National

Govt banks $810,000 China payment

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

Chinas fisheries association has paid the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) $810,000 for 17 fishing licences. Marine resources minister Teina Bishop says the payment went through in the last week or so. It secures fishing licences for 17 Chinese vessels to operate in Cook Islands waters as part of MMRs exploratory fishing programme. […]

Symbolic sculpture donated to Pa Ariki

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

Takitumu legend Te Ika Nui a Tangiia has inspired retired French artist Michel Kirsch to create a sculpture as a gift for Takitumu paramount chief Pa Marie Ariki. Last week Kirsch and his wife Sylvie presented the sculpture to the family of Pa Marie Ariki at the new Are Ariki in Ngatangiia. Kirsch was not […]

Confiscated tobacco and alcohol for sale

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

A years worth of confiscated tobacco, cigarettes and alcohol is up for sale by tender at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management. Senior customs officer Stephen Matapo explains that the bulk of confiscated goods were taken from passengers at Rarotonga International Airport who had exceeded their quantity allowance on alcohol, tobacco and cigarettes. Matapo […]

BTIB loses civil court case

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in Crime

The Business Trade Investment Boards civil court case against Taakoka Island Villas has been flattened by Chief Justice Tom Weston, who recently issued a judgement in the matter. CJ Westons December 16 (New Zealand time) judgement effectively discharges Taakoka and its Cook Islands-based agent John McElhinney on all counts. He has invited parties to make […]

Keep eye out for Kakino

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

People across Rarotonga should watch for wanted man Kakino Kakino, who was last sighted in Tupapa and may be linked to a theft in the village. Cook Islands police detective inspector Areumu Ingaua said Kakino, 31, could be hiding out anywhere on Rarotonga and urged anyone who spotted him to immediately contact police. Kakino, a […]

Early rubbish collection ineffective

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in Environment

Early rubbish collection, or a lack of, in some Rarotonga villages has caused a stink among residents. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP) told Cook Islands News last week that rubbish collection by its contractor T&M Heather would remain as per normal over the Christmas and New Year period including all public holidays. But […]

Weather predictions differ

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

Online wind forecasters are predicting gusts of more than 100km/h will lash Rarotonga today as the stormy weather bombarding the island expected to worsen. The forecasters also predict up to 100mm of rain will fall on the capital island this afternoon during a particularly bad patch of weather. Local forecasters are doubting the accuracy of […]

Man faces 25 fraud charges

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Crime

A Rarotonga man has appeared in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua on 25 criminal charges of forgery and unlawfully using a document to obtain pecuniary advantage. Maarametua Tearaitoa appeared in the court before justice of the peace Tangi Taoro on Wednesday. Defence counsel Norman George asked for the case to be adjourned without […]

SPC defends deep sea minerals project

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Environment

Members of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community have hit back at claims that its Deep Sea Minerals Project, which is currently being put into action in the Cook Islands, will disenfranchise local people in favour of the interest of mining companies. Pacific activist group Act Now! which is based in Papua New Guinea has […]

Marine park will allow for mining

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Environment

Deep sea mininG and ocean conservation through a marine park can happily co-exist in the Cook Islands, Prime Minister Henry Puna says. Puna was asked by Cook Islands News whether government initiatives to explore deep sea mining and the establishment of a marine park are at odds with one another. Thats a challenge that government […]

Kakino Kakino wanted

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Local

Local police are on the hunt for known felon Kakino Kakino (above) who has become a wanted man after failing to meet his bail curfew before the Christmas weekend. Police have been unable to locate Kakino who they would like to talk to in relation to a rash of burglaries on the island over the […]

Christmas crime wave

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands police have had a frustrating festive weekend with high numbers of incidents ranging from domestic abuse to burglaries and motor accidents. In total five people were arrested. Eight domestic disputes were attended to by police between Thursday December 22 and yesterday. Detective Inspector Areumu Ingaua says the majority of domestic disputes attended to […]

Pharmacist swaps jobs in Orewa

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

Come December 28, there will be a less familiar face behind the counter at CITC Pharmacy. New Zealand pharmacy owner Kenneth Hickey will be serving the Rarotonga public for a month in place of pharmacist Shannon Saunders, and given his experience and industry knowledge Saunders considers him an ideal stand-in. Saunders is obligated to do […]

Christmas in Mauke's park

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

Unexpected heavy rain late afternoon of December 23 did not douse enthusiasm as Maukes inaugural Christmas in the Park became Christmas on the veranda at Opetipa Hall, Oiretumu. As night fell and skies cleared many chose to sit under the stars and peer through and over the railings to watch the variety show. The show […]

Pacific papal visit

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

llegal fishing nets $100,000

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

The Ministry of Marine Resources has agreed to a settlement of $100,000 for illegal fishing conducted by a Chinese fishing vessel near Cook Islands waters. According to marine resources secretary Ben Ponia, there were mitigating circumstances surrounding the case taken into consideration by the ministry. The incursions occurred in August in the area of maritime […]

Groups join forces to stop domestic violence

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

Laws relating to domestic violence offences and sentencing need to be strengthened to empower victims of the crime and help eliminate it in our community, a national workshop on domestic violence has found. The workshop, held on Friday, December 16, brought together community groups and government agencies that are dealing with domestic violence for a […]

Bishop picks up beach rubbish

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

Bishop Tutai Pere wasnt impressed when he came across piles of empty beer bottles while out for a walk in Kavera over the Christmas weekend, but instead of turning a blind eye Bishop Pere found a sack and picked up all the bottles left by party-goers. The bottles were left under trees and in piles […]

Travel over for ministers

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in National

Cabinet ministers are at home for the holidays, having finished their international travel for the year. Prime Minister Henry Punas trip to Abu Dhabi for an environmental conference earlier this month was the last of all overseas ministerial jaunts. Now all cabinet ministers are preparing to spend Christmas and New Year celebrations with their family […]

$200,000 emergency fund established

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in National

Government has just signed a deed establishing the Cook Islands disaster emergency trust fund which has started with a $200,000 balance. The deed has been signed by the funds trustees police commissioner Maara Tetava, Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) director Charles Carlson, acting Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP) secretary Donye Numa and financial secretary […]