Local

Red Cross still counting

Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in Local

Red and black day appeal money, being collated by the Cook Islands Red Cross Society, for those affected by the 6.3 magnitude Christchurch earthquake is expected to exceed $8000. Cook Islands Red Cross Society disaster management coordinator Charlie Numanga today expects to have a final tally of money generated by Cook Islanders during the Friday […]

Local

MP quitting 'sad' and 'selfish'

Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna has hinted his government could be visiting anti-party hopping legislation to possibly fix existing loopholes during its term in office following MP Norman George’s resignation from Cook Islands Party ranks this week. Puna says it’s clear Cook Islanders don’t accept how individual MPs continue to shift alliances after being elected – […]

Local

Boy of 13 arrested for machete assault

Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in Local

Police have apprehended a 13-year-old Ngatangiia boy in relation to an assault case last weekend on a female tourist. The female visitor to the island was out for a jog heading towards Rutaki from her Ngatangiia accommodation when she was assaulted by a local male carrying a bush knife. The woman was able to escape […]

Local

CIP executive to review George walkout today

Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands Party executive was to meet today to go over MP Norman George’s resignation and most likely do a quick stock-take of its position. CIP secretary-general Temu Okotai said yesterday the party would be in a position today to release an official statement in connection to George’s resignation. With the Pukapuka by-election yet […]

Local

Short report ready

Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in Local

PSC commissioner Navy Epati as Short’s employer will decide his future employment. “/> The Public Service Commission has completed its investigation into allegations of over-spending and possible misuse of public funds by suspended justice secretary Mark Short. As required by the public service act, the report had to be completed within four weeks of Shorts’ […]

Local

George resigns with no remorse

Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in Local

Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George has resigned from the Cook Islands Party and says he leaves with no remorse. George has opted to continue his parliamentary career spanning 28 years as an independent MP. He stresses that by going independent he is not the opposition. Since the November general elections, George has been vocal over his […]

Local

For the love of Nassau

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Local

2011 Mire Atu winner Poti Maeva expressed his love for his home island of Nassau on Thursday night when he sang his winning composition Ongalewu to an appreciative crowd at the national auditorium. Report and photos, paqes 14-15. 11030403

Local

Huge outpouring for 'red and black' day

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Local

Organisers of yesterday’s red and black appeal for victims of the Christchurch earthquake are completely overwhelmed by the generosity of Cook Islanders. Although a tally of the funds raised throughout the country will not be known until next week, those who have started counting donations say it will be a large amount. “There’s a lot […]

Local

Stirrer back

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Local

Controversial New Zealand Maori sovereignty campaigner Bruce Ruatapu Mita is back on Rarotonga reviving his 2008 mission – to rouse the Ui Ariki to assert their “traditional mana”. Te Au O Tonga paramount chief Joseph Vakatini Ariki, once close to Mita and directly involved in events of 2008, says he’s since apologised to the Crown […]

Local

Widening explained

Friday 4 March 2011 | Published in Local

Improved drainage and preparing roads for further tar sealing works are the reasons for current roadside widening through Vaka Te Au O Tonga. Widening of the main road around Rarotonga is an ongoing project from the previous administration and one that Infrastructure and Planning Minister Teariki Heather is happy to continue with. While some residents […]

Local

PMG inquiry stalled

Friday 4 March 2011 | Published in Local

Attempts to resolve a dispute over money allegedly held by the Cook Islands National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) in Pacific Mini Games per diems have stalled. In September last year lawyer for Pacific Mini Games Ltd (PMG) Tim Arnold made plans to recruit an arbitrator to deal with the issue. Arnold says the change in government […]

Local

Violent attack stirs Sea Eagles

Thursday 3 March 2011 | Published in Local

Ngatangiia community leaders are taking the violent attack on a Titikaveka youth by three men from the village on Saturday morning seriously. It has been alleged that the three Ngatangiia youths are members of the Ngatangiia Sea Eagles rugby league club and president of the club Tamaiva Tuavera says they will not tolerate this kind […]

Local

Portable super for travel perk

Thursday 3 March 2011 | Published in Local

Being able to collect full New Zealand superannuation in the Cook Islands and Kiwis being able to stay up to three months here is seen by Prime Minister Henry Puna as a good exchange of privileges. The issue of New Zealand super portability was again raised during Puna’s talks last week with NZ Foreign Affairs […]

Local

PM hits abuse of travel

Thursday 3 March 2011 | Published in Local

The new government is aware of the prolonged abuse of government travel by some heads of ministries and steps are being taken to put an end to it. Prime minister and minister for the public service Henry Puna says he’s discovered that some HOMs have shown “unscrupulous” habits in relation to official travel. Puna says […]

Local

9 new songs in Mire Atu

Thursday 3 March 2011 | Published in Local

Nine new Cook Islands songs will feature in tonight’s annual Mire Atu composer’s competition at the National Auditorium starting at 7.30pm. This year’s nine composers are accomplished composers in their own right and include Kylie Herman, Yuwunga Mataora, Rurutaura Tauta, Tuakeu Harry Papai, Vaitoti Tupa, Poti Maeva, Samuel Crocombe, Thomas Peyroux and Piritau Nga. As […]

Local

Fishing fees for nation's coffers – not middlemen

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local

The Ministry of Marine Resources is said to be close to changing the rules on how commercial fishing licences can be sold so monetary benefits will go entirely to public coffers, rather than to middlemen. Amongst five new Audit Office reports to be tabled in parliament in April is a review of the deal entered […]

Local

Will he stay, or will he go?

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local

Will Atiu MP Norman George resign from the Cook Islands Party or continue to be a high vocal and critical member of the governing political party? This is the question that George intends to present to his Teenui/Mapumai supporters when he meets with them this week. George says he’s scheduled to leave for Atiu today. […]

Local


Remuneration Tribunal may be back

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local

There’s a distinct possibility that the Remuneration Tribunal will be revived, says Finance minister Mark Brown. With the current minimum wage review underway, Brown says the Public Service Commission will be asked to undertake a further review of salary banding for all public servants. He says this is overdue. “It may be appropriate to revive […]

Local


Manihikian pride in their PM

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna surrounded by friends and family from the Manihiki community who came together to celebrate in his honour in Auckland last weekend. PM’s report on his first official overseas trip – tomorrow’s CINews. 11030123

Local


Opposition name shadow cabinet

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local

The Opposition Democratic Party has appointed its shadow cabinet, headed by leader Robert Wigmore who will be agriculture and tourism spokesman. Penrhyn MP Wilkie Rasmussen will focus on issues involving foreign affairs, finance, marine, justice and the public service commission. The only woman in parliament, Ngamau Munokoa, is party spokesman for internal affairs and social […]

Local


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