Articles by Utopia Support

Carter replies to tendering criticism

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands John Carter says that wherever possible, the New Zealand Aid Programme gives preference to local companies in its tendering of contracts to undertake projects. In the case of Te Aponga Uira’s 100 kW solar photovoltaic project for the Avatiu station and its 50 kW solar project for […]

It's World No Tobacco Day

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

Dubai is today enacting a 24-hour ban on the sale of cigarettes in commemoration of the United Nations’ World No Tobacco Day. While the Cook Islands will not be taking such a drastic measure, the Ministry of Health is encouraging people to abstain from tobacco use today. Each year the World Health Organisation (WHO) assigns […]

Paintball Natives get gun licence

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

New island sports club Paintball Natives has ”finally“ been granted a firearm licence by police. The club faced setbacks recently after police at first refused to issue them a licence, despite there being another paintball club operating on the island. The club, which advocates safe family fun, was set to open in March but police […]

Minister says 'choose life'

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

Minister Mark Brown gave a moving personal address to the large crowd gathered at the Telecom Sports Arena for the launch of the call-free Youthline yesterday. He started his speech with a sombre note, by sharing a personal story about a friend of his that committed suicide in their second to last year of high […]

'Don't struggle alone any more'

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

Youthline ambassador Pieter T is no stranger to the struggles that youth go through. The young R’n’B singer from New Zealand, who was asked to be an ambassador by Youthline last year, had a tough upbringing and struggled with thoughts of suicide himself. His father is now an ex-gang member. But he was part of […]

Miss Pacific Divers pushes an environmental message

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

Miss Pacific Divers Mii Andrews plans to use the opportunity of being a Miss Cook Islands contestant to push her sponsor’s environmental messages and campaign. The 22-year-old secretary at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister says joining Miss Cook Islands has been a childhood dream and that she will be enjoying every minute of […]

Miss Vonnia's home to pursue independence

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

A desire to represent the Cook Islands people on a global scale is one of the reasons for 21-year-old Michelle Elia-Siloata joining this year’s Miss Cook Islands pageant. While Siloata is based in New Zealand, the young woman hopes to return home to live and work and after a short four month ‘trial’ stay recently, […]

New shipping group seeks vessel

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

A group of local importers is reportedly working to source a vessel to fill gaps in the Cook Islands shipping operation. At present only Reef Shipping is actively using its licence to operate a ship from New Zealand to the Cook Islands. Through an interim arrangement Pacific Direct Line (PDL) and Pacific Forum Line (PFL) […]

Minister releases 'capital initiatives'

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands will for the first time present Budget Book 3 ”Capital Initiatives“. This outlines the national capital investment programme and provides the 2011-12 anticipated expenditure and three year capital budget for ministries and state-owned enterprises. These activities are financed through a mix of resources from international development partners, lenders, the Cook Islands government […]

8 new chiefs sworn in

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

The Koutu Nui Uipaanga Maata 2012 held in Aitutaki was a great success. On the opening day – Monday, May 21 – eight new tribal chiefs were sworn into the Koutu Nui. The new mataiapo are Kaimarama M, Kavakura M, Tiikura Mataiapo, Rae Mataiapo o Taravao and Tere’a Mataiapo as well as Tamakeu Mataiapo, Mama […]

Raffle ruffles feathers

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

Ticket holders wondering why they have not yet heard about the raffle results from the Atiu hostel fundraiser will be interested to know that winners will receive their prizes at 12 noon today. The drawing of the raffle, in aid of the construction of Atiu Nui Maruarua – the Enuamanu hostel in Tupapa – caused […]

Port height restriction under review

Thursday 31 May 2012 | Published in National

The Avatiu port redevelopment has prompted questions about height restrictions on the port for aircraft movements. A CINews reader asks whether the $27 million redevelopment of Avatiu port was all in vain, and says the consultants have ”botched up“. The reader is concerned that no one checked on the height restriction for aircraft movements over […]

Cargo restricted

Wednesday 30 May 2012 | Published in Local

Reef Shipping has advised its customers to expect delays from now through to the end of July. It cannot introduce its newer, faster ship Southern Reef until the harbour redevelopment is complete, and until then its carrying capacity is limited. Reef Express voyage 157, which is scheduled to arrive in Rarotonga on June 13 and […]

Drug shortage not because of funding

Wednesday 30 May 2012 | Published in Local

Rarotonga Hospital does have the funds to buy drugs and solve the shortage of drugs. It is at the mercy of pharmaceutical suppliers in New Zealand or the Netherlands to get drugs here when needed, and a batch purchased over a month ago has yet to be delivered. Senior hospital physician Dr Zaw Aung says […]

0800HELP going live today

Wednesday 30 May 2012 | Published in Local

Help is at hand for struggling Cook Islands youth – a free telephone youth helpline is being launched today. The helpline – 0800HELP – is run by Youthline New Zealand and is a free and confidential support network that troubled youth can ring for advice. Youthline will be launched today at 9 am at the […]

Miss Vonnia's enters the pageant

Wednesday 30 May 2012 | Published in Local

Vonnia’s Warehouse yesterday launched the campaign for their Miss Cook Islands candidate Michelle Elia Silota. She’s pictured here next to Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association president Clee Marsters with current Miss Cook Islands Engara Gosselin and staff members at Vonnia’s.

Make aid-funded projects 'go local'

Wednesday 30 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Could someone from Te Aponga Uira please advise us Cook Islanders and taxpayers as to the reason why the 100 KW solar photo voltaic project for the Avatiu power station and the 50 KW solar project for the new Education Building contracts are being awarded to a foreign based company. Is it because […]

Ports pledge to 'monitor and mitigate'

Wednesday 30 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This is a response to Alistair T Macquarie’s letter New call for a halt to work. Firstly the project apologises to the public regarding the spilling of salt water during the transportation of dredged material to the Panama storage site. The project has and is currently taking steps to prevent any further such […]

Kata - May 30, 2012

Wednesday 30 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Voyagers make landfall in Samoa

Wednesday 30 May 2012 | Published in National

Samoa Observer APIA – Whether it was the hand of Tagaloa (Tangaroa) or just a rogue squall, the va’a Gaualofa received a much-needed push from winds to arrive safely in Apia Harbour early yesterday morning. Captain Nick Henry said another va’a had passed under the same squall and got drenched, while for them it was […]