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Articles by Richard Moore
Samoa's MPs vote to fight corruption
Monday 21 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in National
Justice minister Nandi Glassie’s trip to Samoa to appeal to that nation’s politicians to join an anti-corruption group seems to have had its desired effect.
Not afraid to speak his mind
Monday 21 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
This week outspoken master carver and Rarotongan identity Michael Tavioni lashed out at the tourism-at-all-costs attitude running this island. Richard Moore had a long chat with the colourful artist.
Generous German funding helps brigade
Friday 18 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
THE FIRE Rescue Service has received a major equipment boost from the people of Germany.
Littlies put delightful event on for families
Thursday 17 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
YOUNGSTERS from pre-schools from around the island gathered at the National Auditorium yesterday morning to put on a show that wowed 600 parents and family members.
Call for locals to get more from tourism
Thursday 17 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
MASTER carver Michael Tavioni has slammed the tourism-at-all-costs attitude of many in the Cooks Islands.
Raro loses outstanding citizen
Wednesday 16 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
A SENIOR New Zealand judge has paid a moving tribute to the Cook Islands Senior Justice of the Peace, John Kenning, who died on Monday in Auckland.
Marine park to now cover our entire EEZ
Monday 14 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
THE GOVERNMENT has announced the proposed Marae Moana sanctuary will now span the entire 1.8 million square kilometres of our Exclusive Economic Zone.
NZ quakes: Fears for kayakers
Monday 14 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
NEW ZEALAND authorities fear for the lives of kayakers believed to have been on the Clarence River when a wall of water – released by the massive earthquake – rushed along it.
Praise and tributes for our brave 500
Monday 14 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
THE COURAGE and sacrifice of Cook Islanders who served during World War One was remembered yesterday at 11am.
Latest addition to our harbour
Monday 14 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
Elegantly liveried in blue and white and with the Cook Islands flag flying proudly above it, the Moana Nui powered into Avatiu port yesterday afternoon.
New cargo barge arrives in Raro
Friday 11 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
A VITAL new cargo link has arrived in the Cook Islands with the docking of the 46-metre landing craft Layar Mas 291.
Shipping vessels ban chlorine granules
Friday 11 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
SWIMMING pool chemical importers will have to look for alternatives to chlorine granules as they have been banned from two key cargo ships servicing the Cook Islands.
New code start of crackdown on corruption
Thursday 10 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Politics
ANTI-CORRUPTION stalwarts are continuing their push to prevent dodgy dealings among parliamentarians, officials and bureaucrats.
Glassie asks Samoa to join fight on corruption
Thursday 10 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in National
JUSTICE minister Nandi Glassie is in Apia trying to encourage Samoa to join the main body of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Glassie is chair of GOPAC Cook Islands (Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption) and is sharing the integrity, perspective and benefits of the convention with Samoan officials. They include parliamentarians, department heads and senior officials. Samoa’s decision makers are working towards an agreement on implementation of integrity development with the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) project. Glassie said Samoa and Cook Islands shared a number of integrity-reform priorities. “We are well developed in progressing a draft Code of Conduct for parliamentarians and this was a process that the Samoans are very interested in learning from,” Glassie said. Glassie also made separate presentations to the Speaker of the House and politicians of Samoa on the benefits of establishing a GOPAC chapter among Samoan parliamentarians. Already this year, the UN-PRAC team has undertaken workshops in Samoa with civil groups, youth and media, while Samoa's youth, civil society and MPs have participated in UN-PRAC regional workshops over the past year. Opening the Validation Workshop in front of more than 45 senior participants, Samoa’s Minister of Justice & Courts Administration, Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu, said: “Integrity is an avenue to improve all our livelihoods. “Our aim must be to restore trust in our government, communities, private sector and civil society,” the minister said. In introducing Glassie, Ainuu said: “Minister Glassie has distinguished himself by promoting transparency and integrity in his own government in Cook Islands.” Cook Islands acceded to UNCAC in 2015. While Samoa is one of only three Pacific Island countries yet to accede to the convention, the project continues to work very closely with the Samoan government, parliament, civil authorities, youth and media on integrity issues. MS MIHAELA Stojoska, a UN anti-corruption specialist, said that UN-PRAC had prioritised working with Samoa and the nation’s public servants demonstrated a huge commitment to ownership of integrity issues by coming together to prioritise policies and implementation of UNCAC-related best practices. Ms Stojoska said it was important for Pacific countries to benefit from shared learning, so it was a priority that people such as Glassie were able to share their experiences. UN-PRAC and GOPAC undertook workshops with Cook Islands senior public servants and parliamentarians earlier this year, including in-depth work on the Parliament’s proposed draft Code of Conduct for parliamentarians. UN-PRAC is a United Nations’ project supported by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Framed around UNCAC governance, justice and anti-corruption ideals, UN-PRAC aims to support Pacific Island countries to strengthen their national anti-corruption legislation and policies, as well as institutional frameworks and capabilities to implement protections. Glassie’s attendance was funded through the UN Pacific Anti-Corruption project. - Richard Moore/Release
Call for answers on Ioane case
Monday 7 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
THE OPPOSITION is demanding answers over the length of time it is taking the Solicitor-General, David James, to make a decision on the legal status of the Vaipae Tautu seat.
NZ voyage an exciting prospect
Monday 7 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
Before taking Te Kukupa out to sea on the first stage of a week-long voyage to New Zealand on Thursday, Inspector Tepaki Baxter, the patrol boat’s commander, said he was feeling excited about the assignment.
16 hours that changed Paradise: A view from the top Adrenalin, emotions and relief
Monday 7 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
THE FIRST thing Police Commissioner Maara Tetava wanted to do when he got home from the house siege in which double killer Chris Rimamotu died was to hug his grandchildren and his wife Kai.
'It was just luck they got out of it. We could have had some dead officers'
Monday 7 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
DIVINE INTERVENTION – or more probably luck – saved the lives of the police officers who had tracked killer gunman Chris Rimamotu to a house near Titikaveka.
16 hours that changed Paradise: A view from the top
Monday 7 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
Richard Moore follows the aftermath of our shocking double murder through the eyes of the country’s police chief.
Govt to pay for body repatriation
Friday 4 November 2016 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Local
THE COOK ISLANDS government is to cover the full costs of sending the body of Mary Dean back to her family in New Zealand.