This update: 28th August, 2010
An exclusive weekly summary by the website author who is a former BBC TV and radio journalist
FORMER PM TOLD AIRLINE STAFF HE WAS A TERRORIST
A former prime minister has been taken off a plane at Auckland airport in New Zealand after saying he was a terrorist. Sir Geoffrey Henry (left) was boarding a flight to Noumea in New Caledonia for the annual meeting of the Pacific Games Association, in his capacity as president of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee. ANZ manager, David Bridge confirmed that "a passenger...made an inappropriate comment about being a terrorist when boarding the aircraft", and was escorted off. Cook Islands News has confirmed the passenger was Sir Geoffrey. He was offered a seat on a later flight, but decided to return to Rarotonga instead.
A former prime minister has been taken off a plane at Auckland airport in New Zealand after saying he was a terrorist. Sir Geoffrey Henry (left) was boarding a flight to Noumea in New Caledonia for the annual meeting of the Pacific Games Association, in his capacity as president of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee. ANZ manager, David Bridge confirmed that "a passenger...made an inappropriate comment about being a terrorist when boarding the aircraft", and was escorted off. Cook Islands News has confirmed the passenger was Sir Geoffrey. He was offered a seat on a later flight, but decided to return to Rarotonga instead.
RETURNING VISITORS...CLICK THE REFRESH BUTTON TO ENSURE YOU SEE THE LATEST NEWS
The following are a summary 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
POLITICAL REFORM REFERENDUM SET FOR GENERAL ELECTION DAY
A referendum on political reform looks set for general election day on 17 November. Talks are underway on how many questions Islanders should be asked to vote on. And Cabinet Ministers are said to be divided on whether one of those quesitons should be about the Prime Minster being directly elected in future.
Current PM, Jim Marurai said last year that majority backing was needed from the electorate if major reforms were going to be made. And he's set out a 12 point plan for those changes. The chief electoral officer for the Islands has confirmed he's been told to expect the referendum on election day.
A referendum on political reform looks set for general election day on 17 November. Talks are underway on how many questions Islanders should be asked to vote on. And Cabinet Ministers are said to be divided on whether one of those quesitons should be about the Prime Minster being directly elected in future.
Current PM, Jim Marurai said last year that majority backing was needed from the electorate if major reforms were going to be made. And he's set out a 12 point plan for those changes. The chief electoral officer for the Islands has confirmed he's been told to expect the referendum on election day.
LAND COURT CASE TO BE DECIDED BY UK'S TOP JUDGES
The UK's top judges could be asked to rule for the first time in hisotry on a Cook Islands land court case. A dispute has been raging for nearly a century over 58 acres of land at Takitumu on Rarotonga. One of the families invlved in the dispute is claiming it was stolen from their ancestors. And there have been endless disputes over previous court rulings in the islands about the case. The intention is to ask for a final ruling from the Privy Council who are the advisors to HM The Queen. But they delegate legal matters to a group of senior judges from the UK.
POPULATION DECLINE CONTINUES
The population of the Islands is continuing to decline. The latest figures from the Statistics Office show a year on year fall of 8.4% in the number of residents. 374 people left the islands permanently in the 12 months to December, 2009. The statisticians say the loss remains a concern and an economic risk.
The UK's top judges could be asked to rule for the first time in hisotry on a Cook Islands land court case. A dispute has been raging for nearly a century over 58 acres of land at Takitumu on Rarotonga. One of the families invlved in the dispute is claiming it was stolen from their ancestors. And there have been endless disputes over previous court rulings in the islands about the case. The intention is to ask for a final ruling from the Privy Council who are the advisors to HM The Queen. But they delegate legal matters to a group of senior judges from the UK.
POPULATION DECLINE CONTINUES
The population of the Islands is continuing to decline. The latest figures from the Statistics Office show a year on year fall of 8.4% in the number of residents. 374 people left the islands permanently in the 12 months to December, 2009. The statisticians say the loss remains a concern and an economic risk.
The Prime Minister has a 12 point reform plan
MORE LOW COST FLIGHTS FROM AUSTRALIA UNDER CONSIDERATION
Low cost airline, Pacific Blue is looking to increase its services to Rarotonga. It's has just introduced a fourth weekly flight from Australia via Auckland, New Zealand and says it's pleased with the performance so far. Chief executive, Mark Pitt said "Rarotonga was very much in demand last year as people focussed their travel closer to home and this demand has continued to grow". The airline operates every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
Low cost airline, Pacific Blue is looking to increase its services to Rarotonga. It's has just introduced a fourth weekly flight from Australia via Auckland, New Zealand and says it's pleased with the performance so far. Chief executive, Mark Pitt said "Rarotonga was very much in demand last year as people focussed their travel closer to home and this demand has continued to grow". The airline operates every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
CHINESE TRACTORS WILL HELP AGRICULTURE REVIVAL
China has delivered 25 tractors to Rarotonga to help boost agriculture throughout the Islands. Chinese engineers will assemble them and train local people in their maintenance. One tractor will go to each Parliamentary constituency and one will be retained by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Agriculture Secretary says they'll play an important role in the government's programme to revive local food production.
NEW BODY WILL CHAMPION CONSUMER RIGHTS
A consumer watchdog is being set up to help promote fair competition and protect people from unfair trading. NZ$80,000 has been set aside in this year's budget to establish a Consumer Commission. It will promote and protect consumer rights through two new laws and the Control of Prices Act which regulates the price of basic commodities.
China has delivered 25 tractors to Rarotonga to help boost agriculture throughout the Islands. Chinese engineers will assemble them and train local people in their maintenance. One tractor will go to each Parliamentary constituency and one will be retained by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Agriculture Secretary says they'll play an important role in the government's programme to revive local food production.
NEW BODY WILL CHAMPION CONSUMER RIGHTS
A consumer watchdog is being set up to help promote fair competition and protect people from unfair trading. NZ$80,000 has been set aside in this year's budget to establish a Consumer Commission. It will promote and protect consumer rights through two new laws and the Control of Prices Act which regulates the price of basic commodities.
MANGAIA ECLIPSE BOOSTS TOURIST NUMBERS
The number of tourists is continuing to grow. Latest figues show a year on year increase of 807. July was a particularly good month with 1,605 more visitors than the same month last year. The rise is in part due to an influx of tourists to Mangaia to see the total eclipes of the sun.
The story of the total eclipse
The number of tourists is continuing to grow. Latest figues show a year on year increase of 807. July was a particularly good month with 1,605 more visitors than the same month last year. The rise is in part due to an influx of tourists to Mangaia to see the total eclipes of the sun.
The story of the total eclipse
