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Two-way sharing key to discussions
US$300,000 for elderly and disabled
Pork trotter not cricket
Slow start
Positive tone for todays talks
Police arrest 2 youths for home raid
High level talks begin today
Aitutaki keen to host retreat
Parliament opens mid-Feb
Treat it as spam: CI Tourism
Muri people say no one is listening
74 receive permanent residency
14 to get PR in Aitutaki
Toxic email the talk of the town
Sea Scouts ready to set sail on Southern Cross
Returning Cook Islanders cited for crimes
Police nab thieves, burglars
93 to pledge loyalty
Two-way sharing key to discussions
Wed
1 Feb
Share was the buzzword of the day at the keystone meeting of a Cook Islands governments two-day powwow that brought together its heads with representatives of its major development partners.
More than 40 people took part in the roundtable meeting held in Rarotonga yesterday with at least as many watching on as the Cook Islands dug through its development progress to date and made proposals for future ideas.
Every one of the ministers who form the Cook Islands Party cabinet stopped by the conference, held at the Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa, to take in some of the discussion and meet with their main development partners.
No major announcements of new funding or projects were made on the day, but that was no surprise.
Minister for Finance and Economic Management Mark Brown, who chaired the meeting, said the day was all about discourse, discussions and dialogue, with a healthy hint of debate.
Deputy Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen attended the event, knocking it as having too much chit-chat and not enough substance.
Some of the participants, however, disagreed.
When Cook Islands News informally surveyed the room, the response was generally one of great positivity and encouragement.
The participants came together from across the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand, as well as Asia and Europe.
They represented foreign governments, inter-governmental groups, international banks and other regional bodies from the private and public sector.
Together, they are the Cook Islands major development partners who offer the country millions in grants, funding and aid.
The Cook Islands and its participants were trying to move away from that word, aid, however.
They said the emphasis is well and truly on development, not handouts, that will benefit the Cook Islands and the donor partner.
This type of partnership is a win-win, minister Brown explained. The Cook Islands can expand on projects without incurring debt and the donors can see their contributions being well used.
US$300,000 for elderly and disabled
Wed
1 Feb
Funding amounting to US$300,000 has been made available for home and nursing care services for the elderly and disabled people of the Cook Islands.
The money will enable three national pilot schemes to go ahead. All non-government and community-based organisations with experience in delivering programmes for the elderly and disabled are being invited to submit applications to access the available funding.
Applications for funding opened on Monday and will close on March 30.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) has provided grants totalling US$3 million to the Cook Islands, Marshall Islands and Tonga under the Social Protection of the Vulnerable in the Pacific Programme.
The Cook Islands received US$900,000 to count toward the following three areas a) funding for home care and nursing services, b) national consultation of the social welfare review and c) the development
of a national social protection safety net and the drafting of a Pacific document to be launched at a regional conference next year.
ADB-JFPR national manager Debbie Ave says this is a unique opportunity for non-government and community-based organisations to access funds for the development of much-needed services for the elderly and disabled, which have been identified as one of the most disadvantaged group of citizens in the Cook Islands.
With an ageing population and the breakdown of traditional safety nets such as families taking care of their mamas and papas, partially as a result of out-migration and smaller families to share the responsibility, it is essential we plan for the future, she said.
She noted it is important that the community recognise and adapt to the changes happening in our society.
Providing these services is the first step to better meet the needs of our more vulnerable in our communities, Ave said.
Application forms, criteria and guidelines are available from Destiny Tara-Tolevu at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
She can be reached at destiny-jfpr@intaff.gov.ck or 29370 ext 251.
Pork trotter not cricket
Wed
1 Feb
Four Aitutaki men have landed themselves in hot water over the theft of a pig carcass from a cricket team, with all set to be sentenced next month over the heist.
A 17-year-old youth and a 19-year-old man both pleaded guilty to the thefts at Aitutaki court this week over the January incident.
The two stole the carcass and a box of chops from a Rarotonga cricket team (Muri Creeps) that was visiting the island earlier this month.
Their case was adjourned in front of Justice of the Peace Tamatoa Ariki and the pair will appear before the court again on February 9 for sentencing.
Both are subject to a number of bail conditions, including not to be abroad from 7pm to 7am; not to enter liquor licensed premises; not to purchase and consume alcohol; and not to associate with each other.
Two men also faced charges of receiving stolen goods for attempting to receive the stolen carcass.
