Latest news with #CalebFotheringham
RNZ News
29-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Package containing 40kg of cocaine washes up on Norfolk Island
In a curious case on Norfolk Island, a package believed to contain about 40 kilograms worth of cocaine has washed up onshore. It was found by tourists on Tuesday afternoon at Anson Bay. Caleb Fotheringham has more.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Dengue Outbreak: Big Clean Up Campaigns Are Underway In Rarotonga
The Cook Islands declared a dengue fever outbreak last Thursday. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Big clean up campaigns are underway in Rarotonga to try stamp out mosquito breeding grounds. The Cook Islands declared a dengue fever outbreak last Thursday (Friday NZT). Outbreaks have also been called in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, which have all had at least one death because of the viral infection. The Cook Islands has had seven confirmed cases this month – all on Rarotonga. Three are active which are from the same household. Pacific dengue cases surge, but don't cancel your holiday yet – health expert An outbreak is declared in the Cook Islands when five cases of dengue is reported within a 15-day period. Acting health secretary Dr Teariki Faireka said the last Cook Islands outbreak was declared in 2021. 'One of our goals is to stop it here on Rarotonga and to stop it from spreading to our smaller islands,' Faireka said. He said the outer islands did not have the resources to deal with severe cases of dengue. Faireka said the Ministry of Health alongside the Prime Minister signed off on Operation Namu, which includes clean up campaigns and spraying. On Friday, nonessential public servants were allowed to take part in a mass cleanup on Rarotonga instead of doing their normal job. 'We had a good turn out where everyone pitched in to help with the clean and we also identified areas that needed further support,' he said. 'So vacant areas that have overgrown hedges or overgrown grass, that will be targeted within the next two weeks for cleaning at some point.' Mark Thomas, associate professor of infectious diseases at Auckland University, said dengue fever outbreaks are seasonal, supported by lots of rain. 'If there's plenty of small pools of water around the amount that would settle in an open coconut shell or in a tire that's lying on the ground, some small pool somewhere. Then the mosquitoes increase their rate of breeding, there are more people getting bitten by mosquitoes, and more transmission of dengue from person to person by the mosquitos,' he said. The dengue cases on Rarotonga have been type one (DENV-1) and two (DENV-2). Thomas said there are several variants, but people are unlikely to be infected by the same sub-type. 'They may be exposed in subsequent epidemics years later and then the second episode, that will likely be some years after the first one, may sometimes be much more severe than the first episode.' Muri Beach Club Hotel owner Liana Scott said the island was looking very tidy. 'That community spirit really comes alive whenever there's something that affects people and that's nice to see and of course dengue if you've had it before it's not the nicest.' Scott said one tourist had postponed their trip, concerned by underlying health issues. She said most accommodation providers are lenient with their cancelation policies. 'It's not really a time to be strict in upholding the cancelation policies if people have a genuine reason for cancelling and most are not cancelling they are moving the date forward.' For most though, Scott said they can manage the risk with mosquito repellent and using insect screens. 'It's not rocket science, sometimes it's just making sure if you go on a cross-island track that you have your legs and arms covered.' Thomas said the aides mosquito, sometimes called the Egyptian mosquito, carries dengue. 'The ones that exist in New Zealand are typically night biting mosquitoes, whereas the ones that transmit dengue are day biting mosquitoes, so people should use insect repellent during the daytime and try and limit the ability of the mosquito to get at the skin. 'That sometimes means covering up more of your skin than you might otherwise do on a tropical holiday.' Thomas said the epidemic normally goes away as people build immunity and mosquito breeding grounds dry as the weather changes.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Dengue Outbreak: Big Clean Up Campaigns Are Underway In Rarotonga
