National

Tereora College laughs and listens

Monday 27 February 2012 | Published in National

The current generation of Cook Islands leaders stopped by Tereora College on Friday to watch the next generation put their stamp on the school. The college welcomed in its new leaders for 2012, taking in 38 students from the year 13 heads all the way through to peace ambassadors from the younger grades. College heads […]

Avatea prefects aim to help improve attitudes

Monday 27 February 2012 | Published in National

Being a prefect doesn’t mean being the boss of the rest of the students of the school. These were the words of newly appointed Avatea Primary School head boy Michael Wood at the school’s prefect induction ceremony on Friday. “A prefect is a role model – we set a good example by coming to school […]

Aid for parliament

Monday 27 February 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands Parliament has been chosen as one of the priority focus areas for Australia and United Nations aid programmes in coming years. Tangata Vainerere of the Pacific Legislatures for Population and Governance (PLPG) last week explained that a man by the name of Russell Shaffer came from Western Australia to Rarotonga recently for […]

New law 'criminalises debt'

Monday 27 February 2012 | Published in National

New legislation to alter the rules for contempt of court will be examined by a select committee. The committee will be headed by Prime Minister Henry Puna, with leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen chosen as deputy chairman. Vaipeka-Vaipae-Tautu MP Mona Ioane,Avatiu-Ruatonga-Atupa-Palmerston MP John Henry and Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George will be on the committee. […]

'We are running out of time'

Monday 27 February 2012 | Published in National

Government must place greater emphasis on renewable energy, Mitiaro MP Tangata Vavia said in parliament last week. “Time and time again we have been reminded of the increase in the cost of fuel. As of yesterday the cost of a barrel of oil on the world market was $US 105, and the worse thing was, […]

Jetty on track

Monday 27 February 2012 | Published in National

Although there is not much observable progress at the site of the Arorangi cruise ship jetty, the project’s managers say the development is progressing steadily behind the scenes. Designs for the jetty are currently undergoing a peer-review to test the constraints of the design and safety of the structure being proposed. Included in the testing […]

New unit will 'lift the bar'

Monday 27 February 2012 | Published in National

While he’s got a heavy workload ahead, Paul Allsworth is moving into his new job with enthusiasm and confidence. Buoyed by government’s appropriation of $40,000 to parliamentary services for the establishment of its new select committee support services unit, he looks forward to ‘cleaning up’ parliamentary procedure. Allsworth is heading parliament’s new governance and oversight […]

All hands on deck to remove whale

Monday 27 February 2012 | Published in Environment

After eight hours of towing, weaving around coral heads and worry, the mission to get a whale carcass out of the Aitutaki lagoon almost failed in the final moments last Tuesday. After creating a harness to haul the massive corpse and slowly shifting it for eight hours through the lagoon to an opening in the […]

New tourism office in Atiu

Monday 27 February 2012 | Published in Local

An upgraded tourism office and visitor information centre will be officially opened today on the outer island of Atiu. The office will provide information, displays of locally made arts and crafts and a conference training room where Cook Islands Tourism Corporation will provide tourism training for the local people. The upgrades will be officially opened […]

Keeping books in order

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

Most accountants with any experience in the Cook Islands will agree that a decent number of local businesses don’t have their books in order. Chartered accountant Justin Rous says in most cases businesspeople file their VAT returns and PAYE but otherwise neglect financial housekeeping. “Having current information is essential in making business decisions. Looking at […]

Cook Islands Day at NZ's Te Papa

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

March 3 is Cook Islands Day at Te Papa Museum in Wellington. The museum reports it will be a vibrant day of performances, personalities, arts and speakers – all a testament to what makes the Cook Islands special. Cook Islands Tourism has partnered with Te Papa to put on the show, which will run for […]

2 new faces at Intaff

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (Intaff) welcomed in two new faces this week, bringing a boost to its consumer affairs office and welfare division. With about 17 years of experience in the social development ministry New Zealand, Iva Tau Eitiare said she enjoyed the work that came her way in Intaff’s welfare division. Eitiare moved […]

'That isn't really a pig'

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST director Gerald McCormack analyses ancient Cook Islands beliefs about gods and spirits and the animals they inhabited. He also took the photos illustrating this story. The Cook Islands has a rich tradition of working with spirits. In ancient times all misfortune and ill-health were attributed to spirits who consisted of a plethora […]

Space junk splashes down in Muri

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

On a cloudless Rarotonga night the stars always put on a fantastic show, aided by a streaking meteor or two, but all that was about to be upstaged. To the left it appeared as a bright orange, diamond shaped light in the night sky, approaching from the north of Muri lagoon, heading on a southerly […]

School health check-ups on again

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

The Ministry of Health has rescheduled its biennial (two-yearly) school physical health examination for all Rarotonga schools. American Global Volunteer Susan Koralek has returned to Rarotonga and will be resuming her free eye-screening programme in coming weeks. Accordingly, the ministry has brought the physical health check dates forward. Health officers did the physical check at […]

'We had no control over circumstances'

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

Finance minister Mark Brown is adamant that government had no control over the circumstances which forced it into a deficit. In Parliament on Tuesday he said: “I would just like to point out to our members and those of the public that are listening in that this deficit in the budget occurred from an event […]

Norman George criticises Allsworth's salary

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

Teenui-Mapumai member of parliament Norman George has pointed the finger at former auditor-general Paul Allsworth for continuing to collect a salary equivalent to that which he collected as auditor-general. Allsworth has been appointed head of a new government division – the Governance and Oversight Services Unit. During question-and-answer time in parliament on Tuesday, George queried […]

Big shoes to fill in 2012 pageant

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

The Miss Cook Islands Pageant dates for 2012 have been confirmed. The final night of the pageant will take place in the National Auditorium on June 7, ending a week of high-stakes competition. The Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association (MCIPA) finalised its pageant dates at its annual general meeting earlier this month, during which Clee […]

George George is mad mad

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

If it was food, George George wouldn’t be too upset. But because thieves targeted electronic items, iPods, Playstations and other such toys and gadgets when they went through his house, George says he’s left feeling angry, disappointed and, perhaps worst of all, insulted. After years of working with children and teenagers to help promote them […]

Minister's travels for the week

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National