Both men also pleaded guilty to the charges and will reappear in court on February 9.
One of the men, who faced two charges of receiving stolen goods, was given the same bail conditions as the men who stole the carcass.
In a separate case, two men faced Aitutaki court on charges of burglary relating to an incident at Samade Bar in which alcohol and a sum of money was stolen.
The men were convicted to three months imprisonment and 12 months probation.
The men were also ordered to pay $1291 worth of restitution to Samade Bar and $30 in court fees.
Meanwhile, another man was convicted over a case of wilful damage in which he damaged 14 coconut trees at an Amuri property.
The man was ordered to pay $700 for the damage, was fined $100 and will pay $30 in court fees.
Slow start
Tue
31 Jan
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Apii Nikao Maori students and best buddies Duane Matapo (left) and Mataira Heather were all smiles as they swept the dust from their classroom yesterday ready for a year of fun learning!
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Apii Nikao Maori principal Terangi Elika is expecting classrooms at her Nikao school to fill up over the next week after a low turnout on the first day of school yesterday.
While numbers were low on day one Elika was thrilled with the 30 pre-school students who were all smiles on their first day of school.
Last year, 127 students attended Apii Nikao Maori and Elika is hoping for the same numbers this year.
She is especially keen to build the number of intermediate and senior students at the school.
The lower grades from pre-school to grade 3 have always enjoyed high numbers and Elika puts this down to the environment of the school.
As well as having a strong Maori language and culture aspect at the school a fun learning environment at the school has always been fostered.
If children are comfortable and enjoying themselves they will learn more, says Elika.
They wont learn if teachers are too mean or grumpy.
Elika also pointed out that the low numbers on day one of school at Nikao is because kids know that the first day is usually spent cleaning classrooms and the school yard.
Elika says that enrolment for new students at the school will be open for some time and she encourages parents who want their children to learn in a fun environment to enrol their kids at Apii Nikao Maori.
Positive tone for todays talks
Tue
31 Jan
The Cook Islands government yesterday concluded a series of bilateral discussions with its
development partners stating the talks had set a very positive tone for todays roundtable meeting.
Development partners, including representatives of New Zealand, Australia, the European Union, the Asian Development Bank and China, met separately with Cook Islands government officials throughout the day to find priorities for todays roundtable meeting.
Prime Minister Henry Puna said yesterdays meetings were aimed at determining the focus of todays major meeting so that it would focus on issues of mutual interest and overlap.
Puna said improved coordination of effort and support by development partners in the Cook Islands, clarity of funding flows into the country over the next five years and development partner priorities and new programmes of assistance were all broad areas of discussion.
Multi-agency partnerships and joined up national programmes, and the countrys new Official Development Assistance policy were also raised, Puna said.
Particular emphasis was placed on our priorities including water services and renewable energy and how our development partners could best assist and support us in those two areas.
More discussion on these as well as the National Sustainable Development Plan, and the review of the publi c sector will
occur at the Round Table Meeting tomorrow, Puna said yesterday.
As well as development partners involved in the bilateral discussions, representatives from Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, World Health Organisation, Food and Agriculture Organisation, the University of the South Pacific, South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Applied Geoscience & Technology Division (SOPAC), and United Nations Development Programme will also be present at tomorrows roundtable meeting.
Last night, participants of todays meeting were due to attend an informal networking event for development partner representatives to meet with heads of ministries, representatives of civil society organisations and the private sector.
Police arrest 2 youths for home raid
Tue
31 Jan
Cook Islands Police Commissioner Maara Tetava is stressing to Cook Islands youth that crime is not and will never be the answer to earning a living.
His comments come after police arrested two young men on Friday and jointly charged them for the burglary last week on the home of Ronnie and Loretta Siulepa in Rangiura.
Siulepa went public with his gut wrenching ordeal of someone sneaking into his home as he and his wife Loretta slept robbing them of their valuables.
Siulepa woke before the burglars got take any more of their belongings and gave chase before the burglar sped off on a motorbike.
Angry and disappointed Siulepa took to popular social media network site Facebook to vent his frustration and garner the support of his online friends in tracking and bringing the burglars to justice.
Tetava says that as a result of ongoing police operations into burglaries and dishonest offences the two young men aged 17 and 18 were arrested in relation to the burglary on the Siulepa family home.
The youths are unemployed and live in Avarua.
Tetava says that police are contemplating laying further charges on the two youths who appeared in court on Saturday and were released on bail to appear again in court on February 9.
