Monday 03 March 2008

 

Radio News – Monday 03 March 2008

Radio News – Monday 3 March 2008

9am/1pm

A freak storm between 1pm-2pm on Saturday damaged several homes in Nikao. The storm singled out its path starting with John Bishop’s shack near the Met Office hurling it onto a tree in the next door property. At Avatea school the damage was mostly to plants and the big tree out at the front of it that saw branches on one half of the tree torn off. The freak storm then headed across Harley St to the home of Papa Man Maurangi who was sitting inside his house with two grandchildren. They felt the house shake but did not notice that the roof was gone until the rain started pelting through. The next on the hit list was Papa David Hoff’s house just across the road behind the golf course. Part of the roof was torn off. Fortunately, his daughter in the house next to it was home and was able to move her father’s furniture where it would least be damaged by the rain. The freak storm then headed up the hill to Mama Lina Hoff’s place taking the roof off her garage. According to the Met Office the highest recorded gust on Saturday was 32km/hr which isn’t all that damaging at all. But Papa Man says that they use to have natural protection from the pistache trees that use to line Harley st, but since these have been removed they have no more protection. He says its probably time we re-educate the people about nature and its natural defenses.

Minister and Nikao MP Aunty Mau Munokoa visited those affected on the same afternoon. Red Cross’s Charlie Numanga also went to take emergency tarpaulin out to the homes. We will have an update for you on CITV Local News this evening.

Solomon Islands crushed our Cook Islands soccer team 11-0 yesterday in Lautoka at the Olympic qualifiers. The Cooks team have rested Joseph Le Mouton while Adrian Shepherd and Ngatungane Tangimetua are both injured. On Saturday the Cooks went down to Vanuatu 4-0 in the opening match of the tournament.

 

1 weather short

Thursday showers. Wednesday PM showers. Tomorrow cloudy and today showers.

Radio News – Friday 23 November 2007

 9am/1pm

JOYCE DISAPPOINTED DESPITE EXCELLENT EFFORT

Maine Tapairu Joyce Fortes is disappointed with her placing but grateful to at least be runner up. She told Karley Hemopo of CITV on her arrival that she could have done better. But with a tough competition and the unlikelihood that the Cooks are going to win the competition 3 times in a row, she still did extremely well beating 6 other contestants. Joyce says that other than her disappointment it was a good experience to meet other Pacific girls, to learn their culture and just about their lives.

PUAIKURA WATCH SUCCESSFUL

The Puaikura Neighbourhood watch are pleased with the support they are receiving from the business and community. Donations have been received which has aided keeping Puaikura safe. Two security guards have been conducting checks on businesses and have found that businesses are inviting trouble by leaving doors unlocked and forgetting to remove the keys from their vehicles. The two security are also visiting youth who drink down the beach or hang out at the bustops in order to ensure that they do not cause problems.  In all the Puaikura Neighbourhood watch is pleased with the progress they are making towards a safer community.

NIKAO BEACH CLEANER

Nikao beach is a lot tidier since police began its patrols of the popular picnic and drinking spot. Much of the rubbish left behind on the beach was from people who used it for after hour parties. Police hope that people will continue to respect the beach especially with Xmas coming up.

Radio News – Thursday 22 November 2007

 9am/1pm

WORLD CHAMP GIRLS NOW HERE  [CITV]

Our World Champ netball team arrived yesterday afternoon. Coach Anna Noovao says she hasn’t stopped smiling since the last whistle blew and that the team is very excited about being here and very proud to be Cook Islanders. She says that this is a shared victory for Cook Islanders in New Zealand and here. For many of these girls this is the first time they have set foot in their homeland, and for many of us our only previous exposure to these athletes was through the TV screen. Aunty Mau, Minister of Sports was at the airport to welcome the girls. She welcomed the team and coach Noovao, and asked that our New Zealand and Cook Islands teams work together to build up our young girls and prepare them for 2009. When asked about the differences in reception between the World Champ girls and the SPG girls, Aunty Mau said that she had to praise the girls who went to the SPG too because they live here and are trained by local coaches, whereas the New Zealand team live in New Zealand and are trained to different standards. The team were hosted to a buffet dinner at Tepaki Group yesterday.

