Articles by Utopia Support

Public paying for chickens?

Thursday 26 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaler writes: ”It may look like a humanitarian gesture but the handing out of 15 free cartons of chicken to all the island tere parties by Cabinet ministers shows signs of desperation and could lead to allegations of favoritism. This is the second year that the CIP-led Puna government has done this and […]

CISNOC special meeting

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in Local

A special general meeting of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) has been called for July 31 to ensure the positions of president, two vice-presidents and the assistant secretary general are filled. There was to be an annual general meeting held last night at the AOG Church in Takuvaine, but the notification […]

Toa one step closer

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in Local

Toa Petroleum has begun constructing its office but is still awaiting clearance to construct the remainder of its depot at Nikao. The Rarotonga Environment Authority has directed that a peer review of the company’s environmental management plan be undertaken. For story, see p10. 12072406 PHOTO HARVIE ALLISON

Churches celebrate National Gospel Day today

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in Local

Island churches are celebrating National Gospel Day today. Christianity has now been in the Cook Islands for 189 years. Missionaries introduced Christianity to the islands on July 25, 1825. In previous years this auspicious date has been celebrated with a public holiday, but this year’s holiday has been moved to October to accommodate Ariki Day. […]

Clinton may visit Cooks next month

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in Local

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is reportedly considering a visit to the Cook Islands next month. Locally-based Pacific Islands Forum logistical co-ordinator Jaewynn McKay says Clinton is ”considering a visit to the Cooks during the Forum, but nothing has been confirmed at this stage“. American news agency The Huffington Post ran a story […]

Kata - July 25, 2012

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in Kata

Golden Oldies festival running here next year

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in National

Fun, friendship and a little bit of sport will highlight the Golden Oldies Mini Tournament to be held in the Cook Islands next year. The tournament, which will run from 13-17 May, features two days of matches spread between ‘rest’ days that will no doubt involve socialising, having fun and exploring Rarotonga before the final […]

Business trainers back for another round

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in National

Businesses participating in the Pacific Business Mentoring Programme are getting a fresh perspective and another round of advice this week. Trainers Lorraine George and Robyn Putt are back for a third round of training, which they are conducting with businesses that have registered and been previously mentored. The training week is held every six months. […]

Police change tack

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in National

Ryann Daniel Kelly pleaded guilty by letter to an excess breath alcohol charge, rather than pleading guilty to causing a crash while driving with excess blood alcohol, as was reported in yesterday’s newspaper. The charge was correctly reported from last Thursday’s High Court session, but police have now told Kelly it was the other driver […]

Cooks in violence against women study

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in National

Five countries in the South Pacific region will soon begin national studies of the prevalence and patterns of violence against women, after technical preparations for core research teams ended in Suva last month. Organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the preparations involved the country research co-ordinator and officials from the statistics office and […]

Diplomat impressed

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in National

Australia’s new High Commissioner to the Cook Islands says he has ”positive impressions“ of the country on his first trip here. Michael Potts became High Commissioner to New Zealand, the Cooks and Niue on July 16. He is based in Wellington and his visit to Rarotonga has been his first overseas visit in his new […]

Paintball pellets having to be rationed

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in National

Paintball has proven so popular that organisers miscalculated the number of paintball pellets needed – meaning they will have to be rationed until more arrive. The next order of 120,000 pellets arrives in the second week of August. Participants will now only be allowed between 100 to 200 paintballs per game. According to the owners […]

Toa secures construction approval

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in National

Toa Petroleum has secured approval from the National Environment Service (NES) to construct its office, but is still waiting for the green light to proceed with any other construction. Yesterday contractors moved the company’s office building into position, as Toa has approval to construct an office block and toilet and to install all affiliated facilities […]

Dearlove knocks 5 minutes off time

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in National

Cook Islands top paddler Reuben Dearlove achieved more at the recent Tahiti Te Aito than he originally thought. After official race results were released the day after the 28km race, Dearlove discovered the course was actually extended an extra kilometre for a total race course of 29km. Dearlove’s race time was recorded at 2.32 – […]

'No blame' in boating accident

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in National

The investigation into the boating accident on July 14 that has left Captain Moko’s Charters without a fishing boat has been closed by Cook Islands Police. The accident occurred during an early morning fishing charter aboard vessel Tangaroa-Jillymae, skippered by Blair Wilson. Three anglers were also aboard. The seven-metre fishing boat was hit by a […]

By-catch dumping on the rise, says fisherman

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in National

A local commercial fisherman believes the level of fish by-catch dumping is escalating in Cook Islands waters. The man, who posted a concerned comment on Te Ipukarea Society’s Facebook page, said one of his biggest concerns is the ”blatant“ dumping of fish, which he said is an escalating problem due to the increased vessel licences […]

Cooks have 800 percent harsher drug sentences

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands has an 800 percent harsher maximum sentence for possession of cannabis than New Zealand, the court was told during the Operation Eagle trial. Last Friday Giovanni Marsters was sentenced to six years in prison for importing and conspiring to import cannabis into the Cook Islands. He also received a concurrent two year […]

Another CIP entitlement?

Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller asks: ”Why should Mark Brown and entourage go to the London Olympics at all? Is this just because he is Minister for Sport? Is this another one of those CIP (Cook Islands Party) entitlements that go with the job? What nonsense – the money could be better spent elsewhere. And what will […]

Finance needed for climate change

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in Environment

Pacific economic ministers have discussed finance options for climate change, which remains critical for vulnerable Pacific island countries. At the 2012 Forum Economic Ministers’ Meeting (FEMM) held last week in Tarawa, Kiribati, ministers received an update on climate change financing efforts. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat published a report to coincide with the FEMM, highlighting […]

A world without coral reefs?

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in Environment

This startling article about the bleak future of the world’s coral reefs was written by ecologist Roger Bradbury, who does research in resource management at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. He has worked on coral reefs for 40 years. The article was published in The New York Times on July 13, 2012. IT’S […]