Detectives are working with property owners to identify goods recovered when the two youths were arrested.
It is disappointing to note that some young people are still choosing crime over hard work to earn a living, says Tetava.
Crime is not and will never be the answer.
My team is determined to continue working hard with our partners to find ways to break the cycle and steer our at-risk youth from a life in crime.
Public support and information from the general public are important aspects of police work and local officers are encouraging people to report dodgy characters and dealings going on in your neighborhood.
High level talks begin today
Mon
30 Jan
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Tuiloma Neroni Slade.
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A two-day meeting between Cook Islands officials and representatives from its development partners in New Zealand, Australia, China, India, the European Union, the Pacific and other regions begins today.
The meetings, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, include a number of bilateral discussions with about 30 representatives from governments, international authorities, regional non governmental organisations and tertiary institutions.
Beginning this morning, the representatives will attend a series of closed and open meetings, networking events and roundtable discussions on the economic and structural development of the Cook Islands.
Among the bodies represented are the World Health Organisation, the Asian Development Bank, the New Zealand Aid Programme, AusAID, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), United Nations Development Programme, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and more.
Prime Minister Henry Puna and Minister of Finance and Economic Management Mark Brown will participate in tomorrows roundtable discussion.
Puna said the meetings will be used to help build relationships between the Cook Islands public sector, private sector and civil societies and the Cook Islands developmental partners.
More than 60 people are expected to attend tomorrows roundtable discussion.
The Pacific Forum Secretariat is also taking part in this weeks discussions, with secretary-general Tuiloma Neroni Slade in attendance.
Puna says the number of development partners has risen four-fold in a decade, bringing with it the need to encourage more joint approaches, shared planning and implementation cycles to improve coordination and better deliver development impact.
Greater use of national systems that reduce administration costs (such as project management) is also amongst a range of issues likely to arise in discussions with development partners.
Puna says there is also a need to encourage partners to focus on long term sustainable impact by building local capacity, and working more effectively with government and national stakeholders to facilitate better informed and faster decision making.
Aitutaki keen to host retreat
Mon
30 Jan
Aitutaki member of parliament Teina Bishop says the people of Aitutaki are 150 percent supportive of the proposal to host Pacific Islands Forum leaders on One Foot Island in August.
Were 150 percent supportive we just cant wait, Bishop said yesterday.
The Aitutaki community met with Bishop, mayor John Baxter and retreat coordinator Mike Henry last Thursday to start planning for the August retreat.
Henry has been officially appointed coordinator of the Aitutaki leaders retreat, and says that in his view Thursdays meeting went very, very well.
The island is supportive of hosting the forum and looking forward to it as not only an opportunity to host the leaders but because the world media will be following it, Henry said.
Given leaders from New Zealand and Australia will be attending the retreat, Henry expects that international media both television and print will be attending.
We will use that opportunity to showcase Aitutaki and all her wondrous glory, he said.
It will not be the first time Pacific leaders have visited Aitutaki for the forum.
Tai Tango Herman remembers rushing to put the finishing touches on vaka Titi-Ai-Tonga in the early 1990s in preparation for the Pacific Islands Forum. Bishop also recalls that forum, and says his family hosted Pacific leaders in their hut on One Foot Island.
I had to rush to get my hut ready on One Foot to accommodate the lunch, Bishop recalls.
Parliament opens mid-Feb
Mon
30 Jan
The next session of parliament has been unofficially scheduled for February 15.
Parliamentary services clerk Nga Valoa says he cannot confirm a date as yet, but Cook Islands News understands that the deadline for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management to confirm the workings of the supplementary budget is February 15.
The budget is likely to be the most important piece of business to feature in discussions at the next sitting, and is due to be tabled then for consideration and adoption.
Parliamentary services are required to give members of parliament seven days notice of an impending session.
Treat it as spam: CI Tourism
Sat
28 Jan
Claims made in an email aimed at blowing the lid on the Cook Islands tourism industry are misleading at best and should be treated as spam, says Cook Islands Tourism Corporation chief executive Carmel Beattie.
Beattie said it was best to ignore the email, as international tourism representatives were sure to be doing, and stick to doing what the Cook Islands does best being a relaxing, fun and welcoming tourist destination.
Other people are offering a more cutting review of the man behind it, describing him as just another internet crackpot with a personal vendetta.
