Local

Hermann appointed

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in Local

Former Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) international division director Tepaeru Herrmann has been appointed as the new First Secretary of the Cook Islands High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand. Herrmann replaces former first secretary Sonya Kamana, who has held the post since 2003. As first secretary, Herrmann is the senior diplomatic officer under […]

PM defends Te Aponga Uira policy

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna says Te Aponga Uira O Tumutevarovaro (TAU) is doing a great job with Rarotongas electricity supply, despite contrasting legislation and government policy. Puna the Cook Islands energy minister says he has every confidence in TAUs ability to continue providing electricity on Rarotonga as well as support governments objective of attaining 100 […]

Parliament not sitting until late next month

Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Local

Parliament is likely to sit in late November or early December, pending the completion of some bills being drafted at present. Prime Minister Henry Puna says it is a concern that government has not been able to fulfil its promise of calling at least 100 days in parliament this year, but regardless business continues on […]

Prime minister claims he hates travel

Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Local

People might think official travel is glamorous but that is far from the truth, Prime Minister Henry Puna says. He spoke to the Cook Islands News yesterday about the obligation government has to engage with the international community and the ensuing benefits to the nation. Puna understands it is easy for people to criticise ministers […]

7 arrested

Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands police officers are concerned that certain people in the community are supporting criminals by accepting stolen property in exchange for cash. In the latest crime breakthrough, police swooped on Matavera and Ngatangiia homes earlier this week, executing search warrants. The Tuesday and Wednesday raids uncovered property believed to have been stolen from Titikaveka […]

Oe a tribute to Takitumu clan

Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Local

Master carver Te Aturangi Nepia Clamp whittles away at a six-metre oe, which he is crafting for Phillip McNicholl of Reef Shipping as an expression of thanks for his support of the Cook Islands Voyaging Society. For full story, see p.20. 11101460

Bogus email

Friday 14 October 2011 | Published in Local

The visiting Northern Knights cricketers are all revved up for todays historical match between the visitors and the Telecom Cook Islands national squad. Pictured here getting ready to zoom back to the Edgewater Resort and Spa after a tough day of training are (from left) Corey Anerson, Trent Boult, Pete McGlashen, Brent Arnel, James Marshell, […]

Tepuka in court

Friday 14 October 2011 | Published in Local

The kopu ariki of Ngati Makea are intervening in the Tepuka saga. Ellena Tavioni has filed an application with Chief Justice Tom Weston seeking a cancellation of a vesting order which cemented Makea Arikis gifting of Tepuka land to The London Missionary Society Corporation in 1864. The kopu ariki believe the Cook Islands Christian Church […]

Govt working behind the scenes for Iroa

Friday 14 October 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands health authorities are happy with Andrew Iroas medical progress to date, following his motor vehicle accident on October 2. Iroa is set to travel to Fiji in coming days but those who have examined him locally say he remains in a stable condition. Acting health secretary Dr Tikaka Henry says a visiting New […]

Public comment invited on budget

Friday 14 October 2011 | Published in Local

Government has publicly released its budget consultation document for the next financial years spending and is urging all Cook Islanders to read it and submit their feedback in the next two and a half weeks. Submissions on the document close on October 31, so people need to be prompt about telling government whether its plans […]

Crime breakthrough good for tourism: minister

Thursday 13 October 2011 | Published in Local

The police crackdown on crime will go a long way to improving the Cook Islands image as a safe destination for tourists, but there is still room to improve, says Minister for Tourism Teina Bishop. Cook Islands Police have reported a dramatic drop in crime for the month of September when compared to last year, […]

Graffiti arrests

Thursday 13 October 2011 | Published in Local

Police are cracking down on graffiti crime, which is being committed by children as young as seven years old. Arorangi School is the latest victim of graffiti vandalism, which has appeared in villages throughout Rarotonga recently. On Tuesday police received a complaint about the school being vandalised. Officers say it is sad to see offensive […]

New marine park plan progresses

Thursday 13 October 2011 | Published in Local

Heads of relevant ministries meet tomorrow to formalise a marine park steering committee, which will chart the direction of the marine park that Prime Minister Henry Puna wants to formally endorse at next years Pacific Islands Leaders Forum. With one round of public consultations out of the way, assembling an organising committee is the next […]

Mire Tama jitters

Thursday 13 October 2011 | Published in Local

A world leader

Wednesday 12 October 2011 | Published in Local

The dramatic drop in theft and driver accident figures for September shows the Cook Islands is a world leader in tackling crime and road trauma, according to Prime Minister Henry Puna. Puna, the minister for police, said the Cook Islands was making headway in two areas where other countries were struggling to do so. At […]

Raro water safe to drink: MOH

Wednesday 12 October 2011 | Published in Local

Rarotongas water is safe to drink, according to the latest Ministry of Health (MOH) tests. The ministry tests each of the islands 13 water intakes every two months as well as all school systems at the beginning of every school term, and community water tanks regularly. It also tests private water tanks and supplies on […]

Demo solar system at TAU

Tuesday 11 October 2011 | Published in Local

A 10-kilowatt solar system will be installed at Te Aponga Uiras main office this week a system not so much intended to generate power for the company but awareness in the community. The system is being installed at TAUs car park area at its main office in Tutakimoa and the area is closed to the […]

Theft, burglaries record dramatic drop Crime numbers down

Tuesday 11 October 2011 | Published in Local

A Cook Islands warrior welcomes the Northern Knights cricket team to the Cook Islands yesterday. Report, back page. 11101045

Water being rationed in the north

Tuesday 11 October 2011 | Published in Local

Penrhyn Island will run out of drinking water in two weeks if the dry-spell in the Cook Islands does not break soon. The northern atoll is currently under water rationing until further notice, with couples allocated a daily ration of 20 litres meant for drinking. Water storage tanks on the atoll are running short at […]

Piho Rua dies after illness

Monday 10 October 2011 | Published in Local

Former Cook Islands politician Piho Rua (above) passed away last Wednesday surrounded by his family at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland after a long struggle with diabetes. The 57-year-old entrepreneur was a police superintendent, former director of corrective services, CEO for former prime minister Robert Wonton and former member of parliament for Rakahanga who stood for […]