Local
Dialogue urged
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 15: Deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate says a group of Pacific leaders must be assembled soon to meet Fiji’s military ruler Commodore Frank Bainimarama. He says that group should not include New Zealand and Australia because both countries have taken the wrong approach, and Commodore Bainimarama feels cornered by bullying. – Pacnews
Assault, burglaries, thefts, accidents at Easter
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 15: Police are investigating a report of a man allegedly assaulting his children in Tikioki on Friday night. A woman had said she witnessed the man on the side of the main road “beating” his two small children which included a boy around the age of five. The woman reported to police that he […]
Two teens admit to robbery
Wednesday 15 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 15: Two teenagers pleaded guilty on Saturday to the armed robbery of Raviz Indian restaurant. The two 15-year-olds appeared in the Cook Islands High Court before Chief Justice David Williams. Their names are unable to be printed as the matter has fallen under the jurisdiction of the Children’s Court. One defendant pleaded guilty to […]
Day off work to fight dengue
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 8: Public servants called in to help with tutaka clean up campaign. Tomorrow has been declared a day off work for public servants – as a Dengue Tutaka Clean Up Day. It conveniently makes an extra long weekend out of the Easter break for hundreds of government employees. This is part of the campaign […]
Seabed review widens
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Friday 3: Seabed Bill meetings wanted for Cook Islanders in NZ and Aust The Seabed Minerals Bill select committee has extended its review of the proposed legislation from its initial two weeks to a three-month period ending June 30. The bill relates to the exploration and mining of the Cook Islands manganese nodule resources which […]
Man held for assault of toddler
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 7: A 45-year-old man has been arrested for assaulting a three-year-old. Police arrested him on Sunday in Arorangi after a family member of the child reported the incident. It is believed the man was the brother of the victim. Inspector Arama Tera says he has been remanded in custody and will appear in court […]
ATM joke 'not funny'
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 2: It was a day for practical jokes yesterday, but Westpac Bank weren’t laughing. Victims of an April Fools prank, their ATM machines in Muri and Avarua were labelled with an ‘Out of order’ sign despite being fully operational. “Upon taking the note off the screen, someone had put an April Fools message underneath,” […]
They're ready for business!
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 7: The three title holders from the Miss Cook Islands pageant went straight into business yesterday. Miss Cook Islands Engara Gosselin, Maine Tapairu Joyana Meyer and Maine Purotu Uirangi Bishop were at the Beachcomber to sign their legally binding contracts with the Miss Cook Islands Pageant Committee. The three girls pledged their availability to […]
Fake $50?
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 2: A $50 note that looks fake has been sent to New Zealand to see if it is counterfeit. A front teller staff member at Westpac bank noticed the “suspicious” note in their cash bundle and alerted the managers. General manager Rob Buick says they sent the $50 to New Zealand yesterday for testing […]
Dengue suspected
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Tuesday 7: 63 treated in three weeks, tutaka campaign activated Sixty-three probable dengue fever cases have been recorded by the Ministry of Health over the past three weeks. There are no confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne disease to date as tests done over the past few weeks will be sent to Australian labs this week […]
Man of 58 admits to sex crime
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 2: A 58-year-old man pleaded guilty to attempted rape in the Rarotonga High Court yesterday. Nooapii Williams Tauu was accused of attempting to rape a woman in Titikaveka on Saturday. Police arrested Tauu on Tuesday night and was held in custody until yesterday’s court appearance. Police prosecutor senior sergeant Teinaki Howard requested for the […]
Bank seeks local licence
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Monday 6: Capital Security Bank Limited (CSB) boss Brian Mason says the offshore bank intends to apply for a domestic license in order to survive the axing of this part of the offshore industry. CSB is one of five banks with offshore licences in the country that will soon have to cease operating now that […]
3 for 1 in April Fool's Day fun
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 2: German tourist Julian Kubens (below right) made sure he didn’t miss out on an April Fool’s Day bargain when he exchanged one dollar for a genuine Cook Islands three dollar note from funny man Jim Bruce (left) of Aro’a Beachside Inn. A few other lucky tourists found that getting a genuine Cook Islands […]
Sunday flight cases to be heard on Aitutaki
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Monday 6: Cases connected with Sunday flights to Aitutaki will be heard before the Chief Justice David Williams on the island later this month. In a minute issued by the chief justice, he directed that the cases against Charlie Okotai, Fernando Ngatipa, Henry Raea and Varema Ruahe be heard on April 14 and 15. “The […]
$4.9m added to Games budget
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Thursday 2: Pacific Mini Games operating costs estimated to grow to about $9m Government tabled its third supplementary budget yesterday adding $4.9 million in expenditure to the 2008-09 year to cover the growing Pacific Mini Games costs. Finance minister Sir Terepai tabled the budget in parliament saying that a further $3 million has been added […]
New Maine Kuki Airani was the clear audience favourite
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Monday 6: It was definitely a night to remember. Engara Gosselin was crowned Miss Cook Islands on Friday night in front of a near sell-out crowd at the National Auditorium. The 24-year-old was a clear audience favourite with many yelling words of encouragement and holding signs of support. Gosselin not only won the Maine Kuki […]
Cyclone Lin off Tonga
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 4: The Fiji Metrological service issued a warning yesterday morning of a cyclone forming off the coast of Tonga. At 10.30am, cyclone Lin was travelling in a southeasterly direction at about 12 knots. It is expected that if the grade one cyclone continues on its southeasterly path it will pass well to the southwest […]
Actors treated to dance show at Avatea
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 4: Avatea School students came face to face with Shortland Street actors Will Hall and Toni Potter at their Friday assembly yesterday. It was Shortland Street’s last call before heading back to New Zealand after a week-long shoot for an upcoming episode. The students and teachers put on a great colourful dance show for […]
Niue cut increases capacity
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 4: Reef Shipping has announced that the Southern Express will now only service Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Trade manager Ewen Grant says that from voyage 116, the Southern Express will call into the two islands every 24 days. “This will mean increased capacity as well as improved frequency and transit time.” Grant says the turnaround […]
Awards lacklustre
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 4: Chairman of major events and Team Cook Islands chef de mission George George has put the blame for a somewhat lacklustre sports award ceremony squarely on sports managers. “You know the sports awards are a chance for national federations to highlight their athletes,” says George. “But you could tell it wasn’t the best […]