National

'We are running out of time'

Government must place greater emphasis on renewable energy, Mitiaro MP Tangata Vavia said in parliament last week. “Time and time again we have been reminded of the increase in the cost of fuel. As of yesterday the cost of a barrel of oil on the world market was $US 105, and the worse thing was, […]

School health check-ups on again

The Ministry of Health has rescheduled its biennial (two-yearly) school physical health examination for all Rarotonga schools. American Global Volunteer Susan Koralek has returned to Rarotonga and will be resuming her free eye-screening programme in coming weeks. Accordingly, the ministry has brought the physical health check dates forward. Health officers did the physical check at […]

'We had no control over circumstances'

Finance minister Mark Brown is adamant that government had no control over the circumstances which forced it into a deficit. In Parliament on Tuesday he said: “I would just like to point out to our members and those of the public that are listening in that this deficit in the budget occurred from an event […]

Norman George criticises Allsworth's salary

Teenui-Mapumai member of parliament Norman George has pointed the finger at former auditor-general Paul Allsworth for continuing to collect a salary equivalent to that which he collected as auditor-general. Allsworth has been appointed head of a new government division – the Governance and Oversight Services Unit. During question-and-answer time in parliament on Tuesday, George queried […]

Big shoes to fill in 2012 pageant

The Miss Cook Islands Pageant dates for 2012 have been confirmed. The final night of the pageant will take place in the National Auditorium on June 7, ending a week of high-stakes competition. The Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association (MCIPA) finalised its pageant dates at its annual general meeting earlier this month, during which Clee […]

George George is mad mad

If it was food, George George wouldn’t be too upset. But because thieves targeted electronic items, iPods, Playstations and other such toys and gadgets when they went through his house, George says he’s left feeling angry, disappointed and, perhaps worst of all, insulted. After years of working with children and teenagers to help promote them […]

Minister's travels for the week

Southern group youth to join forum

At least 20 youth from the southern group of islands will join 100 young adults from Rarotonga to share their views, opinions, concerns and practical solutions with each other at a youth forum next month to help overcome the challenges facing their age group. A steering group charged with organising the forum, which is aiming […]

So what's the 'trigger figure'?

The government and the people of the Cook Islands received a surprising and slightly worrying notice from Air New Zealand this month when it warned that the underwrite being provided by the country to secure flights to Australia and the United States would rise to an estimated $12.5 million for the financial year. Until this […]

NZ 'reneging' on pension promise: Priest

Making New Zealand’s superannuation portable so people living in the Cook Islands can access their pension is a complex issue and will be examined in time, according to New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully. McCully said New Zealand was not breaking a promise made to the Cook Islands when he announced last week that the […]

Global leader loves this place

As chief executive of American organisation Global Volunteers, Bud Philbrook’s job is to travel. Global Volunteers sends voluntary workers to 100 communities in 35 countries on six continents – and Philbrook tries to visit each ‘every couple of years’. He also served a year in the Obama administration as deputy undersecretary for the United States […]

Keeping books in order

Most accountants with any experience in the Cook Islands will agree that a decent number of local businesses don’t have their books in order. Chartered accountant Justin Rous says in most cases businesspeople file their VAT returns and PAYE but otherwise neglect financial housekeeping. “Having current information is essential in making business decisions. Looking at […]

Cook Islands Day at NZ's Te Papa

March 3 is Cook Islands Day at Te Papa Museum in Wellington. The museum reports it will be a vibrant day of performances, personalities, arts and speakers – all a testament to what makes the Cook Islands special. Cook Islands Tourism has partnered with Te Papa to put on the show, which will run for […]

2 new faces at Intaff

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (Intaff) welcomed in two new faces this week, bringing a boost to its consumer affairs office and welfare division. With about 17 years of experience in the social development ministry New Zealand, Iva Tau Eitiare said she enjoyed the work that came her way in Intaff’s welfare division. Eitiare moved […]

'That isn't really a pig'

NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST director Gerald McCormack analyses ancient Cook Islands beliefs about gods and spirits and the animals they inhabited. He also took the photos illustrating this story. The Cook Islands has a rich tradition of working with spirits. In ancient times all misfortune and ill-health were attributed to spirits who consisted of a plethora […]

Space junk splashes down in Muri

On a cloudless Rarotonga night the stars always put on a fantastic show, aided by a streaking meteor or two, but all that was about to be upstaged. To the left it appeared as a bright orange, diamond shaped light in the night sky, approaching from the north of Muri lagoon, heading on a southerly […]

Get fit by email

Fitness enthusiast Puai Wichman continues his crusade to shape up Cook Islanders and turn them to a healthier lifestyle. Here Wichman shares his new challenge for those wanting to take the step in the healthy direction. “Starting this week, I will be running a challenge of a different kind – one that doesn’t involve anything […]

United we stand, divided we fall

Mangaia School celebrated its new prefects for 2012 on Wednesday. School chaplain Reverend Toko Ongoua from the Oneroa Cook Islands Christian Church blessed the ceremony, at which Kiriana Ngatamariki was chosen as head prefect and Junior George as deputy head prefect. The school’s ‘virtue of the week’ was creativity, which principal Sue Ngatokorua says fit […]

Araura honours new perfects

A large crowd of parents, leaders of Aitutaki and invited guests were present to witness the investiture of new prefects and student councillors at Araura College last Friday. Twenty-one student councillors were presented with their new badges. Each form class selected their own boy and girl student council leaders. There were 10 prefects from year […]

Prefects inducted at St Joseph's