Kia Orana! This section features generic and important notices for the GENERAL PUBLIC in the Cook Islands. The notices are from across the COOK ISLANDS GOVERNMENT and may be regularly updated as information is received by our office. For further information follow the links below or contact us
TMO - 𝐓OP 10 𝐏UBLIC 𝐇EALTH 𝐓IPS
FSC - STAY VIGILANT AGAINST COVID-19 SCAMS
SBMA - Release of draft Seabed Minerals (Mining) Regulations 2020 for public comment
Kia Orana kotou katoatoa,
The Seabed Minerals Authority (Authority) is pleased to release the draft Seabed Minerals (Mining) Regulations 2020 for public comment.
The following documents are released:
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Draft Seabed Minerals (Mining) Regulations 2020
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Information Note
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Provides an overview of the draft mining Regulations, and presents questions for consideration by stakeholders
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Submission Form
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Form to fill out and provide comment/feedback on the draft mining Regulations, and respond to questions.
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These documents may be accessed via:
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Authority website: https://www.sbma.gov.ck/draft-sbm-mining-regulations
The Authority invites interested stakeholders to fill out the Submission Form. Responses should be sent by email to: sbma@cookislands.gov.ck
The closing date for responses is Friday, 15 January 2021 at 12:00pm (GMT-10)
Queries relating to the above may be directed to the Seabed Minerals Commissioner (alex.herman@cookislands.gov.ck).
Kia Manuia
NES - MARINE ECOSYSTEMS VALUATION SURVEY
Kia Orana kotou katoatoa,
You are invited to participate in the household survey for the Cook Islands Marine Ecosystem Service Valuation (MESV) study. This study is part of the Cook Islands Ridge to Reef (R2R) project supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from Global Environment Facility (GEF) in partnership with the Cook Islands Government. The study will support the Marae Moana Coordination Office to better protect and sustainably manage the marine resources of the Cook Islands.
https://www.surveygizmo.eu/s3/90262821/Cook-Islands-MESV-Household-Survey
The purpose of the household survey is to collect information on Cook Islanders' use of the marine environment and the values they place on it, including:
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Harvest of fish and other resources
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Leisure and recreation
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Cultural practices
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Conservation of biodiversity, native and migratory species
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Threats to the marine environment
The survey is conducted by Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) and Dr. Luke Brander from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) on behalf of the Ridge to Reef project for the Cook Islands Government. If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact info@tiscookislands.org
Kia Manuia
Te Marae Ora (MOH) - Consultation on Cook Islands Public Health Law Reforms Nov 2020
This month Te Marae Ora Cook Islands Ministry of Health will be undertaking consultations on our Public Health Act (2004).
The current Act is outdated and needs to be modernised to meet current and emerging public health threats. I am pleased with the draft policy document that WHO consultants have prepared.
There are four existential threats we are facing as a people:
1. COVID-19
2. Non-communicable diseases and obesity epidemic
3. Climate Change
4. Anti-microbial resistance
The important message here is:
1. Review the policy and summary documents
2. Let us know if we should add or remove a topic.
3. Raise concerns if you have any.
4. This is an iterative process up until the submission of the Bill to parliament.
5. COVID-19 has demonstrated how important it is for us to progress this.
For more information: https://www.health.gov.ck/public-health/law-reform/
Please send comments to: publichealthlawr2020@cookislands.gov.ck
Ministry of Education - 2021 School Academic Calender
Kia Orana tatou katoatoa
On the 29th October 2020, Cabinet gave consideration to the 2021 school academic calendar. Please find the supported academic calendar attached.
At the same time, Cabinet also requested the Ministry of Education considers the upcoming CICC Bi-Centennial Celebrations, Te Akamaaraanga I Te Tae’anga o te Evangeria ki Araura, being planned for 2021 in Aitutaki, 18th October – 5th November.
Understandably, a celebration of this size will be a considerable undertaking for the communities of Aitutaki, so to ease any potential disruption with our Aitutaki schools a separate calendar was proposed.
In consultation with all Aitutaki schools, the attached Aitutaki calendar has been supported. Given the uncertainties surrounding planning for 2021, the Ministry, with Aitutaki schools and other government agencies, will review the situation in June 2021 and apply any necessary changes if these are required and further update all.
Please do get in touch if you have any queries.
Meitaki Atupaka.
Danielle Tungane COCHRANE (Ms) |
Head of Ministry
Secretary General UNESCO National Commission
Cook Islands Ministry of Education
PO Box 97, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Phone: +(682) 29357 | fax: +(682) 28357
Website: www.education.gov.ck
MOCD - CLOSURE OF THE NATIONAL AUDITORIUM & DOMES
TUATUA ʼAKAKITE
Te ʼakakite ʼia ātu nei ki te kātoatoa ē ʼe ka tōpiri ʼia to tātou ʼAre Karioi Nui ʼē pērā te nga Tāupe tiaorangi o to tātou Tauranga Vānanga. Ka akamata teia i te Ru’itoru rā 5 o ʼAukute nei ʼē tae ʼuātu ki te marama Tītema i teia mataᶦiti, ta’i mano rua ngaᶦuru (2020).
ʼE karere ʼakamaʼara akaᶦōu teia kia kōtou e te au taeake no ta kōtou au anga’anga tei tāraʼu’ia note rave ki roto i te ʼAre Karioi Nui ʼē pērā te nga Tāupe no teia au marama ʼAukute, Tepetema, ʼOkotopa, Noema ʼē Tītema. ʼAkakoromaki mai kua vaiʼo mārie ʼia teia kia rauka i te au kamupani tei akataka ʼia kia rave i te au ʼangaʼanga tei ʼakakoroʼia ki runga i to tātou ngutuʼare.
