National
Homework hub a community asset
Tuesday 28 February 2017 | Published in Education
The Vaimaanga Community Centre recently started its weekly “homework hub” in Vaimaanga.
Vinyl club gives classics new life
Tuesday 28 February 2017 | Published in Local
Rarotonga’s Vinyl Revival Club came into being as a happy accident says Ian Wheeldon, who co-founded the club with his partner Clare.
Public urged to aid rubbish management
Tuesday 28 February 2017 | Published in Environment
Now that there is a recycling option for tin food cans, Rarotonga Waste Facility staff have the unenviable task of pulling out cans from piles of unsorted general rubbish.
ICI to launch strategic plan
Tuesday 28 February 2017 | Published in Local
Ministry of Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) staff have been busy working on the the launch of their first Strategic Plan 2016-2021, scheduled to take place on Monday at their head office in Arorangi.
Abundance of rain keeps water works busy
Tuesday 28 February 2017 | Published in Weather
Thanks to the abundance of rain this summer, the water intakes on Rarotonga have been full for a lengthy time compared to previous years.
A special day in parliament ahead
Tuesday 28 February 2017 | Published in Politics
A working committee made up of parliament, the Cook Islands National Council of Women and the Internal Affairs Gender Development Division, is well underway with preparatory work for hosting the second women’s parliament on International Women’s Day, a United Nations-observance that falls on March 8 each year.
Service hit by planned maintenance
Tuesday 28 February 2017 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
Some Bluesky customers were surprised when they could not get phone services or internet connections at various stages over the past week.
Island people keen on R2R
Tuesday 28 February 2017 | Published in Local
Consultations with people on southern group islands have been very positive so far, with many locals keen to support the strengthening of both land and marine protected areas, says Ridge to Reef project officer Teariki Rongo. A team from the Ministry of Marine Resources this month visited Atiu with its Ridge to Reef (R2R) partners for consultations with the community and its leaders to outline the project and get feedback on its application for their island. R2R is a four-year, $4 million project funded by the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility. The two key components of Ridge to Reef are Strengthening Protected Areas Management and Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Agriculture and Tourism. “We had some great feedback after the introduction of the R2R concept,” Rongo says. “We heard that there was one place under marine ra’ui, and we informed the community leaders that we would be back to conduct further marine surveys that can be used to identify areas of the reef and lagoon that may need protection in future. “For ra’ui to be most effective we need to use them to protect biodiversity. “In terms of community management of ra’ui, there was a suggestion that landowners and the community should take responsibility for the enforcement of ra’ui, rather than relying on island councils. “It’s an idea that could improve enforcement, especially where there is a loss of respect for ra’ui.” Other key MMR personnel on the trip were the Director of the Inshore and Aquaculture Division Kori Raumea and Atiu Fisheries Officer Toumiti Matangaro who, with Rongo, joined R2R coordinator Maria Tuoro, and climate change advisor Dr Teina Rongo in meeting with the Atiu Island Council and the members of the Takutea Trust. The Takutea Trust, consists of the island’s three Ariki and four Mataiapo Tutara, and is responsible for managing the Takutea wildlife reserve. Rongo says it was important to meet with the trust to discuss survey work to be conducted this year, and to hear their concerns and hopes for the future of the reserve. The brief visit also allowed the MMR team to meet with local fishers who were interested in applying for this year’s Fisheries Development Facility Small Grant Fund, he says. “The grants are just one of the direct ways we support local fishers. We were able to assist them in understanding the application process. “We now have a record number of applications from Atiu from fishers who are requesting a range of assistance, from fishing rods to sea safety equipment,” says Raumea. “There was also interest in the grant fund from women who collect seafood from the reef. “We want to help provide support to those who depend on the marine environment for their food security as well. “With the R2R project we can help promote conservation to safeguard food security for the future.” - MMR/ RM
Grant helps island's water issues
Friday 24 February 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Outer Islands
Aitutaki received a timely support from the Japanese government last week in improving the water supply on the island.
Boom in Chinese visitors predicted
Friday 24 February 2017 | Published in Local
An increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Cook Islands could result in a booming new market for the nation in the near future.
Young police recruits show they're fit, fast
Friday 24 February 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local
HERE’S a heads-up for criminals on Rarotonga – watch out for the latest police recruits … they’re fast.
Weather postpones Vaka Pride judging
Friday 24 February 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local
The judging for the Vaka Pride round two has been postponed to next week due to the recent bad weather on Rarotonga.
Crucial subsidy lies idle
Friday 24 February 2017 | Published in Politics
A $500,000 budget allocation to subsidise domestic shipping during the 2016 financial year is unlikely to be used any time soon, because nothing has been done to determine how the scheme will work.
Police mad over seized sound gear
Friday 24 February 2017 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
Experienced Cook Islands police officers are seething over an incident in which a seized sound system ended up being used by staff while they worked in national headquarters.
Muri lagoon is 'country's future'
Thursday 23 February 2017 | Published in Local
The most important initiative New Zealand can support the Cook Islands with is safeguarding the long-term health of Muri lagoon on Rarotonga.
Court acquits woman over assault count
Thursday 23 February 2017 | Published in Crime
A female who was charged with common assault was acquitted in the Cook Islands High Court on February 21.
Cook Islander feels like a 'foreigner' in own country
Thursday 23 February 2017 | Published in Local
Titikaveka Growers Association president and concerned citizen Teava Iro feels like a foreigner in his own country.
Tourists & kids blamed for cat escapes
Thursday 23 February 2017 | Published in Local
Tourists and children have allowed five cats to escape from their cages at Esther Honey Foundation.
Tereora College project on track
Thursday 23 February 2017 | Published in Education
The plan to deliver two new buildings at Tereora College before the 2018 academic year remains unchanged despite shipping delays and unfavourable weather conditions.
Pasifika Television delivers new shows
Thursday 23 February 2017 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local
Representatives from the Auckland-based Pasifika Television are in the country to deliver the variety of programme content that includes sports, news, current affairs, documentaries, and entertainment to Cook Islands free-to-air television stations.
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