Articles by Utopia Support

Youthline advised of CI circumstances

Tuesday 8 May 2012 | Published in National

New Zealand’s Youthline support service will provide a Cook Islands component to their training regimen for all incoming counsellors following a visit from two Cook Islands youth workers. Ministry of Education inclusive education advisor Ngaria Stephenson and student counsellor Thomas Wynne met with Youthline staff to provide training and advice on how the help line’s […]

Practise what you preach?

Tuesday 8 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A choked signaller writes: “I couldn’t believe my eyes – after the plumes of diesel smoke cleared – that the smoking bus was carrying an environment message! Ok, I know it says recycling, but it’s an environmental message none the less which includes air pollution. At one point when the bus was increasing in speed […]

60 seek 10 HOM positions

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Local

The selection panel responsible for recruiting the Heads of Government Ministries is now preparing to finalise shortlisted applicants ahead of conducting interviews over the next three weeks. The selection panel includes the Public Service Commissioner Russell Thomas as chairman, and other members approved by cabinet including Niki Rattle, Te Aroa Tini and Nga Mataio representing […]

23 youth arrested, plus boy of 9

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Local

Rarotonga police have arrested or apprehended 23 people accused of committing burglaries in April in an attempt to curb the “concerning” high number of offences committed during the month. Burglars targeted businesses and the Te Au O Tonga area with a special interest during the month, Cook Islands Police inspector Tere Patia reported, although Puaikura […]

Cows about town in schools comp

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Features

Impressive cow sculptures brought a buzz of activity to Avarua on Saturday morning as Rarotonga students displayed their creative works in the CITC and Anchor ‘Mega Milk for Growing Bodies’ sculpture competition. CITC and Anchor worked with all schools since March promoting healthy bodies through the consumption of milk as part of a balanced diet. […]

Not amused

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, KATA’S constant mockery of Cook Islands Prime Minister Hon. Henry Puna via his cartoon column is no longer amusing to me. There was a time when we had a giggle and shrugged it off but this continuous badgering of our nation’s leader is insulting, degrading and demeaning. In another corner of the world […]

Wonderful

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Isn’t it wonderful that the climate change people are working on the Mangaia harbour. (reference many adverts on radio and TV). This is clearly an overseas funded project. So we can pull our workers, overseers, and engineers off the job and leave them to it. The sky is the limit when you think […]

Thanks, George

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to offer my acknowledgement to our member of parliament George Maggie for the wonderful activities he has done so far in our village of Tupapa and Maraerenga. Now we have a new water system installed and everyone is more than happy to utilise it. Thank you also to the NZ High […]

Kata - May 7, 2012

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Netball back in the great outdoors

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Netball

Old-style netball played outdoors was welcomed with open arms on Saturday when the Avatiu netball club were hosted by Arorangi on the newly upgraded Raemaru Park netball courts. It was a departure from indoor games at the Telecom Sports Arena due to recent upgrading of the Raemaru Park courts. Pictured here is Avatiu junior open […]

Carter sees potential of northern islands

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in National

The lack of regular and predictable air and seaborne contact with Manihiki and Rakahanga remain one of the biggest challenges to the islands’ economic development, according to New Zealand High Commissioner John Carter. Carter, who travelled to the northern islands two weeks ago, said the high costs of freight and passenger transport to the islands […]

Deep sea minerals training offered

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in National

Cook Islanders looking to gain training and experience in the burgeoning deep sea minerals industry are being encouraged to apply for a series of opportunities being offered by the International Seabed Authority. The authority is currently offering at least 15 spots to suitable candidates from developing countries in a new training programme that will take […]

Barbados and London on this week's itinerary

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna will remain in the Caribbean for the working week, pursuing the Cook Islands’renewable energy and developmental goals on the international stage. Puna travelled to Barbados this week to attend two Small Islands Development States (SIDS) meetings in anticipation of June’s Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Puna, the minister of […]

Police blame lack of care at home

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in National

A lack of care at home is pushing some young offenders to a lifestyle of crime, Cook Islands Police is warning. Boredom, a lack of food and the absence of adult supervision have all been identified as reasons children and teenagers are committing crime, inspector Tere Patia said. He said the whole community could have […]

Farmers market makes its debut

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in National

The first in a series of regular farmers markets was held at Punanga Nui market last Wednesday, with produce from around Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu and Mauke up for grabs. The market has deliberately limited the number of stall positions available to allow it to grow with demand as it is held each fortnight.

Let's see Govt travel reports

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

“There have been many complaints about how the present government, its ministers, public servants, etc, are not performing,” a smoke signaller writes. “Far too many trips overseas, far too many public servants who do nothing, far too many overpaid consultants, too little REAL action, but lots of tuatua [talk]. Whatever happened to reports of trips […]

'Green' power station coming

Saturday 5 May 2012 | Published in Environment

‘The Pod’ is being prepped for its Rarotonga debut at the Pacific Islands Forum in August. The Green Energy Pod – a portable green energy power station featuring wind and solar generation and the capacity to store it – is the brainchild of Wellington-based company ESG Energy, and it could be coming to the Cook […]

NES praises oil spill response

Saturday 5 May 2012 | Published in Environment

The quick actions of Te Aponga Uira staff prevented an oil leak from the Avatiu Valley power station from reaching the lagoon area last week, according to a National Environment Service spokesman. The NES was called in to investigate a waste oil spill at the TAU power station last week after receiving complaints from the […]

Meeting called off

Saturday 5 May 2012 | Published in Local

At the eleventh hour, the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee called off its controversial annual general meeting citing the need to have audited accounts ready for the meet. CISNOC secretary general Rosie Blake announced yesterday that the meeting scheduled for last night was deferred but no new date has been set for the […]

No new cases of dengue reported

Saturday 5 May 2012 | Published in Local

No additional cases of dengue fever were recorded in Rarotonga by yesterday afternoon, leaving three people as confirmed carriers of the disease. Director of Public Health Doctor Rangi Fariu said that the Rarotonga Hospital had not recorded any new cases yesterday after reporting that people from Nikao, Arorangi and Matavera had been the first confirmed […]