National
Deep sea mysteries to be explained
Friday 8 July 2011 | Published in National
The deep sea minerals taskforce is preparing to stage a public awareness campaign in coming months. The public will be invited to hear what the taskforce is doing during sessions in public meeting houses and at the University of South Pacific, Cook Islands campus in Avarua. Well-known deep sea research scientist Chuck Fisher will be […]
Enthusiasm over rare seabed minerals
Friday 8 July 2011 | Published in National
The chairman of the Cook Islands deep sea mining taskforce has welcomed announcements of the discovery of troves of rare earth minerals on the Pacific Ocean floor. Japanese researchers this week announced they had discovered massive deposits of rare earth minerals, essential materials for making almost all high-tech electronics, in the mud of the Pacific […]
Te Maeva Nui revamped
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in National
Nine days of cultural performances and singing are planned for this years Te Maeva Nui celebrations from July 29 to August 6. The annual Te Maeva Nui is a celebration of the nations self governance since the constitution on August 4, 1965, and involves the whole country. There is renewed energy in the organising of […]
Baby bonus will cost $360,000
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in National
The governments election promise to give all parents of newborns a $1000 allowance is this financial year expected to cost $360,000. A previous baby bonus of $300 cost the government an annual $90,000. The new allowance is part of a total welfare payments estimate of $12.5 million for the year ending June 30, 2010. That […]
PM wants 100% renewable energy by 2020
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in National
Prime Minister Henry Puna has set the Cook Islands the ambitious but not impossible target of becoming 100 per cent reliant on renewable energy within 10 years. Puna, the Minister of Environment, said the Cook Islands government was aiming to generate 50 per cent of the countrys electricity needs from renewable sources by 2015 and […]
100 meet for health
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in National
Mens health, non-communicable diseases, mental health, research and HIV are the themes for this years Cook Islands health conference, set to begin next week. More than 100 people are expected to attend the various conference sessions on Rarotonga between July 13 and 15, and on Aitutaki July 18 and 19. The sessions are open to […]
McCully aims to tap into views
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in National
New Zealand foreign affairs minister Murray McCully and his 75-strong delegation arrive on Wednesday at 8.20pm on a chartered New Zealand Air Force 757. The group leaves New Zealand this week for Tonga and Samoa, and from Apia heads to Rarotonga International Airport. McCullys media contact Stephen Parker says there will be two other members […]
Finance minister defends new tax
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in National
A 15 percent withholding tax on interest earned in Cook Islands bank accounts has been forced on the government at the last minute due to unexpected shortfalls in last years budget appropriations, finance minister Mark Brown says. Apex Agencies Ltd, operating as Toa Petroleum, has to be paid an extra $200,000 to cover losses, in […]
Banks seek more details on tax
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in National
Trading banks dont know enough about the proposed new tax on interest to be able to make informed comment on it. Cook Islands Bankers Association chairman Scott Howley said more contact with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management was needed to establish how banks and their customers will be affected by the governments proposed […]
1700 foreign workers here
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in Crime
There are currently 1700 foreign workers employed in the Cook Islands, making up less than 25 percent of the total workforce. Immigration minister Tom Marsters yesterday disclosed the figure at parliament, in response to a question posed by MP Norman George. Marsters said the latest information about the countrys total workforce is outdated as it […]
Tax on savings a desperate move
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in National
The new tax proposal is a reversal of the earlier reasoning for bank interest to be free of tax. The earlier reasoning stood the test of time over 14 years throughout the eras of both political parties during their years in power. In the past, the objective had been to encourage retention of savings within […]
Recycling centre calls for help
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in Environment
For four-and-a-half years, Caryn Chilwell and her partner Brian Freeth have paid rent on a quarter-acre section in Turangi to run a small-scale commercial recycling business, a venture Chilwell calls a labour of love on account of its slim profit margins. But they are tired of paying out of their own pockets to subsidise what […]
Writeshop will help nations access millions
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in Environment
A Pacific regional proposal writing workshop has opened in the Cook Islands to help Forum Island Countries (FICs) access funds to support renewable energy and salt water desalination projects The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) have pooled resources to coordinate the workshop focusing on the Pacific […]
Turangi tip calls for help
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in Local
Operators of the Turangi recycling centre are pleading for government help to stop people dumping waste on their property, and to help remove the rubbish.Story and photos, page 12. 11070615
Tax a disincentive
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in Local
A 15 percent withholding tax on all interest earned in Cook Islands bank accounts is a disincentive for investors and those trying to save money, Cook Islands News is told. Matavera resident, pensioner and Westpac investor Les Priest says news of the withholding tax, set to be implemented in September once approved by parliament, spoiled […]
Its desperate
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in Local
Former Inland Revenue collector Geoff Stoddart has slammed government plans to introduce a tax on interest, saying the idea is a desperate move that will only hurt disadvantaged people. Stoddart said the proposed 15 per cent tax on interest earned from savings and investments in Cook Islands bank accounts would more than likely cost the […]
Opposition not happy with new tax
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in Local
Opposition Democratic Party members are not happy with the governments withholding tax which will take 15 percent of all interest earned from Cook Islands bank accounts. Deputy opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen says party members met yesterday to discuss the tax. In general we are not happy with it. The most obvious reasons are it is […]
Young sailors train in Europe
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in National
Cook Islands sailors Helema Williams and Taua Elisa are continuing their Olympic campaign at the European Championships in Helsinki, Finland, in preparation for the 2012 London Olympic test event in early August at Weymouth. A competitive programme aimed at improving competition skills and race fitness has resulted in the experience of a range of weather, […]
Alert cancelled
Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in National
New Zealand Civil Defence issued a tsunami warning for New Zealand and the Pacific yesterday but cancelled it after two hours. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook the Kermadec Islands, 1000 kilometres northeast of the North Island, at 7.03 yesterday morning. Following the quake, a warning was issued advising New Zealand and the Pacific to be […]
Tourism campaigns to continue
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in National
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation chief executive Carmel Beattie says the corporation will continue its marketing campaigns in Australia and North America to ensure direct flights from Los Angeles and Sydney are well supported. The first planeload of Australian passengers who flew directly from Sydney since last years trial period touched down at Rarotonga yesterday. Beattie […]
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