National

Port dredging to start next month

The Ports Authority is gearing up to remove 70,000 to 90,000 cubic metres from Avatiu harbour as part of its $27 million redevelopment. “We are looking at bringing in bigger vessels. The greater the carrying capacity, the cheaper the freight,” said Ports Authority general manager Bim Tou. At present the port can only receive vessels […]

Cultural revival at Tupapa Centre

Involving youth in keeping the Cook Islands culture alive was discussed at the Tupapa Maraerenga Cultural Centre annual general meeting last week. At the meeting Tere ‘Johnson’ Strickland officially took on the role of president of the centre. His aim is to encourage the youth of Tupapa to become involved in the cultural group, seeing […]

Women's day knows no political divide

High-profile women of the Cook Islands celebrated International Women’s Day on Thursday with a breakfast meeting at the Aquarius Hotel. The function recognised the country’s political and diplomatic women, including the wives of the prime minister, deputy prime minister and government members. Also attending the breakfast function were Lady Goodwin, Dame Margret Karika Ariki, Lady […]

A time of reflection for Cook Islands women

The women of the Cook Islands plan to keep sewing the symbolic tivaivai that represents the tapestry of their achievements. Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) president Vaine Wichman said a light-hearted celebration of International Women’s Day on Thursday was a chance for women to “take a break, enjoy our company, have a coffee, […]

New radios for more efficient policing

The Cook Islands are already reaping the rewards of new and improved radio technology. Until recently there was a small number of out-dated vehicles radios and some portable radios which only worked in town. There were radio blind spots around Rarotonga, and inclement weather impacted even further on the quality of communications. Police officers relied […]

Parade honours new radio system

In a culmination of two years of hard work, the Cook Islands police were symbolically handed over their upgraded radio communications system yesterday morning. The project was aptly named ‘Te Karere’, or ‘the message’, by attending Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters. Police Commissioner Maara Tetava gratefully accepted the new system in a formal celebration outside […]

Public meeting addresses seawall concerns

Safety concerns were a priority to residents who attended a meeting with the Ports Authority organised by Avatiu-Ruatonga-Atupa-Palmerston member of parliament John Henry at the Ruatonga Meeting house on Thursday evening. “How do we know the rock wall isn’t going to fall down or that waves aren’t going to go over it?” asked Ruatonga resident […]

Cabinet minister's weekly travel diary

Minister travelling to VietNam

Agriculture minister Nandi Glassie will travel to VietNam this week to meet with the new director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The new director-general Jose Graziano da Silva will be attending the 31st FAO Regional Conference for Asia and Pacific being held in Hanoi on March 12-16. Ministers and senior government officials from […]

Opposition celebrates women's success

In honour of International Women’s Day, opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen has called women the ‘backbone of the Cook Islands’. “Women are the backbone of the Cook Islands,” Rasmussen said at a gathering to honour women at the Ruatonga opposition office. “Women bring intelligence and warmth to politics and a dimension that men don’t have,” said […]

Toys brighten children's ward

The children’s ward at the Rarotonga Hospital just became a more kid-friendly place. As part of its ongoing community outreach programme, CITC Building Centre donated $1000 worth of toys to the paediatric ward in an effort to make it a more comfortable place for kids. Amongst the boxes and gift-wrapped packages delivered to the ward […]

Cooks replica sails into museum

Offering a glimpse into what life is like for a sailor during one of Captain Cook’s voyages will be possible for some lucky people in Australia this week. Cook, the namesake of the Cook Islands, spent much of his life exploring the Pacific. He visited the Cook Islands in 1773 and 1777 and is credited […]

Cruise ship stops at Aitutaki, Rarotonga

Passengers of sailing ship L’Austral enjoyed a day of activities and sightseeing on Aitutaki on Wednesday, and yesterday visited Rarotonga. Before she arrived in the Cook Islands she stopped at Borabora and her next stop is Vavau, Tonga. Less than a year old, she is the sister ship to L’Boreal. Her passengers yesterday enjoyed a […]

Search and rescue agreement updated

The updating of an agreement between New Zealand and the Cook Islands will help ensure greater communication and collaboration during search and rescue missions, says Maritime New Zealand (MNZ). MNZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is responsible for responding to major land, sea, air and emergency-beacon related incidents within New Zealand’s Search and Rescue […]

NZ and Cook Islands police collaborating

Leaders in the New Zealand and Cook Islands police are working together to share ideas for the benefit of both nations. Superintendent Russell Gibson, district commander of central districts New Zealand, has been visiting Rarotonga this week, and working closely with Cook Islands Police commissioner Maara Tetava. The visit is part of a mentoring relationship […]

Select committee hears submissions

A select committee met in Parliament House this week to discuss the Judicature Amendment Bill, which was tabled in Parliament earlier this year. The committee is being chaired by Prime Minister Henry Puna, with opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen as deputy chairman and Norman George, Mona Ioane and John Henry as members. It has been appointed […]

New system for emergency services

Emergency communications across Rarotonga are set to improve this week. On Friday morning, the official opening ceremony for the new radio communication system will be celebrated at the Cook Islands police station in Avarua, by local emergency services, members of parliament and also guests from the New Zealand police force. Deputy Commissioner of New Zealand […]

Cabinet talks tobacco with WHO reps

Tobacco control featured heavily in Cabinet discussions this week. A team from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) secretariat is on Rarotonga at the request of the Ministry of Health, and has been in discussions about tobacco use and control with Cabinet ministers. Headed by convention secretariat Guangyuan Liu, the […]

Govt making over Rarotonga for Forum

Ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum, infrastructure and planning minister Teariki Heather is prioritising the beautification of Rarotonga. Out of the ministry’s capital expenditure funds will come handouts to Rarotonga members of parliament for cleaning streams and drains and trimming roadside trees. Last November, Heather convened a meeting of all Rarotonga members of parliament to […]

Trees chopped to protect hut

Responding to concerns about the chopping-down of two trees at the Punanga Nui marketplace, Terry Rangi says he made the decision in the interest of public safety. As chief executive of the Business Trade and Investment Board, Rangi is responsible for supervising marketplace operations. To protect vendor Kate Numanga’s hut – which Rangi says was […]