National

Tsunami 'test flight' on Mauke

Saturday 12 March 2011 | Published in National

We live just eight metres above sea level. We know this because Ian, a scientist, visited Mauke on an island hop from work in the Antarctic to the Andes. It was fascinating chatting and whilst visiting he noted our place on the world with his GPS. So we were all ears when hearing last night […]

National

Mangaia harbour works nearly done

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in National

A $1.83 million government-funded project to upgrade Mangaia’s harbour should be completed within the month. The harbour was damaged by cyclones more than five years ago. Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning secretary Otheniel Tangianau says all major construction within the area has been finished, and contractors are now tidying things up. The project contract was […]

National

Call for extra care in excavations

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in National

Mauke residents are still concerned about a proposed upgrade of the island’s harbour, despite the approval of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning proposed to upgrade Mauke’s Taunganui harbour and the Omutu harbour in Mitiaro for an estimated collective cost of $3.8 million. Both harbours were damaged […]

National

Principals meet to swap stories and experiences

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in National

The Ministry of Education today concludes a three-day workshop for principals of schools on Rarotonga and the outer islands at Crown Beach. Secretary of education Sharyn Paio said participants spent the inaugural day (Wednesday) swapping ‘best-practice’ stories – explaining what works for them and what doesn’t. Keynote speaker Bali Haque, deputy chief executive officer of […]

National

More experts needed to manage aid money better

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in National

The government is facing the problem of not having enough people with the right expertise to manage and drive aid-funded projects, which causes delays in getting initiatives completed. How aid money is being managed here is an issue that’s causing enough concern with government and aid partners New Zealand and Australia for all parties to […]

National

Quake donations keep coming

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in National

As thousands of dollars donated by Cook Islanders towards the Christchurch earthquake appeal are collated, businesses and individuals in the country continue to fundraise for victims of the natural disaster. The Cook Islands Red Cross Society is collecting all money donated for the appeal during a red and black fundraiser last Friday. The event, organised […]

National

Feeonaa fights for bilingual education

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in National

So dedicated to the preservation of Pacific languages in New Zealand is Feeonaa Wall that she is petitioning for the cause even as she visits Rarotonga for the week. Wall represents Bilingual Leo/Reo Pacific, a coalition for Pacific languages in education, which is launching a region-wide campaign against the New Zealand government’s desertion of education […]

National

Help for online business

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in National

Telecom Cook Islands says that part of its ongoing commitment to developing constructive business partnerships with the tourism sector will be holding a workshop on ‘how to make the most of your business online’. TCI is a sponsor of the 2011 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards. The workshop will cover both theoretical and […]

National

Tou Ariki says Mita is a 'God man'

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in National

House of Ariki president Tou Ariki was overseas during the Bruce Mita-related events of 2008-09. Because of that, he wants to hear directly from the sovereignty campaigner what his intentions are. But Tou Ariki is clear on one thing – “… he (Mita) still wants to push his issue with the ui ariki.” That issue, […]

National

Library and museum goes solar

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in Environment

The Cook Islands Library and Museum Society has gone solar thanks to the German Embassy in Wellington. The embassy donated $8573 for solar panels for the roof of the library and museum in September last year and last month six solar panels were installed. The $700 monthly power bill for the library and museum was […]

Environment

Opening delayed further

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in Local

The ceremonial opening of parliament has been pushed back a second time and will now take place in early May. Prime minister and minister for parliamentary services Henry Puna says this has been necessary because of his heavy travel schedule. Much of Puna’s travel will be through the southern group islands touching base with island […]

Local

Separating rubbish is only a start

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in Local

Te Ipukarea Society members are pleased residential rubbish is being separated from landfill waste on Rarotonga, but say more needs to be done to address the island’s waste management woes. TIS programme manager Jacqui Evans says the recent move to separate recyclable waste and store it at the recycling centre below Arorangi’s landfill is a […]

Local

Pa urges ui ariki not to repeat mistakes

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in Local

Takitumu paramount chief Marie Pa Ariki is concerned that some ui ariki may again be fooled into believing the far fetched get rich schemes of sovereignty campaigner Bruce Ruatapu Mita and repeat events of 2008-09. The country was thrust into the international spotlight when a number of ui ariki, on the advice of Mita, challenged […]

Local

Solomons policing documented in pictures

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in National

RAMSI (Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands) is paying tribute at its Honiara headquarters to those officers and countries that have lent their support to the initiative since its inception in 2003. ‘RAMSI: A history in pictures’ is a photo exhibition that documents the history of RAMSI and recognises the people who have made […]

National

Mauke harbour work about to start

Friday 11 March 2011 | Published in National

Work is expected to begin on an upgrade of Mauke’s harbour in the next few months, now an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project has been amended and approved. Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning secretary Otheniel Tangianau says he is in the process of finalising contract documents for the development and work could begin […]

National

Appeal fund for cancer sufferer

Thursday 10 March 2011 | Published in Local

Longtime Arorangi resident Mere Ofa was last year diagnosed with breast cancer, and her friend June Baudinet is encouraging Rarotonga to rally behind her and support her both emotionally and financially. Baudinet has been emailing local businesses seeking donations to help fund Mere’s $20,000 chemotherapy treatment. She has also set up a Westpac account (#2000290110) […]

Local

More power to island councils: PM

Thursday 10 March 2011 | Published in Local

The government wants to see island councils take more responsibility in running their respective islands – as opposed to island secretaries doing this because they believe it to be their responsibility. Conflicts between island councils and island secretaries have led to “heaps of problems with the outer islands in the past,” says Prime Minister Henry […]

Local

Ben spars for the Cooks

Thursday 10 March 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands taekwon-do athlete Ben Maaka is the sole representative from the Pacific competing at the World Tae Kwon Do Championships in Wellington, New Zealand. The 30-year-old taekwon-do head instructor teaches about 40 students in Rarotonga and received his 2nd Dan ranking last year. He says his main aim in Wellington is to get more […]

National

Bonding day for Tereora leaders

Thursday 10 March 2011 | Published in National

It was a successful day of bonding and fun for these Tereora College leaders. Prefects, counsellors and Peace ambassadors for the college were treated to a day of team building and bonding at the Ngatangiia club house. Accompanying the students on their day’s adventure was Delany Yagona who is in charge of pastoral care, deputy […]

National

No money for agriculture project

Thursday 10 March 2011 | Published in National

Agriculture minister Nandi Glassie is seeking funding from regional organisations to get the agriculture revitalising scheme Te One Kura Ou project off the ground. The project, valued at $3.5 million, is aimed at boosting agriculture production and confined to the islands of Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro and Mangaia. It was instigated by former agriculture minister Robert […]

National

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