In the email, which was sent to scores of Cook Islands government figures as well as the police, tourism industry members and the media, the man said he was aiming to reveal the Crooked Islands as a less than desirable location for travel.
In no less than 25 separate websites which have not yet been launched the man said he would be targeting everything from the monkey, tribal government to the frequency at which roosters crow.
Beattie said that the corporation was aware of the email being circulated and the aspersions it was casting on the Cook Islands and its people.
She said she and the corporation was saddened that the person behind the email has decided he would go to such lengths to try to ruin the countrys tourism industry.
We are saddened that an individual would write such a negative and judgemental email and attempt to impact our future tourism potential by sending it to others, she said.
Many of the claims made in this email are misleading at best or patently untrue. We know, however that most people receiving this email would be likely to dismiss it and delete it as spam.
In the meantime, here in the Cook Islands, we will continue as usual with the business of living productive, community oriented lives and work together to ensure that for our visitors, a Cook Islands holiday delivers the best in relaxation, fun and involvement with a strong, welcoming community.
In the last year alone, 112,446 people chose to holiday in the Cook Islands and their positive feedback continues to inspire others to join us for their break from big city life.
We encourage our community leaders and tourism operators to remain focused on continuing to deliver wonderful products and services for our visitors.
If we work together to look after our country and the visitors to our shores, we can ensure that Cook Island families and their communities benefit now and in the future.
Muri people say no one is listening
Sat
28 Jan
Muri residents say they have given up hope that the Ministry of Health will take action to address their collective complaints about the smell coming from John Scotts poultry farm.
Resident Mann Short says he and his neighbours have been making noise, but are being ignored and rebuffed by authorities.
He says he is still planning to stage a live protest outside the farm, but is awaiting the ministrys promised survey results before rallying the troops.
Were going to rally up the small village we have, but were just waiting to see what theyre going to do, Short said yesterday.
One Muri woman, who has spoken to Cook Islands News before but only in confidence, says she and her neighbours have given up.
Ive given up they wont do anything. We might as well wait some more years, she said yesterday. You just give up complaining because no one is listening. What can we do?
Director of community health services Dr Rangi Fariu told Cook Islands News this week that the ministry would release the results of a survey it conducted earlier this month, the aim of which was to determine whether Muri residents were suffering as a result of the smell.
Despite repeated promises to share its findings with Cook Islands News, the ministry this week said it wanted to speak with farm owner John Scott about them first.
Dr Fariu said earlier this week that he was planning to meet with Scott and secretary of health Tupou Faireka as minister of health Nandi Glassie is away in Geneva at present yesterday.
He said only after that meeting would he be authorised to speak to Cook Islands News about the results of his teams survey and subsequent site inspections.
But yesterday he said the meeting never went ahead, as Scott left the country on Thursday night.
I have emailed him a copy of our findings he comes back next Saturday and we have a meeting scheduled for next Monday, Dr Fariu said yesterday before he left for Mangaia.
Neighbours say that while the smell is less intense than it was a few weeks ago, still it lingers.
At the moment its not as bad it comes and goes depending on the wind, Short said.
Scott has told Cook Islands News that he was treating farm waste with an odour-reducing microbial culture, but some neighbours are convinced that the only reason the smell has improved is because of the direction of the wind.
It will be back, Short said.
74 receive permanent residency
Fri
27 Jan
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After a short ceremony and years of waiting, 74 men and women were officially given their permanent residency certificates in Rarotonga yesterday.
In a first for the Cook Islands, the ceremony was dedicated to the spouses of Cook Islanders and people who were already granted a permanent residents status.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Immigration Tom Marsters described the day as an historic moment for the Cook Islands, as it was recognising the contributions spouses made to the country.
People of 12 different nationalities took part in the ceremony, held at the National Auditorium.
The overwhelming majority are New Zealanders, but Australians, Fijians, a Samoan and a Tongan joined their Kiwi counterparts yesterday.
Others came from further away, with an American citizen included in the ranks, who was joined by a small group from the United Kingdom, some from France, two from the Philippines, a Canadian, a Spanish woman and an Irish man.
Paddy Lynch can now count himself as the newest Irish Islander to walk this earth.
Incidentally, he can also count himself as being the longest-serving spouse of the group at yesterdays ceremony.
Lynch, his wife Ngati Tinomana Napa, and his family have waited since 1957 for Paddy to receive his PR certificate.
