Local
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 […]
Meningitis scare
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 4: A young girl from Aitutaki suspected of having the contagious disease meningococcemia (meningococcal meningitis) is now in Auckland’s Starship Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Health officials averted the possible infection of passengers and crew on an Air Rarotonga flight from the island on Wednesday by contacting all of them and issuing […]
Penrhyn makes Mars
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Friday 3: The Cook Islands is making its mark in outer space. A rock outcrop on Mars has been informally named ‘Cook Islands’ by NASA during their Mars Exploration Rover mission. Using the robotic explorer ‘Opportunity’, NASA has been searching for and naming a wide range of rocks and soils that hold clues to water […]
Rangi to take over BTIB top job
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Friday 3: Business Trade and Investment Board executive manager Terry Rangi has been appointed its new chief executive this week. It is understood there will be a handover period before Rangi officially takes over the position which Mark Short has held for the past six years. Rangi has been working at BTIB for almost five […]
It's good news to the DPM
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 8: It sounds like a good riddance statement. In response to comments by WSBC, deputy prime minister and minister of finance Sir Terepai Maoate says he’s pleased to see confirmation that WSBC Bank is leaving the Cook Islands. “After close to five years, my government will now turn its efforts and attention to the […]
Parliament warned against electronic release
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Friday 3: The Seabed Bill select committee says releasing the draft law electronically is risky. In its interim report tabled in parliament on Wednesday, the committee says in its view the electronic release to the growing number of regional countries and organisations who want a copy would demand caution. “The possibility of deep sea mining […]
Cook Islanders second largest PI group in NZ
Wednesday 8 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 8: Some interesting new statistics have come to light on the Cook Islands Maori population in New Zealand. Drawn from the 2006 census released at the end of last year, the figures show that the Cook Islands Maori population living in New Zealand increased by 10 percent (5442) to 58,011, between 2001 and 2006. […]
542 traffic tickets in one month
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Monday 30: Despite only two serious crashes last month, police were kept busy issuing a total of 542 tickets for minor traffic offences. According to a report released by the Road Safety Council (RSC), 249 tickets were issued for speeding and 126 for motorcyclists exceeding 40 kilometres per hour without a helmet. A total of […]
Pearl farmers buy into marketing plan
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Monday 30: China funding seen as only recourse for pearl farm loans Deputy Prime Minister Sir Terepai Maoate says he is pleased with the enthusiasm shown by Northern group pearl farmers with plans to increase pearl production over the next three years. “I can sense a new level of confidence and enthusiasm on the part […]
Tav's in Europe
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 28 March: The Cooks Islands’ most famous fashion designer is set to turn heads in Europe next week. Ellena Tavioni (above) of Tav’s is the only Pacific designer to be invited to the Afiique-Caraibes-Pacifique (ACP) Music and Fashion show held in Brussels, Belgium. Tavioni will leave on a fully funded trip today with 25 […]
Man pleads guilty to hit and run
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 28 March: A 21-year-old has pleaded guilty to a hit and run incident last Sunday involving two Chinese workers. Eli Cumming appeared in the Rarotonga High Court on Thursday pleading guilty to driving while disqualified, failing to stop to ascertain injuries and render assistance, and two counts of careless driving causing injury. Police have […]
Holiday crash extends Kiwi's visit
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 28 March: A New Zealand tourist has had his holiday extended, courtesy of the Rarotonga High Court. Russell Corfield had his passport confiscated after pleading guilty on Thursday to careless driving causing injury. He was due to leave the country today. Appearing before Justice of Peace Carmen Temata yesterday, the 57-year-old admitted to failing […]
WSBC victory earns praise
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Saturday 28 March: Sir Terepai Maoate gives credit to FSC and legal team for successful settlement Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sir Terepai Maoate has credited his small team at the Financial Supervisory Commission and its board for the successful settlement of the long-running WSBC court case. “I am extremely pleased with this outcome […]
15 staff lose jobs at Oasis
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
27 March: Up to 15 staff from the Oasis branch of the CITC Food Group have been sacked this week. CITC general manager Gaye Whitta says the staff were dismissed following an ongoing investigation into stock shortages. “The matter is now in the hands of the police,” she said. CITC has begun advertising for workers […]
Pukapuka tender process was 'transparent'
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
27 March: EU screening done by the book says Mike Mitchell Foreign affairs secretary Mike Mitchell is sympathetic to Makirere Poila’s concerns that the design of the Pukapuka cyclone management centre is not going to be designed and supervised by a local company. In yesterday’s paper, Poila expressed his disappointment that an overseas company was […]
Locals get close to Street actors
Wednesday 1 April 2009 | Published in Local
Wednesday 1: Shortland Street extra Marty Iro (at right) says actors Toni Potter (aka nurse Alice) and Will Hall (Dr Kip) have encouraged him with a bit of humour before takes on the scenes where he plays a barman. Iro said having a laugh helped take away the nervousness of saying his few lines. This […]