MANIHIKI AIRPORT MAY BE FIRST [CITV]

Manihiki could be the first northern island to get it’s airport upgrade. According to Outer islands Development project chair Joe Ngamata who has just returned from a visit of the north, Manihiki landowners have agreed to lease their land to the crown, so they will honour that commitment. Both Pukapuka and Penrhyn landowners would like some time to consult with their MPS. The cost of upgrade of each airport is ½ million. Work will begin after cyclone season in March April next year. The committee will visit Atiu in the next 2-3 weeks.

DISASTER RISK IN SCHOOLS [CITV]

The Emergency Management office have met with principals and school senior administrations to look into including disaster risk management into the school curriculum. According to Teina Etches, Principal of Avatea School, in the past their has been a reliance on Government to do everything. Cyclone Martin illustrated that we need to all get involved. Government has already put in their commitment by forming the EMCI division, and there has been a lot of awareness, but we all need to participate. The other topic that this workshop talked about was the use of schools as hurricane shelters.

MIRE TARAI KAARA FOR 2008  [CITV]

With the 2nd Mire Tarai Vaka finishing Friday, Makiuti Tongiia Secretary of the Tauranga Vananga says that for 2008 there will be a Mire Tarai Kaara to carve pate, vivo, pau, pu in preparation for the Mini Games 2009. The Ministry of Culture is responsible for the Opening and Closing ceremonies

AGRICULTURE VISIT TO MANGAIA [CITV]

A team from Agriculture have just returned from Mangaia where they have conducted a workshop on sustainable agriculture. According to Papa Ngauoraiti from Mangaia, it was a useful workshop and was enjoyable cos they were all working together to share knowledge. Women also participated and learnt grafting and marcoting techniques. Students were also taught many things like the arapo. According to Papa Metu Ruatoe, times have changed, that we should not be complacent and should learn all these things which is useful to our lives.

NETBALL GIRLS AT FOOD FEST THIS EVENING [CITV]

If you did not get down to the airport yesterday or to Tepaki Group for yesterday’s meet the champs buffet, then you get another chance to meet the world netball team at this evening’s Tourism Food Festival. It is a family evening so no cooking tonight. Papatua Papatua of Tourism would like you all to come to Te Atukura. He says there will be 38 stalls in all, so there will be lots of food. There are also 29 entrants into the seafood platter competition which is quite exciting as this is the first time this competition has been introduced.

BAN THE BOTTLE [ABC AUSTRALIA]

A coalition of environmental and community groups has launched a campaign to stop Australians drinking bottled water. The Bottled Water Alliance will initially try to influence drinking habits around the country by asking local councils to stop providing bottled water to workers and at functions. The alliance's organiser, Jon Dee from Planet Ark, says people should be drinking water from the tap instead of damaging the environment by buying it in a bottle. He says that Australia is spending $385 million on the stuff every single year and the impact environmentally is substantial. It iss responsible for about 60,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions every year just in Australia, and every single litre of bottled water produced is using about 200 millilitres of oil. Cook Islanders also consume a lot of bottled drinks. The bottles that you separate and put in separate disposal bins get recycled but the rest just get dumped in our landfill. This is something our Environment Service will need to look at.

Radio News – Wednesday 21 November 2007

9am/1pm

WHAT DOES MANGANESE LOOK LIKE

If you didn’t watch CITV Local news at around 7pm or the late night bulletin, you would have missed an opportunity to get a glimpse of what manganese nodules look like. Secretary of Marine Ian Bertram has several nodules which are the size of bomboozer marbles and gave CITV the opportunity to show them to you. According to Bertram, the nodules that he has is not worth anything. You would need a lot it, then you would need to process it and extract the different components. Bertram’s nodules came from when he was part of an expedition to look at the nodules.  

ENDEAVOUR TO MEET MANGANESE REVIEW COMMITTEE

Two representatives from Endeavour Mining Capital and a mining consultant from Canada met with Cabinet yesterday. According to Endeavours’ Gordon Keep the response was positive and they were asked to meet with the Manganese Nodule Review commission which is chaired by Junior Maoate. It is understood that the committee will only meet with one more mining company then they want to review all the proposals they have and make a decision. The public has not been privy to how many proposals Government has actually received. This is the first company to put themselves in the public arena for upfront questioning. In saying this, Oppositions’ Tom Marsters was right when he spoke with CITV last night that this project is important from a national point of view and shouldn’t be looked on from a political viewpoint. It is understood that actual mining work could begin as early as 2010 under a new government. 

