National
Cyclone Oli causes damage
Wednesday 3 February 2010 | Published in National
Cyclone Oli was no longer a threat to the Cook Islands yesterday. At 1am, it was declared a tropical depression by the Fiji Meteorological Service yet a strong wind warning still remained for both the northern and southern groups. Senior Cook Islands met service officer Maara Vaiimene said at 2pm the depression was located 15.2 […]
Public views wanted on new labour law
Wednesday 3 February 2010 | Published in Local
Public views are being sought on the country’s proposed new labour law this month. When the bill is passed by parliament, it will introduce rights and obligations for employees and employers in the private sector. This extends to such provisions as hours of work, wages, rest and meal breaks. Part of the proposed law sets […]
Tourism people want Crocombe to explain new marketing group
Wednesday 3 February 2010 | Published in Local
Tourism board chairman Tata Crocombe may have to reassure the industry that the new destination sales and marketing (DSM) committee he also heads is of value to smaller operators. The Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council met with members on Monday to discuss the controversial government initiative to appoint the separate marketing committee under the tourism […]
Porter grocery business still under wraps
Wednesday 3 February 2010 | Published in Local
Shareholders in a new grocery company set to open this year at the former Meatco premises are still silent on the venture. The Cold Store Ltd was formed last July and its shareholders are the children of former Meatco owners Brett and Cavelle Porter, who have already tried to distance themselves from the venture. Brett […]
Warrants of fitness for overhaul
Wednesday 3 February 2010 | Published in National
A committee has been formed to help introduce a standardised warrant of fitness checklist for the Cook Islands. Police held a meeting with motor vehicle industry people last week to assist in drafting a legislation that will tighten WOF regulations. Inspector John Strickland said representatives from the group were chosen and police will be relying […]
Govt travel cut back
Wednesday 3 February 2010 | Published in National
Prime minister Jim Marurai says all overseas travel by public servants will be questioned from now on if it is to be funded by government. He claims that the concern is simply to cut the cost of travel by government. Marurai says he has been assured by minister of finance Wilkie Rasmussen that there are […]
Super board position still available
Wednesday 3 February 2010 | Published in National
The Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund board is still looking to appoint a representative for private sector employers who are not members of the Chamber of Commerce. CINSF chief executive Anne Herman says the advertisement for the vacancy has been extended due to the lack of response. Expressions of interest for the vacancy closed on […]
Economic reform: path out of crisis
Wednesday 3 February 2010 | Published in National
Economic reform is the path out of the crisis, says chair of the economic development taskforce Tata Crocombe. Crocombe had initially been invited to join the country delegation to attend the three-day Pacific Conference on the Human Face of the Global Economic Crisis in Vanuatu this month. Although he won’t be attending the conference, Crocombe […]
Seabed minerals authority set up costs being assessed
Wednesday 3 February 2010 | Published in National
A timetable for the set up of the seabed minerals authority will be announced by mineral and natural resources minister Robert Wigmore once costs and a job specification for the position of authority commissioner are clarified. Prime minister Jim Marurai is supporting a comprehensive ‘steady as she goes’ approach to setting up the framework for […]
No early deals
Tuesday 2 February 2010 | Published in Local
GOVERNMENT will not work to an ‘Endeavour pressured’ timetable in setting up the new seabed minerals authority, ac¬cording to prime minister Jim Marurai’s office. Marurai, acting mineral and natural resource minister, held a meeting with key government officials yesterday to plan the set up of the seabed minerals authority. To discuss the issue, he and […]
Wilkie seeks 'true facts'
Tuesday 2 February 2010 | Published in Local
FINANCE minister Wilkie Ras¬mussen yesterday deflected criticism and demands for dis¬closure of secret sums in the Toagate scandal. He issued a statement to Cook Islands News that did not reveal figures but said the government of today is diligently working its way through the contents of the settlement agreed with Toa Petroleum Limited. “It is […]
Cyclone Oli passes through 2 ships wait
Tuesday 2 February 2010 | Published in Local
ANOTHER cyclone travelled through the Cook Islands yes¬terday. The tropical depression had been monitored since last Friday and was officially named tropi¬cal cyclone Oli early yesterday morning. By the afternoon it had passed through the northern group and was heading towards the southern islands. Acting Cook Islands met service director Maara Vaiimene said Oli came […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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