National
Landowners stop Land Rovers
Friday 23 March 2012 | Published in Local
Four-wheel-drive safari tours have been booted off a private track that takes tourists along a bumpy section of off-roading behind the Rarotonga Hospital. Land owner John Rasmussen has filed an injunction against safari tour operators that bans them from using the track up hospital hill. Rasmussen said the track, which has been in use for […]
Student Army organisers relax in the sun
Friday 23 March 2012 | Published in National
Relaxing at the Pacific Resort seems a world away from the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake for visiting heroes Christopher Duncan and Gina Scandrett. Both Duncan and Scandrett were part of the core team of six students who initiated the Student Army after both the September and February earthquakes. Duncan, who is the official recipient […]
New PSC aims for 'excellence'
Friday 23 March 2012 | Published in National
For new public service commissioner Russell Thomas, the work he’s doing and the office he’s doing it in are “nothing new”. From 2002 to 2009, Thomas managed the Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) as its chief executive officer. “It’s not new for me, only different. Before I was supporting the commissioner and now […]
King's friend to join mourners
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in National
A personal friend to the late Tongan King George Tupou V has remembered him as an eccentric leader and thoughtful man who worked for the betterment of his country until the very end. Rarotonga resident Chris Vaile will next week travel to Tonga to join the mourners marking the life of Siaosi Taufa’ahau Manumataongo Tuku’aho […]
New law enforces debt payment
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in National
Amidst public concern over the proposed Judicature Amendment Bill, the Cook Islands Law Society wants to clarify the bill’s objective and share its content with the public. Acting on instructions from the Cook Islands Bankers Association, Little & Matysik P.C. prepared the bill, which was tabled in Parliament in February. Since then, a select committee […]
Case on hold until company reinstated
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in Crime
An ongoing civil case between Yuh Yow Marine and Northern Cook Islands Fishing Company (NCIFC) has been stalled on account of the latter being struck off the Companies Register in mid-September of last year. Chief Justice Tom Weston yesterday adjourned the case until such time as the company is re-instated. “The reality is if they […]
Marine park launch on track
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in Environment
The marine park steering committee intends to conduct another round of public consultation meetings in coming weeks. Following a three-day workshop last week, the committee is surer than ever that it needs more feedback from island communities before launching the marine park at the Pacific Islands Forum in August. Last week, experts from regional and […]
Water security is food security
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in Environment
Today is World Water Day – a perfect day to reflect on how much water you use. You could start by asking yourself, “How much water did I have for breakfast today?” It seems a simple enough question. Many people would probably answer, “A glass or two,” but if you had two slices of bread […]
'Bump' in the road
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in Local
Motorists passing by the Nikao roads project yesterday morning could be seen chuckling to themselves in disbelief at the airport entrance. Though it is hardly a month old, the road seal laid down by the airport was getting dug up already. The works were contained to a very small area – a hole about one […]
Clean-up part of 'beautification'
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in Local
Responding to public complaints about trees being razed along the banks of the Takuvaine stream, National Environment Service (NES) director Vaitoti Tupa says he stands behind his decision to authorise all beautification work being undertaken by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP). The recent cutting of trees in Takuvaine, Tupapa, Arorangi and Titikaveka is […]
16 work complaints to OPSC
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in Local
Sixteen employment complaints have been lodged with the Office of the Public Service Commissioner over the last calendar year. Amidst agitation about alleged mistreatment of female public servants, Cook Islands News asked the OPSC to explain the procedure by which it deals with formal complaints. “Four were related to bullying, threats, low pay, belittling etc […]
Golden oldies tackle Hospital hill climb
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in National
The Golden Oldies turned out in droves to ascend Hospital Hill on Tuesday evening. Chairman George George initiated the Tuesday Programme, which this week had the Golden Oldies walking, running and jogging up Hospital Hill. Even Cabinet minister Teina Bishop swapped his suit for runners and joined the Golden Oldies’‘Tuesday Programme’–an exercise programme to encourage […]
Public access restricted around port works
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in National
Public access to the boat ramp at the Avatiu harbour’s western marina will be restricted as the harbour redevelopment work moves into the area. Repair and restoration work on the breakwater began yesterday and the Ports Authority advises some access restrictions are expected to be put in place while the work is being carried out. […]
Police seek support staff
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in National
Cook Islands Police are on the hunt for people who have good listening skills, a knack for communication and are keen to contribute to keeping the community safe. The force needs people to join its communications centre and become part of team that forms the first point of call for the community. Commissioner Maara Tetava […]
PM to chair PALM gathering in Japan
Wednesday 21 March 2012 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna will co-chair the sixth Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM) alongside Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in May. Customarily the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum – which this year is New Zealand – will co-chair PALM with the Japanese prime minister. This year, however, the Cook Islands has been afforded that […]
Diplomats renew ties before Forum
Wednesday 21 March 2012 | Published in Local
A recent spate of foreign diplomats arriving in the Cook Islands to present their credentials has members of the public wondering whether countries are rushing to establish ties with the Cook Islands before it hosts the Pacific Islands Forum in August, in an effort to be granted observer status. Foreign affairs secretary Jim Gosselin says […]
Colourful beauty on the catwalk
Wednesday 21 March 2012 | Published in National
This week in Pukapuka wheelbarrows and motorbikes became floats. The inaugural Miss Niua School Beauty Contest focused on climate change. Students decorated their floats with hand painted posters promoting an environmental message. Weed grass, banana plants, niu, uto, taro, flowers and balloons all became part of the catwalk. A few creative students made their float […]
Aitutaki adopts Earth Hour
Wednesday 21 March 2012 | Published in National
Parts of Aitutaki will go dark late this month to shine a light on climate change as part of the worldwide push Earth Hour. Aitutaki will join the global initiative a day after businesses and homes in Rarotonga do, switching off their lights between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday, March 31. Earth Hour will be […]
Extra 30 seconds for 'grab'
Wednesday 21 March 2012 | Published in National
The final CITC grocery grab competition winner will get an extra 30 seconds to wreak havoc on the CITC Supermarket this week. In addition to the regular, mad-dash three minutes that the winners receive in the grocery grab, the third and final contestant will get an extra 30 seconds in a special room to make […]
Mining expert advises on seabed
Wednesday 21 March 2012 | Published in National
The deep sea minerals sector has received another push along with the arrival of a new, resident natural resource adviser to the Cook Islands. New Zealand geologist Darryl Thorburn, the man who has taken up the job, is internationally acknowledged as an expert in mining activities and brings decades of experience in promoting economic development […]
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