Article – RNZ The Cook Islands declared a dengue fever outbreak last Thursday. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Big clean up campaigns are underway in Rarotonga to try stamp out mosquito breeding grounds. The Cook Islands declared a dengue fever outbreak last Thursday (Friday NZT). Outbreaks have also been called in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, which have all had at least one death because of the viral infection. The Cook Islands has had seven confirmed cases this month – all on Rarotonga. Three are active which are from the same household. Pacific dengue cases surge, but don't cancel your holiday yet – health expert An outbreak is declared in the Cook Islands when five cases of dengue is reported within a 15-day period. Acting health secretary Dr Teariki Faireka said the last Cook Islands outbreak was declared in 2021. 'One of our goals is to stop it here on Rarotonga and to stop it from spreading to our smaller islands,' Faireka said. He said the outer islands did not have the resources to deal with severe cases of dengue. Faireka said the Ministry of Health alongside the Prime Minister signed off on Operation Namu, which includes clean up campaigns and spraying. On Friday, nonessential public servants were allowed to take part in a mass cleanup on Rarotonga instead of doing their normal job. 'We had a good turn out where everyone pitched in to help with the clean and we also identified areas that needed further support,' he said. 'So vacant areas that have overgrown hedges or overgrown grass, that will be targeted within the next two weeks for cleaning at some point.' Mark Thomas, associate professor of infectious diseases at Auckland University, said dengue fever outbreaks are seasonal, supported by lots of rain. 'If there's plenty of small pools of water around the amount that would settle in an open coconut shell or in a tire that's lying on the ground, some small pool somewhere. Then the mosquitoes increase their rate of breeding, there are more people getting bitten by mosquitoes, and more transmission of dengue from person to person by the mosquitos,' he said. The dengue cases on Rarotonga have been type one (DENV-1) and two (DENV-2). Thomas said there are several variants, but people are unlikely to be infected by the same sub-type. 'They may be exposed in subsequent epidemics years later and then the second episode, that will likely be some years after the first one, may sometimes be much more severe than the first episode.' Muri Beach Club Hotel owner Liana Scott said the island was looking very tidy. 'That community spirit really comes alive whenever there's something that affects people and that's nice to see and of course dengue if you've had it before it's not the nicest.' Scott said one tourist had postponed their trip, concerned by underlying health issues. She said most accommodation providers are lenient with their cancelation policies. 'It's not really a time to be strict in upholding the cancelation policies if people have a genuine reason for cancelling and most are not cancelling they are moving the date forward.' For most though, Scott said they can manage the risk with mosquito repellent and using insect screens. 'It's not rocket science, sometimes it's just making sure if you go on a cross-island track that you have your legs and arms covered.' Thomas said the aides mosquito, sometimes called the Egyptian mosquito, carries dengue. 'The ones that exist in New Zealand are typically night biting mosquitoes, whereas the ones that transmit dengue are day biting mosquitoes, so people should use insect repellent during the daytime and try and limit the ability of the mosquito to get at the skin. 'That sometimes means covering up more of your skin than you might otherwise do on a tropical holiday.' Thomas said the epidemic normally goes away as people build immunity and mosquito breeding grounds dry as the weather changes.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Dengue Outbreak: Big Clean Up Campaigns Are Underway In Rarotonga
Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Big clean up campaigns are underway in Rarotonga to try stamp out mosquito breeding grounds. The Cook Islands declared a dengue fever outbreak last Thursday (Friday NZT). Outbreaks have also been called in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, which have all had at least one death because of the viral infection. The Cook Islands has had seven confirmed cases this month - all on Rarotonga. Three are active which are from the same household. Pacific dengue cases surge, but don't cancel your holiday yet - health expert An outbreak is declared in the Cook Islands when five cases of dengue is reported within a 15-day period. Acting health secretary Dr Teariki Faireka said the last Cook Islands outbreak was declared in 2021. "One of our goals is to stop it here on Rarotonga and to stop it from spreading to our smaller islands," Faireka said. He said the outer islands did not have the resources to deal with severe cases of dengue. Faireka said the Ministry of Health alongside the Prime Minister signed off on Operation Namu, which includes clean up campaigns and spraying. On Friday, nonessential public servants were allowed to take part in a mass cleanup on Rarotonga instead of doing their normal job. "We had a good turn out where everyone pitched in to help with the clean and we also identified areas that needed further support," he said. "So vacant areas that have overgrown hedges or overgrown grass, that