KENT HALL MEETING A SUCCESS

The meeting held at the Kent Hall last night with the Takitumu Vaka Council and the Endeavour Mining Capital was successful in that the 60 people in attendance raised many of their concerns. The biggest concern was the environment. Given that no company has done mining of this sort at this depth the environmental impact is not known. The process involves raking the ocean floor and bring the nodules as well as possibly silt up from the deep. One of the spokespersons for the company says that a suggestion would be to have a marine monitor who can shut down operations if too hazardous for the environment. But ultimately Government needs to put in the proper legislation to protect our marine environment. Another concern raised is employment. The company said it would look at employing Cook Islanders but we have no skills in this area, nor do our people in Australia and New Zealand. So the promise of NZ$34 million in direct wages and NZ$170 in indirect wages will go to their own people that they bring in from other operations to work, not to Cook Islanders. In response the company rep said that while Cook Islanders won’t have the skills to start with, as shown in a case in Canada where they have a diamond mine, the indigenous people were able to be come the best diamond cutters in the world after 15 years. Another question raised was whether Cook Islanders could buy shares in the company. The spokespersons said that we are welcome to go on the stock market and buy shares but we have to understand the risks. He said in one country the Government owned part of the assets and gave each person a 5 share stake in the business but while it ensured everyone had a share the concept didn’t work very well. According to one of the spokespersons the issues raised at the meeting were no different to concerns to any that they have had to deal with in other countries all around the world where they are conducting operations.  

WHAT DOES ENDEAVOUR WANT

The company are asking for the offshore mining and mineral rights. First they wish to complete an updated study and advance this project which was started by Albert Henry in 1974, to a commercial stage. The last study was done in 1996. This is seen as a window of opportunity for the Cook Islands due to increases in metal prices as well as improved metallurgical recovery techniques. We are not the only country in the Pacific with nodules, there are 7 other countries like Samoa, Tuvalu, PNG among others, but we do have the highest concentration of it.  

OUR CONCERNS

Our main concerns as citizens of our country is that the Manganese Review Committee and the Government ensure our environment is protected, that we get maximum benefits out of any arrangement that we choose and that this wealth is managed to benefit every person who has chosen to remain and live in the Cook Islands. Basically, they need to make sure we don’t get ripped off like Nauru did, that we manage our wealth better than Nauru, and that our environment doesn’t get ruined like the Oktedi region of PNG.

 

10AM/2PM

CIBPWA HOLDS FINAL GET TOGETHER

The CIBPWA is holding its final get together for the year this Saturday at the Aquarius from 6pm to 10pm. The guest speaker is Susan Noonan - General Manager Pacific Resort Aitutaki. As reported in recent weeks, the Pacific Resort Aitutaki won two prestigious awards in the 2007 World Travel Awards being the Australasia’s Leading Boutique Hotel and Cook Islands Leading Resort.  Susan will share her experience in leading & managing an award winning team & property. The night of mix and mingle, drinks, food, and entertainment will celebrate another successful year for CIBPWA. The theme is Chic Resort Wear. Tickets are selling at $30.00 and entitles you to a complimentary wine or juice on arrival, dinner meal, great entertainment and a Santa Gift, compliments of the Executive Committee. There will also be a number of extra Santa Gift Surprise:- Your ticket entitles you to go into a draw to win a PDL voucher to the amount of $200 to be spent at any of the PDL outlets on Rarotonga. If you wish to purchase a ticket, then contact Vaine Arioka or Angela Charlie at the ANZ Bank.

