National
MMR cautious about park trust
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in National
The Ministry of Marine Resources believes management and licensing of Cook Islands offshore fisheries is best left to a government statutory body, rather than a Marine Park Trust. “We would have to be careful about handing this responsibility over to a trust assuming it is a small board of people, what their qualifications are, and […]
Visitors up
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in National
Total visitor arrivals for the September 2010 quarter increased by 34.8% from the June 2010 quarter. During the September quarter, there were 33,514 visitors to the Cook Islands – more than the 31,319 tourists during the September 2009 quarter. Kiwis were the biggest nationality to the Cook Islands during the September 2010 quarter with 71% […]
'Political interference' in appointment
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in National
When the former Cook Islands Investment Corporation board hired John Tini to be chief executive of a government corporation with assets valued at $170 million, it failed to observe principles of good governance. Transparency was also lacking, states the recently tabled Audit report which reviews the selection and appointment of Tini in June 2007. It […]
Report critical of former CIIC board
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in National
Cook Islands Investment Corporation’s previous board has been accused of intentionally pretending to be transparent in the way it handled applications for chief executive when it had already decided John Tini would get the CEO job. The damning report further accuses the former board of creating a situation of political interference, bias and conflict of […]
Audit investigations open to public
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in National
The Audit Office First Quarter Report was tabled at last week’s sitting of Parliament making the comprehensive document open to the public. Apart from normal financial and stock take reports, it also contains five performance audits, special reviews and investigations. The special investigations by Audit were conducted into the appointment of former Cook Islands Investment […]
CJ Weston takes stock of city
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in Crime
Cook Islands Chief Justice Tom Weston and his wife Margaret are counting themselves lucky despite living in Christchurch. They and family members emerged relatively unscathed from this week’s massive earthquake, which destroyed many parts of the city. Their house, near Lincoln University to the south west of Christchurch’s city centre, was badly damaged in September’s […]
Shocked seek help
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in National
CHRISTCHURCH, Feb 25 – As Christchurch medical centres continue to treat those with physical scars following Tuesday’s devastating earthquake an increasing number of people left mentally battered are arriving seeking help. The Ferry Road Medical Centre in Phillipstown has been dealing with patients ranging from the walking wounded on Tuesday to helping those with shock […]
Families 'traumatised'
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in Local
Trauma is the main issue affecting Cook Islanders dealing firsthand with the Christchurch earthquake, Mid-Canterbury Cook Islands Community Society president Tony Vainerere says. Vainerere lives in Ashburton – south of Christchurch – where many Cook Islanders live and others have congregated to since the earthquake. As a New Life Church member, Pacific community liaison coordinator […]
Population dwindling
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in National
The Cook Islands Statistics Office bulletin for the quarter ending September 2010 reveals an increase in tourist numbers but a decrease in resident population. Statistics for that quarter show a total estimated population of 23,400 – but just 11,400 estimated residents, which is down from the June 2010 quarter, which had residents pegged somewhere around […]
Kiwis launch quake appeal
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in Local
The Aotearoa Society of Rarotonga yesterday launched an Earthquake Appeal for the stricken people of Christchurch. To start this initiative, and as a sign of respect , committee members have raised the New Zealand flag and it flies at half mast at their centre in Tupapa. On Saturday morning committee members, association members and volunteers […]
'Local lane' to be reinstated
Friday 25 February 2011 | Published in National
Government officials are looking to reinstate the local lane for international flights after congestion forced its suspension over the last Christmas and New Year period, according to MFEM Treasury director Andrew Haigh. He says the suspension had nothing to do with a shortage of Customs/Immigration personnel due to the lack of money – “funds are […]
Govt pushes back ceremonial opening
Thursday 24 February 2011 | Published in Local
Parliament staff are expecting the ceremonial opening of the 47th session to be held in April, a month later than originally planned by government. Assistant clerk Tupuna Rakanui says they’re not sure why the opening has been pushed back but staff are happy that government is “trying to get parliament back on track because for […]
Alcohol-related accident policy challenged
Thursday 24 February 2011 | Published in Local
Two serious complaints alleging discrimination and unlawful deprivation of medical treatment have been lodged with the Ombudsman Office and are expected to develop into landmark cases. The complaints will most likely result in the Ministry of Health’s policy on the provision of treatment to victims of road accidents in which health personnel decide are alcohol […]
By-election to cost $30,000
Thursday 24 February 2011 | Published in Local
Finance Minister Mark Brown estimates that the by-election for the Pukapuka-Nassau seat will cost government around $30,000. Last Thursday afternoon, Justice Nicholson delivered a decision after hearing independent candidate Vai Peua’s electoral petition hearing, declaring the Pukapuka-Nassau election void. He has not yet handed down a written decision, which means Prime Minister Henry Puna and […]
Old gowns and patched wigs
Thursday 24 February 2011 | Published in Local
While MPs can wear new suits and ties thanks to their $5000 clothing allowance, spare a thought for parliament staff who must wear the clobber of ancient costumes when parliament is in session. And right now as they prepare for a ceremonial opening, the speaker, clerk and assistant clerk of parliament aren’t looking pretty – […]
24 fight it out
Thursday 24 February 2011 | Published in National
Twenty-four non-elite golf teams will fight it out today for the game of the century in the annual Business House competition. And judging by the teams taking part – Air Rarotonga, Vonnias and Pyramid should be out to win the gross outright prize with outsider FBI lead by the minister Mark Brown to take the […]
Tereora College prefects inducted
Thursday 24 February 2011 | Published in National
Tereora College prefects, peace ambassadors and student councillors were inducted in a special ceremony at the national college on Friday. Twelve senior students were selected for the prefect role based on their leadership qualities and for their talents in various areas such as culture, art and sports. They will work closely with the college’s teachers. […]
NZ ombuds here to help out
Thursday 24 February 2011 | Published in National
Senior business advisor Antonia Di Maio of the New Zealand Office of the Ombudsmen is in her third week at the Cook Islands Office of the Ombudsman helping local staff with their workload. Di Maio is on Rarotonga for two months, serving out a short-term placement sponsored by the Pacific Ombudsman Alliance, whereby member countries […]
Electoral people compare practices
Thursday 24 February 2011 | Published in National
Delegates are entering the final day of a BRIDGE – Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections – Electoral Management Design workshop at Edgewater Resort’s Spaghetti House. A Cook Islands delegation – which consists of Michelle Aisake, Enua Pakitoa, Tinirau Tupa, Vero Papatua and Iti Takaiti – has this week been working with representatives from […]
New JP sworn in at Auckland
Thursday 24 February 2011 | Published in National
Auckland’s Pacific community are fortunate to see hardworking leaders giving their time to serve our diverse community for free. Nana Kamo Mataroa was one of 22 newly appointed Ministerial Justices of the Peace sworn in on Friday February 18 at the Auckland District Courthouse. In her allegiance speech to the District Court Judge Gittos who […]
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