Articles by Utopia Support

Where are stakeholders in HOM choices?

Friday 11 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writing about the selection panel for heads of ministry positions asks: ”If the economy is being driven by the private sector, why does the selection have all ex public servants on it? Where is the Chamber of Commerce? Where are the stakeholders? Or is this just the continuation of the downward spiral […]

CI to benefit from biodiversity project

Thursday 10 May 2012 | Published in Environment

A US$1.7 million project to conserve island biodiversity in the Cook Islands, Nauru, Tonga and Tuvalu was launched at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in Apia, Samoa. Under this three-year initiative the island nations will carry out a range of activities with their local communities to produce and strengthen management actions […]

Farewell, Sir Geoff

Thursday 10 May 2012 | Published in Local

Two-time prime minister and one of the Cook Islands’ most colourful politicians Sir Geoffrey Henry died at his home in Takuvaine, surrounded by family and friends. Sir Geoffrey succumbed to kidney cancer around 1am on Wednesday, bringing to close a long and vibrant political career that spanned almost 50 years. Sir Geoffrey first entered politics […]

Kata - May 10, 2012

Thursday 10 May 2012 | Published in Kata

League playoffs move to BCI Stadium

Thursday 10 May 2012 | Published in League

The 2012 rugby league playoffs will all be played at the BCI Stadium starting today with the junior grades. Games kick off at 4pm today with the under 13 Eels and Panthers going head to head before the under 16 game at 5pm between the Bulldogs and Warriors. The last game tonight will be in […]

Police drop Tini investigation

Thursday 10 May 2012 | Published in National

Police will not be laying any criminal charges against former Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) chief executive John Tini. Tini has been under police scrutiny since September 2009, after he was suspended with pay over allegations he had misused public funds. CIIC subsequently organised an investigation, which was conducted by the Audit Office and on […]

Roadside contracts in community control

Thursday 10 May 2012 | Published in National

A number of changes will be introduced to the Rarotonga road network beautification programmes this year aiming in part to ensure that the communities of each electorate receive benefit from the funds. The government agencies organising the programme, namely the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is also seeking clearer documentation and reporting on the work carried […]

Old uto chopped for safety

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in Local

Road safety was on the minds of Tupapa resident Mereana Hagai and the village’s MP George Maggie yesterday as workers pulled down an uto tree in Maraerenga. The tree, situated on Hagai’s property on the main road near Victoria Park, was a traffic hazard and needed to be removed. Maggie said that the tree was […]

Bedside vigil for Sir Geoff

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in Local

The family of the Speaker of Parliament, Sir Geoffrey Henry, maintained a bedside vigil at his home yesterday afternoon as he lay gravely ill with cancer. Sir Geoffrey, 71, a former prime minister, had been a patient at the Rarotonga Hospital until Saturday, when he was discharged and brought back to the comfort of his […]

Brother versus sister in Titikaveka

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in Local

Brother and sister will face each other in the June 21 Titikaveka by-election with the Democratic Party and Cook Islands Party officially announcing their candidates yesterday. The Demos have pinned their hopes on Selina Matenga-Napa to retain the seat that former opposition leader Robert Wigmore held. The Cook Islands Party, meanwhile, has looked to her […]

More dancer of the year action on stage

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in Features

Golden oldies, papaa and expatriate dancers owned the stage at Hidie’s Bar last Wednesday where they put on a displayed their best Cook Islands dance. The large crowd that attended the show was well entertained and today we share more images of the fun night. The next dance show is the international dancer of the […]

Apology for polluting air

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am replying to yesterday’s Smoke Signal showing a photo of one of our buses and referring to it as a ‘smoking bus’. You do say at the bottom of your Smoke Signals for readers to Smokies rolling in! One way of doing it with real smoke: The driver of bus #10, Eddie […]

Pork loin painting 'a disgrace'

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing on behalf of many Cook Islanders who feel that the publishing of the supposed art piece depicting Mr Bergman in his entirety a disgrace to our heritage, culture and people. To the point, it is rather sad that this is considered art and is endorsed by the people who consider […]

Kata - May 9, 2012

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in Kata

New national netball squad named

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in Netball

A new national netball squad has been named to represent the Cook Islands at the Pacific Netball Series in Fiji next month. A development squad of under 21 players has also been selected and they will train with the national squad upon their return from Fiji to prepare for the Scotland, Wales test later in […]

Education and HRD prepare for merger

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in National

A delegation from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources – including education secretary Sharyn Paio and DNHRD director Frances Topa-Fariu – recently attended a range of meetings in New Zealand in the lead-up to the merger of both ministries on July 1. Minister of Education Teina Bishop was able to join the delegation for […]

IT in education strategy strengthened

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in National

A recent workshop presented by UNESCO, Microsoft, Commonwealth of Learning and the Commonwealth Secretariat has given the Ministry of Education the confidence to continue with its plans to implement technology across the curriculum and improving learning for Cook Islands students. Secretary of Education Sharyn Paio and the director of ICT (Information and Communication and Technologies) […]

Don't forget to chew!

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in National

KAUNAS – People who thoughtfully chew their food and don’t rush mealtimes not only avoid indigestion – they could be preventing diabetes as well. Scientists say they have discovered that those of us who wolf down our meals are two-and-a-half times more at risk. Scientists in Lithuania looked at 702 people, including 234 who had […]

World's Top 20 heavyweight count down

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in National

LONDON – Approximately 1.6 billion of the planet’s population are now overweight. Here’s a guide to the top 20 countries helping to tip the scales, in alphabetical order. America (70.8 percent overweight): According to a study from Yale University, five per cent of Americans would rather lose a limb than be obese. The majority, however, […]

Moringa plantation takes root

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in National

Rarotonga’s first commercial moringa oleifera plantation takes root today with a blessing ceremony at the plantation site in Tupapa. The venture by Mauke resident Hugh Graham began on the outer island when in 2010 he imported seeds to begin his moringa plantaion. Graham says he first came across the moringa oleifera benefits while conducting research […]