Articles by Utopia Support

Japanese tourist spin-off

Thursday 9 August 2012 | Published in National

Air New Zealand is doubling the number of charter services it operates between Japan and New Zealand, with 14 Japanese cities confirmed for this summer season. Six of the charter services will operate non-stop from Nagoya into Christchurch, with the remainder flying into Auckland. The charter programme, which is additional to Air New Zealand’s regular […]

Bin there, recycled that

Thursday 9 August 2012 | Published in National

Aitutaki locals will soon be getting more awareness about recycling after the first of 12 ‘Keep Aitutaki Clean’ bin stations was installed on the island. A ‘station’ has four separate bins categorised for litter, recycling aluminium cans, recycling glass products and plastic products. The first bin station was installed at Ootu Beach for all tourists […]

'Knowledge Basket' weaves relationships

Thursday 9 August 2012 | Published in National

Dave Keet and Linda Winterburn have been in the Cooks for a month now, and while they thoroughly enjoyed Te Maeva Nui, it was not all play. The two founders of The Knowledge Basket – a searchable database invaluable to universities – are leaving Rarotonga today Thursday after investigating ways to extend their Pacific Islands […]

Weeds list highlights biological control

Wednesday 8 August 2012 | Published in Local

A list of weeds needing biological control generated by local agricultural professionals will be updated when results of a feasibility study from two New Zealand experts is released.

Kata - August 8, 2012

Wednesday 8 August 2012 | Published in Kata

Mauke take out constitution touch

Wednesday 8 August 2012 | Published in Outer Islands

The inaugural constitution day touch rugby tournament was the perfect way for outer islands visitors and local players alike to finish off a great week of Te Maeva Nui cultural celebrations.

Party-hopping on agenda

Wednesday 8 August 2012 | Published in Politics

The Democratic Party executive is holding a ”special meeting“ tonight to discuss Norman George’s challenge to the opposition leadership.

Gold-plated medal

Wednesday 8 August 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

”I have enjoyed the privilege of being able to attend the half-time refreshments at Te Maeva Nui dance competition nights,“ a smoke signaller writes.

Hawaiian gateway finished

Wednesday 8 August 2012 | Published in Technology

New telecommunications company O3B has completed work on the satellite gateway which will service the Cook Islands.

Ship causes internet issues

Wednesday 8 August 2012 | Published in Technology

Telecom had problems with its internet and international calling over the weekend – but it was not their new switch causing the issues this time.

CI project attracts high praise

Wednesday 8 August 2012 | Published in Technology

Biodiversity world expert and author Dr Daniel Robinson has hailed a Cook Islands’ project developed by Dr Graham Matheson, as ‘best practice’ to international experts. Dr Robinson acknowledged CIMTECH (Cook Islands Medical Technologies) and its practices at recent biodiversity conferences held in Nadi and Auckland. Dr Robinson, the author of ‘Confronting Biopiracy – Challenges, Causes and International Debates’ held up the CIMTECH model as an example to other countries for the development of products of biodiversity and traditional knowledge. The CIMTECH project is a venture between Dr Matheson, the Koutu Nui and the University of NSW, Sydney, Australia and has developed products from traditional Cook Islands plants. After nearly 10 years of research, the first product is due to be launched in August as premium, natural skin care brand, TeTika. TeTika is dedicated to honouring former president of the Koutu Nui, Dorice Reid who inspired and supported the project.

First CI language week in NZ

Tuesday 7 August 2012 | Published in Local

New Zealand is holding a week-long celebration of the Cook Islands language for the first time this week. The first-ever National Cook Islands Language Week is being held between August 6 and 12, with the theme of ‘okotai manako – coming together united’. This event came from the consistent advocacy of Cook Islands people living […]

Tamou i te reo Maori

Tuesday 7 August 2012 | Published in Local

Akamata’anga a te ra ono no Aukute ki te ra 10 – ka rave ia te epetoma mua no te akaepaepa’anga i te reo Maori Kuki Airani in Aotearoa. Kua tae rava e tai ngauru ma rua mataiti i te tauta’anga kia akatupuia teia epetoma reo Maori Kuki Airani i Aotearoa. Na te taokotaianga Cook […]

Constitution celebrated in song and dance

Tuesday 7 August 2012 | Published in Local

The vibrancy and colour of the Cook Islands culture, language and her people was evident during the official 47th constitution celebrations on Saturday at the national auditorium. Singing, dancing, drumming and lots of laughs were all part of the official celebration of 47th year of self governance by the Cook Islands. Prime Minister Henry Puna […]

Apology to Ryan Kelly

Tuesday 7 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, After several attempts to have a correction put into the paper, I am writing this to say that there have been two reports – both wrong – about me in the court news of CINews in the last two weeks. In the first report it said that I pleaded guilty to causing an […]

'Go. Local' and just leave?

Tuesday 7 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, With regard to some of the views expressed by Mike Tavioni in your issue of August 1, I would like to highlight another ongoing issue involving the Tourism Corporation in regards to overseas film crews and photographers working in the Cook Islands. For local video producers and photographers it is disappointing to see […]

Show the love

Tuesday 7 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was really excited watching the Olympics and seeing two world records being broken in a row right after each other. This was for the quick snatch weightlifting. What annoyed me though was the Colombian man when he went for his final lift the commentators were saying he’s received medals in all his […]

Rarotonga, we have a problem

Tuesday 7 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

”I was in court last Thursday observing the proceedings,“ a smoke signaller writes. ”The majority of cases were youth up for a variety of charges, mostly burglary. One young thug with slouching arms folded across his chest, eyes rolling towards the ceiling with a ‘devil may care’ attitude was discharged without conviction for breaking his […]

Kata - August 7, 2012

Tuesday 7 August 2012 | Published in Kata

Final curtain fall for 2012 festival

Tuesday 7 August 2012 | Published in National

Friday night’s Te Maeva Nui performance drew the curtain on what was a wonderful week of culture and dance. As has now become the format of the Te Maeva Nui prizegiving – all teams were recognised with ‘grades’ for their performances in the ute, ura pau, pe’e (reo metua) and kapa rima categories. No main […]