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This is a summary of a selection of stories from Cook Islands News, the daily newspaper of the Cook Islands which is published Monday to Saturday inclusive. Its web site www.cookislandsnews.com is updated weekly, usually on a Thursday (Cook islands time, Friday GMT). The summary is published with the permission of the copyright owners Cook Islands News Ltd. Click on any underlined headlines for the full story on the newpaper's own website
This update: 4th February, 2010
An exclusive weekly summary by the website author who is a former BBC TV and radio journalist
FLOODING AND MINOR DAMAGE AS CYCLONES SWEEP PAST ISLANDS
Storms, high winds and seas, and flooding have hit the islands as two minor cyclones have passed through in the space of three days. Cyclone Oli came within 64 kilometres (38 miles) of Pukapuka and 74 kilometres (46 miles) of Suwarrow. Some flooding was reported near the school on Manihiki and a home and pearl seeding house on Penrhyn were damaged. Cyclone Nisha - later downgraded to a tropical depression - passed 157 kilometeres (98 miles) north west of Rarotonga and two cargo ships were prevented from entering the harbour. But no damage was reported.
Storms, high winds and seas, and flooding have hit the islands as two minor cyclones have passed through in the space of three days. Cyclone Oli came within 64 kilometres (38 miles) of Pukapuka and 74 kilometres (46 miles) of Suwarrow. Some flooding was reported near the school on Manihiki and a home and pearl seeding house on Penrhyn were damaged. Cyclone Nisha - later downgraded to a tropical depression - passed 157 kilometeres (98 miles) north west of Rarotonga and two cargo ships were prevented from entering the harbour. But no damage was reported.
NZ DEVELOPERS EYE UP ABANDONED SHERATON DEVELOPMENT
The ramshackled ruins of the former Sheraton Hotel development on Rarotonga could be rescued by a New Zealand development company. Mirage Group Ltd says it wants to compelte the current buildings on the Vaimaanga property in stages and then look at carrying out further building. But it hasn't said where the investment will come from. The first attempt to build a Hilton hotel on the site almost bankrupted the country.
Crumbling away....the Rarotonga hotel that never was
Concern and confusion is growing over plans for a new sales and marketing strategy for tourism. Members of the Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council say a new marketing committee is looking after the interests only of the larger operators who dominate its membership. And the Tourism Board chairman Tata Crocombe, who set up the committee is being accused of a conflict of interest as he operates the country's largest resort, The Rarotongan. Crocombe has already proposed rebranding the Islands and shifting its marketing focus.
PUBLIC ASKED FOR VIEWS ON NEW LABOUR LAWS
Islanders are being asked for their views on plans for sweeping new labour laws which are due to be passed by Parliament this month. The laws include provisions on working hours, wages, rest and meal breaks, holidays and procedures for dealing with labour disputes. They'll update laws passed over 45 years ago.
PUBLIC ASKED FOR VIEWS ON NEW LABOUR LAWS
Islanders are being asked for their views on plans for sweeping new labour laws which are due to be passed by Parliament this month. The laws include provisions on working hours, wages, rest and meal breaks, holidays and procedures for dealing with labour disputes. They'll update laws passed over 45 years ago.
MORE AWARDS FOR AITUTAKI HOTEL
The Pacific Resort in Aitutaki has been chosen by members of the public as one of the top 10 luxury resorts and top 10 resorts for romance in the South Pacific. The honours have come from the Trip Advisor website in its Travellers' Choice Awards. For two consecutive years (2008 and 2009), the resort hotel has also been chosen as the best Island resort hotel in the world at the World Travel Awards which are voted for by travel professionals. Find out more
The Pacific Resort in Aitutaki has been chosen by members of the public as one of the top 10 luxury resorts and top 10 resorts for romance in the South Pacific. The honours have come from the Trip Advisor website in its Travellers' Choice Awards. For two consecutive years (2008 and 2009), the resort hotel has also been chosen as the best Island resort hotel in the world at the World Travel Awards which are voted for by travel professionals. Find out more
The Pacific Resort, Aitutaki...swimming in awards