Articles by Utopia Support

Harpooned!

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in Features

Feeling powerless against the rollout of rules governing use of the FADs (fishing aggregate devices), two young fishermen this week drafted a petition in protest. They harboured a faint hope that their three-page appeal would inspire change, but didn’t anticipate a flood of support from both ends of the fishing spectrum – fellow fishermen and […]

5 big league games today

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in League

Five massive games of semi-final rugby league will be played out at the BCI Stadium starting at 12pm with the under 13 grade. Winners of today’s games will go on to next week’s grand finals and losers will hang their boots up for the season. While the age grade games will be intensely fought, everyone […]

Netball teams finding their form

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in Netball

The Arorangi netball club will host Tupapa at Raemaru Park today in what should be exciting games on the outdoor courts. Tupapa teams right across the board are finding their form quickly this season and will no doubt be a handful for their hosts today who will also field some exciting age grade teams. The […]

There were many sides to Sir Geoff

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in National

Former principal of Mangaia School, Tereora College and Atiu’s Enuamanu School, and former employee of the Ministry of Education I never knew Sir Geoffrey. I only met him a couple of times. I did know three other men, though. The first was called ‘Geoffrey Henry’ and I was taught to dislike, distrust and stay clear […]

Drum beats at Big Ben

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in National

With the world’s attention focused on London this year, Cook Islands Tourism kicked off their European Road Show 2012 with a selection of staged dance performances this week around nine major London landmarks. The dancers braved the cold weather and performed in iconic sites across London, including Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral and […]

Love of the sea drives donor

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in National

On seeing Cook Islands traditional voyaging vaka Te Au O Tonga sailing in to American Samoa for the 2008 Pacific Arts Festival – German philanthropist Dieter Paulmann found the vessel in which to spread his environment messages to save the ocean. Dieter, the German philanthropist who founded the Okeanos Foundation for the Sea and Pacific […]

PNG envoy visits

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in National

Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner to the Cook Islands William Dihm paid a visit to Deputy Prime Minister and minister of foreign affairs Tom Marsters this week. Marsters welcomed Dihm to the country and then addressed various topics of discussion with the High Commissioner such as the up-coming Pacific Islands Leaders Forum to be held […]

Help, ideas for happy marriages

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in National

There are plenty of stresses that can upset a marriage – financial difficulties, problems in the bedroom and the uncertainties of raising children are all big worries for many in a committed relationship. Which is why it’s important for you and your partner to understand how to communicate and create dreams to attain. Two New […]

Sel's grassroots electioneering starts

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in National

The 40-year-old Crimes Act needs attention if the Cook Islands is going to tackle head-on the problems of crime among its youth, Titikaveka by-election Democratic Party representative Selina Matenga-Napa said yesterday. Matenga-Napa said crime was one of the biggest anxieties being voiced by the people of Titikaveka as she begins her campaign efforts to retain […]

Financial transparency called for

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in National

According to international rating agency Standard and Poors, the Cook Islands should be fostering greater transparency of information relating to its external financial liabilities. This is the lesson finance secretary Richard Neves took away from a meeting with Standard and Poors representatives, who visited Rarotonga last week. The representatives met with local banks, the Chamber […]

Withholding tax remains in place

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in National

The controversial withholding tax introduced in the last financial budget will again feature in the upcoming budget, but the government is still promising that it will not become a permanent tax in the Cook Islands. The new levy – a 15 percent withholding tax on interest earned in all accounts in the Cook Islands – […]

Tell Toa to 'find another spot'

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes in response to yesterday’s page 7 CINews article ‘Toa scheme faces 5 objections: Company claims none form a legal basis for challenge’. ”Mr Porter’s assuring words aside that placing yet another fuel depot on the foreshore is going to be all hunky dory and we the public should leave it all […]

Tears are a language

Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in Church Talk

Many families have suffered the loss of dear loved ones. The other day I visited an old school friend of mine whose sweet mother had passed away. After the burial I went across to meet him and he tells me that his family was experiencing much grief and pain. Death is painful and it leaves […]

Don't be deceived: there is only one way

Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in Church Talk

Interestingly enough, nearly every passage in the New Testament that speaks of the end of the age includes some kind of warning about being deceived. 2 Thes 2:3 – tells us that there will be a deliberate rejection of revealed biblical truth prior to the end of this age. We should remind ourselves that Adam […]

Toa scheme faces 5 objections

Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in Environment

Five separate individuals have formally objected to Toa Petroleum setting up shop on the Nikao foreshore. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) report analysing the environmental and social implications of Toa’s relocation was published on April 7, and the public had 30 days to make written submissions to the National Environment Service (NES) if they harboured […]

Dame's investiture to make history

Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in Local

Dame Makea Karika Margaret Ariki DBE will make history in the Cook Islands when she is officially bestowed with her damehood at a ceremony tomorrow. Dame Margaret, also known as Pauline Margaret Rakera Taripo, will be bestowed as a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) in a special ceremony […]

Turou no Marumaru Atua

Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in Local

Despite a five-hour delay – Pacific Voyagers received a resounding welcome at Avatiu harbour late yesterday afternoon. From midday a large crowd of spectators gathered at both the Western Marina and main Avatiu harbour watching the canoes on the horizon. But the crowds dispersed on learning of the fleet’s delay. As the canoes finally pointed […]

Why the secrecy on fishing facts?

Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have been staying with my 89-year-old mum in NZ for the last three months, so don’t have much to report on fishing in Raro. However, snapper fishing in the Waitemata Harbour is really impressive. The Waitemata was closed to commercial fishing some five years ago and now you can nearly always catch […]

Kata - May 18, 2012

Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Emotional homecoming for Nick

Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in National

Cook Islander Nick Henry decided to learn traditional navigation to gain a deeper understanding of his culture. But on this current Pacific Voyagers mission, Henry has become more aware of the state of the environment and the need to protect the great Moana Nui o Kiva. Henry has risen through the ranks to become vaka […]