National
Govt braces for potential $11m tourism loss
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in National
The Cook Islands government considers underpinning direct flights that link Rarotonga with Los Angeles and Sydney as its single biggest commercial risk for the upcoming financial year. In the 2011-12 Budget Appropriation, the government recognises it has committed to commercial liabilities worth a total $23 million, with $11 million of that being put towards covering […]
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 […]
Layers of culture welcome visitors
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in National
Rarotonga International Airport hosted a range of celebrations for the first 2011 Australian passengers to fly in directly to the Cook Islands yesterday, welcoming them not just to the nation or island specifically, but even to Nikao at the village level. Singers, dancers and musicians lined the Rarotonga International Airport runway to greet passengers arriving […]
Biggest chop to police
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in National
Cook Islands police need more vehicles to effectively combat crime and Prime Minister Henry Puna is promising the government will deliver by the end of this year. During a parliamentary session yesterday, member of parliament and high court lawyer Norman George asked a question of Puna, who is also the minister for police and justice. […]
Port access assured
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in National
Access to cargo stored at Avatius harbour will not be compromised during the upgrade taking place at present, finance minister Mark Brown assures Cook Islanders. Brown says the Ports Authority intends to allow business as usual at the Avatiu harbour despite a major upgrade. Even despite this time that we are going through a major […]
Demo ceremonial opening cost $41,512.27
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in National
The 2007 Democratic Party ceremonial opening of parliament cost double the one staged by the Cook Islands Party Government last week, parliament was told yesterday. Prime Minister Henry Puna was prompted to ask a question of deputy opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen in the debating chamber following public debate about whether the $20,000 spent by government […]
Samoa ferry chartered for Maeva Nui
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in National
A Samoan ferry will be used to transport northern islands residents to Rarotonga for Te Maeva Nui celebrations at the end of the month. This financial year the Ministry of Cultural Development is allocated $800,000 to host Constitution Day celebrations which mark the 46th year of self government in the Cook Islands. During a parliamentary […]
US willing to pay top price for Kiwi beef
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in National
WELLINGTON, July 5 The beef industry is likely to enjoy high export prices for some time yet, Beef + Lamb market development manager Craig Finch says. Despite an eight per cent dip in beef prices in June, prices for hamburger beef on the United States market have lifted 30 per cent in the past two […]
College rumour malicious
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in Local
A suggestion that Titikaveka College will be shut down and turned into a trade school has stumped education minister Teina Bishop. The rumour made it into a parliament session yesterday when deputy opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen posed it as a question to Bishop. A letter was written to the principal of Titikaveka College indicating there […]
McCully brings 80 on promotional tour
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in Local
NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully is reportedly bringing a delegation of 80 people to Rarotonga next week. McCullys office refuses to elaborate on the details of the visit. His media contact Stephen Parker says he is standing by as the information passes through the system and will issue a press release thereafter. Despite the bureaucratic […]
New 15% tax on interest
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in Local
A new tax is proposed on interest earned from investments and savings in all Cook Islands bank accounts. From September 1 it is highly likely the interest earned in all bank accounts will be taxed at 15 percent, in an effort to generate further revenue for the government. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management […]
Te Maeva Nui transport on the way
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in Local
At a cost of $400,000 this Samoan ferry named MV Lady Naomi will transport pa enua residents to and from Rarotonga for Te Maeva Nui celebrations at the end of this month.Story, page 7. 11070528
New Rotary president full of ideas
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in National
Bob Solar Bob Riley has taken office as the president of the Rotary Club of Rarotonga. Outgoing president Maureen Hilyard officially handed over the reins at a Spaghetti House dinner function on Wednesday night. Riley was voted president-elect last year. After taking office this week, he will be president for a term of one year. […]
Mitiaro takes delivery of new barge
Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in National
An island wide celebration was held on the southern group island of Mitiaro for the arrival and blessing of the islands new barge. Building of the barge was contracted through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP) to experienced boat builder Teokotai (Tango) Herman on Aitutaki. The barge is over 9.5 metres in length and […]
More money for pearl authority
Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands Pearl Authority (CIPA) has received a financial shot in the arms as it plans to rejuvenate the once-mighty pearl industry. The new 2011/2012 budget appropriates $502,387 to CIPA, allowing for greater operating costs than the previous year. Another $3 million is being allocated to CIPA through an NZAid programme, the details of […]
CI dancers immortalised in book
Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National
Cook Islands dancers feature in the first-ever photo book to commemorate a Festival of Pacific Arts. Writer and photographer Floyd Takeuchi has compiled a book of photos from the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts in American Samoa in 2008. The 186-page book, called Pasefika, features photos of Cook Islands dancers, who danced in the kickoff […]
Beefed up foreign presence planned
Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National
In an effort to improve European relations the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration plans to seek cabinet approval to re-open its Brussels office and nominate a Cook Islands ambassador. These plans are listed within the ministrys output specifications for the 2011-2012 year. Government objectives this financial year include funding for the foreign affairs and […]
Funding to guard CIs top asset
Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National
People are the countrys top asset and accordingly $48.3 million is being allocated to social sector services in the next year, finance minister Mark Brown says. When tabling the 2011-2012 national budget in parliament on Friday Brown said 25 percent of the governments resources are being used to build and sustain societys core fabric the […]
Workshop examines arts
Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National
Artists and curators, both practising and aspiring, are encouraged to attend a curatorial workshop at the National Museum this month. The Ministry of Culture is hosting A Curatorial Perspective on Traditional Art Objects and Pacific Art from July 12 to 16. Pacific Arts Association president Dr Michael Gunn is the workshops designated guest tutor. The […]
Dispute must go to board
Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National
An employment dispute between health secretary Tupou Faireka and former director of hospital services Heather Webber-Aitu must be referred to the Cook Islands Public Service Board of Appeal. New Zealand judge Justice Hugh Williams has issued a judgement in the case, in which Webber-Aitu claims Tupou breached her employment contract by advertising her position, leading […]
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