National
Better integration needed for Pacific ecosystems
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in Environment
Technical experts representing eight Pacific island countries last week endorsed an innovative approach to managing the environment which addresses natural resource management in the social, economic and political context. The forum held at the AOG Hall in Takuvaine considered the application of ecosystem-based management to address critical environmental issues which threaten delicate coastal and marine […]
New storm hits north
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in Local
A tropical depression had Pukapuka, Nassau and Suwarrow on alert for a cyclone yesterday. By yesterday afternoon police had re-opened their emergency response operation centre – just days after the threat of cyclone Nisha passed – to monitor and update the Northern islands on tropical depression 07F. The Fiji Meteorological Service released the first bulletin […]
'Come clean'
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands Party is stunned and alarmed at the latest revelations in the Toagate debacle. “The startling new allegation that the agreement with Toa Petroleum includes a guarantee of $1.2m profit for the next eight years is a scandalous burden that the taxpayer is expected to carry,” party leader Henry Puna said yesterday. “The […]
Wing man
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in Local
Local kitesurfer Pauro Arnold just couldn’t wait to rig up and hit the high winds and choppy waves on Muri lagoon, with winds up to 28 knots making for a spectacular day of high speed action on Saturday.
Vaka voyage to Waitangi
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in National
The new Cook Islands voyaging vaka Marumaru Atua will add a Polynesian feel to this year’s Waitangi Day celebrations in New Zealand. Cook Islands Voyaging Society president Ian Karika will be among the crew of 16 that will sail the double hulled vaka from Bayswater Marina on the north shore of Auckland to Waitangi in […]
New navy man settles in
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in National
Chris Cooper has just settled into his job as the new Maritime Surveillance Adviser down at the Avatiu wharf. The Australian navy has loaned him to Rarotonga for two years, during which he will be directing and supervising Te Kukupa’s patrol of our exclusive economic zone. Cooper will be training the boat’s captain and crew […]
Team to evaluate impact of Paris Declaration
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in National
The Aid Management Division of MFEM is currently in the process of recruiting a team of consultants to evaluate the impact of the Paris Declaration on the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands is one of 23 countries in the world to undertake the evaluation, which will measure whether aid is being effectively and appropriately administered […]
'Full story' on car
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in National
Former deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate admits that he continued to drive the old grey Honda Accord vehicle after he was sacked. But Sir Terepai claims that he acquired the car on a gentleman’s agreement he had with the prime minister Jim Marurai and deputy prime minister Robert Wigmore. Sir Terepai was responding to […]
Seabed minerals bill still not in force
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in National
The landmark law covering the management of the country’s seabed minerals has yet to come into force because Crown Law claims it is ‘too overworked’ to provide a document that, once signed, will complete its passage into law. The seabed minerals bill, passed in parliament last November, still has to receive approval of the Queen’s […]
Juvenile crime noted in economic outlook
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in National
Health secretary Tupou Faireka is leading a country delegation to the Pacific Conference on the Human Face of the Global Economic Crisis to be held in Vanuatu this month. More than 200 high level delegates from 16 Pacific island countries are set to gather in Port Vila on February 10-12 to talk about the issues […]
Airline story was wrong
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
Dear Editor, Your Smoke Signal under the heading ‘Flying high’ appeared to say that when the country tried to run our own airline in the 1980s it “lost millions – several Toagate worth per year”. The writer is wrong. I led the negotiations for a joint venture airline with Ansett and the formation of Cook […]
Strong enlightened leaders wanted
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
Dear Editor I wish to respond to a couple of issues raised by Piho Rua MP in Friday’s Cook Islands News. I write as one of the persons involved in putting forward to cabinet options for political reform. In the past three years I have been asked by cabinet to provide proposals for political reform […]
It was back to school this week
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
It’s been an interesting first week back at school for Rarotonga students. Kids seemed to be starting to settle down and make new friends on Tuesday and Wednesday but on Thursday Rarotonga schools closed their doors for cyclone Nisha. In this week’s Kids Page we look back at the first day of school for Rarotonga […]
Cyclone Nisha downgraded
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
What a difference a day makes. The glimpse of sun between showers yesterday was a stark contrast to Thursday afternoon as Rarotonga braced itself for tropical cyclone Nisha. After increasing in movement and losing intensity, Nisha was officially declared a tropical depression at 5am yesterday by the Fiji Metrological Service. Senior Cook Islands met service […]
NZ donates equipment for airport security
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
The NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs donated two marked patrol vehicles and a sophisticated computer-based training system to Cook Islands Aviation Security this week. Murray Breeze, manager of quality systems development for the Pacific Islands at NZ Aviation Security Services (Avsec NZ), formally presented the gifts to airport security officers on Wednesday afternoon. He was […]
This week's appearances
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in Crime
Cases dealt with in the high court this week: Tuarongo Pareangacharged with attempted rape. Pareanga has been advised to seek legal representation and will re-appear before the court on February 4. Andrew Tonoriocharged with theft. Tonorio has 13 outstanding ‘not guilty’ pleas and four outstanding ‘guilty’ pleas. On Thursday he told the court that he’d […]
Foreign affairs and marine HoMs named
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
Former foreign affairs expert James Gosselin will return to head the ministry that he was once a part of. Gosselin was announced yesterday by prime minister Jim Marurai as the new secretary for foreign affairs and immigration. Gosselin is currently serving as regional trade policy advisor for the Commonwealth Secretariat and has been based at […]
Bail changed for Williams
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in Crime
Paul Williams appeared in court this week for assault on a female. His wife will not be withdrawing the charges. Prosecutor Kim Saunders of Crown Law said that Williams had “approached” and “interfered with” the victim, thus violating the conditions of his bail. Counsel Norman George countered that since the couple is “back together, living […]
Threatening to kill case back in the high court
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in Crime
StRuck-off lawyer Tevita Vakalalabure appeared before the high court on Thursday for an outstanding threatening to kill charge. Legal counsel Norman George requested that the case be adjourned until Vakalalabure receives the medical “documents” he is expecting. The defendant is waiting to hear confirmation for an appointment he made with an Auckland specialist, who will […]
New plan for Sheraton property
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in Local
New developers are in the wings saying they want to develop the famous ‘Sheraton’ ruins in Vaimaanga. New Zealand based development company Mirage Group Ltd hopes to complete the construction of the ill-fated Sheraton – which amounts to a complex of derelict buildings on the ten-hectare Vaimaanga property owned by Takitumu paramount chief Pa Marie […]
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