National
Arorangi back roads get some TLC
Monday 18 January 2016 | Published in Local
Infrastructure Cook Islands is doing its best to improve the quality of Rarotonga’s back roads after receiving a number of complaints from the community.
Sky looking blue for Henderson
Monday 18 January 2016 | Published in Local
Telecommunications runs in the blood of the new country manager of Bluesky Phillip Henderson. The born and bred Kuki has returned to Rarotonga to take the helm of the country’s only telecommunications company – and he’s got his work cut out for him. But like many Cook Islanders, Henderson has an air of ease about him, ready to tackle the many, and often highly technical challenges thrown his way. Born in Rarotonga, Henderson and his siblings were immersed in their culture growing up. After attending Tereora College, he completed his seventh form year at Otago Boys’ High School, before returning to Rarotonga to take up at a job at newly-established company Cable and Wireless. “I was ready to come home.” Henderson became an engineer technician and was trained in the UK by Cable and Wireless, before becoming a branch engineer. He stayed with the company until 1990, when the government terminated Cable and Wirelesses’ contract and formed Telecom Cook Islands, of which Henderson became general manager. “Those were exciting years because that was when Telecom decided to build to the outer islands.” This included building nine satellite stations to the Pa Enua, sparking stronger connectivity between Cook Islanders. Then in 2005 Henderson took a punt and moved to New Zealand with his wife and three children. “We went for the kids; they were approaching secondary school and we wanted to give them the best opportunity.” Henderson landed on his feet, and took up a job as a senior project manager for Alcatel-Lucent. “I got thrown into the deep end of rolling out some pretty significant projects.” Then using his understanding of the Pacific, Henderson became the project manager for Alcatel deals in the Pacific Islands including Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and Kiribati. Henderson said it was important to know the difference when operating in Pacific environments. “Basically when you design in an enviroment like New Zealand, the enviroment is not harsh… but in Vanuatu, they’ve got every known natural disaster you can think of. “You can’t just take a cookie-cutter approach – you’ve got to cater it.” And it was during this work that Henderson met Bluesky Pacific Group chief executive officer Adolfo Montenegro, who was looking for a new country manager for the Cook Islands. Henderson liked Montenegro’s vision and was keen to return home, taking up the position in August. “In my opinion this is the first overseas company that has come into the country and offered a share of the business,” said Henderson. “I can’t think of any other enterprise that’s done that… because I know Cook Islanders can do the job they’ve got the competency and it was about time they were given the opportunity to be able to invest and get some of those benefits.” Henderson said the role had been different to his other work, and he was determined to focus on customer service first and foremost. “We’ve got to deliver what the customer needs, not just what the technician thinks they want.” With government still holding a 40 per cent share of the business, Henderson said the company maintains a “very healthy” relationship with government. And he even has to work closely with his brother, who happens to be the new Financial Secretary, Garth Henderson. Asked about recent talk of changing legislation to deregulate the telecommunications market, effectively taking away Bluesky’s monopoly in the country, Henderson said the Cook Islands government needed to be cautious “If they look at the current operating model and the figures Bluesky is delivering, they need to tread carefully.” But Henderson has his eyes on other objectives, such as bringing the best and brightest young under his company’s wing. “One of the first things we started up was an internship programme. I really wanted to attract the best and brightest.” Bluesky currently has five interns, and Henderson is not ruling out providing future scholarships. “It’s not outside the bounds of our plans to organise scholarships – if you want the best talent you’ve got to pay for it.” Henderson said he was fortunate to be able to go away from the Cook Islands for 10 years before returning with a fresh perspective. “I wouldn’t be the right person for the job if I hadn’t left.”
Tropical cyclone Victor moving away
Monday 18 January 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weather
Cook Islands seem to have escaped the brunt of Tropical Cyclone Victor which was formed from a tropical depression approaching the country this week.
Former MP stands up for Penrhyn
Monday 18 January 2016 | Published in Local
The former Member of Parliament for Tongareva says on behalf of his former constituency he is speaking out against the government’s purse seine fishing plans.
Wearable art show well worth a look
Friday 15 January 2016 | Published in Local
The Ministry of Cultural Development officially launched their first National Museum Exhibition for 2016 last night entitled “The Rakei –Traditional Wearable Art’s Exhibition.”
Good news for motorists - fuel prices drop today
Friday 15 January 2016 | Published in Local
Motorists are finally getting some good news with reduction in the price of petrol and diesel today.
Two beauty pageants ready for more rivalry
Friday 15 January 2016 | Published in Local
The country made Pacific history last year when two beautiful, talented young women were crowned as Miss Cook Islands – and judging by the continued standoff by the two separate beauty pageant groups, it’s a trend that’s going to carry on indefinitely.
MCIPA eyes court action
Friday 15 January 2016 | Published in Local
Last year, Miss Cook Islands Felicia George was crowned after a successful Miss Cook Islands Pageant run by members of the Miss Cook Islands Pageant Assocation.
Puna reviews EU fishing deal
Friday 15 January 2016 | Published in Local
It seems Prime Minister Henry Puna may be bowing to public pressure against the proposed $4.5 million fishing deal with the European Union.
Storm edges closer to Rarotonga
Friday 15 January 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weather
The tropical depression system moving closer to the Cook Islands is intensifying and expected to turn into a category one cyclone by today.
Report is damning
Friday 15 January 2016 | Published in Local
A government-commissioned report into the public sector cuts no corners, stating many senior positions in government agencies are held by people without leadership and management skills.
Anxious wait ends for students
Thursday 14 January 2016 | Published in Education
NCEA results for 2015 were released on Tuesday morning. While the Ministry of Education isn’t quite ready yet to make an official statement, CI News understands that the results so far are good and that hard work on the part of many of the country’s secondary schools students has paid off. Like many secondary school student, Nadtazkia Puna (pictured) was a little nervous yesterday when she went online to check her results, but was pleased with the outcome. 16111308
Get fit class designed for young and old
Thursday 14 January 2016 | Published in Health
A new exercise class aimed at inspiring young and old to get fit has started at Arorangi.
Book boost for Cook Islands
Thursday 14 January 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local
The Cook Islands’ effort to get a wider promotion in the international community has received a major boost.
New bar showcases rum
Thursday 14 January 2016 | Published in Local
A new bar concept is set to launch at Club Raro this Friday.
'Prepare for the worst' – Met Service
Thursday 14 January 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Weather
Cook Islanders have been warned to brace themselves for a “worst case scenario” as a tropical depression moving towards Rarotonga is expected to turn into a tropical cyclone by later today.
Fees for some, free for others
Thursday 14 January 2016 | Published in Local
A long-serving Cook Islands domestic shipping company is having difficulty understanding why a foreign-registered shipping company keeps getting given preferential treatment by government despite never having provided a single day of service in the country.
Weed turnoff for tourists
Thursday 14 January 2016 | Published in Environment
Tourists are making known their displeasure at the state of Muri lagoon, with many becoming vocal online about the unsightly algae growth.
Fun-filled programme keeps kids busy
Wednesday 13 January 2016 | Published in Local
YWAM (Youth with a Mission) base has been filled with fun and excitement in the three-day children’s holiday programme, “The Truth Seekers,” which ends tomorrow.
Truck win overwhelms lucky winner
Wednesday 13 January 2016 | Published in Local
Christopher Mana nearly dropped his phone in excitement after receiving a phone call to say that he had won a new 2016 Toyota Hilux worth $49,000.
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