National
Carter in NZ to discuss MFAT cuts
Monday 2 April 2012 | Published in Local
New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands John Carter is leading a protest by diplomats against cuts to NZ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. An expensive two-day meeting began yesterday as diplomats went home from around the world to discuss proposed changes at MFAT. A letter signed by 49 diplomats arguing against the […]
Cruise ship stops by Aitutaki and Palmerston
Monday 2 April 2012 | Published in National
The Hanseatic is one of four Hapagg Lloyd line ships that visit the Cook Islands regularly. She is a true expedition ship and as such visits places that most large cruise ships cannot. On this visit she will call into Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Palmerston Island. For the people of Palmerston this is a life saver, […]
Four-legged kids enrolled
Monday 2 April 2012 | Published in National
Senior students of Vaitau Primary School in Aitutaki were engaged in designing and building their first ‘goat house’ last week. This came about due to heavy rain and the principal’s concern for two kid goats born in the school garden. Principal Ingrid Stewart suggested some form of shelter be erected for the baby goats as […]
Thieves take bike parts
Monday 2 April 2012 | Published in National
Police are again reminding people to properly secure motorcycles, remove keys and keep them in sight to deter thieves from stealing them. Last week a motorcycle was stolen from a home in Ruatonga and another at a home in Atupa. Unlawful taking remains a problem for police, with motorcycles going missing on a weekly basis. […]
Police reports changing direction
Monday 2 April 2012 | Published in National
Cook Islands Police are introducing changes to their media relations that are intended to bring more information on targeted issues to the public. The changes will narrow down the topics of reporting to issues considered in the public interest and those at the heart of police targets on weekly, monthly and annual scales. Commissioner Maara […]
Switching off nationwide
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in Local
Schools, offices and homes across Rarotonga sat in the dark for an hour yesterday, switching off their lights and unneeded electrical appliances during Earth Hour to help raise awareness of the impacts of climate change. Year 2 and 3 students at Apii Nikao Maori used the hour to move away from typical school work and […]
Fishers flock to the FADs
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in National
A recent survey of fishers reveals that most rely heavily on the fishing aggregate devices (FAD) around Rarotonga. On Thursday afternoon the FAD committee, chaired by Don Beer and comprising fishers and Ministry of Marine Resources representatives, invited all recreational and professional fishers to a meeting to discuss the results of its survey. Thirty-two people […]
'Telemedicine' network under construction
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in National
Cook Islanders can expect better and quicker access to specialised health care when a telemedicine network is complete. Facilities to introduce a new online health network that will link New Zealand with the Cook Islands is currently under construction in Rarotonga. Once it is complete, the network will be extended in the Cook Islands to […]
Education ministry 'on track'
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in National
An independent evaluation has concluded the Ministry of Education is on track to achieving its goals. Undertaken by evaluator Christine Scott and local counterpart Christina Newport, the evaluation was conducted last year and a subsequent 76-page report was released on March 21. The duo interviewed over 100 people, met with focus groups, reviewed policy and […]
Reward offered for important footage
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in National
An international film crew is offering a reward for a misplaced camera, which contains vitally important images. Earlier this month a film crew visited Rarotonga and Aitutaki to shoot footage for a documentary that will catapult the proposed Cook Islands marine park onto the international stage. Renowned cameraman Richard Wollocombe, who has worked for the […]
Time off school worries principal
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in National
Students taking time off school has always been a concern, but when students take weeks or even months off school it has unpleasant affect on end of year results. Tereora College principal Bali Haque is concerned about the problem. “My concern is students’ taking time off school. Firstly senior students are old enough to know […]
Dangerous driver 'lucky' to have support
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in Crime
For driving dangerously and causing injury, Daniel Teheipuarii was convicted to six months of community service and one year of probation. Charged with dangerous driving causing injury, driving with excess blood alcohol and driving without a valid driver’s licence, the defendant appeared before Chief Justice Tom Weston for sentencing this week. All charges relate to […]
Video shop faces tax charges
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Nikao Beach Video was sentenced this week on 12 charges of failing to pay VAT and PAYE and failure to file tax returns. Defence counsel Lavenia Rokoika told the court that rampant piracy has significantly impacted the company’s business, causing financial strife and leading it to neglect its tax obligations. Chief Justice Tom Weston acknowledged […]
TTN's unpaid taxes total $600,000
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in Crime
TTN Group Ltd has been convicted on 18 charges of failing to pay VAT and PAYE and failing to file tax returns. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management took the company and its principal, Keta Williams, to court for failing to pay taxes since 2004. Chief Justice Tom Weston expressed concern in court yesterday […]
Earth Hour at the OPM
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in Environment
Offing the lights for yesterday’s Earth Hour – Office of the Prime Minister’s climate change director Ana Tiraa with Harriette Kimiora and Celine Dyer of the central policy and planning office.
Stanford searching for world's strongest coral
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in Environment
A team of marine biologists from the renowned Stanford University in the United States is on a search to find the world’s strongest coral, the itinerary for which includes the Cook Islands. Currently the team is in American Samoa. Stanford marine biologist Stephen Palumbi describes the back reefs at Ofu Island in American Samoa as […]
Poor show
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in Local
The Tereora College Parent Teacher Association has been left stunned and dismayed with the turnout to its annual general meeting this week. Just 20 parents turned up to the AGM on Wednesday from a student body numbering about 600. The turnout left outgoing PTA vice chairman Emile Kairua horrified at the indifference shown by the […]
Call for action on 'blood flow'
Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands government should urgently call a session of parliament to allow for a national discussion on financial reform and how it can be used to fight depopulation, says Leader of the Opposition Wilkie Rasmussen. The Democratic Party caucus met yesterday to discuss the banking reform proposed by the Cook Islands Party Government this […]
Crush to the rescue!
Friday 30 March 2012 | Published in Environment
It was like a magic act mounted on the back of a truck – a few metallic crunches, the smallest shake and, hey-presto, a car has disappeared. Well, transformed at least. But it’s not an ace up the sleeve or an invisible wire that makes this trick a reality, instead it was a semi-trailer mounted […]
OPM switches off and saves
Friday 30 March 2012 | Published in Environment
Assessing power use and offering energy conservation tips to staff in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has paid off with a decrease in power consumption and an estimated saving of nearly $1000 in its electricity bills for the past month. The OPM Corporate Services Division and the Renewable Energy Development Division undertook an […]
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