National

Japan quake hits noni exports

Thursday 17 March 2011 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands noni industry is facing its largest threat, following the earthquake which has devastated much of Japan. An emergency meeting of noni growers and those involved in the noni juice manufacturing and export industry has been called for this morning, at the Cook Islands Noni Marketing factory in Titikaveka. Teava Iro, a director […]

Local

Game fish play hard to get

Thursday 17 March 2011 | Published in National

The one-day Motor Centre fishing competition was held last Saturday in ideal weather conditions. The competition attracted a reasonable number of entries with 14 club boats leaving from Avatiu and Avana. This competition was generously sponsored by Cook Islands Motor Centre, who provided excellent prizes for 1st and 2nd in the two categories of heaviest […]

National

Sad, frustrating farewell on Mauke

Thursday 17 March 2011 | Published in National

Farewelling Steve Barrett on Monday March 14 was a sad and frustrating day for the majority of the Mauke community who had their hopes pinned on Steve to become Mauke’s new Island Secretary. Barrett came to Mauke in 2009 to assist with the water project and when Tai Tura resigned to stand for parliament he […]

National

For the love of it

Thursday 17 March 2011 | Published in National

The experience of fly fishing for bonefish in Aitutaki’s lagoon is being promoted to the world, in a passionate effort by angler and bonefish ambassador Jon Hall. Hall – from Pennsylvania in the United States – spends months each year in the Cook Islands, fishing in Aitutaki and Rarotonga. He is making it his mission […]

National

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 […]

National

Road works costs soaring

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in National

Projected costs of a multi-million dollar project to upgrade Rarotonga’s main roads and water supply system are increasing, as attempts to start the development fail. The proposed $30 million four-year upgrade has been on the cards for years, although changes in government and legal battles have continued to stall progress. Triad Pacific Petroleum manager Chris […]

National

Royal wedding CI stamps issued

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in National

US-based online stamp company Kenmore Stamps is advertising three sheets of Cook Islands stamps commemorating the engagement of Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton. The stamps, which were released in January, are the brainchild of Peter Lazar, whose company Philatelic Collectors Inc (PCI) last year bought a licence to print Cook Islands stamps. A […]

National

Tourism CEO and marketing director in Europe

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands Tourism CEO Carmel Beattie is in Europe for a month reviewing the country’s overseas tourism representatives. Beattie is accompanied by sales and marketing director Karla Eggelton. Beattie says the review is to ensure they optimise the return on investment for the Cook Islands by exploring opportunities in the marketplace. She and Eggelton are […]

National

Govt can't use Air NZ points

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in National

Air New Zealand is unlikely to change its air points policy which would allow all air points earned from government travel to be pooled into an account to be used for medical referrals and other needed overseas travel. Acting Financial Secretary Priscilla Maruariki confirmed that this has been previously explored but successive governments weren’t able […]

National

Short report on hold

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in National

An embargo has been applied to the report into the actions of suspended Justice secretary Mark Short, says prime minister and public service commission minister Henry Puna. Although the report was tabled with cabinet last week, Puna said because it was lengthy he hadn’t had time to read it at the time. He says it […]

National

Political interference rife in CIIC

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in National

The chairman of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation isn’t optimistic the country’s biggest and richest state-owned assets company will ever be released from a long political stranglehold. Julian Dashwood says unless government agrees that the CIIC has to be free from all political interference, the agency will always be under the political hammer. Dashwood was […]

National

Raro to pay for island tax breaks

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in National

“Once again the government is persisting with the vote catching idea that the outer islands should be not charged income tax or company tax,” writes a smoke signaller. “I presume they will still be paying VAT [Value Added Tax]. Surely this could not mean Aitutaki also? It would give the Aitutaki accommodation providers a significant […]

National

Time stand by pledge

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in National

Dear Editor, It does not matter what Telecom Cook Islands says or claims or which island countries in the Pacific they try to draw comparisons with in regards to services provided and rates charged. The bottom line is that firms operating under monopolistic conditions such as TCI follow typical monopolistic behaviour that distorts how the […]

National

Thanks for explaining nothing

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in National

Dear Editor, I thank Mr Sonny Williams for finally coming forward to explain nothing. It’s nice to know that if for example the topic was about ‘the car engine’ Sonny will go to detail on ‘the tyre’ which has no significance to the engine. I have never once complained about the composers’ night. Yes, my […]

National

Games training squad in sprints

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in Environment

This Saturday’s oe vaka sprint races will see paddlers battling it out on Muri lagoon in the V6 canoes over the course distances of 1000m and 1500m. At the weekend races were over 50m in the V6 division with some great results seen overall. A small but enthusiastic group of paddlers enjoyed the day’s racing […]

Environment

Young achievers on the job

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in Local

Two of the Cook Islands’ future business marketing and management stars are gaining experience through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) young achievers programme. Rarotonga teenagers Henrianna Savage (18), and Gaston Tairi (19), have been chosen as the ministry’s young achievers this year, and are enjoying their 12-month paid positions within the government […]

Local

NCEA exam issues sorted

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands students’ National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) examination results have been correctly adjusted following issues with lost papers. The Ministry of Education took responsibility recently for temporarily losing a box of information management NCEA Level One examination papers. The box did not reach the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Wellington office as required. […]

Local

Fuel prices could double: Triad

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in Local

Triad Pacific Petroleum manager Chris Vaile warns the price of fuel within the Cook Islands could double by the end of the year. Vaile says fuel prices have already increased by 10 cents per litre, and they are set to rise again with the next shipment due to arrive in the country at the end […]

Local

'We are absolutely terrified'

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in National

Five days ago Rena Jonassen was teaching English in a Funabashi private school, living happily in Japan with his Japanese wife Mika and their two lively children Moana (11) and Reona (12). Then, along with tens of thousands of other people, their world fell apart when Japan was struck by the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and […]

National

Red and black day raised $12,000

Wednesday 16 March 2011 | Published in National

More than $12,000 will go to those affected by Christchurch’s earthquake, following a single day-long fundraiser throughout the Cook Islands. The red and black day appeal, which saw residents and visitors don Canterbury colours earlier this month, has generated more than $12,000 to date and donations are still being collected. Cook Islands Red Cross Society […]

National

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