National
Omoka High School gets off ground
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in National
A new school building is rapidly taking shape at Omoka on Penrhyn. Omoka has been without a proper school since cyclone Pat swept over Tongareva in February 2010. The school building was condemned and demolished. Ever since then the school has been based in the Community Centre, which was kindly loaned by Mrs Materau Ford […]
Suspended police officer holds criminal files
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in National
Criminal files are still being retrieved from suspended Cook Islands police officer Inano Matapo, who faces seven charges including attempting to pervert the course of justice, conspiring to import cannabis, selling cannabis, possessing drug paraphernalia, and corruptly accepting bribes. Matapo, who held the rank of Senior Sergeant before being suspended due to her alleged involvement […]
Lost dogs owners sought
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in National
The Esther Honey Foundation is looking for the owners of a dog, pictured, who has made himself at home at the clinic. Acting clinic director Michelle Gray says the dog has shown no inclination to depart. This lovely boy turned up, obviously having heard about our recent success in re-homing animals and knowing there was […]
Govt cautious on park, mining
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in National
While the government supports both the marine park proposal and the issuing of exploratory mining licences, it wants to proceed with caution before pursuing either initiative. Prime Minister Henry Puna said at a press conference this week that the government wants to carefully consider all the issues before moving ahead to establish the marine park […]
Mens centre saves man from jail
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in National
Intervention by the founders of a ground-breaking counselling and support centre for men in Rarotonga saved a convicted criminal from a sentence of imprisonment yesterday. Nelson Akava (42), shop assistant, of Panama, appeared before Justice of the Peace John Kenning in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua, charged with (being a male) assaulting a […]
Report highlights threatened species
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in National
Progress and plans to further protect the biodiversity of the Cook Islands are outlined in the 126-page report officially launched yesterday. While titled the Cook Islands 4th National Report to the Convention of Biological Diversity, it is the first report by the Cook Islands. The country was one of the first to commit to the […]
PM to Vienna
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in National
The prime minister of the Cook Islands is attending the Vienna Energy Forum next month. His initial tongue-in-cheek reaction to a question of whether he would be travelling to Vienna was: My gosh, is there a paper trail following me? He then confirmed that UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organisation) has invited him to attend […]
Tenors thrilled by Rarotonga shows
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in National
Tongan-Samoan tenor Benjamin Makisi and Cook Islands tenor Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua usually sing before European and American audiences, and are thrilled at the prospect of singing to their own people this weekend. Makisi and Allan-Moetaua, or Ben and Bon, pictured above, are performing at 7.30 at Crown Beach Resort & Spas Oceans Restaurant tonight and tomorrow […]
Sacking not political
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in National
Te Aponga Uira (TAU) minister Mark Brown has denied allegations that political motivations were behind the sacking of the former TAU board chairman. Local businessman Piltz Napa was chairman of TAU for three years and on March 23 was reappointed to serve another term. Less than three weeks later, the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) […]
Domestic assault serious problem in CI
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in Crime
After hearing that he would go to jail once convicted a repeat offender changed his plea to not guilty before Justice of the Peace John Kenning in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua yesterday. Tali Ofa (27), Mike Rennie Builders Ltd worker, of Takuvaine, is charged with (being a male) assaulting a female at […]
Drugs accused on new charge
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in Local
A man charged through Operation Eagle has already appeared in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua for breaching conditions of his bail. Nooroa Robati (44), fisherman, of Nikao, is charged with two counts of possessing cannabis at Rarotonga on May 5. He appeared in the court before Justice of the Peace John Kenning yesterday […]
Weather forces change
Friday 27 May 2011 | Published in Local
Recent exceptional weather patterns have forced Forum Pacific to change her route. Typically she travels from Auckland to Nukualofa and then stops in Vavau and Niue before arriving at Avatiu. However, during this voyage she has had to change course she will leave Auckland on June 21 or 22 and is estimated to arrive in […]
Drugs trial will be complex
Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in Crime
It is unlikely any trial of those accused under Operation Eagle will be held this year. There are logistical difficulties facing any trial of Operation Eagle defendants, due to the number of accused, number of charges, and doubt over whether an impartial jury can be found within the Cook Islands. In total 13 men and […]
Name suppression not a right
Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in Crime
Issues of name suppression and media coverage for the court case resulting from Operation Eagle were debated at length in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua yesterday. Bail applications for seven of the 13 accused, media applications for still photography and film, as well as applications for continued interim name suppression of all but […]
No plea by ex-cop in drug bust
Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in Crime
Former New Zealand police detective inspector Mark Franklin is facing four charges in the Cook Islands of selling the class C drug cannabis and possessing cannabis for sale or supply. His charges are in relation to alleged incidents at Rarotonga between November 23, 2010 and April 6 this year. Franklin (54), now calls himself a […]
MPs son in drug sting
Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in Local
Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters spent yesterday morning in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua to hear a bail application for his son Giovanni, who faces 14 criminal charges. Giovannis de-facto partner Inano Matapo a suspended Cook Islands police officer was also in the court yesterday facing seven criminal charges. Both are among 13 […]
Drug accused revealed
Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in Local
Name suppression has been lifted for all Operation Eagle accused. This follows yesterdays Cook Islands High Court hearing before Justice Hugh Williams. The 13 men and women have all now been released from the Arorangi prison on bail. Among those facing criminal charges is Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters son, Giovanni Marsters (30), builder, of […]
All smiles for wetlands learning
Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in Local
National Environment Service education and awareness officer Deyna Marsh (centre) was at St Josephs School this week to promote the importance of wetlands to the students. Wetlands and their importance for healthy islands is the central theme of this years Environment Week programme starting on May 30 and Lagoon Day events on June 1 and […]
Centre ready for new members
Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in National
Though the Creative Centre in Tupapa already has 23 registered members, its staff of just six is confident it can take on more members. Onsite physiotherapist Ainslie Duncan is also available to see patients. Though she divides her time between the Creative Centre and the Ministry of Health, she can see clients in the centres […]
Accused released on bail conditions
Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in National
All 13 accused under Operation Eagle are remanded on bail with various conditions, including a 24-hour curfew for those facing the most serious charges. Under 24-hour curfew are Rehab nightclub owner Scott Arlander, suspended Cook Islands police officer Inano Matapo, Matapos de-facto partner and son of the Deputy Prime Minister Giovanni Marsters, former postal worker […]
« Previous 1 … 1,580 1,581 1,582 1,583 1,584 1,585 1,586 1,587 1,588 … 1,838 Next »