National
'Good news'
Friday 11 February 2011 | Published in National
Prime minister Henry Puna is promising a better working relationship between cabinet and local media. With government secure and “back on stream” Puna has undertaken to hold a press conference every Friday afternoon where media can ask questions and be informed of government developments. He’s also invited the media to submit questions before press conferences […]
MMR launches bonefish campaign
Friday 11 February 2011 | Published in National
The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) heads to Aitutaki this weekend in preparation for the launch of its bonefishing management plan. The plan outlines a set of regulations designed to protect and conserve the Aitutaki and Manuae bonefish stocks. Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin signed it into force on October 27 of last year, but […]
'Good stuff happening'
Friday 11 February 2011 | Published in National
Professional advising firm Tuia International – which has advised governments and agencies throughout the Pacific, Asia and in the Middle East – is this week scoping the Cook Islands Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) with a vision to provide expert feedback and guidance on its current projects and initiatives. BTIB chief executive officer Terry Rangi […]
'We need brains and hands, not new clothes'
Friday 11 February 2011 | Published in National
The $5000 clothing allowance for all 24 MPs – which government is poised to reinstate –shouldn’t go into their pockets but rather to “good causes,” says outspoken Tupapa MP George Maggie Angene. Angene isn’t happy that parliament will have to pay out $120,000 in taxpayer funds supposedly to buy new clothes for MPs. “I’ve been […]
Policeman denies forgery charges
Friday 11 February 2011 | Published in Crime
Justice of the Peace Tiki Matapo presided over a session of the Cook Islands High Court yesterday. A police officer with interim suppression of name pleaded not guilty to two charges of forgery. Through counsel Norman George he elected trial by judge and jury. George told the court that he intends to prepare a “very […]
Workers want $8 minimum
Friday 11 February 2011 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands Workers Association is asking government to increase the minimum wage rate from $5 to $8. CIWA president Anthony Turua and a workers representative met with the Minister of Internal Affairs Mark Brown and internal affairs secretary Bredina Drollet on Monday to discuss various labour issues concerning workers in the Cook Islands. “In […]
Villagers rejoice
Friday 11 February 2011 | Published in Local
An emotional thanksgiving service was held on Wednesday night in Arorangi for the lives of Te Ina Tapurau, Augustine Heather and Johnny George – who survived the boating accident on Monday night. Puaikura villagers packed into the Calvary Hall to give praise to the Lord for protecting their three sons and to thank everyone involved […]
National youth football tournament April 16-23
Friday 11 February 2011 | Published in National
The 5th national junior championship football tournament will take place from April 16 to 23. This tournament caters for under 15 boys and under 16 girls age groups. All the best junior football players from all the southern group islands of Atiu, Aitutaki, Mangaia, Mitiaro, Mauke and the three Vaka on Rarotonga (Puaikura, Takitumu and […]
Justice secretary investigation widens
Thursday 10 February 2011 | Published in Crime
Public Service Commissioner Navy Epati has issued a statement explaining his office’s stance on secretary of justice Mark Short’s suspension. Short is suspended until the Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) completes its investigation into his management of government funds. “The suspension of Justice Secretary Mark Short arises from information retrieved by OPSC staff […]
'Trust me' says telecommunications minister
Thursday 10 February 2011 | Published in Local
Telecommunications minister Mark Brown says if legislative changes are needed to again put the Cook Islands at the forefront of regional telecommunications, he will make those law changes. The Cook Islands was once a regional leader in telecommunications and now the country has lagged behind, says Brown. While past administrations have relied on Telecom Cook […]
Ivaiti says there is a way out of 'Toa thing'
Thursday 10 February 2011 | Published in Local
Former financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti says he knows how government can extricate itself from the Toa deal but it’s up to officials and cabinet to work out for themselves how to do this. “There is a way out of the Toa thing, but it’s up to the government to give it serious thought how they […]
Release of MP travel figures uncertain
Thursday 10 February 2011 | Published in Local
Parliamentary staff are uncertain whether a ban on the release of ministerial and MP’s travel figures imposed over 20 years ago will be lifted by the new government. According to Parliament, releasing official travel figures was prohibited by the late speaker of parliament David Hosking on the instruction of the then Cook Islands Party Government. […]
Police will review boat safety
Thursday 10 February 2011 | Published in Local
In the wake of Tuesday’s search and rescue mission, police commissioner Maara Tetava plans to call a meeting with local fishermen and boat owners to discuss maritime safety procedures. Te Ina Tapurau Jnr, Augustine Heather and Johnny George were fishing on Monday evening when their boat was hit by a rogue wave. Tapurau swam ashore […]
New jetty design subject to EIA
Thursday 10 February 2011 | Published in National
Construction of the proposed alternative cruise ship jetty in Arorangi is expected to start before the next cyclone season starts in November. In the meantime Ports Authority is undertaking a vigorous design process for the proposed jetty to meet the New Zealand funding conditions. Ports Authority general manager Bim Tou says that the jetty project, […]
Rescue raises boat safety questions
Wednesday 9 February 2011 | Published in National
Police sent out an alarm at 1.40 am yesterday after receiving news of two young people in danger, one clinging to a petrol can and the other hanging on to a buoy out at sea. Te Ina Tapurau Jnr, Augustine Heather and policeman Johnny George went fishing on Monday evening. At around 7pm their vessel […]
La Railleuse discovers Vanuatu crew
Wednesday 9 February 2011 | Published in National
En route to Rarotonga, about 30 nautical miles from the boundary French Polynesia shares with the Cook Islands exclusive economic zone (EEZ), French naval vessel La Railleuse encountered Taiwanese fishing vessel Shing Yuan No. 6. The French Marine Nationale officers on board La Railleuse checked the vessel for documentation and ascertained that she was not […]
Time running out because of petitions
Wednesday 9 February 2011 | Published in National
Amending the constitution to dispense with the need to have all electoral petitions heard before a secure government can call parliament needs serious consideration, says Assistant Clerk of Parliament Tupuna Rakanui. He says the entire country is having to wait for the results of the Pukapuka petition, the outcome of which would not affect government’s […]
Ex-Finsec in job talks
Wednesday 9 February 2011 | Published in National
Discussions on employment possibilities have been held between Infrastructure and Planning Minister Teariki Heather and former financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti, the minister’s office has confirmed. But Ivaiti and Heather’s CEO Ben Mose are downplaying the discussions both saying nothing has been confirmed. “The outcome of that is still with the minister,” says Mose. Heather is […]
PM tests Manihiki cell service
Wednesday 9 February 2011 | Published in National
Prime Minister Henry Puna was one of the first to try out the new mobile telephone service on the northern group island of Manihiki when he arrived on Monday. Telecom technicians have been in Manihiki installing the service for the last two week sand are due back from Manihiki today. Manihiki is the third outer […]
Bibles stolen
Wednesday 9 February 2011 | Published in National
Dear Editor, Approximately two and a half weeks ago, someone removed my two Bibles (both in English and Maori) from inside the Avarua CICC Church. The English bible was presented to me for achieving the highest result during the Lay Preachers Graduation Ceremony at the P.I.C Presbyterian church Newton, Auckland, in 1986. If you spare […]
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