Articles by Utopia Support

Thief 'lucky' to avoid a prison sentence

Thursday 6 September 2012 | Published in National

A local burglar with a criminal record stretching back to 2005 was “very lucky” to escape prison, said the chief justice in sentencing him. Putero Dean broke into the Blackrock store in April and stole beer and cigarettes, which were later recovered. He committed the burglary with Ngatapuna Rata, who was also sentenced on Friday. […]

Foreign students soak up culture

Thursday 6 September 2012 | Published in National

It was an action-packed week in Rarotonga for a lucky group of international students. The students from the United States are taking part in the International Exchange Students (IES) Abroad programme, where they have been studying at the Universities of Canterbury or Auckland in New Zealand. The 19 students are studying a wide range of […]

Remittances study makes claims

Thursday 6 September 2012 | Published in National

There is scant information available about how much of the Cook Islands’ income is comprised of remittances, or money sent here by Cook Islanders living and working overseas. Finance Minister Mark Brown has even told reporters the Cook Islands is a ‘negative remittance’ economy, the implication being that foreign workers from the Philippines and Fiji […]

CISNOC financials attacked

Thursday 6 September 2012 | Published in National

CISNOC’s troubled financial accounts were approved despite allegations of excessive spending, “stolen” money and questions around value-added tax (VAT). Triathlon representative Geoff Stoddard made the claim that money had been “stolen” at a tense annual general meeting. Seventy-two people were present for the meeting at the Takuvaine AOG Hall after the gathering had been deferred […]

Hugh buckles up for CISNOC role

Thursday 6 September 2012 | Published in National

With the conclusion of the Pacific Leaders Forum, new Cook Islands Sport and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) president Hugh Graham is stepping out of one driver’s seat and moving into another. Graham was the Niue delegation’s assigned driver and also helped with the Japanese representatives while they were in the country. Their departure on Sunday […]

Office change and rally call at OPSC

Thursday 6 September 2012 | Published in National

The Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) has moved “closer to the money upstairs” – into the office just below the New Zealand High Commission. That was the punch line, anyway, of a joke delivered by Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters at a ceremony held yesterday morning to mark the OPSC’s umpteenth move. Marsters […]

EIA done for northern group solar farm

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Environment

The government’s renewable energy projects for the outer islands are one step closer to getting started.

Solar desalination plant maker in Cook Islands

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Environment

A solar desalination project recently completed on the island of Manono in Samoa could be applicable and useful in the outer islands, says Absolute Filtration Ltd managing director Ben Taylor.

George slanders CIP Cabinet

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This is an open letter to Minister Nandi Glassie and the CIP Cabinet:

Forum dance 'porno kind of exhibition'

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kia Orana! I salute and raise my hat to sincerely congratulate our Honorable Prime Minister Henry Puna and Mrs Puna, our Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters and Mrs Marsters, all our Cabinet Ministers.

Pay every cent

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, How low can anyone go? I am speaking about that so-called people’s representative from Atiu who has failed to furnish his tax returns let alone pay taxes for a number of years. Unbelievable that this guy not only has the audacity to stand as an MP but, worse still, criticise successive governments over the years for the delivery of poor services when, at the same time, he has not given a dime himself to the public coffers in terms of paying his due taxes. What a complete hypocrite!

Don't forget the Toa 'noose'

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, While the Leader of the Opposition has a point that any new Chinese loan needs to be transparent, at least the loan will be for something worthwhile – clean water.

We will return

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, After a short stay of four days on your beautiful islands, we have bussed the island and taken a safari trip to the mountains, swum in the sea and eaten well in your restaurants.

Kata - September 5, 2012

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Kata

Trials for national netball spots

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Netball

Netball Cook Islands are looking for some of the next generation of players to pull on the green and white uniform after a trial for the national team was announced for Saturday.

'Emotional outburst'

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Politics

Finance minister Mark Brown has responded to what he believes is an “emotional outburst” by Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen surrounding his suspicions with the recent tripartite agreement between the Cook Islands, New Zealand and China.

Conservation commitments 'unprecedented'

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Politics

For the third consecutive year, the Pacific Islands Form has provided historic international commitment to sustainable ocean management and conservation.

Parliamentarians play today

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Rugby Union

Parliamentarians from New Zealand and the Cook Islands will gather at the BCI Stadium today for their one-off match kicking off at 4.30pm.

Takitumu team played short

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Rugby Union

With only seven players, it was always going to be a tough rugby match for the Takitumu women’s rugby team who went down 14-22 to the in-form Te Au O Tonga vaka team.

U17 footballers clash today

Wednesday 5 September 2012 | Published in Football

The SAVA under 17 men’s football round cup competition heads into the third round today with the CIFA complex hosting Nikao Sokattak and Tupapa on field one and Matavera taking on Arorangi on field two.