Articles by Utopia Support

Kata - September 26, 2012

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in Kata

One-point win by Arorangi over Titikaveka

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

The Arorangi premier men’s side celebrated their one goal to nil win last Saturday after a mediocre performance against host Titikaveka in the Lotto Premier Men’s round cup competition. In wet conditions both Titikaveka and Arorangi managed to hold off each other’s strikers from scoring. Both teams were evenly matched with ball and field possession […]

Nutters out in force today

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

While the Hash House Harriers’ birthday run showcased some colourful characters, the real nutters will be out in force today to compete during the Nutters Cross Island Run. The race itself begins at the site of the Sheraton ruins and crosses various ridges and valleys en route to the Avatiu coastline. Given the spells of […]

Science, education and health working hand in hand

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

Using science and education to prevent non communicable diseases (NCD), such as diabetes, is the all important message that a multi-disciplinary team of educators from New Zealand is hoping to share with the Pacific. Their visit to Rarotonga was part of a scoping exercise, to see if LENScience, a science education for schools programme that […]

Education secretary guest speaker in Australia

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

The head of the education ministry recently addressed Australian teachers on the good teaching practices of the Cook Islands. Education secretary Sharyn Paio attended the annual general meeting of the Australasian Teacher Regulatory Authorities (ATRA) between August 20 and 28 in South Australia. The meeting was also attended by ATRA chief executives from every Australian […]

Local applicants slim pickings

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

The application deadline has closed on the large amount of teacher vacancies for next year – but there are few local applicants, says the education secretary. Sixteen teaching vacancies, including four school principals, were advertised recently to be filled for January 2013. Applications closed last Tuesday and the Ministry of Education is currently processing the […]

Police search illegal, claims man

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

A man charged with cannabis possession claims the manner in which the police conducted the search was illegal. Jason Arioka pleaded not guilty to possession of cannabis when he appeared in the High Court in front of Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata last Thursday. On September 19 at Titikaveka, Arioka was stopped by police […]

Opposition wants water works done 'fairly'

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen is calling for the government to make absolutely sure that there is a fair share of the distribution of jobs that may arise out of the water projects proposed to start next year. Rasmussen is also calling on government to set aside the Minister of Infrastructure and Planning Teariki Heather from […]

Gift for 'good reporting'

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

Minister Teina Bishop yesterday presented the Cook Islands Herald with a plaque “for good reporting”. Upon arriving at a press conference, which was convened after Cabinet yesterday at Cook Islands News’ request, the minister presented Charles Pitt of the Cook Islands Herald with a gift. “This is a gift from me for the Herald for […]

Taxi wars continue

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

The secretary of the country’s taxi association has condemned the member of parliament who picks up tourists in an unlicensed taxi – but supports his cause. It was revealed in yesterday’s CI ews that Pukapuka-Nassau MP Tekii Lazaro has been picking up visitors in an unaccredited taxi van. This is something that strongly irks Cook’s […]

'A donation is a donation'

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

Minister Teina Bishop flatly denies allegations that the $50,000 cheque he accepted from the Tan Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Luen Thai Fishing Ventures Ltd, constitutes a form of bribery. As to whether there exists a policy governing private donations to government, he says: “I’m not aware of that.” “My understanding is what is given […]

Laptops going to northern group first

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

Education and marine resources minister Teina Bishop has directed that the 135 laptops donated by the Tan Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Luen Thai Fishing Ventures Ltd, should go to the northern group schools first because “that’s where the fishing is”. “I have decided the computers will go first to the northern Cook Islands students […]

Royal Jet raises questions

Wednesday 26 September 2012 | Published in National

A chartered Royal Jet Abu Dhabi plane landed at Rarotonga International Airport last week to refuel (above). Cook Islands News understands the plane was carrying 12 VIPs and was in transit from Tahiti to Easter Island when it made the stop in the Cook Islands. Air New Zealand, who were designated as the official ground […]

Disaster management gender checklists launched

Tuesday 25 September 2012 | Published in Environment

A practical guide that prompts disaster risk managers to consider the different impacts of disasters on the lives of women and men living in small islands countries was launched last Wednesday. Integrating Gender in Disaster Risk Management in Small Island Developing States: A Guide is intended as a practical tool for disaster managers and their […]

Climate change affects men and women differently

Tuesday 25 September 2012 | Published in Environment

A recent international publication on how people react to disasters differently based on gender shows similar thinking as displayed in a recent Cook Islands internal affairs ministry publication on gender. The Cook Islands National Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and its subsequent plan of action note that women and men are affected differently […]

Tree smashes roof

Tuesday 25 September 2012 | Published in Local

The stormy weather on Saturday night has left a visible impression on a Rarotonga preschool. Children at Blackrock preschool were treated with a shock when they arrived yesterday morning to see a large 20-year-old tree had been blown down by the strong winds over the weekend. The tree fell on to the recently-repaired sandpit roof […]

Internet product barriers explained

Tuesday 25 September 2012 | Published in Local

Information technology devotee Ano Tisam has been asked by the Australian National University (ANU) to deliver a presentation via Skype this week on the legislative hurdles he faces in creating new internet products from the Cook Islands. Tisam previewed his presentation before about 20 people at the University of the South Pacific (USP) campus last […]

Unlicensed taxi taking tourists

Tuesday 25 September 2012 | Published in Local

The owner of Cook Islands’ largest transport company is fed up with a member of parliament who he believes is poaching his customers. Cook’s Island Bus Passenger Transport Ltd owner Kevin Cook wrote a letter of complaint to Police Commissioner Maara Tetava on Saturday, saying that Member of Parliament for Pukapuka-Nassau Tekii Lazaro deliberately drives […]

Why do people run Round Raro?

Tuesday 25 September 2012 | Published in Features

The first doubts I had about running the Round Raro Road Race was on the dark, blustery scooter journey to the race start-line. Torrential rain was needling my eyes, and I thought: I really should be back in bed. It was 4.45am. “Have fun,” my boyfriend had called to me as I left, before snuggling […]

Kata - September 25, 2012

Tuesday 25 September 2012 | Published in Kata