National
Media explores suicide reporting
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in National
The Cook Islands Media Association has begun exploring the ways in which journalists can portray suicide appropriately in news reports. The association met yesterday to discuss a range of issues, although the media’s coverage of suicide dominated its agenda. The meeting brought together freelance journalists, government communication advisors and staff from Cook Islands News, 88FM […]
Turtles tracked for protection
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in Environment
A number of turtle track sightings have been observed on Mauke’s southern shores recently. Tracks and indications of nests have been seen along beaches stretching from Anaiti to Pohutukava, a distance of just over 2km. Some coves have a myriad of criss-crossing tracks and dug areas, a common ploy of turtles to throw off predators. […]
Decision 'not ours to make'
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in Local
Prime Minister Henry Puna says the important decision of whether to invite Fiji’s leader, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to the August Pacific Leaders Forum in Rarotonga is not the Cook Islands government’s to make. He was responding to a question from Teenui-Mapumai member of parliament Norman George in the House yesterday. George had asked: “Is it […]
Cancer screening for MPs
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in Local
Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin is encouraging members of parliament to be screened for prostate cancer. In a written notice, which was read in Parliament on Monday, Sir Frederick Goodwin announced he has asked Minister of Health Nandi Glassie to organise screenings for each member of the government and opposition in the hope that the […]
$55m offer for exploration
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in Local
Canadian company Endeavour has offered government $55 million for a licence to explore the Cook Islands seabed to determine its mining potential. Minister of deep-sea mining Tom Marsters confirmed in parliament yesterday that the offer is on the table, as he responded to a question from opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen about whether rumours Endeavour had […]
'Spend money to make money'
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in National
In defence of the $2.5 million budget deficit, cabinet minister Teina Bishop says the country has to spend money to make money. “I stand to support the supplementary budget before the house,” he said in parliament yesterday. “Despite the fact that it is a deficit budget to me from an economic point of view, it […]
More global action against financial crimes
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in National
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global standard-setter in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, has revised its recommendations booklet after more than two years of efforts by member countries. The FATF is an intergovernmental organisation with 36 members and the participation of over 180 countries through a global network of FATF-style […]
SPC celebrates 65th birthday
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in National
The Secretariat of the Pacific (SPC) community recently celebrated its 65th birthday. “The SPC mission is to help the Pacific Island people respond effectively to the challenges they face, and make informed decisions about their future and the future they wish to leave for the generations to follow,” SPC director general Dr Jimmie Rodgers said. […]
Leader confirms 'it will be torrid'
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in National
Tongareva member of parliament Wilkie Rasmussen says that as the leader of the opposition he will “stand up and fight for what matters”. “I believe the opposition team is going to be up to the game, they going to stand up and fight”, he said, noting that the opposition will focus on “matters that need […]
Air NZ subsidy not fair: George
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in National
Opposition MP Norman George questioned the fairness of the government’s $4.5 million Air New Zealand subsidy as the Budget began its second reading in parliament yesterday. “Are we sharing the profits of this route to North America? I don’t understand that we share in the costs of this but not the income.” This follows statements […]
Govt accused of 'free spending'
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in National
Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen denounced the Appropriation Amendment Bill – or the supplementary budget – in Parliament yesterday. He accused the government of being a ‘free-spending government’ and alleged that the deficit could have been avoided. “If this governmentdoesn’t change direction and doesn’t wisen up and utilise assistance from overseas or donor countries and divert […]
Island Feast comes to the Cooks!
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in National
The flavours and curiosities of Cook Islands cuisine will be introduced to an estimated 50 million people in 100 countries though Australian celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita. The chef and a five-man film team have just returned to Australia from the Cook Islands as the final destination for Kuruvita’s upcoming television series Island Feast with Peter […]
Govt 'not running to big daddy'
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in National
Finance minister Mark Brown says his government will ‘deal with’ the budget blowout rather than running to the New Zealand government for help. He was responding to a question from Teenui-Mapumai member of parliament Norman George – the first parliamentary question of the year. “Minister,” George said, “in view of the additional $4 million that […]
CISNOC 'decrepit, failed, corrupt'
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in National
Two members of parliament yesterday challenged the supplementary budget’s $30,000 allocation to CISNOC to cover its operating costs. Teenui-Mapumai member of parliament Norman George called CISNOC a ‘decrepit, failed, corrupt organisation’. “Because of their record of mismanagement I have great difficulty supporting any allocation of funds for them and my message to the minister of […]
Costs of flights 'part of the territory'
Wednesday 22 February 2012 | Published in National
It would be a terrible shame for the Cook Islands to lose its direct links with the United States and Australia and the government should make sure those links are secure in order to best assist growth in the local tourism industry, according to Pacific Resort chief executive officer Greg Stanaway. Stanaway said removing the […]
Tribute to Dame Margaret
Tuesday 21 February 2012 | Published in National
Takuvaine Member of Parliament Mark Brown paid tribute to Pauline Margaret Rakera Taripo – Dame Makea Karika Margaret Ariki – in Parliament yesterday. He noted that she was this year made a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) – the second highest rank in the Most Excellent Order of […]
Airline subsidy blamed for blowout
Tuesday 21 February 2012 | Published in Local
The appropriation amendment bill reveals that the country will face a $2.5 million deficit by the end of June – not a $0.03 million surplus as projected last July, when the original Budget was passed. The original Budget appropriated a total of $172,097,116, but the supplementary budget appropriates $178,337,447 for the current financial year (2011-2012) […]
Rasmussen takes over as opposition leader
Tuesday 21 February 2012 | Published in Local
Former finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen has been unanimously elected as the leader of the opposition. His promotion was announced yesterday on the 2012 opening day of parliament by Prime Minister Henry Puna. “I am very honoured that the party took a unanimous decision. We will be moving forward and be more proactive,” Rasmussen told Cook […]
Farm stench makes House
Tuesday 21 February 2012 | Published in Local
“Take a face mask,” suggested Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen as Health Minister Nandi Glassie tried in parliament yesterday to explain the government’s inactivity over Scott’s Farm. Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George suggested that a bottle of whisky might also help. The banter followed a proposal from Mitiaro MP Tangata Vavia that the minister should camp three […]
Joint effort to remove whale carcass from lagoon
Tuesday 21 February 2012 | Published in Local
The grandchildren of Mike and Kuraono Henry get up close to the sperm whale carcass in Aitutaki’s lagoon. A marine team will today attempt to move the carcass from the lagoon, four days after it washed over the reef and became stuck on some coral.
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