National
Biodiversity facts! Did you know?
Monday 25 January 2010 | Published in Environment
– The global cost associated with invasive species is estimated at US$1.4 trillion annually – 5% of the world economy. – More than 450 million people live within 60 kilometers of coral reefs, with the majority directly or indirectly deriving food and income from them. – In rural areas of Pacific Island Countries, fish contributes […]
Fly problem worries ministers
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in Environment
Two cabinet ministers are joining forces to come up with a new plan to tackle the fly problem at the Arorangi waste facility which has been blamed for the large number of them in the surrounding community. Health minister Apii Piho and minister of infrastructure and planning (MOIP) William ‘Smiley’ Heather are aware of the […]
Queensland Uni course comes to Raro
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in Environment
A two-week University of Queensland environmental management course is being held in Rarotonga from Monday until February 5. About 30 people from the region are here to take the annual course which looks at integrating contemporary and traditional coastal ecosystem management in the Pacific. This is the first time the course has been held in […]
Fishing fees slashed
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in Local
Licensing fees are going down to give the local fishing industry a hand up to help overcome the current slump its experiencing and decline in fish stocks in southern group waters. The revised licence fee structure means that vessels less than 20 metres which are based in Rarotonga or Aitutaki will now pay $2000 for […]
Makiuti ruled out
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands high commissioner’s position in Wellington is still up in the air. Makiuti Tongia was approved by cabinet last year to take over from current high commissioner to New Zealand, Tepure Tapaitau. Prime minister Jim Marurai said foreign affairs minister Robert Wigmore is in discussion with secretary Mike Mitchell about the position. “It […]
CT scan machine gifted to hospital
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in Local
Rarotonga hospital may soon have its first CT scan machine – often described as a super x-ray machine – which could save many lives and reduce government’s spending on patient referrals to NZ. Health minister Apii Piho said the news that Waikato Hospital is willing to donate a machine it has had reconditioned has put […]
Vaevae challenge back on
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in National
Due to popular demand the Vaevae Challenge will start up again on May 10. May 10 is also World Move for Health Day. The Ministry of Health initiative is aimed at getting people to be more active and achieve 30 minutes of physical activity on most days. The programme’s other objectives are to provide individuals […]
Composers called to enter Mire Atu
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in National
With the annual Mire Atu composer’s competition scheduled for Thursday March 4 – all local composers are urged to prepare songs for the first Ministry of Cultural Development event of the year. This year’s theme is ‘Te au tuatua pakari o toou enua e te Matakeinanga’ (The wise sayings of your island or tribe). In […]
Take it back to parliament: Sir Terepai
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in National
The two major political parties are calling on the prime minister to follow the correct process with regards to political reform and take the matter to parliament. Democratic Party leader Sir Terepai Maoate says in the interest of transparency, public submissions on political reforms should be reviewed by a parliamentary select committee. Sir Terepai says […]
No one wanted job in cabinet: Demos
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in National
The reason for not appointing a sixth minister by the Jim Marurai-led cabinet was not a cost-cutting measure, say the Democratic Party. “The reality is, despite approaches to both the Democratic Party and the Cook Islands Party, no MP is willing to take up the offer of a ministership in the new minority cabinet,” says […]
Faireka confirmed as HoM
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in National
Tupou Faireka is relieved he has finally been appointed as secretary of health after three months of acting in the role while government made its decision. Yesterday health minister Apii Piho officially announced Faireka’s appointment as of this week. “I believe we have the right guy on board. I have sincere belief in his ability […]
Minister 'going to the people' on infrastructure problems
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in National
Minister William ‘Smiley’ Heather wants to tackle Rarotonga’s water supply, road and waste management issues ‘with the people’. The Ruaau MP was appointed minister of infrastructure and planning (MOIP) shortly before New Year and already he’s taking a new approach to the way ministers have traditionally worked by putting more emphasis on ‘going to the […]
Free light bulbs to launch energy project
Saturday 23 January 2010 | Published in National
A national project which aims at reducing carbon emissions and domestic power bills was launched yesterday by deputy prime minister and minister for Te Aponga Uira Robert Wigmore. The project aims to introduce low energy light bulbs into all homes and educate the public on the advantages on using these over the standard incandescent light […]
Flight Centre aims for CI growth
Friday 22 January 2010 | Published in National
Cook Islands Tourism invited a representative of one of NZ’s largest travel retailers, Flight Centre, to speak at the opening of the industry’s biennial forum on Monday. James Brooker manages the relationship between Flight Centre and CI Tourism. The Australian-headquartered Flight Centre is a global company in eight countries and has 13,000 staff – in […]
Proposal aims to change constituency seats
Friday 22 January 2010 | Published in National
Combining constituency seats to create fairer representation is a major recommendation of the new proposal for political reform. Prime minister Jim Marurai released the proposal yesterday saying he hoped it would generate public debate and put extra pressure on MPs to consider just how reform should happen. Under the proposal put together by political reform […]
National seats like NZ's list seats
Friday 22 January 2010 | Published in Local
Introducing national seats to the Cook Islands Parliament is one of the more far-reaching and important reforms proposed. Advocate Tata Crocombe says it would be moving in the direction of other jurisdictions such as New Zealand where half the seats are national or ‘list’ seats, putting a large focus on addressing national issues. “Most issues […]
The 12 reforms
Friday 22 January 2010 | Published in Local
The 12 recommended reforms are: 1) Direct election of the prime minister by all voters. 2) PM to appoint cabinet from among all voters (currently he can only choose from the other 23 MPs – or more accurately the ruling party). 3) Cabinet appointments approved by parliament (ensures process is transparent, allows for public to […]
Radical reforms
Friday 22 January 2010 | Published in Local
The new 12-point political reform proposal was released by prime minister Jim Marurai yesterday. The major changes proposed include direct election of the prime minister by all voters, creation of five national seats, limits to the PM’s terms and to the term of parliament, and combining nine of the current constituency seats into four seats. […]
Kia Orana Air gets thumbs up
Friday 22 January 2010 | Published in Local
The proposed low-cost domestic airline Kia Orana Air has cabinet excited about better travel options for locals and visitors. Last week prime minister Jim Marurai said cabinet was supportive of the proposal after being briefed about the application by the airline for an air service licence and its aim to start its operations by mid-year. […]
Mango catcher spotted
Friday 22 January 2010 | Published in National
A potential future Cook Islands cricketer was spotted in Aitutaki recently practising his fielding skills by catching mangoes. Twelve-year-old Wesley Robert has been holidaying on Aitutaki with his parents Nana Tiamoke from Atiu and Robert. Wesley has been playing cricket since he was six, and plays for the under 14 Illawara Region back home in […]
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