Articles by Utopia Support

Hotelier does police work

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in Local

A burglary victim left Rarotonga happy after a concerned hotelier took it upon herself to track him down in order to return his wallet, which she had found. Raina Lagoon Villas manager Tanya Savage found Danny Joel Nikolovski’s wallet discarded in the Arorangi accommodation’s hedge early in the morning of July 16. The first thing […]

Biolytix installation helps environment

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in Local

Issues surrounding the water quality near the Muri lagoon have resulted in the installation of a new type of environmentally-friendly waste treatment programme in houses in the area. Over 200 homes have taken on the Waste Management Initiative (WMI), which asks homeowners to contribute $1000 to the setup of the unit, with the government paying […]

Undercover officer involvement 'fair'

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in Local

Operation Eagle has made Cook Islands history as the country’s largest drugs bust and police operation of any kind – by using an undercover officer. Defendants Giovanni Marsters, Inano Matapo and Samuel Tangaroa were imprisoned last week for the possession, importation and distribution of the class C drug cannabis. Matapo was also sentenced on corruptly […]

Scrutiny required

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The question as to the authority to grant these shipping licence approvals, the conditions, obligations and responsibilities associated with them, and the policing of the same, requires scrutiny. In the his haste to favour Tai Moana over the government’s shipping company PFL, the Minister of Transport has unfortunately invoked a provision of the […]

Guam is just four years away

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It’s sad to read that the brunt of the blame for non-appearance of a Cook Islands contingent at the Arts Festival is being directed at Tauranga Vananga, the Ministry of Culture. Unfortunately in the current difficult worldwide economic climate and given our limited capital, government has to make difficult decisions as who to […]

Kata - July 24, 2012

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in Kata

Track champs start

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in National

While the London Olympics are still some days away, keen athletics fans can enjoy some local track and field today before the global showcase begins. The Air Rarotonga-sponsored Cook Islands National Age Group Championships will be run at the BCI Stadium today and tomorrow and will feature some of the Cook Island’s up-and-coming talent throughout […]

Netball talent showcased

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in National

The action was fierce, the passing was fast and the whistle blew loudly as the National Netball Age Group Championships got underway at the Telecom Sports Arena (TSA) yesterday. The matches showcased some of the best netball the Cook Islands has to offer, thanks to the participation from teams from the outer islands of Atiu, […]

Ciguatera has prompted dietary shift

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in National

Ciguatera outbreaks have accelerated the onset of non-communicable disease in the Cook Islands. Dr Teina Rongo presented his ciguatera (foodborne illness) research at the recent health conference, the theme of which was focused on the epidemic of non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the Cook Islands. Dr Rongo explained that ciguatera has far-reaching […]

Wind still 'playing for the other team'

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in National

Cook Islands vaka Marumaru Atua is experiencing some rough weather, and has elected to call in for shelter at Espiritu Santo to wait out the heavy winds and seas. From Captain Peia Patai yesterday: ”At the moment the wind is coming from New Caledonia, Uto and Matau’s water is contaminated and they are running low […]

Kwai a very welcome visitor

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in National

Cooks-registered cargo vessel Kwai arrived in port on Saturday morning, and is due to set sail for the northern group – Palmerston, Nassau and Pukapuka – either tomorrow or Thursday. Her tentative schedule has her in Palmerston around July 28, Nassau around July 31, Pukapuka from about August 1 to 3, Nassau on August 4, […]

Chinese fleet doubles in two years

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in National

China has sent sophisticated fishing boats into waters north of New Zealand, creating fears it is plundering the world’s last great tuna stock in a bid to stake a claim to the region’s resources. Official figures show a 125 percent increase in two years in the size of China’s South Pacific tuna fleet, with many […]

Advice for students

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in National

Students leaving school at the end of this year will soon be advised on their career options. Gail Townsend, chief executive of planning, policy and review at the Ministry of Education, says all senior students will have one-on-one careers counselling with a careers advisor to help them choose a suitable career path. Students from Rarotonga […]

Te Korero Maori a big hit

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands Te Korero Maori Cultural Performing Arts Group, under the guidance of Vaitoti Tupa and Anthony Turua, has performed for the first time at one of the busiest airports in the world – Heathrow Airport in London – in the lead-up to the London Olympic Games. With thousands of athletes and supporters arriving […]

Burgled twice in a week

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in National

The Central Motel was burgled twice in one week, and manager Malcolm Laxton-Blinkhorn is understandably ”very pissed off“. A large sum of money was stolen from the motel, which got hit by burglars in the early hours of July 9 and then again a week later. Also stolen was a laptop, a stereo system, a […]

New era of high standards

Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in National

The 10 new ministry heads were inducted into their roles by the prime minister in a ceremony at Red Cross yesterday. In his address to the new heads of ministry (HOMS), Prime Minister Henry Puna said they are the frontline and the ”face“ of public service, which reflects on the government. ”You are the leaders […]

Rori company director bites back

Monday 23 July 2012 | Published in Local

The founding director of a new company looking to harvest rori for the overseas market is denying the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) knows nothing about the project. Cook Islands News ran a release from MMR on Friday which detailed the vulnerability of the sea cucumbers, and said there had been no enquiries from the […]

Vendors victorious in market saga

Monday 23 July 2012 | Published in Local

A potential wave of defiance stemming from a simple act has resulted in local vendors feeling like they have ”won round one“ of the Punanga Nui market saga. The celebrations were evident after Cook Islands National Olympic Committee secretary general Rosie Blake was forced to stand down from the Punanga Nui market committee chair position […]

Well done

Monday 23 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Last Sunday we were guests in the morning service at the Cook Islands Christian Church just up the road from the Pacific Resort. We were a group of 10 from NZ lucky enough to have had the opportunity to visit your beautiful country and hear the fantastic singing in church. During the service […]

Support Honolulu flight

Monday 23 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing in support of the possibility of a Hawaiian Airlines flight between Honolulu and Rarotonga. Given that Hawaiian Airlines will be flying from Auckland to Honolulu, it would be an easy stop-over. The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation would do well to encourage Hawaiian Airlines to make the stop. For people in […]