Local

NZ pension portability off the table

Friday 17 February 2012 | Published in Local

Pensioners who have waited 19 years for a New Zealand government decision on superannuation portability will now have to wait even longer, with Foreign Minister Murray McCully yesterday saying the proposal would be off the table indefinitely. McCully, who is currently in the Cook Islands on government business, told Cook Islands News that the superannuation […]

Local

'Bad export deals can be avoided'

Thursday 16 February 2012 | Published in Local

Aitutaki growers disappointed with the fate of exports sent to New Zealand can use Cook Islands government contacts to help ensure similar plans in the future see a better outcome, says secretary for agriculture Anthony Brown. According to Brown, growers from across the Cook Islands can call on a number of government agencies, including the […]

Local

Court to hear Tepuka claim

Thursday 16 February 2012 | Published in Local

Next month the kopu ariki of Ngati Makea will have its say in the Tepuka saga before Chief Justice Tom Weston. The kopu ariki believe the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) should no longer hold the title on Tepuka land, which comprises 23.67 hectares (58.48 acres) of land adjacent to the CICC Nikao. It encompasses […]

Local

Silveria sets example by removing graffiti

Thursday 16 February 2012 | Published in Local

A student leader from Nukutere College has turned a bad piece of news into a good story and, in turn, is providing a source of inspiration not just to her fellow-students but also to leaders of all levels across the country. When students and teachers returned to the college on Monday this week, they were […]

Local

Spreading the love on Valentine's Day

Wednesday 15 February 2012 | Published in Local

It wasn’t just boyfriends and girlfriends getting into the spirit of Valentine’s Day yesterday – there were plenty of chocolates, flowers and wine shared between friends, parents and children too. In fact, there was so much love being shared around that the whole office at Island Craft’s headquarters were told to forget their regular work […]

Local

McCully here this week

Wednesday 15 February 2012 | Published in Local

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully arrives in Rarotonga early tomorrow morning. New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands John Carter has confirmed that McCully and a few of his support staff will be on tomorrow morning’s flight from Auckland. The primary purpose of his visit is to meet with government to discuss […]

Local

Fresh produce exports turn sour

Wednesday 15 February 2012 | Published in Local

A plan to export fresh produce from Aitutaki to New Zealand has wilted for the producers of Aitutaki. While three container loads of produce have made their way south over recent months, only one payment has come back north. And even that was much less than expected. The producers of Aitutaki were expecting to reap […]

Local

CISNOC finances back on agenda

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in Local

Controversy around the financial state of the national sporting body will get an airing this week. A Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee special general meeting will be held on Wednesday at the CISNOC office at 5.30pm for all national federations. On the agenda for the meeting will be updates on the finances of […]

Local

Youth forum set for March 12

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in Local

Youth under 25 will be brought together to share their views on suicide and discuss the challenges facing their peers as part of a wider programme to try to stem the rate of suicide in the Cook Islands. The one-day forum will include youth from Rarotonga and the outer islands. A newly-formed steering committee is […]

Local

iPad makes mum dance!

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in Local

Anapa Nicholas might only be four but the young fellah knows his way around electronic gadgets including the new iPad he won in the recent ‘back to school’ promotion with CITC. CITC key brands manager George George says he is thrilled the prize was won by Anapa as he knows the young man will put […]

Local

Overhaul for outdated Crimes Act

Monday 13 February 2012 | Published in Local

Crown Law, in conjunction with the Australian Attorney-General’s Department, is undertaking a major, comprehensive review of the Cook Islands Crimes Act 1969 – which outlines crimes against persons, property and the public order. In 2010 the Australian government offered to provide the Cook Islands government with technical assistance in its review of the Cook Islands […]

Local

Oceania sports award to Rosie Blake

Monday 13 February 2012 | Published in Local

For a lifetime of dedication to sports and in particular women in sports, Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee general secretary Rosie Blake BEM (right) has been nominated as the woman in sport for the region of Oceania by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Blake (68) departs today for Los Angeles for the awards […]

Local

Showers in the air

Saturday 11 February 2012 | Published in Local

No storm warnings are in place for this weekend, but the Cook Islands Meteorological Service predicts showery weather. Tropical Cyclone Cyril has come and gone, and Tropical Cyclone Jasmine is now located within Wellington’s area of responsibility. The Cook Islands Meteorological Service will continue to keep a watch on Tropical Cyclone Jasmine’s movement and is […]

Local

Court concerned by domestic violence

Saturday 11 February 2012 | Published in Local

Seven men appeared in the high court on Thursday to face charges of assaulting a female. Five defendants entered guilty pleas, and the other two cases were adjourned without plea. Justice of the peace Carmen Temata pointed to the prevalence of the issue in the Cook Islands. She was clear that an apology is not […]

Local

Streamlining, not downsizing

Saturday 11 February 2012 | Published in Local

The government is making a medium-term plan to implement some of the recommendations outlined in a public finance management and public sector performance review report compiled by Asian Development Bank (ADB) consultants and a local steering committee. The former Democratic Party government identified the need for a public finance management and public sector performance review, […]

Local

18 new Aitutakians honoured

Friday 10 February 2012 | Published in Local

Yesterday was a special day, not just for 18 people at Aitutaki but for the island as a whole, according to mayor John Baxter. Aitutaki officially took in 18 new permanent residents at a special ceremony held on the island yesterday, all spouses of Cook Islanders or permanent residents of the Cook Islands. Some of […]

Local

Ballet babes

Friday 10 February 2012 | Published in Local

Pirouettes, pointed toes, tutus and big cheesy grins were all the rage at the Celebration on the Rock church where a group of youngsters gathered for the Xpression Dance Studio ballet class this week. Even the boys were having a ball at the class tutored by Georgia Miles – a Royal Academy of Dance ballet […]

Local

'We are not in a crisis'

Friday 10 February 2012 | Published in Local

Public Service Commissioner Navy Epati yesterday officially released a copy of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Functional Review Report on the Public Sector. “The exercise to re-examine how we do business in the public sector should never come as a surprise to anyone, including the public service itself. This has to be the norm if […]

Local

Heroes and heroines greeted warmly

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in Local

Christchurch volunteers enjoying island hospitality as part of the Heroes and Heroines initiative were told yesterday that because Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens – the Cooks was their country too. The first group of Christchurch Heroes and Heroines volunteers arrived on the island at the weekend and met with Prime Minister Henry Puna yesterday […]

Local

Ambitious $15.5m plan for Aitutaki

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in Local

Aitutaki Island Council is confident it will be able to find funding for an ambitious redevelopment project that is expected to cost about $15.5 million. The project is being planned to help beautify the main town area surrounding the wharf while also improving facilities in the area. The wharf, too, will benefit under the plan […]

Local

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