National
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 […]
Drunk driver pulled from upturned car
Monday 1 February 2010 | Published in National
A 24-year-old driver was lucky to escape injury after he flipped a rental car on Saturday morning. Senior sergeant Ngatamariki Pouao said the Nikao man had overtaken a police car in front of their station around 1.44am. Police gave chase to the white Nissan as it was seen driving dangerously and at high speed. The […]
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 […]
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 […]
Toa payments 'top secret'
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in Local
A new outcry and legal action are brewing over ‘top secret’ costs still not revealed in the Toagate scandal. Prime minister Jim Marurai continues to claim he does not know when and how the $1.75 million settlement that government made with fuel company Toa Petroleum is due to be paid. The details remain a secret […]
Esther Honey garage sale success
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
Thanks to the generosity of the Rarotonga community, the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic raised $625 from last Saturday’s garage sale. In addition, animal patients enjoyed full tummies because of the kindness of local bargain hunters who also donated animal food. A bonus to an already great day was the placement of two sweet-faced kittens […]
Police pleased
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
Police are pleased with how their emergency response centre handled the threat of cyclone Nisha. As the leading government agency in times of cyclones, police opened emergency hotlines for the public and continued to operate well after Nisha was declared a tropical depression. “The way everyone handled things was a big improvement in the whole […]
Tourism industry wants more answers on new marketing body
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
The Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council is meeting on Monday to discuss a controversial new government initiative – the destination sales and marketing committee. The committee is to provide marketing advice to the tourism board as well as communicate with the industry to gather more information on how to promote the destination. Industry council vice […]
Overseas driving advice
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
The driving licence issued by Cook Islands Police does not necessarily qualify holders to drive overseas, says police commissioner Maara Tetava. The regulatory office is in the practice of issuing letters to Cook Islanders planning to move overseas, reminding them to apply for an overseas licence. But those planning to drive while overseas on holiday […]
Does reform include letting go of Ivirua?
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
After reading about the radical political reforms proposed, one signaller says to push the proposal to combine some of the constituencies, it might help if the prime minister comes out and states that he is in favour of letting go of his Ivirua seat in Mangaia. “Wouldn’t it make more sense if we were to […]
Mou Piri response to political reform proposals
Saturday 30 January 2010 | Published in National
This is Mou Piri’s considered response and position on the specific political reforms proposed by the prime minister’s advisers: 1. PRIME MINISTER – Yes, Mou Piri supports the direct election of the Prime Minister by all Cook Island registered voters. Advantage: being elected by the people and not a political party will allow the PM […]
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 […]
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