National

Concerns for Cook Islanders in floods

Thursday 13 January 2011 | Published in National

Families make contact, support and sympathy flow for victims As Queensland mourns the loss of lives and property to devastating floods, water levels continue to rise, filling over 2000 streets and saturating thousands of homes. Given that over 127,000 Queenslanders are without power, attempts by CINews to contact Cook Islanders living in the area have […]

National

Cabinet commits to HIV policy

Thursday 13 January 2011 | Published in National

The first cabinet meeting of 2011 was dominated by deciding on the nation’s response to the first case of HIV. Cabinet started at 10am on Tuesday and the meeting went on until 6.30pm as ministers tried to hammer out a way forward. They were joined by the National HIV, STI and TB Committee for discussion […]

National

Rasmussen fired up over election

Thursday 13 January 2011 | Published in National

Wilkie Rasmussen, the MP for Penrhyn, has raised concern that outer islanders who are currently overseas cannot vote in today’s outer islands local government election – and he is seeking legal advice on the matter. He says the Government “has seriously neglected its duty” to ensure that Cook Islanders who are eligible to vote and […]

National

Honeymooners luck in

Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in National

Before newlywed couple Mark and Kirsty Bignell received news that they were the winners of Edgewater’s promotional honeymoon package, they were planning to go camping to celebrate their December marriage. But their weeklong Rarotonga holiday was a “far cry” from that original arrangement, Kirsty said yesterday under the shade of a poolside umbrella. The Maraetai […]

National

Deportation could apply both ways

Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in National

A report on the website ‘monstersandcritics.com’ states that deportation of the local individual who has tested positive for HIV could invite the New Zealand government to send home any of the HIV positive Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. The report states, “The Prime Minister Henry Puna told the local Cook Islands News that the […]

National

Final election changes

Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in National

The outer island council elections are going to the polls tomorrow January 13 – but Atiu will no longer be electing council members. Originally there were seven candidates for the five council posts. Now two challengers to the incumbents have withdrawn, and no election of council members will be held. Elections for the mayor of […]

National

'Sexy eyes' spreading in Rarotonga

Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in Local

The conjunctivitis outbreak in Rarotonga is escalating. So far 103 people have presented with the condition, locally known as ‘sexy eyes’ and more commonly known overseas as ‘pink eyes’. From January 1 to 11, 103 people presented at outpatients with symptoms. The highest number of affected people came through outpatients on January 10, with 33 […]

Local

Nu stall for brothers' school fees

Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in Local

While most kids get a holiday job to buy luxury items – entrepreneurial brothers Revival (14) and Faithful Turua (7) are selling nu to pay for their 2011 school fees and stationery. Since Boxing Day the pair, with the help of their dad Pastor Clerk Turua, have been collecting, husking and selling nu from a […]

Local

Palace land secure says Pa's lawyer

Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in Local

Lawyer for Pa Marie Ariki Tina Browne says that the challenge over ownership of land earmarked for Pa Marie Ariki’s palace will not have any impact. Te Konini Amy Cowan Whittaker voiced her protest at the stone laying ceremony on December 28, saying that the land rightfully belongs to the Ngati Vaikai clan. Since then […]

Local

Mangaia gears up for Manea

Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in National

The island of Mangaia is gearing up to host the Manea Zone Games this October with the organising committee on the island expected to confirm dates and competition schedules for the event by the end of the month. The proposed dates for the event are October 7 to 17. Mangaia was the first island to […]

National

Disaster insurance suggested

Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in National

Recommendations have been made to the New Zealand Government that a number of steps should be taken to make conducting business easier for Pacific Islanders. One of those recommendations is that the NZ government look into natural disaster insurance which would lower the risks faced by new businesses and reassure investors. The report, Inquiry into […]

National

Surgical table donated

Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in National

After collecting a near-new steel operating table off the wharf yesterday, Esther Honey Foundation volunteers feel better-prepared to perform surgery on local animals. The table – valued at between $3000 and $4000 – was a donation from Dr Judy Harbison of Bulimba Veterinary Clinic in Brisbane, and it arrived safely because of the support and […]

National

Inquiry suggests business aid of $100m

Wednesday 12 January 2011 | Published in National

An Inquiry into New Zealand’s relationship with South Pacific countries has recommended that NZ provide Pacific countries with a business development fund of up to $100 million to support innovative and sustainable ventures. One of the aims of the report was to investigate how the New Zealand government could assist Pacific nations develop sustainable economies. […]

National

Tsunami escape routes signposted

Tuesday 11 January 2011 | Published in Local

While residents of the Cook Islands generally knew how to respond to the tsunami warning issued in February of last year, Muri Environment Care Group members raised concerns that some people – particularly tourists – were not adequately informed of evacuation procedures. Muri Environment Care Group spokesperson Mata Hetland said that “quite a number of […]

Local

Old medical rules applied

Tuesday 11 January 2011 | Published in Local

Kave Ringi, Director of Immigration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), has said that the individual who has HIV came into the country before rules on entry were tightened up. Ringi said, “In relation to the person in question, this person entered the Cook Islands prior to the current very strict medical […]

Local

PM praises new police initiatives

Tuesday 11 January 2011 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna has praised two new community policing initiatives which give power back to the community. Police Commissioner Maara Tetava said that the two schemes in Rutaki and Ngatangiia are showing promise. The projects are joint efforts between the police and the Aronga Mana in each of the villages to manage and decrease […]

Local

Shipping report

Tuesday 11 January 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands can rely on regular cargo shipping services to continue in the post-holiday period. Pacific Forum Line diverts its vessel Forum Pacific to Suva this month, but has arranged for a substitute vessel to do its rounds. Forum Pacific arrives at Avatiu from Vava’u, Tonga, on January 23 or 24. She generally takes […]

National

Teachers advance themselves

Tuesday 11 January 2011 | Published in National

USP Cook Islands is starting the new year with a full course load. In addition to administering two postgraduate courses, the university’s local branch is offering four undergraduate courses this summer. In an effort to improve the country’s standard of education, over 30 local teachers – from schools on Rarotonga and the outer islands – […]

National

Imports to grow by 19%

Tuesday 11 January 2011 | Published in National

Imports in 2009-10 cost $349.9 million – a 42 per cent increase on the previous year. Exports for the same period were valued at $5.8 million – a 21 per cent decrease on the previous year. Fuel accounts for 35 per cent of imports. The next largest category is machinery, transport and equipment, which makes […]

National

Pearl production drops

Tuesday 11 January 2011 | Published in National

Exports of pearls in the last financial year dropped by 10 per cent. The Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update states there is an urgent need to concentrate efforts into the marketing of the Avaiki Brand for premium Cook Islands pearls which would enable pearl farmers to deal directly with wholesalers overseas. The report says, […]

National

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