Hotel group targets locals
Hotels operation and management Kia Orana Group will invest in Cook Islanders in an effort to keep them in their country. "The population is diminishing and no answers have been provided,” says group chief executive Helen Wong. “We have to ask ourselves - what are we doing about it? "It's our priority to recruit locals and our workers will start on the minimum wage of New Zealand (around NZ$15 per hour)."

The Kia Orana group will manage and operate all accommodation properties built and acquired by the Tepaki Group. Wong says they hope to provide employment and income opportunities for outer islanders through their proposed hotels. She says the group plans to standardize services for the hotels with key décor features made by locals. Tahitian style rau thatching on roofs and tivaevae for the rooms are examples of how they expect to provide opportunities for locals. She says one of two Atiu hotel projects, the Tangaroa Resort complete with a golf course, should provide spin-offs for locals.
Tourism minister Wilkie Rasmussen is due to travel with Tepaki Group representatives to Atiu and Mitiaro where they will share their vision for developing hotels and resorts in the outer islands. Rasmussen is expected to travel with the Kia Orana team to Tahiti next month to visit locations and properties similar to the hotels planned in the Cooks. - HG

‘Survivor’ filmed in Aitutaki
The world-famous reality TV series ‘Survivor’ filmed a complete season on Aitutaki. It has already aired in the United States and is airing at different times in other countries worldwide. The response for the Cook Islands has been a definite increase in Tourism and interest, especially in Aitutaki.
We are always pleased to hear about any positive news and promotions concerning our island and always welcome visitors looking to experience the thrill and beauty of our magnificent natural resources.

Kids’ park opens
Rarotonga's closest thing to a theme park is dusty, loud and a whole lot of fun for the kids.
Raro Rocket Park, a mini motorbike theme park for kids, has been created at the old Panama dumpsite at the back end of the Rarotonga Airport. The park has two mini motorbikes and four mini quad bikes that run on two-stroke petrol.

The new business is owned and operated by Gene and Debbie Hunter. Debbie says the idea came from when two of her children, 14-year-old James and 9-year-old Chelsea, used the old dump area to race their own mini motorbikes. "Kids just started turning up and queuing for a ride," says Debbie. So what initially started as a hobby is now a little family business, and Chelsea is full of helpful information. ”The bikes are called pocket rockets or scramblers," she pipes up. Debbie says that they try to keep the kids as safe as they can by enforcing a speed limit and providing protective gear, including a safety helmet up to the Australian Safety Standard, plus knee-high socks to protect the riders' legs.

Song and dance at the hospital
The Rarotonga Hospital patients and staff were entertained with a concert by Cook Islands singer T'Angelo. The area behind the outpatients’ clinic was temporarily transformed into a concert venue as T'Angelo put on a lively show, joined by musicians Henry Tupou and Jarome. The mamas from Are Pa Metua were also on hand and had a great time dancing along to the music. One of the ladies got extra attention as T'Angelo pulled her up to the 'stage' and serenaded her. It was a great day out for some of the patients and even staff on their lunch breaks.
T'Angelo has been in the country to promote his fifth album Tamaka-Spike.
Hospital director of clinical services Dr Tikaka Henry welcomed T'Angelo and the boys, thanking them for providing a show for the patients and Are Pa Metua, before settling down to enjoy it himself. The audience also got a glimpse of the ukelele talents of Jarome.

Krystina wins regional pageant
Cook Islands national beauty title holder, Krystina Kauvai, recently won the Miss South Pacific beauty pageant in Samoa. Krystina, who had previously won the Miss Tiare title in 2002, will represent one and all at the upcoming South Pacific Games in Apia in August. The competition included other island contestants from Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, New Caledonia and Wallis & Futuna.