Articles by Utopia Support

Board tight-lipped on dismissal

Tuesday 31 July 2012 | Published in National

The tourism board is remaining tight-lipped over the dismissal of tourism chief executive Carmel Beattie. The only information released by the corporation regarding Beattie’s employment is contained in Friday afternoon’s press release, says Tourism Board chairman Ewan Smith. The release claimed Beattie ”resigned“ and a restructuring within tourism had led to the chief executive role […]

Comments 'cheap shot'

Tuesday 31 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: ”I for one was not amused by Norman George’s uncalled for vicious swiping insult of Lady Marito Maoate during the late Sir Terepai’s state funeral. A number of people laughed at the jokes and revelations he made about politicians and what they get up to but when he turned on Lady […]

PM asked to enforce raui penalties

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in Environment

Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) senior fisheries officer Richard Story is speaking out against ”cowboys“ who pillage fish from raui areas in Aitutaki. Implemented to ensure food resources are able to be maintained consistently, a raui is a ban on an area for a given amount of time imposed by traditional leaders, known as the […]

Sacked for expressing her views?

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It annoyed me to see that Carmel Beattie had been sacked from her job just because of issues with the tourism board. Didn’t know you could get sacked for expressing your views only to help the future of the Cook Islands’ number one industry. Who has the skills to do a more better […]

Kata - July 30, 2012

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in Kata

Cooks 1 of 5 'best dressed' teams at Olympics

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in National

Team Cook Islands was announced as one of the top five best dressed teams for the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games. ”Full credit goes out to all those who played a part in outfitting the team in their gear“ sports minister Mark Brown wrote from London yesterday. ”In particular our two local companies […]

Dockings don't stop development

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in National

The recent dockings of Samoan ship MV Naomi and the Kwai haven’t affected the rapid progress of the Avatiu port development. Despite some logistical questions, the upgrade is continuing to work at pace and over 70 percent of the project is now complete. Ports authority Bim Tou said organisation was crucial to help ease the […]

Wearable arts show planned

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in National

A wearable arts show will take place in Rarotonga as part of the Clean Up Rarotonga campaign in September. With the theme being ‘My waste, your waste, our responsibility’, students from Rarotonga schools will be working to create wearable art out of waste material in order to entertain, educate and inspire others to rethink, reuse […]

Auckland-based students 'back home'

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in National

A group of 22 senior students from Sir Edmund Hillary College in Auckland, all of Cook Islands descent, are in Rarotonga to experience life ‘back home’. They wanted to experience traditional culture and language ahead of their NCEA Cook Islands Maori exams. The group, which is accompanied by seven parents and two teachers, arrived on […]

Foreign dance and music on show

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in National

Maori haka, American line dancing, Fijian siva and Filipino theatrical dance depicting the cycle of life were all part of the colourful and diverse International Night at Aroa Nui Hall in Arorangi on Saturday night. Held annually at the start of the Te Maeva Nui celebrations – the show gives international communities living within the […]

Probation for knocking out partner

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in National

Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata presided over a High Court hearing on July 26. The following cases were dealt with: Bonnie Enua Kie – appeared on a charge of assault on a female on July 10 while drinking at home. After an argument started Kie threw a beer can at his victim’s head, knocking […]

Akaora-Revive exhibition at museum

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in National

Revival and celebration are all part of the new art exhibition which opened on Saturday at the National Museum. Akaora-Revive, the first contemporary art exhibition to be seen at the museum for some time, is seen as a revival of the museum’s support for contemporary visual arts. It is also a celebration of the newly-formed […]

Olympics fun at kids' camp

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in National

For kids looking for some school holiday action this week, Youth With A Mission Cook Islands (YWAM) is hosting an Olympic themed kids camp. The camp will run over four days with children aged five to 12 years invited to take part. Kate Moala, kids camp co-ordinator, says that with the camp timed when the […]

Corrosion in Telecom unit

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in National

Matavera’s mobile coverage should be back to normal. Technicians discovered corrosion and ”damp“ areas in a GSM unit that provides coverage in the Matavera district last Thursday night. The fault caused an outage that affected mobile customers from as early as 9am on Thursday. Engineers have since replaced the unit with a temporary unit that […]

Two prominent women honoured

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands National Council of Women has formally recognised the achievements of two prominent female leaders in the Cook Islands. Dame Margaret Karika Ariki and Niki Rattle are pictured in tivaevae gifted by the National Council of Women. In her sixth president ’s report, Vaine Wichman wrote: ”We took the opportunity while signing the […]

Wasted flight when phone would do?

Monday 30 July 2012 | Published in National

”Prime Minister Puna went over to New Zealand on a flying visit to discuss with Minister McCully the United States Secretary of State’s possible visit to the Cooks,“ a smoke signaller writes. ”Why? Why not just telephone? And Skyping is a good inexpensive option as well. Or maybe they don’t have any credit left on […]

Cooks march on as Games begin

Saturday 28 July 2012 | Published in Local

Flagbearer Helema Williams steered Team Cook Islands with pride at yesterday’s opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. Williams looked stunning as her smile beamed to the hundreds of thousands of people in attendance at London’s Olympic Stadium as well as the billions watching throughout the world. Also seen on-screen were weightlifter Luisa Peters, slalom […]

Tourism head gone

Saturday 28 July 2012 | Published in Local

Carmel Beattie has been reportedly sacked from her position as chief executive of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation. Tourism Board chairman Ewan Smith issued a press release yesterday advising Beattie had resigned as chief executive after a two and a half year stint at the corporation’s helm. No reason for the sudden resignation was given […]

'Don't murder sharks'

Saturday 28 July 2012 | Published in Features

This week the Kids Page features some more very interesting letters to the editor, written by Te Uki Ou pupils. The students decided to write the letters to express their opinions about a number of issues that they feel very strongly about, from shark finning to animal cruelty and road accidents. Dear Editor, People are […]

Rain fails to stop float parade fun

Saturday 28 July 2012 | Published in Features

The people of the Cook Islands showed staunch patriotism yesterday when Te Maeva Nui teams and event sponsors marched, sang and danced in the rain for the float parade marking the start of the 47th Te Maeva Nui. Hundreds of people including visitors huddled under umbrellas and raincoats watching the 20 decorated floats carrying enthusiastic […]