WORLD AIDS DAY ON 1ST DECEMBER

World AIDS Day will be on December 1st. The focus will be on leadership, the theme set by the World AIDS Campaign under the five-year slogan “Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise”. World AIDS Day is a day when people from around the world come together within a single effort to raise awareness about HIV and to express global solidarity with people living with HIV. But World AIDS day is not just about raising awareness. It also provides a global opportunity to urge governments and leaders for all promises on AIDS to be kept as well as an opportunity to demonstrate commitment and action on AIDS. In designating leadership as the World AIDS Day theme for the next two years (2007 – 2008), the World AIDS Campaign highlights both the political leadership needed to fulfill commitments that have been made in the response to AIDS – particularly the promise of universal access to treatment, prevention, care and support – and celebrating the leadership that has been witnessed at all levels of society. The Cook Islands only has two known cases of HIV/AIDs. The Vaka Eiva is the perfect opportunity to kick of the World Aids Day campaign by handing out condoms to all the paddlers. The good news is the the UN estimate of the number of people infected with the AIDS virus has been slashed from 40 million to 33 million. The revised estimates on HIV in India account for a large part of the decrease. More accurate information and data collection methods have resulted in India’s infected population being reduced from 5.7 million to 2.5 million.  New HIV infections have fallen by 6 million a year, but there is still 6800 new infections per day and 5,700 deaths per day due to AIDS. Africa remains the continent with the most infected individuals standing at 22.5 million. While Indonesia has the fastest growing rate of infection largely due to unprotected sex. UN 40mil to 33mil. Revised figures for India. More accurate info and data. 5.7mil cases but the epidemic a cause for concern. New infections fallen by 6million. 7000 new infections per day. Leading cause of death in Africa. 20mil. Indonesia has the fastest growing rate, unprotected sex. Our country does require all foreign workers provide a HIV/AIDs report.  The UN has also changed its estimate on how long it takes to die of AIDS if not treated from 9 years to 11 years.

JAPAN FINGERPRINTS VISITORS [ABC]

If you are going to Japan, you will now be fingerprinted and photographed on arrival. This new system is needed to fight crime and counter terrorism. While some see it as a mall price to pay for safety, human rights and privacy groups see it as cumbersome and intrusive, and believe it could result in discrimination against foreigners. The only people exempted from this are children, diplomats and some permanent residences.

11AM/3PM

TE KAINGA TO HELP FESTIVE STRESS  [CITV]

The festive season puts pressure on families. Te Kainga mental health services will remain available throughout the festive period to anyone needing help with coping with the stress mainly financial of having to foot the cost of unveilings, weddings, birthdays and family reunions. This has been an issue here for years as families come from overseas, and people here are left to deal with stress of hosting them and usually incur a lot of financial problems. There is also an increase in mental health problems as well as alcohol and substance abuse problems. So if you do need help call Mereana Taikoko on 50633. Mereana also asks parents to be understanding and supportive about their kids who are currently undergoing their exams.

RECYCLE CIS WANT OLD BATTERIES [CITV]

Lawrence Hosking of Recycle CIs says that they are currently trying to fill a 20foot container with old batteries to be shipped back to New Zealand. You can ring 54290 if you want them to pick up your old batteries but otherwise you can drop it off at their centre. He would just like to announce that they won’t be taking any more old computers, TV and radios or Ewaste. He says that maybe next year they will collect them again.

 

PADDLE EXHIBITION A HIT [CITV]

The Art Studio paddle exhibition which is held in conjunction with the Vaka Eiva festival has been very successful with 31 paddles on show and 21 sold on opening night. Last year only 11 paddles were in the exhibition but all were sold prior to the opening. This year the exhibition was opened up to different people on the island Next year according to Kay George they will change the exhibition slightly. They have had interest from international artist who want to be part of the show as well as paddlers from the vaka eiva have come in and told her that they would love to bring paddles from their country with them when they come next year.

VAKA TEAUOTONGA CALLING FOR ATHLETES  [CITV]

Vaka Teauotonga is calling all its athletes to register their names with George George And Siniva Marsters to make up Team Teauotonga. Some training is expected to be held before the 8th December opening.

KENDALL INSPIRES STUDENTS  [CITV]

Boardsailing Olympic champ Barbara Kendall inspired Tereora students yesterday. She says that you can do anything, but you need to have a strong passion, from this you get energy and you get motion. She returns home this weekend to 6 day a week training, in preparation for the World Champs in New Zealand in January then the Beijing Olympics.

BUSINESS HOUSE VOLLEYBALL [CITV]

A business house volleyball tournament is being held to raise funds to send our national volleyball team to New Zealand next year for the South Pacific Challenge at Easter. There is also another Oceania championship in June. The fee to join is $150. Otherwise if you want in on the squad, registrations are still open and close end of November. Training is every Mondays, Wednesday 5pm at Nikao school.