Marsters pointed out the 55-year marriage to the crowd, drawing a round of applause for Lynch and his wife.
So thats another great example of a long and successful Cook Islands marriage, Marsters said.
We have other long marriages in this group before us. I note Tauei and Lynne Solomon 50 years marriage.
And I note Glynne and Dora Evans 48 years. There are numerous others who have been married more than 40 years.
To those married more recently than that, we can all agree, that these are a great example and tribute to you all.
One by one, the Cook Islands welcomed its new residents through representatives Marsters and his wife, Prime Minister Henry Puna and his wife, the Queens Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin and Lady Goodwin, Deputy Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen, House of Ariki president Travel Tou Ariki, Koutu Nui president Maria Henderson, and Religious Advisory Council president Danny Williams.
Once off the stage, family and friends of the recipients greeted each other with hugs, kisses and plenty of eis the first they had received as permanent residents of the Cook Islands.
Related stories: 18 more names; PR the greatest honour; Irelands islander takes his time; Boxer flies CI colours; Cricket captain given PR; Double meaning; 74 spouses awarded permanent residency; Stay here and...stay married; 14 to get PR in Aitutaki
14 to get PR in Aitutaki
Fri
27 Jan
Fourteen more spouses of Cook Islanders and permanent residents are due to receive their permanent residency certificates in Aitutaki in two weeks time.
The Ministry of Immigration has 20 more people listed as approved to receive their PR certificated in addition to the 74 that were presented with them in Rarotonga yesterday.
The ministry approved 94 cases in total, adding one more to a list publicised earlier this week through Mary Ann Terei, who was approved for PR status in 2008 and attended yesterdays ceremony.
Four successful applicants were due to appear in Rarotongas ceremony, but were unable to due to overseas commitments.
A separate PR ceremony is being organised for Thursday, February 9 for the 14 Aitutaki recipients, with the specifics of the programme yet to be finalised.
Added to all this are two other pa enua recipients, one in Atiu and one in Mangaia, who were not able to attend the ceremony in Rarotonga.
Related stories: 18 more names; PR the greatest honour; Irelands islander takes his time; Boxer flies CI colours; Cricket captain given PR; Double meaning; 74 spouses awarded permanent residency; Stay here and...stay married; 74 receive permanent residency
Toxic email the talk of the town
Fri
27 Jan
A malicious, scathing review of the Cook Islands from a self-described online investigative company is attempting to blow the lid on the tourism industry and the country as a whole.
A man claiming to be speaking on behalf of the companys chief executive officer emailed a written warning to a string of top Cook Islands officials from various government agencies, police, restaurant, tourism accommodations and media outlets.
Cook Islands News has reason to believe the threat originates from an American who visited the Cook Islands late last year and had several run-ins with local residents during his stay.
In the emailed warning, the writer is threatening the imminent launch of no less than 25 websites dedicated to exposing the Cook Islands.
The writer says everything in the Cook Islands will be in his aim, from the political system, to the police force, the demeanour of the people, health standards, quality of food, sexually transmitted diseases, the frequency of diarrhoea in the population, the pricing system, alcoholism, religion, relations with the white man, the frequent crowing of roosters, bikes with mufflers missing, fish poisoning and much more.
The aim of the websites, overall, is to bring down the tourism industry in the Crooked Islands, the man said.
I expect we can drop tourism this year by more than 50 per cent! the CEO says in praise of his investigators at the end of the email.
The email is littered with toxic and racist remarks throughout and websites linked in the body of the email show the company is particularly focused on harming the reputation of one Cook Islands man in particular.
At those websites, articles slandering the Cook Islands man have up to 80 comments attached to them.
Although the website claims those comments are from different people, a consistent, poor standard of English and the same noxious voice link most together as being written by the same author.
In the email, the investigator said his homework had well and truly been done. In fact, he said he had visited every single tourism accommodation and restaurant on the island.
When prompted by Cook Islands News to identify his company or himself, the writer of the email refused to share any details.
CINews has decided not to name the mans company or give addresses for the websites so that he will not receive more publicity through this story.
The email has been sent to so many people that Sonny Williams, master of ceremonies at yesterdays permanent residency ceremony, made comment on it while in front of the microphone.
Williams said he was sure many had read the email already and many more would in the future.
Showing the attitude many have in response to the email disbelief, surprise and a little pity Williams said the man had come to the conclusion that the Cook Islands was a bad place.
