National
PM asks MPs to support reform
Wednesday 20 January 2010 | Published in Local
Prime minister Jim Marurai is calling on all members of parliament to support a new proposal for political reform. Yesterday he announced that cabinet has responded positively to the proposed 12 point ‘political reform’ package that was outlined at its weekly meeting. The proposal has been put together by reform advocates Tata Crocombe and Iaveta […]
CIP prepare for election
Wednesday 20 January 2010 | Published in National
The Cook Islands Party wants an early election so that the country’s political situation can return to normal. But there will have to be a few things put in place before that should happen. “Since December 24th, we have not had a proper government in place – it is not a good situation for the […]
Ivaiti suspension pending
Wednesday 20 January 2010 | Published in National
After raising the issue with cabinet last week, new finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen said he was still considering the suspension of financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti. Rasmussen said that the matter is still subject to ‘various advice’. While Ivaiti’s role in the $2 million-plus ‘Toagate’ fuel farm scandal is being investigated by the audit office, Rasmussen […]
Hospital needs better reporting
Wednesday 20 January 2010 | Published in National
Improving the care of hospital patients through better incident reporting is the aim of a recent workshop undertaken by the ministry of health. General quality manager Elizabeth Iro says that poor and incomplete reporting of incidents in the clinical areas of health, results in missed opportunities for quality improvement — an observation she has put […]
No retirement plans says tourism boss
Wednesday 20 January 2010 | Published in National
Cook Islands Tourism chief executive John Dean refutes claims that he’s resigned from the corporation to retire. On Monday, tourism board chairman Tata Crocombe said Dean had cited his wish to go into retirement as the reason he was leaving two years into his three year contract. “I want to make it perfectly clear that […]
PM sees Toogood report for first time
Wednesday 20 January 2010 | Published in National
Prime minister Jim Marurai only received a copy of the Toogood report on last month’s controversial fuel farm settlement on Monday. The report has been kept under wraps by those in government who had received a copy of the December 22 document. Yesterday Marurai said the new minister of finance Wilkie Rasmussen had provided him […]
Sailing vaka returning to Aitutaki
Wednesday 20 January 2010 | Published in National
As soon as the winds are favourable, vaka Te Au O Tonga will set sail for Aitutaki. Cook Islands Voyaging Society president Ian Karika is keen to sail the double hulled vaka to Aitutaki where building materials for renovating the canoe await its arrival. Karika says that they were meant to sail to Aitutaki last […]
4 suggested for Finsec's job
Wednesday 20 January 2010 | Published in National
Who could take on the job of financial secretary? As financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti’s future in the role is in doubt following the Toagate scandal, talk has already started about possible replacements. Ivaiti is facing possible suspension over the $2 million-plus scandal and his handling of the fuel farm scheme, and it is possible he […]
Cooks strategy to focus on Australia
Wednesday 20 January 2010 | Published in National
Tourism board chairman Tata Crocombe believes the country can tap into the region’s biggest market – Australia – via a new direction in marketing and by taking advantage of the proposed direct Sydney flights. Crocombe told those at the opening cocktail function for this week’s biennial tourism industry forum on Monday night that the focus […]
'Airline of the Year'
Tuesday 19 January 2010 | Published in National
Air New Zealand was congratulated by NZ prime minister and tourism minister John Key last week for being named Airline of the Year by ‘Air Transport World’ magazine. “This is a great honour but, then again, no great surprise to those of us who continually experience the service that our national airline delivers,” said Key. […]
Prison roof for renewal
Tuesday 19 January 2010 | Published in National
Work has finally begun on replacing the rotten roof of the Arorangi prison. The decomposed wood, which covered the cell block, was being ripped off yesterday to make way for concrete later this week. Superintendent Metuatini Tangaroa said a more secure covering has been needed for years. Previous escapes have been made by inmates breaking […]
Rescue team searches for more volunteers
Tuesday 19 January 2010 | Published in National
Rescue Cook Islands, the voluntary search and rescue organisation, is looking to increase its numbers and capacity to carry out searches in Rarotonga’s rugged interior. Trainer Ron Bird says they are looking for more volunteers – male and female – who are generally fit and able, who have knowledge of the interior, and who may […]
Voyage of a lifetime coincides with Expo
Tuesday 19 January 2010 | Published in Local
One young Cook Islander could score the opportunity of a lifetime this year by being chosen to take part in a six-month ocean vaka voyage that aims to retrace the ancestral migration of the Polynesian people back to mainland China. The project is being pursued by the government of French Polynesia and has been planned […]
CEO quits
Tuesday 19 January 2010 | Published in Local
Cook Islands Tourism chief executive John Dean handed in his resignation last week just a few months shy of his second year in the role. His surprise resignation follows the good news of a 7 percent growth in visitor numbers for 2009. Yesterday Dean said he had resigned for personal reasons. Tourism board chairman Tata […]
Tiare petals count 5 to 8
Tuesday 19 January 2010 | Published in Local
Unique flower blooms have made headlines in the Cook Islands News over the past few years and this week a Takuvaine family have come across a unique blooming flower of their own. When six-year-old Javanna Pierre of Matavera visited her uncle Tereapii Hosking in the Happy Valley on Monday morning, she discovered something special about […]
New uniform for 2011
Tuesday 19 January 2010 | Published in National
Air New Zealand has announced that it will introduce a new uniform in 2011 to coincide with the introduction of a new fleet of 777-300 aircraft. The airline has engaged Trelise Cooper, one of New Zealand’s leading fashion designers, to assist in the design of the next Air New Zealand uniform. “We will introduce a […]
Teachers study at uni summer school
Tuesday 19 January 2010 | Published in National
Eight courses or papers are being conducted during this year’s summer school at the University of the South Pacific campus at Takamoa. Seventeen participants have signed up for the two papers which will go towards attaining a diploma of early childhood, while a similar number are doing two papers which will count towards a Bachelor […]
2 St Joseph's buildings relocating to Arorangi
Tuesday 19 January 2010 | Published in National
Contractor Paul Mangakahia and his team are in the process of moving what remains of the old St Joseph’s Primary School to Arorangi. Built in 1946, the two buildings that were not a part of last year’s renovation project will be relocated and sold as private homes. According to Mangakahia, both buildings are made of […]
Pet clinic plans garage sale
Tuesday 19 January 2010 | Published in National
The Esther Honey Foundation is appealing to the general public for household goods for a planned garage sale at the animal clinic in Nikao this Saturday. The clinic will be raising money for the care of animals at the clinic and is asking the general public for donations of goods for the sale. Clinic manager […]
Police target disqualified drivers
Tuesday 19 January 2010 | Published in National
Police have made eight arrests and have documented two thefts and one case of unlawful taking since last Thursday. Of the three people that were charged with excess breath alcohol this weekend, just one was involved in a vehicle accident. The 29-year-old fell off his motorbike near the Punanga Nui Market onThursday night, and was […]
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