News in Brief

Telecom reform still on
The Prime Minister wants to maintain momentum on the proposed ideas to reform the telecommunications sector as had been progressed prior to Christmas 2009. He conveyed these ideas to Telecom NZ shareholders, last week. Although the Prime Minister has announced he does not intend to call Parliament in the near future, Marurai remains keen to pursue talks with Telecom Cook Islands’ NZ partners.
The Prime Minister has been advised that a Directors meeting is being arranged for next month and he expects to continue the dialogue process with NZ Board Members in due course.
The government position is focused on how best to achieve an open competitive market in telecommunications with independent oversight.
- PM Office Media Release
Fishing fees slashed
The local fishing industry gets a hands up to help overcome the current slump it’s experiencing and decline in fish stocks in southern group waters with a reduction in annual licensing fees.
The revised license fee structure means that vessels less than 20 metres which are based in Rarotonga or Aitutaki will now pay $2,000 for a one year license – down from $5,000.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Marine Resources Robert Wigmore has approved for licensing fees to be slashed by over half in response to representations from the local fishing industry for a review.
“I am aware that the fishing industry is experiencing the ongoing effects of the recent recession, and the detrimental impacts that inflated operating costs continue to have on our local small boat owners,” said Minister Wigmore.
“The government has a responsibility to help ensure the survival of the fishing industry during these tough times; we can assist our small boat owners by lowering the licensing fees that they pay each year.”
Minister Wigmore said government needs to help those already established in the fishing business and are finding difficulty, “we can do this through revising licensing fees, so that’s the obvious step to take.”
The Minister said the fee structure will be effective immediately, and the Ministry of Marine Resources will advise of any changes will be made to this policy in the following licensing period.
- DPM Office Media release
Touch rugby underway
Wednesday sees the kick-start of the Touch Rugby mix competition; Daphne Brown says last week was getting the muster today Wednesday 20th January 2010 is the kick off. Games are held down at the Avatiu field from 5pm. There are a total of nine teams, as it is an odd number, Team Rama plays twice.
It might be wet games today depending on the weather but the ground will be nice and soft for diving.
In addition to the Mixed Competition there is also the Touch Rugby Open Men’s and Women’s held down at the Avatiu fields on Monday nights. With six men’s teams and five women’s teams.
CISNOC discuss Delhi Games
A meeting took place with National Sports Federations who may be attending the Commonwealth Games in October 2010, held in Delhi, India. Another meeting will be held sometime this week with the High Performance Commission to decide who will be representing the Cook Islands. From this meeting they will provide recommendations to the Executive board to confirm who will be going. The sports that they are looking at include swimming, athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, tennis; weightlifting and netball (have qualified and are confirmed). Within the next week they will finalise the actual number and athletes.
Back to school Monday
Monday will see the start of Term 1 for most students. Tereora College students will see Form 6 and Form 7 start on Monday and the whole school reopening for normal school hours on Wednesday. Primary school students will all start school on Monday.