National
Bastille Day marked
Wednesday 13 July 2011 | Published in National
The French community on Rarotonga will congregate at Le Bon Vivant tomorrow to celebrate Bastille Day. In celebration of French National Day, the Avarua eatery will be putting on a special French menu, hanging French decorations and playing French music from 7am. On display will be drawings done by Avatea students that artistically answer the […]
Students get a pearl of a day
Wednesday 13 July 2011 | Published in National
As tourists and staff came streaming off the Pacific Pearl P&O onto Rarotonga on Sunday, a group of young hospitality students made the reverse journey to tour the ships cooking and dining facilities. About 15 chef and front of house students from the Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre received a special look into life in […]
Lady Naomi promises comfortable trip
Wednesday 13 July 2011 | Published in National
Northern islanders travelling aboard MV Lady Naomi for Constitution Day celebrations in Rarotonga will be able to take 1000 tonnes of cargo back to their communities next month. Culture and infrastructure minister Teariki Heather spoke in parliament on Monday evening, giving details of the transport provided to pa enua residents by the government for Te […]
Get the simple things right: MP
Wednesday 13 July 2011 | Published in National
New Zealand foreign minister Murray McCully should be championed to push for more Cook Islands produce exports to New Zealand while he is in Rarotonga this week, member of parliament for Oneroa Winton Pickering says. Pickering spoke in parliament on Monday and urged those in power to perfect the countrys key produce rather than try […]
Net cafe dishes up home-made wireless
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in National
IT entrepreneur George Ngatikao said his plans are not so much a case of David trying to take on Goliath, but one that is simply about finding the best returns possible for his business. Ngatikao has set up a new internet cafe in Rarotongas west, catering for the areas heavy flow of tourists and locals […]
Govt looks at dialysis
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in National
The Ministry of Health is currently probing the viability of purchasing a dialysis machine for Rarotonga. New Zealand-based consultant Carla Wilson has been employed to research the potential for hosting dialysis treatment in the Cook Islands with funding from the New Zealand Aid Programme made available through the New Zealand High Commission. Wilson, who works […]
Brown has baptism of fire
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in National
Atiu MP Norman George suggested in parliament last week that the government tweak the customs duty act. As it stands now, the act exempts people carrying less than $250 from paying a customs duty. I introduced that rate in 1984, George said. The price of things has gone up…I wonder if the minister (Mark Brown) […]
Boats new identity blessed
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in National
The re-named and re-launched Tropicbird has made its official welcome to the world with a ceremony at Avaitu Wharf last week. Local landowners and church pastors joined owner Beth Harrison for the ceremony, which made the Tropicbirds transformation from its former guise Hotel California official. Vakatini Ariki Papa Joe Vakatini gave his blessings to the […]
Proposed new tax absurd: CIWA
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in National
The governments proposed new tax on interest is a depressing picture of society in the Cook Islands, says Cook Islands Workers Association president Anthony Turua. Turua said Cook Islands workers received a double-hit from the governments 2011-12 Budget Appropriation, coupling the new 15 percent tax on interest with no provisions for an increase to the […]
TIS supports park
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in Environment
Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) has thrown its support behind the idea establishing a marine park in Cook Islands waters. Research worldwide has found that protection of marine resources benefits us by increasing the number and size of fish, providing young fish to fishing areas and enabling coral reefs to be more resilient to the effects […]
Aitutaki to get processing plant
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in National
Aitutaki is to get its own noni processing plant courtesy of Reef Group and Reef Shipping. In parliament yesterday minister and Aitutaki representative Teina Bishop announced plans to expand the outer islands noni industry. Bishop says New Zealand-based Reef Group director Phillip McNicholl travelled with him to Aitutaki on Sunday. While there, the noni processing […]
Worlds oceans in grave state
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in Environment
Cook Islands vaka crew members Tua Pittman and Nick Henry represented Marumaru Atua at the Kava Bowl Ocean Summit in Honolulu, which wrapped up last week. Organised by German philanthropist Dieter Paulmann, the summit aimed to bring together people from diverse cultures, backgrounds and expertise to creatively approach the problems facing the Pacific Ocean now, […]
Carr criticises Government over tax
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in National
Former financial secretary Kevin Carr says the government has slipped up by not providing more information earlier on regarding its proposed 15 percent tax on interest accrued in the Cook Islands. In response to a request for comment, Carr said the government would have a tough time winning Cook Islanders over now that the public […]
Australian carbon tax wont hurt NZ
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in Environment
WELLIGNTON, July 12 — Australias planned carbon tax regime will ensure there is no loss of investment in New Zealand industry, the government says. The Australian government has unveiled plans to tax its 500 worst polluters A$23 (NZ$29.50) for every tonne of carbon they produce from next July. Australia is the developed worlds worst per-capita […]
Plea to rethink
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in Local
Cook Islands Workers Association president Anthony Turua has offered a plea to the government on behalf of working Cook Islanders, to reconsider the new withholding tax which is another blow for workers. Turua asked the government to look at different options to its financial problems which would not impact on the lives of the average […]
Meetings to listen, not preach
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in Local
The government is holding three meetings this week to include Cook Islanders in discussions about the proposed marine park and the process of establishing it. Sue Taei, marine programme director at Conservation International, and SPREP marine and coastal adviser Tim Carruthers will make presentations at each meeting, and will be on hand to address any […]
Hanging on for Eels win
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in Local
Seven-year-old Kaienua Pera was snapped hanging out at the Avatiu field cheering on the Avatiu Eels rugby club grades.The Apii Nikao Maori student spent all afternoon at the field playing with friends and cheering on his big brother 17-year-old Zeru Pera. Matariki Wilson
Budget approval begins
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in Local
Parliament has started approving the governments 2011-2012 ministry appropriations. After debating for hours on the agriculture appropriation of $945,451 members approved it yesterday afternoon. The approval of appropria tions for audit/PERCA ($814,046), Crown Law ($654,197), and cultural development ($1,712,705) followed soon after. Little debate was generated by those allocations. Deputy opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen said […]
Police advise private security
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in Local
As burglaries and thefts continue to rise, Cook Islands Police are suggesting tourist accommodators employ private security workers. After police received reports of six burglaries and two thefts over the weekend, they have repeated warnings that people must be vigilant in looking after their valuables. Police inspector Tere Patia has encouraged tourist accommodations to consider […]
Enrolments open for massage course
Tuesday 12 July 2011 | Published in National
A $1500 massage qualification is being offered to Cook Islanders for one tenth of the cost through an initiative supported by the New Zealand Aid Programme and Department of National Human Resources Development. Lotus Holistic Centre Ltd founder Glenda Palmer and co-director Alison Grace train masseurs in Hastings, New Zealand. Palmer has been practising and […]
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