You all obviously know something that the writer of this email doesnt know, he told the 74 people accepting their certificates of permanent residency yesterday.
Because you have chosen to go the other way, he said with a smile.
Sea Scouts ready to set sail on Southern Cross
Thu
26 Jan
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The Avarua Harbour Sea Scouts took to the ocean blue yesterday skipper
Paul Green offered to take them out on SV Southern Cross for a bit of a sunset
sail. Led by Maara Vaiimene, the scouts have been together as a group for
about two years now.
Returning Cook Islanders cited for crimes
Thu
26 Jan
Repeat offenders, delinquent youths with no parental control and returning Cook Islanders with criminal history are being blamed for burglaries, thefts and other crimes across Rarotonga.
Crimes such as theft and burglary continue to plague Rarotonga residents and visitors with some victims saying thieves and burglars are becoming more brazen.
While many point the finger at kids committing such crimes as burglaries, Police Commissioner Maara Tetava says that crimes being committed are not only by youth but people in their late 20s and 30s.
Tetava says that through police investigations they have found out that a number of burglars caught are returning Cook Islanders with criminal histories.
We believe we know and have caught a lot of the offenders who are responsible for the crimes. Most of them have been fronted up in court and some of these people are returned Cook Islanders who have committed crimes overseas and have returned home recently.
Others, Tetava says, are known offenders that police have dealt with in the past and who have served time and been released.
Others are delinquents we have dealt with in the past and continue to deal with today.
We have sought the support of families, some have tried to help, but others arent able to do so as they have lost parental control over these youths and delinquents.
He adds that the Community Team division of Cook Islands Police has been working hard on doing the best it can to steer these people away from crime by finding them jobs, training and extended family support.
We commend those in the community including businesses that are helping by offering work and other support to some of these offenders. Sadly, other people are happy to sit on the fence and criticise police for any crime that occurs without lifting a hand to help.
Tetava says that despite criticism from the public, police are committed to reducing crime and its impact.
We are committed to reducing crime and its impact on our country through an active prevention and awareness programme, working hard with our community partners, working equally hard on enforcement, restorative programmes and prosecution.
We have strong support from government and some community partners, but we need a whole lot more support from others in the community for us to make the impact that we all desire which is a safer place for all of us.
Tetava adds that local police are implementing and exploring ways to deliver effective awareness and prevention programmes and working with community groups to address this issue.
If people are not happy with police action or lack of action, I urge them to report this to me so that the appropriate action can be taken and their concerns are dealt with.
Police nab thieves, burglars
Thu
26 Jan
Thirteen people between the ages of 15 and 31 will face burglary charges for offences at businesses, visitor accommodation and residential premises.
Cook Islands police report that in an operation that has been ongoing since late last year, 14 burglary cases as well as instances of unlawful taking of a vehicle and being unlawfully found on premises have been cleared by officers.
One woman and 12 men between the ages of 15 and 31 will be prosecuted for these cases. This includes three people who will be charged for receiving stolen property.
Police report that detectives are working with people whose premises were burgled or property stolen to identify properties recovered by police.
The hard work that this team has done so far is commendable, says commissioner Maara Tetava. They have more to do in getting the files ready for prosecution.
We are determined to pursue those people who are intent on disrupting the lives of our people and our visitors by committing crimes against them, and to bring them to justice.
Tetava adds that as information is the lifeblood of police work, police are calling on the community to connect with them.
Call us, if you have information, it does not matter how small that information is. It may just be the missing link in our crime intelligence picture that would lead to solving a case or cases.
93 to pledge loyalty
Thu
26 Jan
The Cook Islands permanent residency list will grow by almost 100 people by midday today.
Ninety-three people are set to be granted their PR status in a ceremony beginning at 10.30am at the National Auditorium.
All in the group are spouses of Cook Islanders or permanent residents.
Queens Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin, Prime Minister Henry Puna and deputy prime minister and immigration minister Tom Marsters will attend the ceremony.
At todays ceremony, the people set to receive their PR certificates will make a declaration in front of Sir Frederick saying they will be faithful to the Queen and Cook Islands law while respecting the customs, traditions, usages and values of the people of the Cook Islands.
Related stories: 18 more names; PR the greatest honour; Irelands islander takes his time; Boxer flies CI colours; Cricket captain given PR; Double meaning; 74 spouses awarded permanent residency; Stay here and...stay married; 74 receive permanent residency; 14 to get PR in Aitutaki
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