News in Brief

Two sites being considered for school
The school in Omoka, Penrhyn which was extensively damaged by the cyclone in February is to be rebuilt but two alternative sites are being considered according to Penrhyn MP Wilkie Rasmussen. He told the Herald on Tuesday evening that NZAid funding had been sourced several years ago to rebuild the school but under the previous administration and Finance Minister, no work took place. It has only been since the cyclone that work is now close to being started. The preferred site said Rasmussen is near the CICC church at the centre of the old village. An alternative option is to site the school near the marine research buildings closer to the airport on higher ground on the ocean side. When rebuilt the plan is to raise the school up on poles. Because of this the current site is unsuitable as the salt water table is only some 300mm below the surface. Rasmussen said he had spoken to the Island Council a few months ago and recently met with the Ministry of Education and Cook Islands Investment Corporation.
Audit office workload
The Audit Office continues to be one of the busiest agencies of State in terms of its work load.
In a media report issued today the Audit Office confirmed that since 1 July 2009 it had completed 44 financial audits of government ministries, Ministerial Support Offices, Island Administrations and State agencies and businesses. In the same period it also completed 16 special reviews and investigations some arising as a result of public complaints. Some of these complaints are yet to be tabled in parliament and some have been referred to Police for further follow up.
Audit Office also reports that 16 financial audits are in progress and these are expected to be completed by 30 June 2010. These are for the 2008 year.
Also in progress are 11 special reviews and investigations which are also expected to be completed by 30 June 2010. These include the Review of the Business Support Loan administered by BTIB where the concern is a possible conflict of interest, the Review of the Toa Petroleum fuel farm acquisition, the review into allegations concerning the Chairman of the Tourism Board and the Review into the Northern Fishing Company Ltd over fishing licenses.
Red Cross door knock appeal raises over $4,000
A total of $4034 was collected from Monday’s door knock appeal by Red Cross. Secretary General of CI Red Cross Niki Rattle says, the response from the community was excellent and that she’s please with the publics support. The door knock appeal is the first attempt by CI Red Cross and it maybe part of an annual event. Rattle says although the organization have been good at mobilizing or launching an appeal for overseas disasters, the organization have never gone out for community support for its own in-country activities that are not covered through the project funds they receive from donors. Three schools had donated generously be encouraging its students to wear red on Monday. Te Uki Ou raised $100, Takitumu School raised $200 and St Joseph raised $166.20. The CI Red Cross thanks the community as a whole for their support on Monday and through the many activities organized by Red Cross. - Moana Tetauru
Proof reading workshop
The Ministry of Education is currently running a 3 day workshop at Crown Beach Resort (11-13th May) aimed at proof reading already developed exemplars for Maori, English and Social Science and to critique samples of students work to generate into exemplars for Maori, English and Social Science.
An exemplar is an authentic sample of students work, collected from schools in the Cook Islands (Rarotongan, southern and northern group islands). Students work is annotated to illustrate learning and achievement in relation to the levels of the Cook Islands Curriculum Framework and the achievement objectives of each essential learning area. Exemplars can be used by teachers to highlight quality work, assist with assessment of students and to identify the key features of each essential learning area. The CIEP has begun with Maori, English and Social Science for the first phase of development and will include all the other essential learning areas during the upcoming phases. The project focuses on levels 1-5 of the Cook Island curriculum framework, Grade one through to Form 2.
Once the exemplars have been printed and in schools, all teachers will be taken through professional development opportunities of how to effectively use the exemplars in their teaching. These PD sessions will be facilitated by the panel members involved in this project.
The CIEP (Cook Islands Exemplar Project) is scheduled to go to print in the next few months and the CIEP website will be simultaneously launched to promote the use of the annotated exemplars in the classroom.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact Danielle Cochrane on 29 357, or email dcochrane@education.gov.ck
Ministry of Education media release
Large number of applicants seek business funding
The Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) is busy processing around 100 applications for funding from the Outer Islands Development Fund (OIDF).
BTIB’s Selina Napa told the Herald on Wednesday morning that it is hoped to disperse the remaining $60,000-$70,000 still available to as many applicants as possible before the end of the financial year on 30 June 2010. Those who miss out may have a chance next financial year providing further funding can be obtained for next year and approval granted to roll over the remaining applications.
Napa said priority is given to small to medium businesses which are viable, sustainable and collective and which do not compete with any existing businesses. The main focus is on development and possibly a business or activity which compliments tourism. BTIB favours proposals which will benefit the widest number of people.
Proposals must be supported by a business plan, two letters of support (one from the Island Council and one from a prominent local), comply with the criteria and fit in with the Island’s strategic plan. Applications are vetted by the BTIB and approved by the Board. The funds are dispersed by Aid Management.
Charles Pitt
RUGBY LEAGUE GRAND FINALS
The CI Rugby League grand-finals will kick off at the BCI Stadium at 330pm with the U13 game between the Tupapa Panthers and the Arorangi Bears this Saturday. This game will be followed by the U16 grade at 4.15pm between the Panthers and the Bears, the U19 will kick off at 5.20pm between the Panthers and the Eels. The Reserve Grade game will kick off at 6.30pm between the Bears and the Bulldogs, and followed by the premier grades game between the Panthers and the Eels. This Saturday’s grand-finals game will be broadcast live on Radio CI with commentators JJ Browne and Nga Takaiti. Pre-build up interviews of the premier grade matches will be done on Radio CI this Saturday. - Moana Vaevae
ANDRE TAPENA LAUNCHES RAROTONGA ANGELS TOUR 2010 DVD
Local artist, Andre Tapena will this Saturday be releasing the Rarotonga Angels tour 2010 DVD at the Punanga Nui Market. The DVD according to Andre Tapena will be sold from 10am at $30 each, or $50 for two, a one-day special only. The DVD is understood to have been produced by Tapena’s local production company Te Rangitapu Studio in Arorangi and features 14 tracks of songs from various artists including Maki Karati, Abu Simpson, Taokia Bros, Piri Tauakume and Andre Tapena. The DVD was filmed during Tapena and the Rarotonga Angels tour of Australia in January this year and can be purchased from Raro Records from next Monday. - Moana Vaevae
NZ to pour more money into Tourism
While our tourism industry struggles to convince government to invest more money into promoting tourism, the New Zealand Government has wasted no time in deciding to pour more money into their Tourism industry. It has just been announced New Zealand Tourism is getting more money to sell New Zealand to visitors as part of a $30 million increase announced this morning.
Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key made the announcement in a speech to the New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference at Sky City Hotel in Auckland.
Tourism would play an important role in helping grow the economy growing faster, a key focus of next week’s budget.
Most, $25m, of the funding would go towards increasing marketing New Zealand as a tourism destination internationally. The other $5m will be allocated to joint venture initiatives.
“This investment is vitally important. It reflects my confidence in the industry to substantially increase the value of tourism to the New Zealand economy,” Mr Key said.
“We will do this by focusing on high-value visitors who require a high-quality experience while in New Zealand.
“I have always believed tourism has the potential to grow far beyond the status quo and this funding will help give that belief wings.
“We have the raw materials in our beautiful scenery, we have the commitment of an industry that is continually striving for excellence, and now we have the funding to sell that message even more strongly all over the world.”

Herald Issue 463 10 June
- World famous activist assisting residents
- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
- Forestry project sucking Mangaia dry
- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?