Radio News – Tuesday 20 November 2007 

9am/1pm

YOUNG WOMEN SPEAK AT CEDAW WORKSHOP [press release]

Teenage pregnancies, double discrimination and the lack of inclusion of issues relating to young women in public policies are some of the major challenges that young women in the Pacific face. While CEDAW, (the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women), describes the discrimination many women face, it must be recognized that these issues are experienced differently by young women. This was part of the discussion at the Pacific Sub Regional Workshop on CEDAW Implementation currently underway in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Young women from Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu were invited to this workshop to share their experiences and views towards making CEDAW work for them. “Discrimination is not always obvious,” Fiji Women’s Rights Movement’s Susan Naidu, told the workshop. “Young women are discriminated twice, because they are women and because they are young,” Ms Naidu told the workshop. She added that in many circumstances the discrimination faced by young women came from older women, as well as men and boys. For example, pregnant girls face discrimination and in many cases are stigmatised in their communities and at school where often they lose the opportunity to continue their education. The group called for, among other things; The recognition by policy makers of particular cultural, social, political and economic challenges faced by all young women and the double discrimination they face; More support for innovative leadership programmes for young women to enable effective participation in decision-making processes in their homes, communities, and countries; and The provision of a distinct space at national and regional events and inclusion in all official delegations so that their voices can be heard. The workshop concludes today.

POLICE TO FINE RENTAL COMPANIES  [CITV]

Police will fine rental bike companies next week for renting out bikes that have no warrant or annual license as well as to tourists who do not have a driver’s license.They are also asking those whose bikes have been confiscated and involved in accidents to pick up their bikes.

 

PERA GETS SCHOLARSHIP [CITV]

Sam Pera has received a twelve month scholarship worth AU$4,000 under the Samsung Oceania Development Scheme. According to Anne King of Oceania Foundation, this is the 3rd scholarship they have awarded to Pacific Islands. They expect Sam to mentor other athletes and be a good role model in addition to his training.

 

TEREORA TO USE MONGOOSE GYM [CITV]

Tereora students now have use of the Mongoose new gym from 8am to 3pm on school days. The Ara Ora or Pathway to a better life is located in the Princess Anne Hall. Mongoose members will be able to use it from 4pm to 7pm. The Mongoose members decided that the gym would get better use this way. It also makes sense given that it is in the school property. According to George George the rules for gym use are strict – no smoking, drinking or being silly. The gym was funded by Aid Management and CITC bought the equipment with the space being part of Tereora College.

 

NETBALL NITE WITH THE CHAMPS [CITV]

Our netball team arrives on Wednesday and will be hosted to a function that evening at the Tepaki Group. Tickets for this event a night with the champs is $30 from CINA executive members or Janette Browne. Maine Tapairu Joyce Fortes, Katu and Andre Tapena will perform. The girls will also be guests at the Tourism food festival on Thursday, the Vaka Eiva closing on Friday, and at the market on Saturday.

Radio News – Friday 9 November 2007

9am/1pm
ROTARACT NAMES HERMAN NEW PRESIDENT
Rotaract Cook Islands, the youth version of the Rotary Club has announced Anne Herman as their new president. The vice president is Toru Tutai, secretary Christian Mani and Treasurer is Halatoa Fua.
The Club Services Director who maintains an archive of all events Rotaract has done over the years and who will be organising a new website for the club is Sven Hasselman.
The International Services director who keeps an eye on whether their sister clubs overseas need assistance or seeks helps for local projects from them is Tea Peua.
The Community Services Director who tries to identify the needs and activities that Rotaract can be part of is Jayson Axalan.
According to Herman, this year's Xmas in the Ark is at the National Auditorium as the Stadium is undergoing work for the Mini Games. The name ark was chosen as the auditorium looks like an ark and just as well because this year’s theme is ‘animals’.
Herman is asking anyone who would like to be part of fundraiser such as entertainers, stall holders and anyone who wants to be part of the dynamic Rotaract team to call her at ANZ.

