News Briefs

Storm keeps residents awake
Last night’s storm had many residents on Rarotonga and Aitutaki awake till the early morning. Met Service’s Maara Vaiimene says, the Met Service has been monitoring the system which was quite hard to predict the impact. Last night’s storm was caused by a deep low from NZ, bringing cold from the south and a high pressure system to the east of Rarotonga bringing in warm tropical air. Last night’s storm says Vaiimene lasted 12-hours bringing strong winds, heavy rains, lightning and thunder. In the span of 12-hours, 50mm of rainfall was recorded which is not normal during this time of year as we are in our dry season. The total rainfall for the month of June was only 30.9mm. However, last night’s heavy rain would have been welcomed especially for those living in the highlands as it was reported that most or not all water tanks around the island is full. Radio CI spoke with Air NZ Cook Islands Manager, David Bridge this morning who says despite the wild weather, there were no disruptions to flights in and out of Rarotonga. In terms of flooding, Vaiimene says if there was some flooding, this would be minor because of the dry conditions, plus the storms timing did not coincide with the high tide. Vaiimene added that the severity part of the storm has passed us over but Rarotonga and Aitutaki can expect some rain with cloudy periods clearing up in the next day or two.
Spain into soccer final
Spain has defeated Germany 1-0 and will take on the Netherlands in this weekend FIFA Finals. Last night it was predicted that Spain would have taken out the match after the Octopus had chosen Spain’s flag over Germany. Since the starting of the World Cup, the Octopus predictions have been right so far. Yesterday Netherlands supporter Kees Wan Wijk told Radio CI, he is planning on setting up a big screen for Sunday morning’s grand-finals.
CITV will show the third and fourth placing match between Uruguay and Germany on Saturday at 8.30am, and the FIFA Final between Netherlands and Spain on Sunday morning at 8.30am.
Eclipse draws large crowd
This weekend Cooks Islands will be one of the best places in the Pacific to witness the total solar eclipse A total eclipse of the Sun is only visible from within a narrow path which includes Mangaia and Easter Island. It is an event which turns day into night for about three minutes as the moon passes between the earth and the sun, and will be the only total solar eclipse for 2010. There won’t be another one for 29 months. Helen Henry in Mangaia says they cannot cope with any more visitors who want to view the eclipse from their unique vantage point.
Tourism Road Show success
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s recent Australian road show with 12 of Cook Islands top operators was a great success with over 600 agents attending the eight different presentations. One lucky travel agent received the major door prize. Helen Roehnelt from Trendsetter Travel, Lane Cove NSW, will take five friends for five nights to the Cook Islands this September, courtesy of Air New Zealand and CITC.
The Road show coincided with the new direct Air New Zealand flights from Sydney to Rarotonga, taking off 4th July. The Cook Islands operators and Air New Zealand and CITC teams travelled to eight locations across Australia’s east coast including Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, Manly, Wollongong and Gosford. Guests enjoyed their presentations plus some entertainment from traditional Cook Islands dancers. One guest at each function had the opportunity to win a stunning black pearl and each travel agent who attended the road show had the chance to go into the draw to win the five night holiday. The holiday is made up of four nights on Rarotonga including an Island discovery tour and transfers to Aitutaki for a one night stay. Helen takes off on the new direct flights, only a six hour direct trip from Sydney, on September 5th.
School fundraiser for hard court
Avarua School will be holding its gala day this Friday in aid of the refurbishment of the schools hard-court. Local delicacies will be on sale from umu to goat meat, to BBQ and others. Food will be selling from early Friday morning for those on their way to work till sold out. Raffles are currently being circulated to assist with the schools fundraiser.
St Joseph fundraiser
St Joseph will also be holding their gala day this Friday in aid of the renovation of the pre-school. Food stalls will be set up at the school and raffle tickets are also being sold to assist with the schools fundraiser.

By Moana Tetauru

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