Articles by Utopia Support

Rumour denied

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai flatly denies rumours that China intends to establish a military base in Fiji. Tiankai met with Cook Islands and New Zealand media at Edgewater on Thursday night. In response to questions about whether China intends to step up its military presence in Fiji, Tiankai was clear that his government […]

'We're not here to compete' – envoy

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

The Chinese government says it does not perceive US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit as a threat to its relations with Pacific Island nations. This year, for the 23rd time, a Chinese delegation participated in the post-Forum dialogue. Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai told reporters on Thursday night at Edgewater that his government does […]

China not fazed by Taiwan here

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

That a Taiwanese delegation is on Rarotonga for the Forum does not worry the Chinese government. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai told reporters on Thursday night that most Forum island countries have declared their support for the Chinese government, thereby rejecting the possibility of establishing diplomatic ties with Taiwan. “I think most island countries […]

Climate change the greatest threat

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

Below is the text of a speech delivered by Prime Minister Henry Puna, following a week of Forum deliberations and preceding yesterday morning’s post-Forum dialogue. Forum theme As you will know, the theme of this year’s Forum is “Large Ocean Island States – the Pacific Challenge”. This is aimed at striking a balance between sustaining […]

'I don't want to go on to the next stop'

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

A face-to-face with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was the highlight of the week for the Sisters of Charity, a group of nuns based in Titikaveka. Yesterday, Clinton emerged from one of a convoy of vehicles to greet an eager crowd gathered at Trader Jack’s on the Avarua waterfront. Canons poised and videocameras mounted, […]

Clinton makes like a shark

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton takes time out of her busy schedule to chat with Pacific Islands Conservation Initiative programme manager Jess Cramp, originally from America. Clinton accepted a request by Cramp to pose with a shark fin in support of shark protection in the Cook Islands. Clinton engaged with Cramp about her programme […]

Clinton speaks for gender equality

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday met with a group of men and women committed to improving the lives of their Pacific sisters. She convened the Rarotonga Dialogue on Gender Equality at Tamarind, attended by men and women from the Australian government, International Development, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, United Nations Development Program, […]

'Pacific is big enough for all of us'

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the Pacific is “big enough” to accommodate the presence and interests of both Washington and Beijing. Speaking to reporters at Ngatipa yesterday, Clinton said she welcomes China’s involvement in the Pacific. “The United States welcomes the chance to work with a broad array of partners in […]

United States 'a Pacific nation'

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

Labelling the United States a “Pacific nation”, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says her government intends to be present in the region “for the long run”. “The United States is very proud to be a Pacific nation with a long history in this region, and we are committed to be here for the long […]

Gift of pearls the crowning moment

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is taking a piece of the Cook Islands home with her. As gratitude for her support of the Cook Islands’ marine conservation initiatives, the Cook Islands Pearl Authority yesterday gifted her with a strand of AB pearls and a pair of black pearls studs set in white gold. […]

#1: food security and environment

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

By Vaine Wichman Development Economist Teura and I proudly did our national duty last Tuesday. We stood in our guard of honour, and danced and welcomed Julia Gillard, Australia’s Prime Minister, on to our shores. This will be the third Forum I can remember the Cook Islands hosting. There was the 1985 one (16th meeting), […]

Te Vaerua says thanks to ADB

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in National

Te Vaerua staff offered their gratitude to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at an official handover ceremony yesterday. The ADB’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction Program (JFPR) gave $167,000 in grants for four projects for homecare and nursing services in the Cook Islands earlier this month. Exactly 100 elderly and persons with disabilities will receive […]

UPSIDE DOWN

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

THIS LOCAL WOMAN, flying an upside down American flag, was sending mixed messages outside the Avarua court house yesterday as the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived for breakfast at Traders Jacks. The woman didn’t seem to have a bone to pick with the Americans as she stood alone waving her flag, however according […]

Too late for fish surveillance?

Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

“The $50,000,000 that New Zealand has pledged for surveillance and management of Pacific fisheries is a bit laughable for us here in the Cook Islands,” a smoke signaller writes. “We don’t need any surveillance; we’ve given the Chinese carte blanche to take all our fish and sharks. One wonders if the amount of that $50 […]

'Zero waste' goal announced

Friday 31 August 2012 | Published in Environment

A ‘zero waste’ Cook Islands is the goal of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning’s Water, Waste and Sanitation unit (WATSAN) and waste management department. And the acquisition of a brand new compacting machine from New Zealand company Engineering Solutions is a step towards this goal says MOIP Minister Teariki Heather and New Zealand High […]

Vaka retreat

Friday 31 August 2012 | Published in Local

Questions on fishing 'waffle'

Friday 31 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It’s wonderful to see all and sundry getting behind the ideas of a shark sanctuary and a marine park – but the interesting absence of any comments or cheers from the Minister and Secretary of Marine Resources has to be noted. The reason for their silence lies of course in their knowledge that […]

Fibre optic 'fantastic'

Friday 31 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with interest the proposal by Hawaiki Cable Ltd to connect a cable to Rarotonga. It would be fantastic if it got off the ground, but some questions have to be asked. Who is funding the capital cost of the project? It seemed from the article the Pacific islands governments would have […]

Is NES just a 'rubber-stamp'?

Friday 31 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Perhaps someone can tell me what the purpose of the Cook Islands National Environment Service is. I am very disappointed every time I drive through town watching the machinery work to reclaim land for the Punanga Nui, or see an old tree cut down for ‘beautification purposes’, or see a big scar in […]

Kata - August 31, 2012

Friday 31 August 2012 | Published in Kata