Articles by Utopia Support

Old plants, new puffs

Friday 15 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

After reading Wednesday’s front page article ‘Switch off for Earth Hour’ next week, a smoke signaller quipped: “We probably won’t have to switch off at all – Te Aponga seems to be doing that for us in recent days!”

National plan for aquaculture

Thursday 14 March 2013 | Published in Local

The Ministry of Marine Resources released a national plan for aquaculture development yesterday.

Still a chance to solve crime

Thursday 14 March 2013 | Published in Local

Cook Islands faces the same problems with youth crime as other countries but has a better chance of solving it, says the high commissioner.

Mauke harbour land issue

Thursday 14 March 2013 | Published in Local

Mauke’s $2.5 million harbour was finally completed at the end of August last year – but disgruntled neighbouring landowners are now asking for compensation from the government.

Fundraiser for fire victims

Thursday 14 March 2013 | Published in Local

A radiothon fundraiser for victims of a house fire will be held today.

Water project a national folly

Thursday 14 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The recently announced Rarotonga water project is to cost $60 million dollars.

Kata - March 14, 2013

Thursday 14 March 2013 | Published in Kata

Minister inspects Mauke

Thursday 14 March 2013 | Published in Outer Islands

Mauke’s plans for next year’s Manea Games are being inspected by the minister in charge.

Transnational nomination sought

Thursday 14 March 2013 | Published in Politics

The World Heritage workshop will close today, with an aim to have drawn up a ‘tentative list’ of possible world heritage sites in the Cooks – and the senator of French Polynesia is hoping it will be the start of an alliance between the two nations.

Sharks take on defending champs

Thursday 14 March 2013 | Published in Rugby Union

The Aitutaki Sharks will have to bring their ‘A’ game this Friday if they are to return to their winning ways when they play defending champions the Titikaveka Bulldogs at the Titikaveka field.

JC's a walking 'miracle man'

Thursday 14 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Our John Carter [New Zealand’s High Commissioner] is a walking miracle man,” a smoke signaller writes.

New bulbs to light up Rarotonga

Wednesday 13 March 2013 | Published in Environment

Household light bulbs will be replaced in coming weeks with more energy-efficient versions that could save up to $400,000 a year on Rarotongan power bills.

Cooks part of forum for Pacific literacy

Wednesday 13 March 2013 | Published in Local

Cook Islands delegates have taken part in a two-day forum in New Zealand in a bid to promote literacy in the Pacific.

School bus taken off morning route

Wednesday 13 March 2013 | Published in Local

There is now one less bus taking students to schools across the Rarotonga in the mornings, with the discontinuation of a school bus route last week.

Team FBI on fire

Wednesday 13 March 2013 | Published in Local

Touch rugby players will be hoping for fresh air at Nikao field today for their next round of games.

Rich history, ancient culture

Wednesday 13 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In regards to the World Heritage Convention workshop this week in Rarotonga-while the World Heritage workshop may not concern us directly we do have at the Cook Islands Library & Museum Society one of the most extensive early Pacific Islands reference book collections as well as Cook Islands artifacts and we feel we could learn-and contribute-to preserving cultural and heritage sites in the Cook Islands.

'Lift your game'

Wednesday 13 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Having just got back from an interminable and frustrating wait in a queue at the Bank of the Cook Islands, I thought I would raise the question: Why is the public subjected to the unending inefficiency of the Bank of the Cook Islands to deal with vehicle registration? If we are not customers of this bank, then why do we have to join the long lines at the bank and waste hours of our own valuable time just to pay a bill and get a receipt and sticker? Why can’t we go to our own bank, or the Post Office or have an online system (that we can actually activate)? Year after year in March the queues at the BCI move forward in inches over hours.

Direct route for Asian tourists

Wednesday 13 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Nearly two years ago, in July 2011, I wrote to your paper concerning the decision by the Cook Islands not to pursue direct flights from Fiji to the Cook Islands, as well as on the subject of the Air NZ subsidies, etcetera.

Pulled off air

Wednesday 13 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, CITV’s programming leaves a lot to be desired.

Time to take a stand

Wednesday 13 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Nine blurry minutes of video footage leaked to the media this month have sparked global outrage and re-opened a painful discussion about Fiji that hits a nerve for many residents of the Cook Islands.