Articles by Utopia Support

Another welcome

Wednesday 16 May 2012 | Published in National

More than a year after leaving Avarua Harbour, the sons and daughters of the Cook Islands aboard Marumaru Atua are coming home. Aitutaki staged the Cook Islands’ major welcoming ceremony on Monday, but a follow-up welcome is being arranged for Rarotonga. The vaka are expected to arrive under full sail at around 2pm tomorrow, and […]

2 more dengue cases under test

Wednesday 16 May 2012 | Published in National

Two new possible cases of dengue fever are being tested following a confirmed report of three cases two weeks ago. Yesterday, the two possible new cases of the disease had been identified but not yet confirmed. Two people were found to be carrying signs of having the disease and they are currently undergoing another blood […]

Soren Larsen visits Avatiu

Wednesday 16 May 2012 | Published in National

Tallship Soren Larsen is currently in the Cook Islands, taking its crew of Australians, New Zealanders, Englishmen, Americans and Swedes, on a long journey through the Pacific. The Soren Larsen, which was used in the BBC TV-series Onedin Line, will stay within the Cook Islands waters until the end of the month. During its time […]

Culture, dance Kate's passions

Wednesday 16 May 2012 | Published in National

Born and bred in Mangaia, Miss Cook Islands News Kate Ngatokorua is paving the way for young and talented women from the pa enua. Upon announcing Kate as the third pageant contestant to enter the fray, Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association (MCIPA) president Clee Marsters called attention to her outer islands roots. ”We’re excited to […]

Justice closes for Budget talk

Wednesday 16 May 2012 | Published in National

The Ministry of Justice will be closed to the public this morning.Until 12pm, ministry staff will be tied up with budget discussions, but after midday the ministry will be available to serve the public. ”The MOJ (Ministry of Justice) is not closing shop tomorrow – what happens to public access is not available until 12pm, […]

PSC's role stipulated

Wednesday 16 May 2012 | Published in National

The Public Service Act 2009 stipulates that the public service commissioner acts as chairperson of the committee which appoints heads of ministries. Schedule two of the act provides that the commissioner should chair the committee, which also comprises three members recommended by Cabinet and one member representing the ‘Public Service Association’ (in this case the […]

Dredge Kimahia due in port todayay

Wednesday 16 May 2012 | Published in National

The dredge Kimahia (pictured at work in New Zealand) is expected to arrive in Avatiu this afternoon. It will take several days to get the equipment operational following the tow from New Zealand. The two hopper barges which will be used to transport the material from the dredge to the offloading point on the wharf […]

Health specialists coming

Wednesday 16 May 2012 | Published in National

It has been some time since a full team of ear, nose and throat (ENT) health specialists have visited the Cook Islands. Over the next month a group of New Zealand medical specialists in the ENT area, and also audiology (hearing) and orthopaedics (bones) will be visiting both Rarotonga and Aitutaki. One of the first […]

More detail promised in this year's Budget

Wednesday 16 May 2012 | Published in National

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management is promising that this year’s budget documents will be ”far more detailed“ than in past years. Financial secretary Richard Neves says the budget will be presented in the form of three booklets – the general overview, a breakdown of ministry-related expenses and a book detailing capital. The first […]

Suicide survey aimed at parents, caregivers

Wednesday 16 May 2012 | Published in National

Parents and guardians are being asked to share their experiences and thoughts on suicide and how it is affecting the Cook Islands as part of the national response to the issue. A survey is currently being distributed to parents and caregivers through Rarotonga’s schools as the second part of a national committee formed by the […]

Roadside rubbish an issue up hospital hill

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Environment

For 35 years Dianne Dorrell has been picking up roadside rubbish on Rarotonga, and she has had enough. Dorrell and neighbour Len Edwards live on hospital hill and they have taken it upon themselves over the years to clean up the mess that others leave behind. This means clearing away the beer bottles, cans and […]

Marumaru Atua leads Pacific Voyagers fleet into Arutanga

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Local

Drum beats and traditional chants welcomed six of the seven voyaging vaka into Arutanga harbour in Aitutaki yesterday as the whole island gathered to welcome the 120 voyaging warriors. Long before the canoes arrived in the harbour, Aitutaki islanders flocked to the beaches to watch the majestic double-hulled canoes under full sail across the reef. […]

Condolences

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It was with great sorrow I received an email from Michelle Wigmore advising of the recent passing away of her father Robert. Along with my family we have been travelling to Rarotonga for well over 35 years. My work being in Agriculture meant I first meet Robert on one of my very early […]

Yes or no?

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In respond to DeJeffries (NZ) concerning the implication of the departure tax which is too expensive, yes you are dead right, you are not the only one. We in the Cook Islands are complaining too, especially the elderly. Quite honestly I have visited the PM and am still waiting for his answer. How […]

An old cure

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I noticed the BBC health article ”Cancer cure in curry“ in the CINews of May 8. Thank you for this article, although the first paragraph is stating wrongly that a chemical in curry is to be tested for its ability to kill bowel cancer. What the paragraph should say is: a chemical in […]

Kata - May 15, 2012

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Review needed on investor screening

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in National

Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen says the recent experiences of hopeful start-up Kia Orana Air are revealing some potential problems for the Cook Islands in its methods for allowing foreign investors in to the country. The recent announcement by Kia Orana Air that it will no longer be viable for it to set up and operate […]

BTIB suggests an investment 'bond'

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in National

The investor troubles that have grounded domestic airline hopeful Kia Orana Air raise ”grave concerns“ about the measures governing foreign investors in the Cook Islands, Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen said. The airline’s managing director Mark Lusby last week announced that Kia Orana Air would be grounded indefinitely because he had some ”serious questions“ about American […]

Candlelight vigil to raise AIDS awareness

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in National

Promoting health and dignity together in the Pacific is this year’s theme for the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, which the Pacific will join the rest of the world in commemorating on May 20. This year marks the 29th anniversary of the candlelight memorial, and Pacific Island countries and territories including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua […]

3 dancers on Japan mission

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in National

Three of the Cook Islands’ star dancers left Rarotonga for Japan at the weekend with a three-pronged mission – to star on Japanese television, perform at the high-level PALM6 meeting and represent the country at the Pacific Cultural Art Festival in Tokyo. For weeks group leader Tina Kae has been organising rehearsals for the trio, […]