Articles by Utopia Support

Minerals trip to China not a 'junket'

Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I sent you a private email on Monday regarding problems I saw with Monday’s CINews article (21/8/12) on my report on the recent minerals seminar. It has been two days now with no explanation or apology and therefore this public ‘Letter to the Editor’ is now necessary. Whilst I am grateful that my […]

Kata - August 23, 2012

Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in Kata

Accountant okays unaudited accounts

Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in National

The long-awaited accounts from the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) are ”as good as you’re going to get“ according to the accountant who decided not to audit them. The financial reports dating to the end of 2011 will be one of the focal points to be discussed by the sporting organisation at […]

CISNOC's controversial AGM on tonight

Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in National

The long-awaited annual general meeting (AGM) of the Cook Islands’ national sporting body finally happens tonight. The Takuvaine Hall will host the AGM that was three-times-deferred. It will discuss, amongst many other matters, the sorry state of last year’s Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) accounts. But one moment that could almost overshadow […]

CISNOC reveals $312,780 loss in 2011

Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) has revealed a $312,780 deficit in the last financial year, according to the financial reports to be presented at tonight’s annual general meeting. A copy of the reports had been leaked to the Cook Islands News by a disgruntled member of the organisation and make for […]

Big Sunday for Polynesian countries

Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in National

Sunday will see the Samoan and Niuean communities formally welcome their foreign leaders to the Cook Islands in the best way possible – over fun, fellowship and some feasting. Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi arrives tomorrow and will attend church at St Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral on Sunday morning followed by a traditional Sunday lunch […]

PM welcomes new energy commissioner

Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna has appointed a new Energy Commissioner in Roger de Bray signalling another positive step forward in the government’s strengthening priority for the sector. ”The appointment is a key part of our efforts to bring the threads of the energy sector together under a coordinated and cooperative framework,“ says Puna. De Bray […]

Toa challenges dangerous goods law

Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in National

Toa is continuing to press for judicial review of dangerous goods licencing standards and procedures in the Cook Islands. Apex Agencies lawyers Tony Manarangi and Paul Dale – who represent Toa Petroleum – last week filed with the High Court a lawsuit against secretary of internal affairs Bredina Drollet and Triad Pacific Petroleum Limited, on […]

Police left man bleeding on roadside

Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in National

The manager of a downtown bar where an unprovoked attack on two men started on Friday night says the men’s injuries could have been prevented had police stepped in. The attack by a group of local men left Cook Islands News employee Zeb Autaua with two black eyes and a broken jaw. His friend, a […]

Tasker: public 'should take heart'

Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in National

Former Cook Islands police commissioner Pat Tasker believes the public should ”take some heart“ that the police administration are conducting thorough investigations into their staff’s misdemeanours. Tasker, commissioner from 2007 to 2009, comments that while the recent instances of dishonesty and drug use are ”totally unacceptable“, the fact investigations are being done and police officers […]

Progress for all to see at Muri

Wednesday 22 August 2012 | Published in Environment

A progress board to chart the work underway to upgrade all residential septic systems in the Muri and Avana areas was unveiled yesterday. The colourful board placed on the front-wall of the Muri meeting house is aimed at encouraging the local community to keep track of progress on WATSAN’s work to upgrade septic systems at […]

Police have Okotai's backing

Wednesday 22 August 2012 | Published in Local

Pearl farmer Temu Okotai is emphasising the police force has his full support after a previous article suggested otherwise. Last Saturday’s edition of the Cook Islands News ran a story about an angry Okotai’s lack of faith in the police after a two-week delay saw him unable to reclaim 500 pearls that were stolen by […]

Solomons PM opts out

Wednesday 22 August 2012 | Published in Local

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo will not attend the Forum next week, reports the Solomon Star. This was because of his state visit to Canberra, Australia, this week plus he had decided to concentrate on domestic issues at home. It was reported earlier that some ministers planned to topple him in the upcoming […]

'Police driving away tourists'

Wednesday 22 August 2012 | Published in Local

Restaurant owner Chris Mussell has been working within the Cook Islands tourism industry for 35 years now and believes the behaviour of the police force is having a negative effect on the industry. Waterline Bar and Grill owners Chris and his wife Akisi are currently negotiating the return of their safe and over $20,000 which […]

Why the big secret over fishing licences?

Wednesday 22 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I write about the response in your newspaper by the Secretary of Marine Resources Ben Ponia to your OIA questions about fishing licences. Once again this guy continues to avoid and not provide answers to questions rightfully being asked by the public and government watchdogs. I believe the agreements which are signed with […]

Good luck Bill Framhein: The Lost Tribe

Wednesday 22 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As spokesman for our Lost Tribe, I will follow the case of Bill Framhein (CINews Monday August 20) with great interest. We applaud Auckland councillor Mike Lee’s lobbying on Bill’s behalf. Mr Lee has quite correctly pointed out – as we have also tried to emphasise for nearly 20 years – that this […]

Kata - August 22, 2012

Wednesday 22 August 2012 | Published in Kata

Raiders NRL pathway announced

Wednesday 22 August 2012 | Published in National

Cook Islands Rugby League (CIRL) is set to benefit from a former international player who will head the country’s new development programme from Australia. Former Cook Islands Residents player Ezra Howie has moved into a coaching capacity and has taken control of the Canberra Raiders’ under-16 development team for the last two years. Howie will […]

Wharekura sings for family

Wednesday 22 August 2012 | Published in National

The Pacific principle of family looking out for each other has seen one of New Zealand’s best entertainers come to perform tonight. Fresh from performing at a festival in Samoa, Leon Wharekura is on the island for a fifth time, though it is his first in a fundraising capacity. The entertainer is performing at the […]

Lessons in life in Rarotonga

Wednesday 22 August 2012 | Published in National

American media agency Huffington Post recently published a story penned by writer Alex Emmons about a close encounter with devastation he experienced in Rarotonga. The story was one of a series of ”stories of seeking, confusion and discovery“ surrounding the issue of spirituality. Since 1998 I have cried exactly four times: 1) the first night […]