Articles by Utopia Support

PM wants to learn about shark sanctuary

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in Local

The prime minister is keen to “hear more” about the local movement to carve out a shark sanctuary in Cook Islands waters, which started gaining real traction during the Pacific Leaders Forum. While they were in Rarotonga, leaders of American Samoa, Tokelau and the Marshall Islands were vocal about their governments’ intentions to protect sharks […]

Bishop to explain China deals

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in Local

Marine resources minister Teina Bishop has promised Cook Islands News a question-and-answer session on Tuesday after Cabinet to cover his recent trip to China and interaction with Luen Thai Fishing Ventures Ltd. Bishop returned from China on Tuesday, but left marine resources secretary Ben Ponia behind. The minister said Ponia remained in China to meet […]

Cooks on first Kizuna mission to Japan

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in Features

The local students who left for Japan last week are among 91 participants from the Cook Islands, Niue, Marshall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia in the Kizuna Project. The student groups are now in Japan for a fully funded two-week study tour which will provide the opportunity for Pacific island youths and future leaders […]

'Peace just doesn't turn up'

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in Features

Song and the fragrance of tiare taina filled the air on Friday, as children, peace ambassadors and the Pan Pacific Southeast Asia Women’s Association (PPSEAWA) observed the International Day of Peace. The rain drove the ceremony into the University of the South Pacific grounds, away from the planned Peace Garden venue, but didn’t dampen the […]

Criticism makes policeman Boaza stronger

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Senior sergeant Leighton Boaza has expressed his disappointment over any suggestions he would discriminate against a non-local. His comments were made after a news article appeared in the Cook Islands News last Saturday about Dr Oxana Makhno’s burgled laptop that is believed to be in police custody. In the article Makhno said Boaza had gone […]

Kata - September 22, 2012

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in Kata

Dawn start for 110 runners

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in National

By the time you pick up your CINews and have your coffee this morning – the Round Rarotonga Road Race for most runners will be over. More than 110 runners began the round island race at 5.30 this morning from outside the Banana Court in Avarua with the winner of the race expected in on […]

Puna chairs meet with Ban Ki-Moon

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna is currently in New York City to attend the 67th United Nations General Assembly and related meetings. He flew out of the country on September 20 and will return nine days later. As Puna was chair of the recent Pacific Leaders Forum, he has been invited to address the UN delegates […]

Puna to co-chair UN meeting

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna left on Thursday for New York, where he will be co-chairing a meeting alongside the secretary-general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon. Puna was invited by the United Nations in his capacity as the new chair of the Pacific Islands Forum to New York, where he will remain until a week […]

A yodel-out for Aitutaki

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in National

An Austrian visitor has been so taken by the children of Aitutaki that he’s dedicated a yodel to them. Hans Aschenberger has been living in Aitutaki since the end of July, looking after Tauono’s Garden Cafe with his American-born wife Marcia. The couple first visited the Cooks two years ago, as part of a “retirement […]

A clear conflict of interest

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in National

A smoke signaller asks: “What does the Prime Minister mean there ‘might’ be a conflict of interest regarding the unbelievable decision by Marine Resources Minister Teina Bishop to appoint Sam Chou, the chief operating officer for Luen Thai Fishing Ventures Limited, as his honorary advisor? There is no ‘might’ about it – it is a […]

Fuel short and power cut on Mangaia

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in National

Mangaia breathed a sigh of relief when Tapi Taio’s ship appeared on the horizon yesterday. A series of issues converged this week to result in a shortage of diesel, which meant the island administration had to cut the power from midday for six hours and from midnight for another six. Island secretary Helen Henry says […]

Vietnam veteran's NZ assistance fails

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in National

New Zealand’s involvement in the case for former soldier Bill Framhein’s pension has ended in disappointment. In order for Framhein to get his war veteran’s pension, the former soldier has to live in New Zealand for six months of the year so he is able to claim it all year round. If he fails to […]

How to find leaky pipies

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in National

Dear Editor, If MOIP’s water division is committed to making certain that water is not wasted, rather than wait for disgruntled persons to ring in to complain about broken or leaking pipes, all they have to do is drive a couple of times around Rarotonga each day. Once along the main road and then along […]

Police supporters lash out at Dr Oxana

Saturday 22 September 2012 | Published in National

Dear Editor, I wish to raise some issues in regards to a story in your newspaper dated Saturday 15th September 2012 titled ‘Dr Oxana’s frustration grows’ by Matiu Workman. Reading Oxana’s story about her frustration, you went as far as mentioning these officers’ names and publicly criticise them for something you think you know, but […]

Peace Day workshop

Friday 21 September 2012 | Published in Church Talk

On the eve of the United Nations International Day of Peace, peacebuilders from around the Pacific gathered in the Solomon Islands for a dialogue workshop. Representatives from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tonga gathered for the Strengthening Capacities for Peace and Development (CPAD) third workshop on exploring Pacific approaches to dialogue. In his […]

Ears to hear and feet to walk

Friday 21 September 2012 | Published in Church Talk

In the month of August I travelled with some ladies to Australia and recently returned from a women’s conference in Brisbane. The theme was ‘Touch a Heart Tell the World’. We had speakers and presenters from around the world. We had an attendance of 600 plus women from all over the Pacific nations. It was […]

Pacific nations share ideas for sustainability

Friday 21 September 2012 | Published in Environment

The Pacific Leaders Forum was not only a time for political connections to be made, but also on opportunity for sharing ideas on sustainability. Stephen Hazelman, production manager of Women in Business in Samoa, used his time in Rarotonga to visit businesses and industry that are part of the Pacific organic movement. One such visit […]

PM acknowledges possible 'conflict'

Friday 21 September 2012 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna has acknowledged that there might be a “conflict of interest” plaguing the Ministry of Marine Resources’ relationship with Chinese fishing company Luen Thai Fishing Ventures Ltd, but says he trusts marine resources minister Teina Bishop to do the right thing. Bishop has appointed Sam Chou, chief operating officer of Luen Thai […]

Paper cranes lift wearable art award

Friday 21 September 2012 | Published in Local

Tereora College student Ashley Chaloner models the winning wearable arts piece titled ‘Paper Crane’ created by Paerangi Vainerere. Vainerere created origami cranes out of recycled paper including pages from old magazines and copies of Cook Islands News. Vainerere’s creation was one of 38 wearable arts outfits created by Rarotonga students out of ‘waste’ materials for […]