Articles by Utopia Support

Plants grown with 'fish poo'

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in Environment

An aquafarm venture is currently being built in Titikaveka ready to open in time for the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in August. Aquaponics, which is new to the Cook Islands, combines aquaculture and hydroponics. For a simpler explanation, in the words of Pacific Islands Trade & Invest’s media and stakeholder relationships advisor Dev Nadkarni, ”it […]

Environment award recipient chosen

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in Environment

To coincide with Environment Week, Tania Temata has been chosen as recipient of Te Ipukarea Society’s Environment Award. ”This award is presented to either an individual or organisation or business who is a champion of environmental issues and Tania is very deserving of this award,“ says Ian Karika, president of the society. In citing the […]

Surplus now, deficit next year

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in Local

After initially projecting a $2.1 million deficit, government has managed to balance its books. Accordingly, the Budget reflects a surplus of about $98,000 for the new financial year. The combined effect of the increased departure tax in the 2013-2014 financial year, the increase of import levies on tobacco, alcohol and fizzy drinks, and the 15 […]

Brown upbeat in blue

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in Local

Finance Minister Mark Brown wore a blue tie yesterday. It was a strategic wardrobe choice, one he said was symbolic of a surplus budget. ”If it were a deficit I would’ve worn a red tie,“ he told media, smiling. Brown applauded the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM), financial secretary Richard Neves and his […]

Not bad!

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It was reported (CINews June 6) that Toa is out of petrol ”because the Southern Express did not arrive on schedule“. Heavens, when did the Southern Express ever arrive on schedule? Thank goodness there is another fuel supplier on the island as apparently Toa does not carry any reserve stock. But never mind, […]

Niki Rattle admirably suited as Speaker

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Although not a constitutional expert, I share the view of Not Sporty (Friday June 1) that Niki Rattle’s departure from the Cook Islands Red Cross is a great loss to that organisation. I have received a fair number of questions about the role of Speaker of Parliament in recent days; I thought readers […]

Kata - June 8, 2012

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in Kata

Bryden follows in dad's footsteps

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in National

Aitutaki medical student Bryden Nicholas is following in his father’s footsteps – and recently he returned to the island for a six-week trainee intern placement at Aitutaki hospital. In his sixth year studying medicine at Otago University, 23-year-old Nicholas decided to spend six weeks working in the Aitutaki hospital as well as another three months […]

Food fest at Avatea

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in National

All things yummy will be on sale at today’s Avatea Primary School food festival fundraiser. The food festival, which runs from 10am to 2pm in the school hall, is to raise funds for school events and activities this year. The school hopes to raise $10,000 with energy saving lights at the top of the school’s […]

National debt reducing $14m to $93.6m

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in National

By the end of this month, the Crown’s debt levels are expected to reach $93.6 million. Last year the gross debt level was recorded at $107 million. The $14 million reduction in debt levels is the result of a favourable movement in the US dollar to New Zealand dollar exchange rate. Currently the Ministry of […]

GDP expected to grow by 5%

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in National

Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 5 percent this year, driven primarily by a projected increase in tourist numbers. The economy grew moderately in 2009/2010 after contracting in 2008/2009, but the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) expects higher growth going forward. Nominal growth, which does not take into account the effect […]

Trade deficit

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in National

Imports continue to exceed exports, resulting in a negative trade balance of $103.7 million. The Budget reveals that about 58 cents is leaking out of the economy for every $1 spent in the Cook Islands, primarily because of the country’s heavy reliance on imports to meet local demand. Last year imports cost the country $105.7 […]

Deposits increase despite new tax

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in National

There was no major outflow of capital after the government announced its intention to enact a withholding tax. Overall deposits have in fact increased from $186 million in December last year to $192 – an increase of 3.2 percent. ”There was a lot of concern that we would see hordes of people moving money out […]

Revenue and savings up

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in National

Both revenue and savings are up from last year. Total revenue has increased by 3 percent, meaning that currently government is collecting around $158.2 million (including aid). Taxation comprises 58 percent of revenue, grants from other governments make up 30 percent and the remainder is from sources such as sales of goods and services, dividends, […]

Expenditure up 2% to $131.5m

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in National

Expenditure is expected to increase by 2 percent to $131.5 million this financial year. The bulk of the increase is the result of government’s commitment to underwrite Air New Zealand flights – a cost of $12.5 million and $13.6 million for this year and next, respectively, which exceeds projected forecasts of $8 million and $10 […]

$3m more from taxation increase

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in National

Taxation has increased by an estimated 3.4 percent – increasing government’s revenue by $3 million this financial year. From direct taxation government is estimated to be collecting $38.7 million. The increase is being driven primarily by the withholding tax, the full effects of which become palpable during this financial year. Taxes are expected to increase […]

Budget breaks new ground

Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in National

The Budget government presented in Parliament yesterday breaks new ground. In his speech, Finance Minister Mark Brown explained that for the first time, the public has access to over 800 pages of detailed information that break down the way government is receiving and spending money. ”The 2012/13 Budget is supported by three documents which provides […]

Turtle research reinforcements

Thursday 7 June 2012 | Published in Environment

Fresh off of their Palmerston sea turtle research expedition, the Cook Islands Turtle Project (CITP) – a project of Pacific Islands Conservation Initiative (PICI) – is excited to welcome two new volunteers to the team. Phil and Nerissa Bradshaw have come on board to run sea turtle research for the southern group – and they’ve […]

Use reusable bags!

Thursday 7 June 2012 | Published in Environment

In the spirit of National Environment Week, the National Environment Service (NES) is encouraging people to tote their groceries in reusable bags. Two shop owners have been obliging and on board with NES’ efforts to phase out plastic bags for months now, and in return have received 100 reusable bags apiece to sell to customers. […]

Fizzy drinks, alcohol going up

Thursday 7 June 2012 | Published in Local

Government is increasing levies on sweetened drinks and alcohol. The forthcoming Budget, due to be tabled this afternoon in Parliament, reflects a 15 percent increase on sweetened drinks and alcoholic drinks, though levies on low-alcohol beers will rise by just 5 percent. Such increases will be effectual from August 1. Minister of Finance Mark Brown […]