today's headlines

COOK IS NEWS Tuesday 15 March 2005

:: Two years to stand on own feet - Pukapuka GR

Pukapuka and Nassau may have to rely on government and donor help for food and provisions for at least the next two years, according to the government representative on Pukapuka. :: Lack of fuel stalls UN assessors United Nations assessors will return to Samoa this Thursday without visiting Pukapuka and Nassau due to the non-availability of fuel on the island for any flight this week. :: Nikao school prefects invested The line-up of prefects for Nikao Maori primary school invested with their badges at a special assembly yesterday morning. :: Depression causes heavy rain on Raro A convergence zone as well as a tropical depression in the area is causing havoc with the weather in Rarotonga. :: Budget stalls on Civil List Parliament hit a snag during debate over the supplementary budget yesterday, with the leader of the opposition Dr Terepai Maoate, moving a motion that money earmarked for the Civil List go towards relief efforts in Pukapuka and Nassau. :: government spending not damaging economy The five cyclones that affected the Cook Islands in February and March and the recent supplementary budget has given rise to debate about economic management, according to Paul McGuire, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance and Economic Management :: Official Information Bill finished The drafting of the Official Information Bill is completed and ready to be submitted to cabinet for approval. :: Tahitian Princess due on Thursday The sight of a passenger cruise liner off Avarua should be one of many more to come in the near future. :: Arorangi donate goods to Pukapuka Pupils and staff at Arorangi primary school will pass on items donated to them, to Pukapuka high school, following cyclone Percy. :: More interest in nursing needed Health secretary Vaine Teokotai says new student nurses have not yet been selected for this year's intake which was to begin this month. :: Manihiki keen to attend celebrations Manihiki's new MP Henry Puna says that the island is ready to take part in this year's 40th Constitution celebrations. :: Training for Pacific Blue handlers Air Rarotonga has been appointed ground handlers for the Pacific Blue carrier which begins flights into Rarotonga this week. www.cookislandsnews.com updates Wednesdays.