HERALD WEEKLY ISSUE 642: 14 November 2012

News Briefs

Mangaia island secretary dismissed

The Herald has received an unconfirmed report from Mangaia today (Wednesday) at 3pm that Island Secretary Helen Henry has been dismissed. The Herald contacted PSC Russell Thomas by phone around 3.30pm for confirmation of the dismissal and for the reasons. Thomas asked for the Herald to submit its questions via e-mail which was done at 3.39pm with a follow up at 3.47pm. The Herald requested a prompt response as the paper was going to print. A phone call was made to the OPSC at 4pm but no there was no answer. Thomas later rang to say he had not received the Herald’s e-mails although he confirmed the email address was correct. A further e-mail was sent at 4.29pm. At the time of going to final print at 5.50pm Thomas had sent no response.
In the absence of a prompt response to a simple, straightforward enquiry, the paper has no option but to go to print with what it knows. The Herald understands the dismissal is related to performance and that one issue was that for eight months the island had received no bulk funding from MFEM. In order to receive bulk funding, financial reports have to be submitted to MFEM at certain intervals.
As a private sector company trying to be efficient, the Herald is not impressed with the PSC’s silence which for a state employee on a salary of around $100,000, is unacceptable.
Thomas is yet to go public on three dismissals involving senior staff at Crown Law, Immigration and Internal Affairs.

Reviving string band competition

The Staircase Restaurant & Bar is to revive the popular string band contest it last ran in 2004.
Sissy Short advised the Herald on Tuesday morning that the 2012 contest which will be called “Strings at Stairs – String band Competition” will commence on Friday 23 November. It will continue on Friday 30 November and the finals will be held on Friday 7 December.
The competition is open to people of all ages in teams of four or a maximum of six playing instruments like the ukulele, acoustic guitar, pau, umpa.
Each band will perform two items; a slow/medium song with a love theme and a fast paced song with a fun theme.
The Judges are yet to be appointed and the in the finals the crowd will vote for their favourite.
Sissy said cash prizes will on offer totaling 3.500.00.
First place getter will receive $2000, second place getter receives $1000 and third receives $500.
More sponsors are being sought and at this early stage major sponsors are CITV and REDSTALLION STUDIO’S (Caleb). Co-Sponsors so far are; TOPSHAPE HAIR, KOKA-LAGOON TOURS, TANGAROASCOVE.
There is a Registration Fee of $40 per team
Contestants under 18 yrs of age will need a parental consent form to be completed.
Tickets will be printed this week for pre-sale for door and meals.
Dinner and Show will cost $30 and Show only will cost $7. Door Sales on the night will cost $10.
Sissy said the Judges will judge; presentation, performance, technique, entertainment/humour, dress.
She said the Restaurant will open at 7pm with the Show starting at 8.30pm.
In 2004, the winner was the Taokotai Boys band.

Art form rising

At the Atupa site of master carver Mike Tavioni’s proposed Art Gallery and Institute of Art and Life Skills, changes are slowly taking place.
On the work site across the road from Tavioni’s workshop, poles have gone into the ground and a structure is taking shape at the front of the site where Mike says a kikau hut will be built.
Tavioni says he is grateful to those who have donated materials. Tavioni has also erected an artists impression of what the building will look like. When completed it will, from side on, resemble a vaka with sails. The building will actually be in three sections. It will be a work of art itself.
Tavioni asks anyone interested in assisting or contributing or donating towards the completion of the project, to visit the site and talk to him.
He advised the Herald that when completed, the Art Gallery will set out to acquire over time, original works from each Cook Islands artist for its permanent collection and ongoing exhibitions of local works of art.

Stallions give glory and honour to God

It was the icing on the cake for the Teimurimotia Stallions Players, Management and Supporters when they attended the Titikaveka Cook Islands Christian Church the next day after the tournament, to give thanks, glory and honour back to God for their victorious win at the Sevens In Heaven Tournament held from the 1-3 November 2012.
The Titikaveka CICC in collaboration with the Aronga Mana on behalf of the village hosted the Teimurimotia Stallions team after the church service to a luncheon overflowing with Titikaveka hospitality. The words of thanks and appreciation shared between the village elders and the Teimurimotia Stallions players and management was history in the making.
The elders expressed their admiration for the fine job that Coach, Erich Rush achieved for the village. In response to their comments Eric Rush said, my job is made easy because I am surrounded by a team of great players. The boys put their bodies on the line for the village and if I were to spend another two more weeks with these guys I would say they could be ranked as number 5 in the world. The talent here in the Cook Islands is here but if you want to move from good to great, you have to put in the hard work.

Herald Issue 608 21 March
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- Pacific Media Assistance Scheme Seeks Innovation
- Successful NZ visit by PM
- Rerekura Teaurere New Climate Change Coordinator
- News Briefs

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