National

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 […]

Callout to Atiuans

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

The Atiu community on Rarotonga is selling barbecue plates today to raise money for its hostel project. In parliament on Tuesday, Teenui-Mapumai member of parliament Norman George pleaded with all Atiuans – both in Atiu and on Rarotonga – to support the cause. “We are facing difficulties at our Atiu hostel,” he began. He noted […]

Aunty Mau wants $5000 for Nikao roads

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

Nikao member of parliament Ngamau ‘Aunty Mau’ Munokoa continues to champion her cause – securing further support for her village’s infrastructure. In Parliament on Monday, the woman of the house gave an impassioned Cook Islands Maori speech about the state of the roads and drainage systems in Nikao. “I’ve got a question in regards to […]

Water spout off Aitutaki

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

A couple in Aitutaki was left scrambling to find their cameras after spotting a water spout that had formed off the coast about 1.50pm yesterday. Bill and Teetu Tschan managed to snap these pictures of the waterspout, saying it was the first they had ever seen on the island.

Airline subsidy 'necessary'

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in Local

The flights linking Rarotonga with Los Angeles and Sydney are key to ensuring the Cook Islands receives an inflow of tourists across the year while making sure it does not solely rely on New Zealand as its only market. And by underwriting the Air New Zealand flights that travel those routes weekly, the Cook Islands […]

New national post office proposed

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in Local

Cook Islands Post is considering opening a new post office and headquarters alongside the Telecom headquarters in Parekura, but first the company is trying to gauge the level of community support it would receive. The new location would contain more post boxes than is at the current office and at a larger size. They would […]

Get fit by email

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

Fitness enthusiast Puai Wichman continues his crusade to shape up Cook Islanders and turn them to a healthier lifestyle. Here Wichman shares his new challenge for those wanting to take the step in the healthy direction. “Starting this week, I will be running a challenge of a different kind – one that doesn’t involve anything […]

United we stand, divided we fall

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

Mangaia School celebrated its new prefects for 2012 on Wednesday. School chaplain Reverend Toko Ongoua from the Oneroa Cook Islands Christian Church blessed the ceremony, at which Kiriana Ngatamariki was chosen as head prefect and Junior George as deputy head prefect. The school’s ‘virtue of the week’ was creativity, which principal Sue Ngatokorua says fit […]

Araura honours new perfects

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

A large crowd of parents, leaders of Aitutaki and invited guests were present to witness the investiture of new prefects and student councillors at Araura College last Friday. Twenty-one student councillors were presented with their new badges. Each form class selected their own boy and girl student council leaders. There were 10 prefects from year […]

Prefects inducted at St Joseph's

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

Avarua School showers new prefects in ei

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

Avarua School’s new leaders have been officially welcomed into their positions with a big event held for the large group of students taking on the roles. Thirty-two students have taken on leadership roles at the school for 2012, including 24 prefects or tutara apii and eight librarians or tutara runanga puka. Principal Teremoana Herman said […]

Underwriting makes Air NZ a partner

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

The following ‘key messages’ were provided by Cook Islands Tourism Corporation in response to discussion and debate about the Air New Zealand subsidy, which is expected to cost the country $12.5 million this year. – Tourism accounts for some 75 percent of the gross domestic product of the Cook Islands. – The greatest challenge facing […]

George independent?

Thursday 23 February 2012 | Published in National

Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George is not as independent as he makes out, according to Democratic Party President Sean Willis. “Despite what George is saying, he was elected by the constituency as a member of the Cook Islands Party,” Willis said yesterday. George made a statement last week declaring that he had rejoined the Democrat Party […]