Articles by Utopia Support

PM blames Demos for pension tax issue

Thursday 2 May 2013 | Published in Politics

The prime minister has implied the pension tax debacle is the fault of the previous government for not informing pensioners they have to pay tax.

Grandson gets medals for safekeeping

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Local

A proud veteran has donated his service medals to his autistic Cook Islands grandson, to make sure they don’t gather dust sitting in a drawer.

Rubbish fire put out in Tutakimoa

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Local

The close knit residents in Tutakimoa are counting their blessings that a small rubbish fire that got out of hand was quickly put out by local fire officials before it had a chance to spread to their homes.

Water may be rationed

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Local

Water reserves are running low in Rarotonga, and the government is urging people to use supplies sparingly.

Cyclone season officially over

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Local

Today marks the official end of the cyclone season and the Cook Islands have emerged unscathed.

Marmite in May?

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Local

Marmite is not likely to be exported to the Cook Islands from New Zealand until late May.

'We must protect our tuna stock'

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Before issuing more licences for more purse seiners to operate in the Cook Islands, the minister is travelling north this week to sell the idea to the people of Manihiki and Rakahanga.

Punished for past failures!

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Watching media commentators attack government ministers on what they see as excessive overseas travel I can’t help thinking they’ve lost sight of our economic reality and can’t see the wood for the trees.

'War' plays on emotions

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Despite my reluctance to fill space in your newspaper, your Saturday front page lead story (Pensioners rally for tax war) sensationalising the pensioner’s tax concerns cannot go uncorrected.

Kata - May 1, 2013

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Kata

National netball team selected

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Netball

A sixteen-strong national netball team has been selected to prepare to represent the country at the Pacific Netball Series in Samoa from June 4 to 7.

Press freedom belongs to everyone

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind

Freedom of the press is the fundamental principle upon which my profession hinges.

Grey Power claim 'back tax' victory

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Politics

Grey Power believes the back tax pensioners have been asked to pay will now be scrapped following talks with Finance Minister Mark Brown last week.

Fisheries meetings held up north

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Politics

Government held public meetings on the country’s fisheries in Manihiki and Rakahanga this week.

Yes, we are a Christian nation

Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “I noticed that one of your ignorant Signallers makes reference to the Cook Islands not being a “Christian nation”.

Solar cuts power bill at Creative Centre

Tuesday 30 April 2013 | Published in Environment

Alternative energy provider ‘Solar Bob’ Bob Riley has installed solar panels at the Creative Centre, to help keep their power bill down.

Marine scientists clear crown of thorns

Tuesday 30 April 2013 | Published in Environment

Six staff from the Living Oceans Foundation removed 215 crown of thorns starfish from Aitutaki’s reef in one dive last weekend.

Reef project helps vanishing coral

Tuesday 30 April 2013 | Published in Environment

A small group was privy to the workings of a state-of-the-art research vessel that is in the Cooks to do research on coral reefs as part of a global study.

Two dead after ship collision

Tuesday 30 April 2013 | Published in Local

A Cook Islands-flagged cargo ship sank after colliding with a container vessel off southern Greece and Cook Islands must investigate under international law.

Mining industry slowing: recruiter

Tuesday 30 April 2013 | Published in Local

There are fewer opportunities for workers in the Australian mining industry than in previous years, according to the senior regional director of a recruitment agency in Australia.