National
New wheelchairs for Creative Centre
Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in National
Two new wheelchairs donated to the Creative Centre last Thursday will go a long way to improving the quality of lives for the centre members who need wheelchairs. The chairs were donated to the centre by visitors to Rarotonga from the Probus Club of Taringa in Queensland and presented to the centre by Air New […]
Quake reflection brings tears
Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in National
A moment of silence for victims of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch brought emotions to the fore, both in New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Christchurch resident Edna Allan says she was moved to tears during the event on March 1 (NZT). “I found it to be a moving experience. I was cleaning up […]
It's not the first time...
Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in National
If CINews is hauled before the privileges committee, it won’t be the first time. And like the previous two occasions, it will draw international media attention. Twice before, CINews directors, editors and cartoonists have faced the powerful parliamentary privileges committee for publishing material that MPs felt mocked parliament and their roles. Those occasions were widely […]
Sir Geoffrey targets CINews for possible 'contempt of parliament'
Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in National
A little over two weeks into his new job as speaker of parliament and Sir Geoffrey Henry seems to have taken exception to reportage by the country’s daily newspaper Cook Islands News. It appears the new speaker may be so aggrieved with an article which may have been printed by CINews to the point that […]
Providing a bridge for abused women
Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in Crime
Punanga Tauturu Inc (PTI) synchronised the release of its annual report with the 100th celebration of International Women’s Day – yesterday, the counselling centre released a 19-page booklet detailing its work for women in recent years. The report covers the period between July 2008 and June 2010, during which dozens of women and more than […]
Call for 'bold action' on climate change
Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in Environment
Climate change adaption advocates are pushing for a new unit to be established within the Office of the Prime Minister, as a central entity to manage climate change functions for the Cook Islands. It is envisiged the unit will primarily coordinate and integrate existing climate change-related bodies and individuals within the Cook Islands government as […]
Sir Geoffrey targets daily newspaper
Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in Local
New Speaker of Parliament Sir Geoffrey Henry is threatening to haul Cook Islands News before the Parliamentary Privileges Committee for possible ‘contempt of parliament’. It’s the same form of action taken against the newspaper for cartoons considered offensive to parliament 15 and 18 years ago. Sir Geoffrey has instructed the Clerk of Parliament to request […]
More rain, cyclones unlikely
Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in Local
The cyclone season does not officially end until the last week of April, but the Cook Islands is not likely to experience any cyclones before then. As an indication that it is still cyclone season for the Pacific region, the Cook Islands Meteorological Service is currently monitoring a tropical depression just west of Fiji that […]
'Speed up the jetty'
Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in Local
Clear instructions have been given to New Zealand officials to quicken the pace of the Arorangi jetty project by Foreign Minister Murray McCully, says Prime Minister Henry Puna. During recent talks between Puna and McCully, the reasons for delays affecting progress on the project were identified as the hydrological survey of the landing. Puna says […]
BJ passes away
Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in Local
BJ Oaariki was an identity on Mauke. The young disabled man died last week after a short illness, leaving a big gap in the island community where he was loved and looked after by people of all ages. On page 10 today, June Hosking’s obituary and photos are a small tribute to a popular person […]
Red Cross still counting
Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in Local
Red and black day appeal money, being collated by the Cook Islands Red Cross Society, for those affected by the 6.3 magnitude Christchurch earthquake is expected to exceed $8000. Cook Islands Red Cross Society disaster management coordinator Charlie Numanga today expects to have a final tally of money generated by Cook Islanders during the Friday […]
Arorangi's double celebration
Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in National
Arorangi Primary School on Friday celebrated new beginnings – a fresh lot of prefects and a recently-refurbished woodwork and home economics building. A morning ceremony honoured head boy Tokoitu Vavia, head girl Kathleen Paerau, deputy head boy Tamarua Marsters, deputy head girl Jennifer Nookura and the 2011 prefects – Joseph Tapeua, Rshart Henry, Teokoitu Rima […]
Earthquake appeal reaches $14,000
Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in National
Local contributions to the earthquake-ravaged Christchurch community are estimated to exceed $14,000. The Aotearoa Society was the first to initiate a fundraising drive for Cantabrians. Members toted donation buckets around town last weekend and deposited collection tins at the Rarotonga Golf Club, Aramoana Cafe and Grill, Foodland, Friendlimart and Cafe Salsa, inviting contributions for the […]
PSC meets with mayors, island secs
Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in National
Outer islands mayors and island secretaries have been given the chance to table concerns about the public service on their islands in open and frank discussions with Public Service Commission staff. Yesterday’s closed meeting included an orientation of the 2009 Public Service Act and how the commission can more efficiently and effectively serve the outer […]
PM delays Pukapuka island visit
Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in National
Pukapuka will have to wait until after the by-election for a parliamentary representative is held before Prime Minister Henry Puna will visit the island. Puna’s CEO Edwin Pittman says while the prime minister wants to visit all islands in the group, going to Pukapuka before the by-election could be construed as trying to influence voters. […]
Cyrus explores his roots, helps with social services
Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in National
Cyrus Mea-Nielson has two main objectives while living in the Cook Islands – to help improve the service of government departments and to discover his genealogical roots. A New Zealand-born public servant, Mea-Nielson is the eldest son of the late Kuranui Teariki Dave Mea of Mauke. He is on a 12-month secondment to the Cook […]
China and Cook Islands look at progressing MOU
Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in National
Recent discussions between Prime Minister Henry Puna and Chinese ambassador Xu Jinguo have focused on the travel MOU signed between China and the Cook Islands about two years ago. It recognises this country as a preferred destination for Chinese travellers. Little has happened since the signing to progress the MOU, mainly due to the lack […]
Numbers up
Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in National
More people visited the Cook Islands in 2009 than in 2008, according to the annual bulletin of the Statistics Office. The total number of arrivals in 2009 was 111,461, of which 100,591 were visitors – meaning 6.1% more tourists visited in 2009 the previous year. (In 2008, the total number of arrivals was 106,521.) Visitors […]
Govt surplus $11m
Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in National
For the 2009-2010 financial year, provisional figures show that government generated $130.3 million in revenue and expended $119.3 million, leaving a surplus of $11 million, according to the annual bulletin of the Cook Islands Office of Statistics. Of the public sector’s total revenue, 64.3% ($83.8 million) was from taxes – 26.4% ($34.4 million) from domestic […]
Australian official here for talks
Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in National
Australia’s parliamentary secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, was expected to be in Rarotonga for 24 hours for a marathon of talks today before leaving this afternoon. Scheduled to arrive yesterday afternoon, Marles was to meet with cabinet today for discussions on bilateral and international matters of mutual interest. Acting foreign affairs minister Nandi […]
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