NZQA ACCREDITATION FOR 6 TRAINING INSTITUTES [CITV]
The Cook Islands Tertiary Institute was set up yesterday and is the first such accredited institution outside New Zealand and Australia.
According to Awhina Creswell of the DNHRD there are already 6 training institutes here the Teachers Training College, School of Nursing, HTTC, Maritime training school, CI Trade school and Belt Therapy – now these institutes will be able to deliver national certification which is NZQA accredited and internationally recognised.
They will also step up the qualification levels starting February next year.


SHORTY STREET ACTOR PAYS AVISIT [CITV]
Shortland Street actor Robyn Worthington or 'Nurse Carol' as she is known is currently holidaying on our shores. Yesterday being a TV person she couldn’t help herself but turned up to check out CITV’s modest operation. She told CITV that she was what is called a character extra who act as the nurses in the background. She says the trick to making your way up the acting ladder is to do as your told and take direction, if you get noticed you may be asked to do a little bit more. Skill wise she has taken three sets of acting lessons. Originally from a shipping and finance in education background Nurse Carol also owns her own extras company, Profex.
Well Nurse Carol it was really lovely that you could pop into to our humble station and we hope you aren’t mobbed for autographs.

Radio News – Thursday 8 November 2007

9am/1pm
JOYCE DEPARTS TOMORROW MORNING
Maine Tapairu Joyce Fortes and her delegation depart for Samoa tomorrow morning for the Miss South Pacific Pageant. Georgina Keenan will be her official chaperone.
Last night a crowd of 200 got a sneak preview of Joyce’s talent and her national costume both of which were sensational.
The current Miss South Pacific and Miss Cook Islands Krystina Kauvai also performed her talent and made her final presentation. Anna Koteka will be Krystina’s chaperone.

TEPAKI DONATES $5000 TO JOYCE
Tepaki Group last night announced that they have given Joyce $5000 for her personal use. She will use this money to pay her mum’s airfare to Samoa and to pay for any personal expenses that she may incur. Janette Browne of Tepaki Group also announced that her, Georgina and Joyce will travel business class. Tepaki Group has in recent months taken Joyce under their wing in an effort to help in her preparations.

WHO IS UP AGAINST JOYCE
8 contestants have been confirmed to participate but as the Miss South Pacific Website does not get launched until next Wednesday and is still under construction we do not know who all the 8 are.
But we do know 20 year old Miss Tonga - Tessi Leila Toluta'u will be there. Miss Tonga is a Promotional Dancer for the Polynesian Cultural Center at Laie Hawaii & Academic Tutor at Kahuku High School. She is also a Sophomore at Brigham University studying Social Work with a minor in Psychology, hopes to finish in the next two years and continue on into a masters program.
23 year old Miss Australiana/Torres Strait Island Tania Michelle Wieclaw will also be competing. She is currently studying towards a degree in 'Bachelor of Applied Science' and after that will pursue a career in Marine Biology
She was a finalist in the 2007 Miss Earth Australia Pageant.
18 year old Miss Samoa - Sherry Elekana is the youngest contestant and is still a student at Aorere College in New Zealand.
In the future, she would like to study at the Auckland University of Technology pursuing a Bachelor of Sports and Recreation.
21 year of Miss New Zealand International - Kyla Hei Hei is an Early childhood teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Teaching degree in Early Childhood Education and would eventually like to own her own Childhood Centre in New Zealand.
Looks like our girl has her work cut out for her but Joyce has our support and if last night was anything to go by, she was incredibly stunning.
The theme of this year’s pageant is “Strong Islands, Strong Future” and Joyce’s talent reflects that.
The pageant website is www.misssouthpacific.ws. Keep checking it because we will have to vote for Joyce when the site is launched next week for Miss Internet.

10am/2pm
US AMBASSADOR VISITS

The United States Ambassador Mr William McCormick is currently on Rarotonga to pay courtesy calls on the Cook Islands Government and sign two agreements;
· The Memorandum of Agreement concerning Cooperation to Suppress Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances by Sea and

· Memorandum Agreement concerning Cooperation in Joint Maritime Surveillance Operations.
More on this on CITV tonight.

