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11 November 2022

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Resort leads the way for Earth Hour

Several businesses and households across Rarotonga participated in Earth Hour on Saturday by turning off their lights for an hour.

Court

Repeat offender gets probation sentence for stealing lemons

A repeat offender received a 12-month probation sentence with community service for stealing lemons and failing to report to the police station.

Fuel going by naval vessel

Cabinet minister Teariki Heather rose yesterday in Parliament to correct a statement he had made the day prior. ”I rise to correct some anomaly in my reply to the question raised by the leader of the Opposition yesterday,“ he said. ”This is in regards to the boat that is bringing diesel and landing it in […]

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Barge back for Mauke, Mitiaro projects

Work on the development of the Mauke harbour is nearing completion with a handover of the project expected to be carried out in about three weeks. Yesterday, another barge load of material and equipment for the harbour development projects on Mauke and Mitiaro arrived at Avatiu harbour. The Mycon barge, towed by the Viking Spirit […]

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Pension increase 'a first step'

In Parliament this week Mitiaro member of Parliament Tangata Vavia asked finance minister Mark Brown to explain the economic impact of an increase in pensions for people over 70. Raising the fortnightly pension, with a view to ultimately doubling it within the next three years, will cost the government $8.6 million this fiscal year. Brown […]

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Mangaia petition raises questions

A petition has been circulated around Mangaia’s island leaders requesting that Mangaia choose their next secretary for island administration to be Junior Areai, of DJ Agencies in Rarotonga, despite Areai claiming he knows nothing about such a petition. The current government representative for Mangaia, Ngai Areai, is circulating the petition, which requests signatures from the […]

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Dengue under control

Despite eleven cases of dengue-like fever being reported to the Ministry of Health during May, only three turned out to be positive. The statistics were reported in the event, surveillance and response (ESR) unit monthly report. Director of community health services Dr Rangi Fariu says 11 suspicious dengue fever cases were reported in Rarotonga, but […]

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New passion

Former Miss Maine Purotu and national dance champion Uirangi Bishop hopes to take charge of a vaka one day. The 24-year-old Aitutaki woman is on Cook Islands Vaka Marumaru Atua which was part of World Oceans Day celebrations in Suva this week. After boarding in Aitutaki in the Cooks to Samoa and then to Fiji, […]

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'Budget fails to stimulate growth in economy'

Nukuroa MP Tangata Vavia has said the only sector the Budget actually supports is the pearl industry, and that it fails ”miserably“ to support others. ”My views are similar to (Norman George’s) as we realise there are weak points in the budget,“ Vavia said in Parliament yesterday. ”I was expecting to see policies by government […]

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Budget 800 pages of 'verbal diarrhea'

Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George says the Budget prioritises the Tourism Authority to the detriment of ”the little people“, in particular the country’s growers. ”This budget is for people on high income, for people earning $30,000 upwards. There is nothing here for the little people of this country There is nothing in this budget to cut […]

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A million litres of diesel makes Aitutaki's power

The Aitutaki Power Supply is currently calling for tenders to supply diesel to the power station on Aitutaki. The contract to supply Aitutaki power station (APS) with diesel has been with Reef Bulk Fuel of Auckland for the last 12 years. Their latest three year contract is about to expire, leaving the way clear for […]

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Brown defends levy

Finance minister Mark Brown hit back yesterday at Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen’s criticism of the fizzy drink import levy. Rasmussen has been vocal in his attack of the Budget, which reflects a $98,000 surplus that he believes is the result of number-shifting rather than wise financial planning. On Monday he alleged that by enacting import […]

National

Text number up

A new youth counselling textline is due to start working today – two weeks after the launch of free youth helpline 0800 HELP. The service is run by Youthline New Zealand and is a free and confidential support network that troubled youth can ring – and now text – for advice. The number to text […]

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MP swears off fizzy drinks

Aitutaki Member of Parliament Mona Ioane has praised the Budget for addressing the needs of people in the pa enua. He said Budget Book 3, which outlines all government’s funded capital works over the next three years, is his ”favourite book“. ”This is my favourite book because in there, there is a lot about the […]

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Smoke signal in House

Tupapa-Maraerenga MP George Angene has said that while he supports the Budget, he sympathises with smokers over the increase in the import levy for tobacco. ”I am taking a look around this house and I believe I am the only smoker and I am encouraging my colleagues to smoke so that you will be strong […]

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$1.7m for ministerial support

The Budget reduces funds available for ministerial support offices by $3000, resulting in a net appropriation of $1.79 million a year. ”Over time the Ministerial Support Offices appropriation has increased in amounts and staffing numbers to the point where the appropriations are fiscally unsustainable,“ reads Budget Book 1. ”The Ministerial Support Offices have undertaken a […]

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Budget not a 'wish list' – Brown

Finance minister Mark Brown has dismissed Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen’s allegations that his Budget was ”for show“ and ”about appearances“. He notes that Budget Book 3 is not a ”wish list“, but instead sets out a schedule of projects that are ”definitely“ funded. ”The process we’ve done is outlined exactly the projects we’re going to […]

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Shipping relief on the way

Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters, whose portfolios include transport, says Tapi Taio’s new boat is on the way. He said he has been in discussion with Taio Shipping, who indicated their plan is still to source a second ship. Marsters told Parliament that the Samoa freighter Northern Star was ”only a temporary measure until Tapi […]

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Obituary: Rangi Moeka'a, educator

Rangitukua Moeka’a – the first Cook Islander to hold the post of director of education – passed away in New Zealand last week after a long illness and was laid to rest on Rarotonga at the weekend. Rangitukua Moeka’a replaced former director Russell Gerard in 1972, at a time when public service positions were beginning […]

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35% of expenditure on public sector salaries

Thirty-five percent of the government’s expenditures relate to employee salaries. The public service includes ministries, outer island administrations, Crown agencies (Crown Law, Parliament, Police, Office of the Ombudsman, Audit, Business and Trade Investment Board, Ministry of Environment, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, Head of State, Financial Intelligence Unit, Cook Islands Investment Corporation, Cook Islands National Superfund, […]

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Demo MPs call for pa enua job creation

Oneroa Member of Parliament Winton Pickering raised the dormant issue of outer islands agriculture project Te One Kura in Parliament yesterday. He asked whether government intends to increase funding for the project as a means of pa enua job creation. ”The people of Mangaia and Atiu are all leaving. I can tell you that todayWe […]

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Budget all 'show' – Opposition

Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen has said Budget 2012 is ”for show“ and ”about appearances only, (not) substance“. He opened the Budget debate in Parliament yesterday, framing his speech as a ”right of reply“. ”The Budget that was presented by the minister of finance last Thursday with a small surplus of $98,000 I describe as an […]

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