CI Times Weekly | Current Issue 254 | 09 June 2008

Report card on Takitumu Lagoon Day

Takitumu Lagoon Day was attended by over 500 school students and teachers as well as government officials and guests who all seemed to enjoy what was in store for them.
The day started off with an opening ceremony with a traditional challenge by a warrior, before Lagoon Management leader, Teariki Matenga introduced Environment Minister, Kete Ioane to present the ‘Lagoon Report Card’ that was approved by Cabinet on Tuesday afternoon.
The ‘report card’ was prepared from the studies and data gathered in the 2 year lagoon project funded by CIMRIS with the Minister noting that our swimming areas have been declared safe but other factors need attention. The government endorses the project and hope it will continue into the future and that the lessons learnt will be used in other areas.
NZ Representative, Brian Donnelly spoke on behalf of NZAid, the core funders of the CIMRIS community-government project and also endorsed the project aimed at protecting the lagoons. Donnelly reminded them of his days as a teacher at Titkikaveka College in 1977 and recalled how important the lagoon to the community on a daily basis from fishing and swimming.
Even 30 years ago, there were signs of problems that stemmed from as far back as 1910 when agriculture was heavily promoted as a way of lifting the productivity of land and that tourism development are just extra layers on the stresses on the lagoon.
Nevertheless, everyone can make a difference and to remember that what we do on land including agriculture, piggeries, clearing land for construction will affect the lagoon. This is becoming recognized even in NZ where iconic lakes such as Lake Rotorua and Lake Taupo are now so heavily polluted they cannot be used or no longer has life in the lower depths of the lakes.
Official guests included the QR, Sir Frederick Goodwin, Hon Ngamau Munokoa, Raina Mataiapo, Cassey Eggelton, Roseline Blake and the Kauono of Pa and more.
Meanwhile the school children had already started their round of activities with lagoon trips with MMR to Paringaru where they disembarked for a beach walk where they learned the dos and don’ts of foreshore protection.
The NES booth focused on the effects of erosion and sedimentation with recent aerial photographs taken in late May 08 showing a huge mud slick on the lagoon.
Agriculture had pigs, June Hosking talked about the impact people and our lifestyle has on the lagoon and Agriculture had pigs on while Public Health had their septic tank and banana tree trench display.
All the school children were also shuttled back and forth to nearby displays including the composting and organic farming display at Papaaroa School and took part in a competition the results of which will be published in the CI Herald.

Headlines : Times 254 09 June 2008
-PM wraps up in Rome – heads for home
-Report card on Takitumu Lagoon Day
- Aere ra, Krystina
-Former boxers invited to provide support
-$47 million to upgrade water supply

Headlines : Times 253 02 June 2008
-Saving Aitutaki
-Tepaki Group committed to Maeva Nui sponsorship
- Takitumu Lagoon Day will show what you can do to help
-Tropikana-a sweet inspiration
-Landowner opposes Taakoka Villas application for reinstatement

Headlines : Times 250 12 May 2008
-High Court ruling will decide if Company can compete with Telecom
-HTTC students get a taste for the good life
- Cook Islands Community Services of Victoria Incorporated launched in Australia
-Lagoon Field Day on 6 June 2008
-500 days to the Pacific Mini Games

Headlines : Times 249 05 May 2008
-‘Mr Bankruptcy’ seeks new partners
-The contracting out option
- Cook Islands to feature on TVNZ
-Candles in the wind
-Airport commercial spaces the other side of the story
-Aitutaki wedding for Helen Henry and Prof John Hay

Headlines : Times 239 25 February 2008
-THE NODULE SCANDAL
-Mitiaro identity recovers well
- Government team developing website
-Business Leaders told profits are green
-Award dinner for Woman of the Month for February
-After 5 Business Talk at Club Bana

Headlines : Times 234 21 January 2008
-“It’s not a nice day.” –Tapi Taio
-Freak storm takes Raro by surprise, causes havoc
DPM seeks inclusion in Alcatel cable network with Samoa and other Pacific nations
-Search on for promising young boxers
-Women’s activist, Lynnsay Francis on brief visit home
-SENZ education founders not sitting on their laurels

Headlines : Times 232 24 December 2007
-Response by DPM to ADB loan upgrade reveals concerns
-Tumutevarovaro Games declared a resounding success
-Italian Assists Cook Islands Climate Change Agenda
-Concept for new Te Aponga logo decided
-The woes of Pacific Engineering Standards!
-Koutu Nui visit to First Nations in Canada