will be targeted within the next two weeks for cleaning at some point." Mark Thomas, associate professor of infectious diseases at Auckland University, said dengue fever outbreaks are seasonal, supported by lots of rain. "If there's plenty of small pools of water around the amount that would settle in an open coconut shell or in a tire that's lying on the ground, some small pool somewhere. Then the mosquitoes increase their rate of breeding, there are more people getting bitten by mosquitoes, and more transmission of dengue from person to person by the mosquitos," he said. The dengue cases on Rarotonga have been type one (DENV-1) and two (DENV-2). Thomas said there are several variants, but people are unlikely to be infected by the same sub-type. "They may be exposed in subsequent epidemics years later and then the second episode, that will likely be some years after the first one, may sometimes be much more severe than the first episode." Muri Beach Club Hotel owner Liana Scott said the island was looking very tidy. "That community spirit really comes alive whenever there's something that affects people and that's nice to see and of course dengue if you've had it before it's not the nicest." Scott said one tourist had postponed their trip, concerned by underlying health issues. She said most accommodation providers are lenient with their cancelation policies. "It's not really a time to be strict in upholding the cancelation policies if people have a genuine reason for cancelling and most are not cancelling they are moving the date forward." For most though, Scott said they can manage the risk with mosquito repellent and using insect screens. "It's not rocket science, sometimes it's just making sure if you go on a cross-island track that you have your legs and arms covered." Thomas said the aides mosquito, sometimes called the Egyptian mosquito, carries dengue. "The ones that exist in New Zealand are typically night biting mosquitoes, whereas the ones that transmit dengue are day biting mosquitoes, so people should use insect repellent during the daytime and try and limit the ability of the mosquito to get at the skin. "That sometimes means covering up more of your skin than you might otherwise do on a tropical holiday." Thomas said the epidemic normally goes away as people build immunity and mosquito breeding grounds dry as the weather changes.
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Cook Islands Questions Removal From Global Shipping Database
Article – RNZ Maritime Cook Islands was told in May that it was removed from the Registry Information Sharing Compact due to a 'potential violation'. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist The Cook Islands is seeking clarification on why it was removed from an international shipping database aimed at combating illicit shipping activities. Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) staff were told in May that it was removed from the Registry Information Sharing Compact (RISC) due to a 'potential violation of the Terms and Conditions that was agreed upon at the time of registration'. 'MCI reached out to the founding members of RISC on 8 May 2025 and again on 13 May and again on 21 May. MCI has not had a response from any of them,' a statement from MCI said. 'MCI is at a loss to understand what possible violation has been committed.' The Cook Islands ejection from the information-sharing database was first reported by shipping media Lloyd's List on 20 May. However, the Cook Islans maintains that it does not allow any sanctioned vessels to remain on its register, and has not registered vessels that had been flagged by a RISC member. 'There were no 'terms and conditions' discussed or agreed to at the time that MCI joined RISC.' RISC was formed in 2019 by the world's three largest ship registries: Liberia, the Marshal Islands and Panama. The membership now includes Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Honduras, Vanuatu, Dominica, Belize, Moldova and Antigua and Barbuda. The database allows registries to share details about vessels and avoid clamp down on 'flag hopping' – where a vessel jumps from one registry to another to avoid international sanctions. MCI's statement said the Cook Islands registry was among the first to join after the founding members in May 2020. 'MCI supports the aims and objectives of RISC,' the statement said. It said that in March, during the Cook Islands International Maritime Organisation Legal Committee, the country 'highlighted the RISC compact as an industry best practice'. The Cook Islands-registered ship, Eagle S, was seized on Christmas Day 2024 in the Baltic Sea by Finnish authorities, who believed the vessel severed the Estlink 2 submarine cable that carries electricity from Finland to Estonia. Eagle S is also thought to be linked to Russia's shadow fleet, which seeks to evade sanctions on the sale of Russian oil. Last month, both the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Cook Islands said that the ship has never been under sanctions.