Meitaki maʼata
Te Tama ʼAkatere ʼAu
Anthony Turua.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The general public is advised that the National Auditorium be closed to the Public starting Wednesday 05th August until December 2020 for renovations. The two Domes will no longer be available to the public starting September 2020 as a precautionary measure for the renovations.
This is a reminder to all clients who have booked the National Auditorium or Domes for various events that this will no longer be possible for the months of August, September, October, November and December. Please accept our sincere apologies for the changes, the contractors require the whole area to be cleared to ensure the renovations are completed safely and as scheduled.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Head of Ministry
Anthony Turua.
Ministry of Justice's Office - General Inquiries
Please be advised that pursuant to the Personal Property Securities (Transitional Matters) Regulations 2020, the transitional period to register prior security interests under the Personal Property Securities Act 2017 ("PPSA") has been extended by 60 days to 6th August 2020. This extension affords creditors, who may have experienced disruptions from Covid19, additional time to register prior security interests and maintain their priority over collateral. With the commencement of the PPSA in December 2019, the Hire Purchase Act 1986 and Chattels Transfer Act 1924 have been repealed and security interests should be registered under the PPSA. Please note that the PPSA does not relate to any direct security interest over land. If you have any questions relating to the extension of the transitional period, please direct them to registry.support@justice.gov.ck
Meitaki maata
Rimmel Poila-Mokoroa
Registrar of Companies
Public Service Induction Training Schedule 2020
To register, phone +68229421 or email Teresa Tararo,
Ministry of Education - School Academic Calender 2020
FROM: Head of Ministry, Danielle Tungane Cochrane
DATE: 1 May 2020
SUBJECT: Revised 2020 School Academic Calendar
On the 28th April, Cabinet Ministers gave consideration to the revised school academic calendar for 2020, in light of the COVID19 impact to our original calendar.
Please find the supported revised academic calendar below for your reference and to aid in any future planning opportunities. Please do get in touch if you have further queries.
Meitaki Atupaka.
Ministry of Agriculture - 'Biosecurity Newsletter'
The Ministry of Agriculture has released their 'Biosecurity Newsletter' for 2020, this is a monthly release and for further information please contact the Ministry Headquarters in Arorangi, Rarotonga on Ph: +682 28711 or website
Ministry of Agriculture logo
Te Marae Ora - Ministry of Health Media Release re: CORONAVIRUS
FROM: Dr Josephine Herman, Secretary
DATE: 24 January 2020
SUBJECT: 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak in China
Te Marae Ora Cook Islands Ministry of Health wishes to update the public regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) respiratory virus outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. 2019-nCoV is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified and it is now spreading widely across China, parts of Asia, and the rest of the world.
Travel Advisory:
The Cook Islands does not have any travel restrictions regarding 2019-CoV. All arriving passengers will receive written information regarding 2019-nCoV. For those travelling overseas, please take all practical measures to avoid close contact with people with flu-like illnesses, wash your hands regularly, cover your coughs and sneezes, and avoid contact with animals including visiting animal markets.
Te Marae Ora strongly recommends travellers avoid all non-essential and non-urgent travel to cities and areas where 2019-nCoV infection has been reported. Those travelling overseas should also prepare for travel delays on arrival at selected airports as some countries have implemented health screening processes. This may include passenger temperature checks and requests for passengers to complete a symptom questionnaire.
Travellers with signs and symptoms of illness (fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) may be required to undergo additional health assessment...
>>> To read and download the full Media release, click on the link on the right
Picture Credit: Google Search - UpNorthLive.com
Downloadable Resources courtesy of Te Marae Ora - Ministry of Health
MFEM - Revenue Management: Annual PAYE Reconciliation and Tax Certificates
NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYERS
A friendly reminder that your annual PAYE Reconciliations for 2019 are required to be filed to the Revenue Management Division by Friday 31st January 2020. In addition, all employers must have issued the 2019 RM101 Tax certificates to their employees before/by the 31st January 2020 prior to submitting their PAYE Reconciliation.
As an employer, you are responsible for making deductions from the payments you give to employees(salary/wages). These deductions are then paid to Revenue Management Division each month and accounted for in the end of year PAYE Reconciliation. A copy of each employee’s tax certificate is attached to your PAYE Reconciliation for the year and the other is given to the employee themselves for their own Individual Tax returns.
Each employee is responsible for the completion and filing of their Individual Income Tax return once they have received their certificates.
PAYE Reconciliations can be done manually and submitted directly to Revenue Management Division or filed through our E-Tax online website
E-Tax Online Website:
Online banking details: http://bit.ly/32qjVwn
For more information or assistance please call us on 29365 or email tax.info@cookislands.gov.ck
MFEM - Customs: Notice to all declarants
Due to a large number of recurring entry errors being observed and managed by Customs, with effect Monday 3rd February 2020, the Cook Islands Customs Service intends to commence imposing Administrative Penalties pursuant to section 160 of the Customs Revenue and Border Protection Act 2012.
Administrative Penalties will apply to every entry (or amendment to entry) required under this Act and includes every supporting document or declaration required to be made or produced by every person making the entry.
An Administrative penalty will apply when:
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an amount of duty payable under the Act has not (or will not) been paid or declared for payment
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the entry is otherwise materially incorrect
Notice of such a penalty will be given in writing to the person who made the entry. That person has 20 working days from the notice date, to satisfy the Comptroller that the person is entitled to be exempted from such a penalty.
The penalties that will apply and as stated in the Act are:
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Where an amount of duty payable under the Act has not (or will not) been paid or declared for payment, the penalty is $100.00 or an amount equal to 20% of the duty unpaid or not declared up to a maximum of $5000.00
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Where the entry is otherwise materially incorrect, the penalty is $100.00 for each entry.
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management - Te Mato Vai Proposal
