Under current laws businesses cannot be held accountable for ensuring the safety of their patrons and preventing violent outbreaks in or around their premises. However, Attorney-General Graham Leung says that section 72 of the existing law requires the licensee of nightclubs not to permit drunkenness or riotous behaviour on their premises. “The Liquor (Amendment) Act 2023 amended the permitted hours for the sale/supply of liquor however existing provisions in the Act …. provide avenues for prevention of potential acts of violence,” Mr Leung explained. “Under the Liquor Act, a licensee of a bar or nightclub must not sell or supply liquor to anyone who has already bought a reasonable amount of liquor which they have yet to consume. A licensee who fails to observe this law commits an offence, and liable to a fine of up to $500. It is also an offence for a licensee to supply liquor to...

November’s 2024 visitor arrivals and migration numbers are continuing on a positive trend, driving a solid economic recovery in the Cook Islands. Visitor numbers reached 13,419, showing a 7.7% increase over last year, with notable rises from Australia, Europe, and the USA. Beyond tourism, the return of 732 Cook Islanders and a net gain of 1,322 migrants highlight a transformative period for the country. This shift marks a reversal from previous years’ net losses, as more Cook Islanders choose to return home, contributing to the nation’s evolving economic landscape. This growth signifies a stepping stone for broader economic recovery, driving demand for more workers and creating business opportunities for Cook Islanders. Compared to New Zealand’s modest economic pace and Australia’s challenges in resource sectors, the Cook Islands is beginning to capture the global attention and attract Cook Islanders back home. The ripple effects of these shifts are most evident in...

JANUARY SOL2023 Pacific Games will go down the history of our country as the first-ever premier sporting regional competition to be hosted in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The event was first hosted in Suva, Fiji in 1963, about sixty years ago. Solomon Islands only managed to host the mini-games, but not like the scale that was hosted over two weeks in Honiara from 19th November to 2nd December 2023. More than 5000 athletes converged into Honiara for the exciting sporting showdown. +++++++++++++++++++++++ GOVERNOR General (GG) His Excellency Sir David Vunagi has expressed sincere thanks to our bilateral partners for stepping in to support build the sports facilities for the Sol2023. Their help has resulted in the country’s successful hosting of the historic Sol2023 Pacific Games in Honiara from 19th November to 2nd December 2023. In his New Year’s message Sir Vunagi said, “when Solomon Islands was granted the hosting rights for...

Thousands of drivers continue to be caught on camera using their phones while at the wheel – but one man has outdone all others. RPT

An urgent call has been made by an animal shelter to track down the person or persons who are deliberately burning horses in Wailoaloa. The Horse Sanctuary said it has discovered a third horse today that has been purposely burned. “Does anyone know who might be doing this. We need the authorities to help find the evil person that is doing this to horses,” the Horse Sanctuary said in a social media post. Animals Fiji has provided antibiotics and pain relief for a female horse. “This poor girl will be on her way to the Sanctuary tomorrow morning.” “In the meantime, please help us find the person who is doing this to the horses.’ RPT

A Mauke woman takes part in the traditional games held on Saturday. SUPPLIED/24122721 The people of Mauke celebrated Christmas with a week of festivities, including traditional sports, netball, touch rugby, volleyball, a night market and a string band competition, culminating in a fireworks display last night. Nicolea Mateariki reports. Mauke kicked off its Christmas celebrations last Saturday with exciting sporting activities organised by their Member of Parliament, Stephen Matapo, and his wife, Tina Matapo, in collaboration with Aunty Nane Papa and the Mauke Enua Sports Association. Traditional sports were held on Saturday with a list of activities including Oro Taonga (carrying coconuts tied to a stick on the shoulders), Kake Rore (stilts race), Tupakere (juggling lime), Rere Pute (sack race), Ranga’ranga (weaving) and U’uti taura (tug of war). The teams were divided among the three villages on Mauke – Areora, Ngatiarua and Kimiangatau. Mauke kicked off its Christmas...

Western Provincial Premier Billy Veo has visited China’s Fujian Province as part of deepening their new found sister relationship. Both provinces struck up their ties early this year and the visit by Premier was the first for him to meet with the Fujian provincial administration. Mr. Zhao Long, Governor of Fujian Provincial People’s Government met with the delegation, and reached consensus with the Premier on deepening sister-province cooperation, a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy of Solomon Islands said. During his stay, Premier Veo visited China-Pacific Island Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, fishing factories, tea workshops and villages to discuss poverty alleviation practices with friends from Fujian, the statement said. The visit by Premier Veo also coincided with a visit led by Deputy Director General of Foreign Affairs for the Fujian Provincial People’s Government, Chen Guoquan. He led the delegation to Gizo and...

The man had been rescuing a group of children from rough waters at a beach before he drowned. RPT

A 19-year-old accused of raping a then 11-year-old girl has pleaded guilty. He appeared earlier this month before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere on a charge of rape. The accused, who was 16 at the time of the offence, allegedly raped the victim between January 1, 2021 and December 1 the same year in Lami. He had his charges read out to him in iTaukei and also denied being forced or intimidated to plead guilty. Prosecution lawyer Katarina Dugan requested 14 days to file and furnish a summary of the facts. The man’s lawyer argued it was a normal practice for bail to be revoked once the proposed summary of facts had been agreed to. Justice Tuiqereqere, however, indicated there was a likelihood of the accused being given a custodial sentence since he had pleaded guilty. Bail for the accused was revoked and he was remanded in custody. The case has been...

An image captured from the seabed mining awareness advertisement being launched in the New Year. TIS/24122701/24122702 Today’s article is contributed by Te Ipukarea Society president, and Ocean Ancestors advocate, June Hosking, currently living in Mauke. At home in Mauke the news from Rarotonga continues to frustrate as a mining company sponsors yet another community event, on their mission to win people over. Are people aware that we have ex diamond mining and oil industry people exploring our seabed? How can they have a lasting affinity for this precious place we call home – the only home we have? How is it that two Americans, intimately involved with a company holding a Cook Islands seabed minerals exploration licence, are directors of a Cook Islands traditional arts group? These people are closely associated with a company that sued Mexico for over US$2 billion, under a law associated with the North American...