National
Christmas Box time – and your help is invited
Friday 16 November 2018 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local
With Christmas around the corner, preparations for the annual Christmas Box campaign are underway.
Cruise ship docks in our harbour
Friday 16 November 2018 | Published in Local
The comparatively unusual sight of a cruise ship docked at the Port of Avatiu drew a steady stream of spectators to the wharf yesterday morning.
Proud to be a New Zealander...
Friday 16 November 2018 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local
After living in the Cook Islands for nearly 50 years, Ingrid Caffery felt happy and relaxed when she received her New Zealand citizenship certificate yesterday.
Fuel prices up – but they may come down next quarter
Friday 16 November 2018 | Published in Local
The price of fuel has increased throughout the Cook Islands, reflecting a hike in prices globally.
New party 'serious alternative'
Thursday 15 November 2018 | Written by Jaimie Keay | Published in Politics
The leader of the new Cook Islands United Party, former deputy prime minister Teariki Heather, says he wants to give the country a serious future alternative to the Cook Islands Party and the Demos. The former deputy prime minister says CIUP will launch their political campaign on November 24 at 6pm at the Arorangi sports clubhouse. The party’s banner features a rainbow, which Heather says is symbolic of God’s covenant of love. “That is what the party is founded on.” It also has 15 stars, which he says represent all of the Cook Islands. “We will “never forget those islands, north or south.” The party’s goal Heather says, is to “give hope to our people,” and finally bring about political reform and minimise the costs of government, with fewer MPs. Heather says the costs of running the country are continuing to escalate. And having a number of years’ business experience as chief executive of long-established contractors T&M Heather, he says he wants to build a stronger economy by being mindful of the country’s spending. “Our people had a tough time in the’96 recession and I don’t want to see us go through something like that again. That’s one of the most important issues for me.” Following his exit from politics and the CIP party at the general election in June, Heather says he was content to go back to his construction business and spend more time with family. Since then however, he has been approached by various “politically disheartened” members of the local community and the Pa Enua, asking him to step up and form his own party. And it’s not the first time he has attempted to launch a new political party. Following a stint as the first mayor of Puaikura in 1998 and at the urging of his parents, Heather launched the Cook Islands National Party, with the aim of achieving political reform, including a shorter Parliamentary term. The party disbanded after just 11 months. At the time he says he felt he was alone “on the fence” between the Democratic Party and the CIP. He then joined the CIP under Geoffrey Henry as a junior MP. He was appointed to Cabinet in December 2010 after the Cook Islands Party won the 2010 election and served as Minister of Infrastructure & Planning and Justice. In December 2013, he was appointed deputy prime minister, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Tom Marsters. He lost his seat in this year’s general election on June 14, with Nooroa o Teariki Baker taking his seat in parliament. Former minister of Health, Nandi Glassie and former MPs Moana Ioane, and Tau Isamaela have joined with Heather after also being defeated in the election. Heather says he was not disheartened with the CIP, but since leaving the party had been approached to form an alternative to the “status quo”. He has since brought together similarly-minded politicians in their aim of having 24 candidates contesting the next election in four years’ time He says he doesn’t necessarily have aspirations to become leader of the country, and it’s not key to forming the party just yet. However, he says, “I have to lead as there is no one else stepping up... I’ve faced the challenge before and I’ll face it again, whether successful or not.” He adds that people may say, “Oh you may have a new party, but are they capable of running the country?” “And the answer to this is yes. We’ve been there, we’ve done that.” He says the party will be a serious contender by the time of the next general election in 2022 or any other by-election in the meantime “The country has prospered and I would like to keep that going.” Heather says he was content where he was in life but didn’t want to be what the Mangaians call “Aringa me kare atika”. The phrase means in English, “I should have done something.” – Chris Taylor
Conference focuses on plastics
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Published in Environment
Research shows that if nothing changes, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050.
Biosecurity focus of summit meeting
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment
Participants from the outer islands are attending a wide-ranging Biosecurity Summit on Rarotonga at the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) premises.
Armistice Day a very special one
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands celebrated a hugely significant historical event on Sunday, when a commemoration at the Cenotaph marked 100 years since the signing of the Armistice, which ended World War One.
Six set to become New Zealand citizens
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Published in Local
Six people will receive New Zealand citizenship tomorrow in a ceremony at Ngatipa, the NZ High Commissioner’s official residence.
Police arrest seven in just four days…
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Published in Crime
Police arrested seven people between last Friday and Monday.
Teina Rongo offers to be stand-in help for RAPPA
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Published in Politics
RAPPA Democratic Party candidate Dr Teina Rongo says given that prime minister Henry Puna and Speaker of Parliament Niki Rattle are unwilling to divulge the whereabouts of former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament Albert Nicholas, he is willing to take up the responsibilities of the absent MP.
Govt's seabed minerals plan meets backlash
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Published in Environment
At a public consultation in Titikaveka last week, there was backlash to government’s plan to issue foreign companies five-year licences to explore the Cook Islands’ seabed.
Cruise ship cancels island visit
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Published in Economy
The captain of the visiting cruise ship Maasdam decided to cancel plans to bring passengers ashore by tender after becoming concerned about northerly sea swells off Avatiu early in the morning.
League player keen to give back
Tuesday 13 November 2018 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local
While visiting Rarotonga last month, Brisbane Broncos player Alex Glenn, devoted some of his time to encouraging local youngsters to make the most of their rugby league talent.
Manihiki celebrates with graduates
Tuesday 13 November 2018 | Published in Education
The islands of Manihiki and Rakahanga celebrated the graduation of their University of the South Pacific (USP) students last week on the island of Tauhunu.
Nukutere dux receives her prize
Tuesday 13 November 2018 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education
Michelle Williams received the prestigious Nukutere College dux award at the senior prizegiving ceremony for year 11, held last Friday at St Joseph’s hall.
Court order breaches
Tuesday 13 November 2018 | Published in Crime
Breaches of court orders represent a significant chunk of police prosecutions each month, says police spokesman Trevor Pitt.
Brown talks up wealth from ocean floor
Tuesday 13 November 2018 | Published in Politics
Public consultations regarding government’s plan to open tenders for the exploration of the Cook Islands’ seafloor have ended on Rarotonga.
Cruise ship death revealed
Tuesday 13 November 2018 | Published in Local
A 70-year-old woman passenger on the Holland America Line cruise ship Maasdam died off the Port of Avatiu last Wednesday afternoon while transferring from a tender boat on to the ship.
Seabed minerals updates continue
Monday 12 November 2018 | Published in Environment
Three Seabed Minerals update meetings for the public on Rarotonga ended last Thursday night.
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