National
Aitutaki promotion could bring over 500
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Saturday 28 March: A $50,000 initiative by CI Tourism to promote Aitutaki and get 500 extra people on the island from March to June is working so well that it is likely to bring many more visitors. Island Hopper’s Stephen Doherty addressed yesterday’s meeting between the Aitutaki tourism industry and tourism minister Wilkie Rasmussen, saying […]
Holiday crash extends Kiwi's visit
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 28 March: A New Zealand tourist has had his holiday extended, courtesy of the Rarotonga High Court. Russell Corfield had his passport confiscated after pleading guilty on Thursday to careless driving causing injury. He was due to leave the country today. Appearing before Justice of Peace Carmen Temata yesterday, the 57-year-old admitted to failing […]
Northern islands back on line
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Wednesday 1: Four northern islands were unable to receive or make phone calls on Monday. In a media statement released yesterday, Telecom Cook Islands says the problem occurred during the changeover from the NSS-5 satellite to the new NSS-9 satellite that took place on Monday afternoon. “Unfortunately with the islands of Pukapuka, Nassau, Palmerston and […]
Queen's all for it
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Friday 27 March: Manarangi Tutai Ariki says she is all for Sunday flights to Aitutaki continuing, without the need for a referendum. Queen Manarangi, as she is known, is an ex-officio member of the island council and the woman who runs Gina’s Garden Lodges and Gina’s Akaiami Beach Lodge. She expressed her views at the […]
7 days in jail for 18-year-old
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Crime
27 March: An 18-year-old was sentenced to seven days in prison after breaking his probation conditions. Teremoana Saddler pleaded guilty to two counts of contempt of court in the Rarotonga High Court last Thursday (March 19). Appearing before Justice of the Peace John Kenning, the defendant admitted to not being home on March 14 and […]
WSBC victory earns praise
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 28 March: Sir Terepai Maoate gives credit to FSC and legal team for successful settlement Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sir Terepai Maoate has credited his small team at the Financial Supervisory Commission and its board for the successful settlement of the long-running WSBC court case. “I am extremely pleased with this outcome […]
Maina Traders avoids winding-up petition
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Wednesday 1: The petition to the high court for the wind-up of Aitutaki MP and associate finance minister Terepai Maoate Jnr’s business Maina Traders is set to be withdrawn following payment of the amount owing to one of its creditors. The petition was filed by Raro Aircon Ltd on March 19 and was due to […]
Demos welcome minister's visit
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Friday 27 March: Aitutaki DemocraticParty executives who met with minister Wilkie Rasmussen welcomed his friendly approach yesterday. The minister, who is also the deputy leader of the Democratic Party, met with the executives who have been raising concerns about Sunday flights. Some of them are also proudly protesting the flights eight months from when they […]
Other court appearances
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Crime
27 March: Leon Mataiti – was issued a bench warrant fo r failing to appear in court. He faced a driving with excess breath alcohol charge. Toawea Highland – was facing a driving while disqualified charge but failed to appear in court. A bench warrant was also issued. Putere Dean – has nine charges before […]
15 staff lose jobs at Oasis
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
27 March: Up to 15 staff from the Oasis branch of the CITC Food Group have been sacked this week. CITC general manager Gaye Whitta says the staff were dismissed following an ongoing investigation into stock shortages. “The matter is now in the hands of the police,” she said. CITC has begun advertising for workers […]
NZ 'buy back' idea ridiculous says CIP
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Wednesday 1: The Opposition Cook Islands Party has released its position on the new $50 million China loan and says government has been reactive instead of proactive in addressing infrastructure needs. Opposition spokesperson for finance and economics Norman George says while the CIP agrees in principle that the loan be spent on road and water […]
WSBC faces exile from Cook Islands
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Friday 27 March: The Cook Islands bank named in money laundering investigations is connected to a New Zealand company seeking a listing on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. The National Business Review in New Zealand this week reports that developments in the Cook Islands will have a bearing on the stock exchange listing. WSBC Bank, […]
Switch off for Earth Hour
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Saturday 28 March: Rarotonga residents are being asked to ‘switch off’ tonight as part of Earth Hour 2009. Te Aponga Uira would like to encourage the public and businesses to switch off their lights for one hour, beginning at 8.30pm. Earth Hour 2009 aims to reach more than one billion people in 1000 cities around […]
Pukapuka tender process was 'transparent'
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
27 March: EU screening done by the book says Mike Mitchell Foreign affairs secretary Mike Mitchell is sympathetic to Makirere Poila’s concerns that the design of the Pukapuka cyclone management centre is not going to be designed and supervised by a local company. In yesterday’s paper, Poila expressed his disappointment that an overseas company was […]
Official information process comes under public eye
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Wednesday 1: Government officials, organisations and community members gained greater understanding of the Official Information Act last week through several meetings and workshops. Organised by the Cook Islands Ombudsman’s Office, consultation meetings were held with the vaka areas in Rarotonga and with special interest groups. Visiting experts Angie Heffernan of the Pacific Centre for Public […]
June's adventure a talking point
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Thursday 26: Inspiring women tonight is an environmentalist, former school principal, mother and a proud Maukean. June Hosking will be the guest speaker at Pan Pacific South East Asia Women’s Association meeting held at the Beachcomber. Held monthly, the PPSEAWA gatherings host a wide range of “outstanding” Cook Islands women to inspire fellow women to […]
Locals get close to Street actors
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 1: Shortland Street extra Marty Iro (at right) says actors Toni Potter (aka nurse Alice) and Will Hall (Dr Kip) have encouraged him with a bit of humour before takes on the scenes where he plays a barman. Iro said having a laugh helped take away the nervousness of saying his few lines. This […]
$3m 'stimulus' may go to tourism
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
27 March: Minister Wilkie Rasmussen revealed yesterday that government is thinking about scrapping its proposed $3 million economic stimulus package for businesses and adding it to the budget for tourism. The minister says he is hoping $1 million of this will be added to the marketing budget for Aitutaki to help promote the island as […]
It's all good at La Bon Vivant
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Tuesday 31: As its name suggests, La Bon Vivant is providing all the “good things in life” under one roof. The newly opened Deli Foods store in Avarua is offering the same fresh product and high quality food and wine that has become synonymous with their parent company in Muri. Store manager Tim Tierney says […]
Rasmussen begins talks on Sunday flights in Aitutaki
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in National
Thursday 26: Cabinet minister Wilkie Rasmussen will begin two days of meetings in Aitutaki today on the subject of Sunday flights. On arrival at about 9am this morning, Rasmussen will be welcomed by the island council. He will meet with the council at their chambers at 10.30am before meeting with the Aitutaki Democratic Party executive […]