National
PAC urges transparency in boating investigations
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended that the Ministry of Transport be transparent in its investigations of serious boating incidents and that the lack of technical staff has impacted its ability to monitor and enforce shipping regulations.
Government sees seabed mining as economic game-changer
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands government has revealed that it sees greater economic potential in seabed mining, which has fuelled concerns from the Opposition.
Public Accounts Committee recommends seed fund for Pa Enua tourism
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Tourism
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended that Cook Islands Tourism encourage and pioneer a debt or equity fund designed to provide seed investment for Pa Enua tourism projects.
Team Rakahanga sweeps aquatics medals at Cook Islands Games
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
The aquatics events, held over a three-day race, were the first of the Cook Islands Games’ sports to conclude with Team Rakahanga waving their flag with pride as they dominated several categories.
Training and partnerships boost Mauke’s tourism potential
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Business, National
Cook Islands Tourism aims to develop sustainable tourism on Mauke by implementing projects like storyboards, homestays and historical site preservation, with strong support from the local government and community.
Lewis defends Ministry of Education appointment
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Secretary of Education Owen Lewis has defended the appointment of an executive director, saying that the role was established in 2014 and had been vacant, and dismissed claims that the position duplicated his own.
Motorcyclist ‘wearing bicycle helmet’ injured after accident
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Motorcyclists must follow the law, wear the correct type of helmet and have it properly strapped on, says Brent Fisher, president of the Cook Islands Road Safety Council.
Te Marae Ora health ministry warns of flesh-eating bacteria
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
Cook Islands has not reported any cases of flesh-eating bacteria, but Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health is advising the public to practice good hygiene, clean wounds thoroughly, and keep them covered with clean, dry bandages until healed.
First major cocaine case results in imprisonment
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
A New Zealand-based Cook Islander was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment for bringing cocaine and cannabis into the country in the first significant case of its kind.
Man disqualified for 18 months after third drunk driving charge
Tuesday 8 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man with a history of driving related charges in the Cook Islands High Court has been disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Public Accounts Committee calls for transparency in CIIC budget process
Tuesday 8 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has advised the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) to disclose all anticipated income during the budget process and to Parliament.
BRO CHECK campaign: ‘Reach out, you’re not alone’
Tuesday 8 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
Recognising that young Cook Islands men are struggling with various issues, Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health recently launched their “BRO CHECK #youmatter” awareness campaign.
Tenants face water bill burden
Tuesday 8 October 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
Rarotonga rental tenants who do not have a water connection registered in their name will not be eligible for the government’s free water subsidy.
Kiwi lawyer brings Māori land law expertise to Cook Islands
Monday 7 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, Local, National
A New Zealand lawyer is hoping to apply his expertise in Māori land law, the Treaty of Waitangi and constitutional issues to assist in resolving similar challenges faced in the Cook Islands.
Racy Raro sports car has new life in New Zealand
Monday 7 October 2024 | Written by Cameron Scott | Published in Features, Local, Memory Lane, National
A high-powered Mazda RX7 sports car which once languished in a shed near the beach in Rarotonga has found a new life in New Zealand as a drag racer, driven by a former Tereora College pupil.
PAC report criticises former Culture secretary’s financial oversight
Monday 7 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The former secretary for the Ministry of Cultural Development “did not ensure” that there were strong controls in place and that careful judgment was applied when authorising six financial transactions of more than $12,000 of taxpayers’ money, states the recent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report.
Minister Mokoroa defends Brisbane trip, emphasises youth commitment
Monday 7 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Politics
Minister Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa has defended his recent trip to Brisbane, Australia, to attend a church youth conference, emphasising the government’s commitment to Cook Islands youth.
Deep Ocean symposium free to locals
Monday 7 October 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
Te Puna Vai Marama, the Cook Islands Centre for Research, and Te Ipukarea Society are co-hosting a research symposium focussed on the deep sea at the end of this month.
Environmentalists slam ‘premature’ seabed minerals harvesting regulations
Monday 7 October 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands has enacted seabed minerals harvesting regulations despite concerns about the lack of ‘meaningful consultation’ and the premature nature of the legislation, given that the exploration phase is still ongoing.
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee is concerned with the Minister for Corrective Services’ authority to ‘influence or directly manage’ the release of inmates from prison, while the Minister denies these claims and maintains that all work release protocols are being followed.
