This update: 11th March, 2010
A special report by the website author who is a former BBC TV and radio journalist
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The following stories are a summary of stories from Cook Islands News, the daily newspaper of the Cook Islands which is published Monday to Saturday inclusive. Its web site www.cookislandsnews.com is updated weekly, usually on a Thursday (Cook islands time, Friday GMT. The summary is published with the permission of the copyright owners Cook Islands News Ltd. Click on any underlined headlines for the full story on the newpaper's own website
AITUTAKI STATE OF EMERGENCY REVOKED
The state of emergency on Aitutaki has been cancelled, four weeks after the cyclone which hit the island head on causing massive damage to homes and infrastructure. Prime Minister, Jim Marurai said work was now moving into the recovery phase and his government was "totally committed to the social and economic recovery of the island". The priority is to repair or rebuild the hundreds of homes which were severely damaged or destroyed by the cyclone.
The state of emergency on Aitutaki has been cancelled, four weeks after the cyclone which hit the island head on causing massive damage to homes and infrastructure. Prime Minister, Jim Marurai said work was now moving into the recovery phase and his government was "totally committed to the social and economic recovery of the island". The priority is to repair or rebuild the hundreds of homes which were severely damaged or destroyed by the cyclone.
Priority is to repair or rebuild homes
12 MONTH TARGET TO COMPLETE REPAIRS
Repairing and rebuilding homes on Aitutaki is expected to cost more than NZ$15 million (UK£7.1m, US$10.6m, 7.8m Euros). The governments has promised to provide a third of that, with additional funding coming from the New Zealand government and charities. Finance Minister, Wilkie Rasmussen who's the recovery co-ordinator, said the aim was to finish everything in 12 months. Power and water supplies and and public buildings also need millions of pounds of work. Those whose homes were destroyed completely will get grants of NZ$35,000 (UK£16,560, US$24,730, 18,170 Euros) towards rebuilding.
Repairing and rebuilding homes on Aitutaki is expected to cost more than NZ$15 million (UK£7.1m, US$10.6m, 7.8m Euros). The governments has promised to provide a third of that, with additional funding coming from the New Zealand government and charities. Finance Minister, Wilkie Rasmussen who's the recovery co-ordinator, said the aim was to finish everything in 12 months. Power and water supplies and and public buildings also need millions of pounds of work. Those whose homes were destroyed completely will get grants of NZ$35,000 (UK£16,560, US$24,730, 18,170 Euros) towards rebuilding.
GOVERNMENT 'VEERING AWAY FROM CHINESE SUPPORT'
The government is set to turn down a loan of NZ$37.5 million (UK£17.7m, US$26.5m, 19.4m Euros) for road and water supply upgrades on Rarotonga. And the Finance Minister said it's not just because of the strain it would put on the already fragile economy. He explained the country may be "veering away from Chinese support". Recent major projects built and funded by China include the courthouse and police headquarters, both of which have been plagued by construction and maintenance problems.
The government is set to turn down a loan of NZ$37.5 million (UK£17.7m, US$26.5m, 19.4m Euros) for road and water supply upgrades on Rarotonga. And the Finance Minister said it's not just because of the strain it would put on the already fragile economy. He explained the country may be "veering away from Chinese support". Recent major projects built and funded by China include the courthouse and police headquarters, both of which have been plagued by construction and maintenance problems.
No more Chinese funded projects like the court building?
'DRINK-DRIVING ATTITUDES MUST CHANGE' AFTER TV PRESENTER'S DEATH
The Islands' police chief is appealing for a change of attitude to drink-driving and speeding after the death of a 19 year old local TV news presenter. Tamarii Pierre (left) was killed last Saturday when the car in which he was a back seat passenger crashed into a power pole at Blackrock on Rarotonga. The 18 year old driver has been charged with drink driving and could face other charges.
The Islands' police chief is appealing for a change of attitude to drink-driving and speeding after the death of a 19 year old local TV news presenter. Tamarii Pierre (left) was killed last Saturday when the car in which he was a back seat passenger crashed into a power pole at Blackrock on Rarotonga. The 18 year old driver has been charged with drink driving and could face other charges.
MAJOR ROLE FOR TEXT MESSAGES IN TSUNAMI ALERTS
Mass text messaging and emails will play a major role in alerting islanders to the risk of a future tsunami. It's one of the new ways to speed up response to an imminent or potential risk, according to a report by the Emergency Management Committee in the wake of the warning on 27 February following the undersea earthquake off Japan. The Committee will also look at using sirens, and signs identifying safe and unsafe areas throughout the Islands.
HEALTH CLINIC REOPENS AFTER MAJOR FACELIFT
The Tupapa community health clinic on Rarotonga has re-opened after a NZ$100,000 facelift. It now includes a dedicated HIV/STI office, two doctors rooms, a mental health clinic, counselling services, and adolescent and reproductive health services. The work has been paid for in part by The Global Fund which fights AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Mass text messaging and emails will play a major role in alerting islanders to the risk of a future tsunami. It's one of the new ways to speed up response to an imminent or potential risk, according to a report by the Emergency Management Committee in the wake of the warning on 27 February following the undersea earthquake off Japan. The Committee will also look at using sirens, and signs identifying safe and unsafe areas throughout the Islands.
HEALTH CLINIC REOPENS AFTER MAJOR FACELIFT
The Tupapa community health clinic on Rarotonga has re-opened after a NZ$100,000 facelift. It now includes a dedicated HIV/STI office, two doctors rooms, a mental health clinic, counselling services, and adolescent and reproductive health services. The work has been paid for in part by The Global Fund which fights AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