Headlines : Times 231 17 December 2007
-Takitumu Basketball Gold contenders disqualified over wrong colour shorts
- Political reform: are we taking the right approach?
-Award of Contract for the Rehabilitation of Avatiu Harbour Marina
-The new face at the helm of Cook Islands Nursing
- Christmas presents from the Indian community to Creative Centre
-Former agriculture research station in Totokoitu under dispute

Headlines : Times 230 10 December 2007
-A travesty of personalities!
- Maine Tiare girls at Competition Finale at Auditorium
-What is happening at the Punanga Nui?
-Cook Islands World AIDS Day 2007
- We still owe $54.8 million
-Boxing: Club competition set for 18 December
- Youngsters urged to take up boxing
-A Cook Island experience in China Final

Headlines : Times 230 10 December 2007
-A travesty of personalities!
- Maine Tiare girls at Competition Finale at Auditorium
-What is happening at the Punanga Nui?
-Cook Islands World AIDS Day 2007
- We still owe $54.8 million
-Boxing: Club competition set for 18 December
- Youngsters urged to take up boxing
-A Cook Island experience in China Final

Headlines : Times 229 03 December 2007
-Over $50,000 raised for Hosking family
- Industry ushers in new media council
-USP Pro Vice Chancellor upbeat on proposed International Campus in Totokoitu
- Forever young – the new 60s social club
- Audit Office reports busy year
-Appeal in land partition case – Privy Council only recourse after Court of Appeal decision?


Headlines : Times 228 26 November 2007
-$3,500 super nest egg disappears
- Finance Secretary continues to comment on indoor sports complex
- Manganese fever, the new gold rush
- Cook Islands given tourism destination rating of 69
- Tepaki Group host netball team
-A Cook Island experience in China Part II
- Te Mire Tarai Vaka parade

Headlines : Times 224 29 October 2007
- Asbestos to go to watery grave
- CISNOC President thankful that decision on Sports Stadium made
- Cooks NGO to commit to conference goals
- Cost of bread increases as of November 4th
- Leaders call for immediate action to protect region’s fisheries
- Rarotonga scooter club
- CICC celebrate Gospel Day with Nuku Religious Pageants
- Letter to the Editor: Health Ministry recruitment process
- Boxing Association begins promotion
- Auckland East Win Roller Mills
- Party to celebrate opening of new Ocean & Earth store at Turtles
- Oasis Hydroponics set to expand

Headlines : Times 223 22 October 2007
- Fiji, RAMSI, Pacific Plan main issues for PM at Leaders meeting in Tonga
- Takuvaine bridges in need of attention
- Man remanded back in custody
- Clemency celebrates her Masters in Health Practice & Nursing
- Commemoration of Te Rua-o-Te-Tonga Meeting House
- Ten minutes with Krystina Kauvai
- Blue Light Day at Te Atukura ready for Saturday night
- Koutu Nui to attend Climate Change meeting
- Days away from the biggest Conservation Conference for the Pacific
- Conservation Conference casts a wide information net

Headlines : Times 222 15 October 2007
- The CPU saga- Lets get back to the central issue-Cowan
- Delay in Police investigation into Rakahanga case
- Government has lost its focus-Marsters
- Pacific countries discuss Tuna Fishing Management Options for region
- Graduation ceremony for Midwifery Graduates at Public Health
- Public Health conduct October Tutaka to fight dengue
- 2008 Pacific Year of the Reef
- Experts help to develop policies

Headlines : Times 221 08 October 2007
- The CPU saga-the other side of the story
- British Crown may have a duty to Cook Islanders following 1950s A bomb tests
- Fast ferry a step closer
- Financial Secretary recommends upgrade of facilities for Mini Games
- AOG Conference in October
- Cook Islands to attend Lawn Bowls World Singles Champion of Champions
- Business Toolkits workshop opens new pathways for participants
- World Cup next for Sam Pera Jnr
- Good rankings for Sam Pera Jnr
- Power prices set to increase again

Headlines : Times 220 30 September 2007
- Manihiki medical emergency details
- Stop Press: 60kg of donated drugs dumped by Ministry
- Surveyor in beach saga explains his role
- Staff flee MFEM-why?
- Exactly what is our population and ethnic mix?
- Reception for French Naval Officers at Te Atukura
- French helicopter lands at Tereora
- Historical trip reunites families
- Woman of the Month Award
- A Letter Home
- SPREP works to combat invasive species

 
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