The meeting, attended by hospital staff, the island council and government representatives […]
New call for rock ban
Tuesday 6 March 2012 | Published in National
Former Ports Authority chairman Sam Crocombe is calling on the government to halt further work on the Avatiu sea wall. “It looks to me as though they have run out of money to do the job properly,” he told CINews yesterday. Crocombe was ports chairman from 2006 to 2010 and oversaw the project to redesign […]
Owners serve notice on Toa
Tuesday 6 March 2012 | Published in National
Following a flawed arrangement with Toa Petroleum, the government is required by law to top-up the company’s annual income – provided it is open for business and operating. The petroleum depot’s lease expires next month, at midnight on April 30, and landowners have not made any arrangements to renew it. What that means for the […]
Cannabis, drink-driving and contempt cases
Tuesday 6 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Christopher and Akisi Mussell appeared in the Cook Islands High Court in Avarua last Thursday charged with structuring, a technique used for money laundering. Defence counsel Tony Manarangi requested a trial date. “These call-overs have lasted a year. My clients want a trial. The reason for not going to trial is that there has been […]
Muri supports sanitation plan
Tuesday 6 March 2012 | Published in Environment
Organisers are saying that a public meeting on Muri Lagoon water quality was a success after 45 local residents turned up on Thursday night. Water Waste and Sanitation Unit (WATSAN) project director Ken McDonald said the response from the local community had been really positive. “Given we are working with 239 houses, to have a […]
Mass oyster mortality in Manihiki
Tuesday 6 March 2012 | Published in Environment
Pearl farmers have often described previous “dark periods” in Manihiki lagoon. The current dark state of the lagoon however is just part of the picture involving the complete mortality of all bivalves, including pearl oysters, below 25 metres in the Manihiki Lagoon. The culprit is thought to be La Nina weather conditions, according to Ministry […]
MP calls Avatiu meetings
Tuesday 6 March 2012 | Published in Local
Avatiu-Ruatonga-Atupa-Palmerston member of parliament John Henry has called three community meetings to listen to the public’s views on the contentious Avatiu sea wall. “The letters to the paper have been from people outside my community,” he says. “I want to listen to what the community thinks and give the experts the opportunity to give the […]
« Previous 1 … 1,487 1,488 1,489 1,490 1,491 1,492 1,493 1,494 1,495 … 1,900 Next »