Articles by Utopia Support

Quake spurs renewable energy commitment

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in Environment

Japan intends to include Pacific nations in its own journey to discover and perfect renewable energy technologies. Japan’s deputy secretary to cabinet Noriyuki Shikata told Pacific journalists this week that his government is actively looking for ways to reduce its country’s reliance on fossil fuels in general, and on nuclear energy in particular. Following Japan’s […]

Toa relocation 'a disaster waiting to happen'

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in Environment

A formal objection by Te Ipukarea Society terms the contentious relocation of Toa Petroleum to the Nikao foreshore ”a disaster waiting to happen“. After reviewing the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), published on April 7, Te Ipukarea Society Incorporated (TIS) – along with four other objectors – made a written submission to the National Environment Service […]

PM speaks for Pacific leaders in Japan

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna officially opened PALM6 at a reception hosted by Japanese foreign minister Koichiro Gemba on Thursday night. Gemba launched the reception with a brief address, thanking Pacific leaders for extending their support and condolences to his country after it suffered a triple disaster last March and noting in a show of solidarity […]

Dengue containment measures working

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in Local

Two suspected cases of dengue fever recorded last week have returned negative results, leaving the Cook Islands with just its original three recorded cases of the disease. Another person is now awaiting the second test to confirm whether or not they have been infected with the mosquito-borne disease. That test will confirm whether the person […]

Ariki explains historic koutu

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in Local

Rutaki Primary School students visited Arai-Te-Tonga Koutu yesterday where Potiki-taua Taunga Tako Ariki Bobby Turua explained the site to the students as part of their culture studies. Turua explained that the site in Ooa, Tupapa, was in fact a koutu and not a marae as the sign reads at the entrance of the site. He […]

Te akaroa, pensioners

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To the pensioners, unfortunately the government is unable to lower the departure tax due to financial problems. So there is a possibility the departure tax will increase to about $70 (te akaroa, especially for those travelling to NZ for medical check-up). As I said previously, the problem is with the government structure, too […]

It's time to go hard or go home

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In the mid 1980s, the Arorangi Rugby Club A team made history in becoming the first team to win the ”Champion of Champions“ shield 10 years in a row. A feat no other club has equalled. Avatiu club on the other hand held onto a trophy for nine consecutive years, only to see […]

Kata - May 25, 2012

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in Kata

League grand finals start today

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in League

The rugby league grand finals kicks off today at 4.30pm at the Tupapa field where the Tupapa Panthers and Titikaveka Bulldogs under 16 grades will go head to head. With half of the Bulldogs team being members of the Seventh Day Adventist church – their executives requested their grand final game be brought forward to […]

Japan will maintain aid to Pacific

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in National

The Japanese government says PALM is evidence of its unwavering commitment to continue providing aid to Pacific nations despite the fiscal difficulties it faces in the aftermath of last year’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident. Japan’s deputy secretary to cabinet Noriyuki Shikata yesterday assured a group of Pacific journalists – who are in Japan to […]

PM shares his approach in Japan

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna intends to push the Cook Islands’ own agenda at the high-level PALM6 meeting in Japan this weekend. ”I think I’ll be forgiven if I take the opportunity – since I’ll be sitting next to the Japanese prime minister – to promote our own national views and interests,“ Puna said with a […]

PM meets Emperor

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna had the rare opportunity to meet the reigning Emperor and Empress of Japan this week. At an official Imperial Palace function, Puna and wife Akaiti had the chance to mingle with the Emperor and Empress – who in Japan are never referred to by their given names, but by their official […]

Check-in affected as Oyster checks-out

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in National

Air New Zealand was affected by Oyster’s internet outage last Saturday to the extent they were forced to check-in passengers leaving Rarotonga by phoning New Zealand and getting them to do check-ins manually from their end. Internet was down across the whole of the island for an hour on Saturday afternoon, affecting all of Telecom’s […]

Miss Kafoteria enters the pageant

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in National

Joining the Miss Cook Islands pageant has been a childhood dream for 18-year-old Vivianne Tuteru who has returned home to make that dream a reality. Tuteru was signed on as contestant number five this week. The part Tonga and Cook Islands daughter of Kafo and Pae Tuteru, now based in Australia, will be sponsored and […]

Saltwater complaint gets ports action

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in National

Avatiu harbour development project managers will alter the route trucks take between the harbour and the Panama dump site after hearing complaints from the Cook’s Bus Passenger Transport company. Manager Kevin Cook yesterday said he had laid a complaint with police over the salt water being spilled on the road by trucks taking material dredged […]

Speaker backlash 'petty' says Puna

Friday 25 May 2012 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna has hit back at his political opponents and detractors as playing ”petty politics“ intent on ”scoring cheap political points“ when they criticised the choice of Cook Islands Red Cross secretary general Niki Rattle as the next Speaker of Parliament. In a statement released to media yesterday, Puna said he was ”disappointment […]

Clean tanks for cleaner lagoon

Thursday 24 May 2012 | Published in Environment

Muri Lagoon could be sparkling clean thanks to the new sanitation systems now going inTO the ground in the Muri and Avana areas. The second system was successfully finished on Tuesday, under a programme designed to improve the quality of groundwater flowing from residential properties into the Muri Lagoon. Through the Waste Management Initiative (WMI) […]

Recycling challenge in Environment Week

Thursday 24 May 2012 | Published in Environment

For the first week of June, the Cook Islands will recognise National Environment Week which coincides with the UN World Environment Day on June 5 annually. A number of initiatives are scheduled for Environment Week including the Recycled Sculptures competition targeted at the older generation rather than school children this year. As part of the […]

Lagoon Day grows, shifts to Arorangi

Thursday 24 May 2012 | Published in Environment

Lagoon Day is shaping up to be bigger and better this year. Scheduled for July 12 and 13, the festival will be open to the public. Organisers want to remind the community that while Lagoon Day is typically attended by school kids, it is a useful and enlightening resource for people of all ages. Dates […]

Cold snap, windy weather ahead

Thursday 24 May 2012 | Published in Local

Don’t put away your woollies yet – the weather is set to get colder and windier towards the weekend. The Meteorological Service today warns the public to be aware of heavy rain and strong winds which will worsen towards the end of the weekend. An active low pressure system is predicted to develop along a […]