National
Free massages had 'political purpose'
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in National
As Justice Colin Nicholson has released his reasons for voiding the Pukapuka-Nassau election, the onus is now on government to schedule a by-election. At a press conference earlier this month, Prime Minister Henry Puna said he was awaiting Justice Nicholson’s written explanation for his February decision before commenting on the upcoming by-election. “I really cannot […]
Radiothon raises over $10,000
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in National
More than $10,000 was pledged in the first four hours of yesterday’s combined radiothon fundraiser for Australia and Christchurch. The radiothon ran from 12pm to 6 o’clock and at 4pm – radio announcer George ‘Captain G’ Paniani reported that $10,405 had been pledged by Cook Islanders to help Australia recover from flooding and Christchurch rebuild […]
Minister not in the picture
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in National
Infrastructure and Planning Minister Teariki Heather says he does not know why Otheniel Tangianau has resigned as secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP). Heather says he has nothing to do with the resignation, which Tangianau handed to the Office of the Public Service Commissioner last week. “I sympathise with Otheniel about what […]
Audit examines complaints against minister
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in National
Audit is to conduct checks whether there is any substance to complaints that the minister of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP) Teariki Heather is involved in unfairly awarding contracts to the company T & M Heather. Audit director Paul Allsworth confirmed that he’s received concerns and allegations from members of the public relating to Heather and […]
Rape and sex with minor adjourned
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in Crime
A man charged with rape and having sex with a minor is seeking legal representation after his former defence counsel Norman George withdrew from the case before Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro in the High Court at Avarua yesterday. The man, who has interim name suppression, appeared in court for a call-over and while […]
George ordered to pay CINews costs
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in Crime
Justice Christine Grice has handed down a decision in relation to costs incurred during the Norman George v ‘Kata’ and Cook Islands News case she heard last year. George was attempting to bring criminal libel charges against ‘Kata’ cartoonist Tim Buchanan and CINews managing editor John Woods over a September 17 ‘Kata’ cartoon he believed […]
Two berths available on vaka
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in Local
The Cook Islands Voyaging Society is offering two berths aboard Marumaru Atua during her upcoming voyage to Papeete. Each berth costs $1055, which covers departure tax, meals and accommodation but does not cover return travel to Rarotonga or accommodation in Tahiti. No experience is necessary, though contenders should be relatively fit. The voyage is expected […]
Returning to Christchurch after relief in Raro
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in Local
Christchurch residents Debbie Goodchild (left) and Jo Knudsen have been in Rarotonga with their daughters Ella (7) and Amy (11) to complete part of their bachelor degrees in early childhood education. “/> Leaving family in the aftermath of Christchurch’s earthquake has been difficult for Cantabrians Debbie Goodchild and Jo Knudsen. Both are in Rarotonga on […]
Fishery talks start today
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in Local
Cook Islands Government will today meet with some of the largest tuna fishing and fish processing companies operating globally and in the Pacific. In a press statement, the Ministry of Marine Resources says government wants to establish cooperation on sustainable fishing and opportunities for economic development. Shareholders and executives from three foreign companies who have […]
Changes will bring more transparency to travel
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in Local
Audit wants to see changes made to how travel taken by ministers, MPs and HOMs is accounted for to provide greater public transparency. Last month Prime Minister Henry Puna lifted a long standing ban on the release of civil list travel figures. While Finance Minister Mark Brown supports removal of the ban, he wants to […]
CI Red Cross grateful to Japan
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in National
The Cook Islands Red Cross Society is waiting to hear whether it can assist earthquake-ravaged Japan. Society secretary general Niki Rattle says the organisation’s branch in Japan has not formally put out an appeal following the natural disaster. “I guess they’re doing their own assessment and seeing whether they are in need of anything. I’m […]
'Changes will cause grief'
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in National
The Cook Islands Investment Corporation says it inherited an ‘absolute mess’ when it took over Punanga Nui market in September 2010 – and the agency is at a loss how to fix problems without causing tenants any distress. CEO Lloyd Miles says CIIC faces numerous physical, moral and cultural restraints compounded by the absence of […]
Market problems complex and sensitive
Friday 18 March 2011 | Published in National
Punanga Nui market manager Elmah McBirney knows she has problems at the central market and wants to sort them out quickly. One of them is to completely remove from the market the extended huts belonging to vendors who have fallen behind in rent or haven’t honoured the rules. But to do this, McBirney needs the […]
Araura Primary School gets facelift
Thursday 17 March 2011 | Published in National
Araura Primary School on Aitutaki held its first working bee to paint the school on Saturday March 5. The project was supported by staff, parents and the local Rainforest club. The Rainforest club is a collection of men from a range of backgrounds who gather locally for social occasions. They are very actively involved in […]
Zumba takes Aitutaki by storm
Thursday 17 March 2011 | Published in National
The Women in Sport Commission has returned from a trip to Aitutaki impressed at how the island uses sports as a tool to raise awareness of various issues on the island. Rosie Blake, chairperson of the Women in Sport Commission and her team, delivered a number of good messages to the island. The team was […]
More criticism of tree trimming
Thursday 17 March 2011 | Published in National
Trees near roads throughout Rarotonga are being trimmed for safety, which the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning sees as a priority over environmental aesthetics, secretary Otheniel Tangianau says. The trimming of branches, many from well established trees along the island’s main coastal road, is drawing criticism from members of the public. Cook Islands News readers […]
Fitness classes make way for fundraiser
Thursday 17 March 2011 | Published in National
Fitness Revolution is supporting today’s fundraising effort for those affected by Australia’s floods and Christchurch’s earthquake, by cancelling three scheduled fitness classes on Rarotonga. The move is an attempt to encourage people to take part in the fundraiser – which includes a radiothon, food sales, and a concert – rather than attending scheduled fitness classes. […]
MOIP head quits
Thursday 17 March 2011 | Published in National
Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning secretary Otheniel Tangianau has resigned from his job, less than one year after he was officially appointed to the post. Tangianau says he handed his resignation in to the Office of the Public Service Commissioner last week, although it is still being processed. He is continuing to work as the […]
Purse seining proposed in CI waters
Thursday 17 March 2011 | Published in National
The Ministry of Marine Resources believes the country will do itself no favours taking a highly conservative stance over exploitation of migratory fish stocks in its two million square kilometre EEZ. This week MMR starts discussions with three major fishing companies to establish three exploratory fisheries programmes with the view of expanding what is currently […]
Paddy dons greens for St Patty's
Thursday 17 March 2011 | Published in National
Local Irishman Paddy Lynch – as lively as a leprechaun but probably not quite so mischievous – is going for his second best-dressed award of the week at the CITC St Patrick’s Day celebration this morning. All CITC departments are dressing up for the occasion, and each was vying for the chance to have Paddy […]
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