Articles by Utopia Support

CJ hears tax case

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in Local

Despite there being over $20 million worth of unpaid tax owed to the country, there is currently only one tax case before the courts. The defendant – who has name suppression – in this case owes tens of thousands of dollars to the government in undeclared tax. This case will be heard in front of […]

Titikaveka petition withdrawn

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in Local

The petition challenging the Titikaveka by-election results has been withdrawn. Cook Islands Party candidate Teariki Matenga has withdrawn the petition he filed earlier this month protesting the win of his sister and political rival Selina Napa in the Titikaveka by-election last month. Napa received 297 votes, Matenga 283 votes, and Teava Iro, an Independent candidate, […]

Allegations answered

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to the news item in yesterday’s CINews wherein the Leader of the Opposition and MP for Penrhyn Wilkie Rasmussen was reported to have made a number of allegations regarding the payment made by the Cook Islands Pearl Authority (CIPA) to the Manihiki Island culture group. I wish to provide the following […]

Papa'a judges the problem

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Your letter writer calling for an end to ”foreign“ Judges sitting in the High Court of the Cook Islands is certainly a topic that needs debate. The problem however is not ”foreign“ Judges but Papa’a Judges. We are privileged to have two Land Division Judges who, when not sitting here, sit on the […]

Support and sympathy from former HOM

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I just wanted to express my commiseration to Carmel Beattie’s sacking. As a former Head of Ministry and a colleague I have known her to be very professional, articulate, good debater and participated very well in HOMs meeting especially in relation to Government policies, budget planning and business planning. Also as a former […]

A lot want a drug-free country

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with sadness the view of Undercover Marijuana Taker in the paper. I cannot believe that we have people living here in our country with this kind of mind frame. One cannot blame the judges for the decision passed on these kids. These judges are guided by the laws of this country, […]

Kata - August 2, 2012

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in Kata

College rugby pride on the line

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in National

On and off the rugby field, outer islands rugby players from Atiu and Araura College impressed at yesterday’s inter college sevens tournament. Cook Islands Rugby Union chief executive officer Ben Koteka was all praise for the two teams who were first at the field and at the ready for the afternoon’s tournament. There was disappointment […]

Pe'e crowd pleasers

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in National

Vaka Puaikura tore up the Are Karioi stage on Tuesday night for their pe’e performance – an item the village is renowned for. Dressed in rauti and dried rau ara the warrior men and women from Puaikura didn’t disappoint with their fierce performance that had the capacity crowd tingling with excitement and roaring with praise. […]

George to contest leadership?

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in National

The recent bickering between the opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen and party-hopper Norman George has prompted a local radio host to invite them to sort it out on air. Matariki FM director and broadcaster William Franheim invited Rasmussen and George to discuss their issues on air this morning at 7.15. However, only George confirmed he would […]

Media to descend on Cook Islands

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands won’t just be swamped with visiting dignitaries during the Pacific Leaders Forum next month – foreign media will also abound. The 43rd Pacific Islands Forum has huge potential for the showcasing of the Cook Islands to the world – particularly though the major media organisations which will be following the event. So […]

Moringa gives Mauke farmers opportunity

Thursday 2 August 2012 | Published in National

The new extraction facility built for the production of TeTika Bioactive Cook Islands Oils on Rarotonga will provide a rare opportunity for a new agricultural venture on Mauke. Moringa oleifera, a ‘super-plant’ currently being grown on Mauke, initially as a feedstock for animals has another richer output that requires extraction facilities. However, moringa fresh leaves […]

Story stuffed up

Wednesday 1 August 2012 | Published in Local

New Zealand online news website stuff.co.nz had to quickly pull an article about foreign aid in the Cooks after getting their facts wrong. Their article ‘Aid cash used to subsidise tourism’ claimed ”more than half the $19 million in aid New Zealand gives to reduce poverty in the Cook Islands is subsidising Rarotongan holidays for […]

Clinton's security scope out Cooks

Wednesday 1 August 2012 | Published in Local

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton could be making her first ever visit to the Cook Islands to attend this year’s Pacific Leaders Forum at the end of August. While the prime minister’s office could not conclusively confirm Clinton will make an appearance, they did confirm an advance team is scoping out Rarotonga for […]

Sack board, not Beattie: Tavioni

Wednesday 1 August 2012 | Published in Local

A local artist is unhappy over the dismissal of tourism chief executive Carmel Beattie, and calls for the board members to be sacked instead. Mike Tavioni has spoken up in Beattie’s defence and says the board – made up of Ben Bergman, Thomas Koteka, Teresa Manarangi-Trott, Robert Skews and chaired by Air Rarotonga owner Ewan […]

No fear

Wednesday 1 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Since Norman George saw fit to mention my name in his letter to you yesterday, a reply from me is prompted. I have absolutely no fear of him and his intentions to join the Democratic Party. For some time now I have kept my silence and have not responded to his personal attacks […]

Get rid of alien judges

Wednesday 1 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It angered me listening to the Deputy Prime Minister on Thursday and Friday praising the Cook Islands’ self determination. Why are these alien judges or justices still dominating in our court house? Is that self determination? I don’t think so. Didn’t the late Albert Henry fight so hard to get rid of these […]

Backtracking at CISNOC

Wednesday 1 August 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Yesterday’s news release with quotes by CEO Dan O’Brien didn’t fool everybody. Mr O’Brien is quoted as being in a voluntary position. Not so. The CEO’s position is a paid position. His attempt at drawing support certainly didn’t fool this writer. He then suggests there was criticism toward his family. That is not […]

Kata - August 1, 2012

Wednesday 1 August 2012 | Published in Kata

Six colleges in tourney

Wednesday 1 August 2012 | Published in National

College students from Rarotonga and the outer islands will rumble in today’s Under 15 College Sevens Tournament at Tupapa field. Six college teams will take to the field today from Tereora, Nukutere, Titikaveka, Rakei Toa, Araura and Atiu. The tournament is for boys and girls teams and in the girls division, Tereora and Nukutere will […]