National
Court told charge against registrar misconstrued
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in Crime
Justice Hugh Williams will preside over a case against a court registrar charged with being in contempt of court, when he hears civil and criminal matters in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua later this month. Claudine Henry-Anguna, registrar of the court, yesterday appeared before Justice of the Peace Tiki Matapo. She pleaded not […]
Interest grows in organics
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in Environment
Organic growing advocate Teava Iro continues to spread the word about biological and ecological agriculture throughout the Cook Islands. Iro, a director of Cook Islands Noni Marketing Ltd and chairman of the Titikaveka Growers Association, gave a presentation on organic growing to about 40 people at a public meeting in Muri this week. The meeting, […]
Lagoon Day focuses on wetlands
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in Environment
The spotlight is on wetlands for this years annual Lagoon Day education and awareness programme, now in its fourth year. Lagoon Day, on June 1 and 2, brings together experts in environment issues to raise awareness of the problems facing the lagoon environment and the possible solutions. Lagoon Day aims for positive change through hands-on […]
Port contractor stopped
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in Local
The main contractor for the $27 million Avatiu harbour upgrade was yesterday stopped suddenly from working here throwing the projects immediate future into doubt. The Business Trade Investment Board (BIBT) refused to grant McConnell Dowell permission to work in the Cook Islands at a special all-day meeting, declining its foreign enterprise application. Board chairman Grant […]
13 arrests in drug bust
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in Local
A year-long police investigation into the importation and distribution of drugs in the Cook Islands has resulted in the arrest of 13 men and women including two current and one former public servants. Today six of those arrested will appear in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua to face charges. Collectively the 13 arrested […]
Challenging seas keep Boiler Swim record unbroken
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in National
All 66 swimmers who attempted yesterdays annual Boiler Swim all returned to shore after battling what were challenging conditions through Avarua harbour. Due to the rough conditions which had actually calmed a bit from what were described as dangerous conditions earlier in the day the record of 9 minutes flat remains unbroken. Jon Robinson was […]
Finsec appointment audited
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in National
Former financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti was appointed to the role despite serious concerns about his ability to perform, an audit investigation into his recruitment has found. Ivaiti was found to have been involved in inappropriate public administration and project management practices in his capacity as financial secretary during an earlier audit investigation over the Toagate […]
Fire legislation a high priority
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in National
Last weeks Pacific Islands Fire Services Association (PIFSA) executive board meeting was a success, says rescue fire chief Nga Jessie. The delegates present, including PIFSA president and Papua New Guinea fire chief Isaac Silas, discussed the high priority of fire legislation. Fire legislation was regarded as importance to the development and capacity building of the […]
New education HQ takes shape
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in National
New premises for the Ministry of Education and its 46 staff should be ready in August one month ahead of schedule. The $1.5 million headquarters building is taking shape on site at Nikao, with walls and the roof now in place. Architect and project manager Romani Katoa is working alongside contractor Mike Rennie Builders Ltd […]
Fathers death led to tax offences
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in National
A Rarotonga company has been fined $4700 on four charges of failing to furnish tax. G and S Contractors Ltd admitted four charges before Justice of the Peace Tiki Matapo in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua yesterday, after six were withdrawn by crown prosecutor Martha Henry. The charges were of failing to furnish […]
Spotlight on employment rights
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in National
Minimum wage and maternity entitlements are at the forefront of issues being discussed as part of a proposed set of standards for all employment relations throughout the Cook Islands. The draft Employment Relations Bill is circulating among the community while feedback is being sought on it ahead of its potential amendment and adoption into law. […]
Maitai: full steam ahead!
Friday 6 May 2011 | Published in National
I would like to thank Tim Arnold for his edification and enlightenment of the Cook Islands public to the true nature of the cast steel /iron structure protruding from the water at the entrance to the Avarua Harbour, a smoke signaller writes playfully in response to Arnolds letter to the editor in yesterdays CI News. […]
Port work starts
Thursday 5 May 2011 | Published in Local
Physical work has begun on the $27.2 million Avatiu port development project. Starting with surveying and site marking, the project aims to provide secure and efficient port infrastructure in Rarotonga, removing many of the existing ports current constraints and safety risks. The work is being carried out by McConnell Dowell Constructors Ltd, and project managed […]
$3.9m Pukapuka project set to start
Thursday 5 May 2011 | Published in Local
Construction of a multimillion-dollar cyclone shelter on Pukapuka is to begin soon, with materials being shipped to the northern group island from Rarotonga next week. The Hawaii-based vessel Kwai will depart on Monday carrying equipment and materials for the project, as well as project manager and architect Romani Katoa. Overall $3.9 million has been allocated […]
Super fund case to be heard
Thursday 5 May 2011 | Published in Local
The private sector challenge over the legality of the national superannuation fund is going to court shortly. Justice Hugh Williams will hear the latest developments in a court case between the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund (CINSF) and Arorangi Timberland Ltd as well as the companys managing director Andy Olah during the judges next visit […]
Mentors words inspire
Thursday 5 May 2011 | Published in National
Business Trade and Investment Board (BTIB) local business mentor of the month Danny Mataroa attracted a crowd of more than 40 people at Aquarius Hotel last week. Mataroa, who is an emcee at Staircase Bar and Restaurant, Edgewater Resort & Spa and Highland Paradise, spoke on how to overcome public speaking jitters. He encouraged all […]
New king-size noni thriving
Thursday 5 May 2011 | Published in National
A new noni (nono) variety which grows to up to four times the size of local varieties is now well established in Rarotonga. According to former secretary of agriculture, Nga Mataio, original seeds of the new nono variety were brought in by the Ministry of Agriculture in early 2000 from Kiribati for trial purposes and […]
Industry under threat after disaster
Thursday 5 May 2011 | Published in National
Cook Islands noni juice continues to be exported to Japan, although the tsunami-ravaged country has yet to confirm orders since the disaster, placing the local industry in a precarious situation. Japan usually takes the bulk of Cook Islands noni juice, generating about $1 million for the Cook Islands noni industry each year. But since Japan […]
$1.9m in new buildings
Thursday 5 May 2011 | Published in National
Building permits for commercial and residential development worth an estimated $1.9 million have been issued between the start of January and end of March this year. The 13 residential and two commercial developments are all for properties on Rarotonga, other than one on Aitutaki. Eleven new companies have also been registered in the Cook Islands […]
Local man leads USP students association
Thursday 5 May 2011 | Published in National
Local USP student Jim Brown has been elected chairman of the USP Students Association (USPSA), which represents all USP campuses in the Pacific, including the main campus in Laucala Bay, Fiji. The USPSA was formed in 2009 as federal body to unite all USP student associations and to give them a stronger voice. Browns election […]
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