 

Radio News – Tuesday 6 November 2007


9am/1pm

QUALITY & LABOUR AFFECTING MAIRE MARKET [CITV]
Re-stimulating interest in making maire eis was on the agenda for Hawaiian Maire Buyer Dave Thompson who met with the Ministry of Agriculture and maire representatives from Mauke, Mitiaro and Mangaia yesterday.
Thompson told CITV’s Vincent Peters that there is a lack of interest on those islands and its gotten to the point where the islanders have to be motivated to realise the importance and cultural significance of the ei in Hawaii. It is also one of the biggest exports agriculturally.
Thompson has been buying maire from the Cook Islands for 24 years and over the last few years has noticed a significant reduction. As an example he quotes that he bought 42000 eis in 2001 but only received 15000 for 2006.
Kura Guinea the agent on Mauke says that they suffer from a labour problem as most young ones leave the island to come to Rarotonga.
She says that she is trying to entice the school children, girl guides, boys bridgade, and those who are fundraising for trips to get into the industry as maire provides good money. She did stress though that they really need a workforce.
Nane Hudson also spoke with CITV has said that on Mitiaro there are hardly any mamas there as there population had gone down.
Another mama Noo Karena said that the papas have to be encouraged to help the mamas in the picking effort.
The other issue raised at the meeting was the quality of the maire.
According to Guinea, the Mauke maire is fluffy and bushy, the Mitiaro maire is bushy and thin whilst the Mangaia maire has smaller leaves so is generally smaller than the other two. She says that the three islands will try to work together to make all their maire eis near the same quality and that is bushy meaning lots of leaves.
Foreign workers is a consideration but is something that needs to be looked into.
Thompson had to cut his visit here short as when he’s not in Hawaii his business has to close down but says that when he returns in March he will pay the islands a personal visit.


KRYSTINA GRACES ANOTHER MAGAZINE [Press Release TRBR&S]
If there is one thing we are not short of these days is magazine coverage. After featuring in one of the issues of Woman’s Weekly last month, our beauty queen Miss South Pacific Krystina Kauvai, as well as our very own Queen of Puaikura, Tinomana Ruta Ariki are featured in the November/December issue of SPASIFIK.
The photographs were by the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa’s professional photographer Paul Osta.
According to The Rarotongan’s Liz Raizis: “It’s absolutely wonderful to see a leading, award-winning New Zealand publication such as SPASIFIK showcase two of the Cook Islands’ most beautiful, strong and proud women, Tinomana Ariki and Krystina Kauvai.
“Recent international coverage of the asbestos dumping at sea will not have done the image of the Cook Islands much good, but it’s heartening to see this balanced to some extent with some great positive coverage of two very special Cook Islands women. This definitely accentuates one of the Cook Islands most positive qualities, the Cook Islands people.”
Spasifik is available at the Bounty Bookshop.

Radio News – Monday 5 November 2007

9am/1pm
CIRA looking for members
The Cook Islands Research Association is calling on those interested in independent research about the Cook Islands or Cook Islanders to join the association.
Founded on the 30th August the association’s main agreed functions are:
a) An annual research conference to present results of research in any field relevant to the Cook Islands or Cook Islanders (and a workshop on research methods). At this stage this is schedule for early February 2008.
b) A mini-conference each August on research on aspects of the past and present of the Cook Islands.
c) A mini-conference each November on aspects of the future of the Cook Islands or Cook Islanders.
d) A monthly meeting beginning November 2007, at which one person or a panel will present research findings or discuss research proposals.
e) The association would like to help publish research results, particularly those by Cook Islanders, but this will depend on funds and editorial help.
If you are interested then you can pay a yearly $20 membership or $100 for 5 years with treasurer Darrin Walsh at the ANZ.

Rotary donates bins
The Rotary Club have provided new bins to be placed in and around town. The new bins are like those found in shopping malls in New Zealand and Australia.
According to Deyna Marsh of the National Environment Service they are supporting this great initiative and will pay for installation costs.
Seven bins are currently awaiting approval from the CIIC for installation. Marsh says that this will help address the litter problem in town as well as assist the excellent Internal Affairs team that cleans the town every morning.
The bins are expected to be concreted in so that they don’t get stolen.
The NES would just like to ask the public to use the bins wisely and that they are for general litter only. Do not use for retail or household waste. Also do not leave litter outside the bins as it isn’t very nice to look at and it usually attracts dogs.
The bins which are expected to arrive this week will be here just in time for the festive period.

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