Articles by Utopia Support

Banking to be reviewed

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in Local

The government is planning a special review of banking in the Cook Islands. This is with a view to producing a long term strategy for the provision of banking services for the country’s economy. Minister of Finance and Economic Management Mark Brown said in a media statement yesterday that on a sustained basis the long […]

Tepuka lands remain with church

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in Local

For the time being the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) will retain its hold on Tepuka 106C, the Nikao section near Tereora College which has been the subject of recent litigation and media attention. On behalf of the kopu ariki of Ngati Makea, Ellena Tavioni appeared in court yesterday to support an application she had […]

Pension portability was deceptively introduced

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In 1996, I wrote a piece on this subject (pension portability) in the Pacific Island Monthly (magazine) soon after the New Zealand government introduced it in parliament. At the time, one could hear Pacific Island governments praising the special provision and did so because of the potential benefits that retirees will bring to […]

Skipjack numbers and MMR challenged

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Our ability to assess pelagic fish stocks in recent years has certainly improved. In the Dr Lehodey report mentioned by MMR in your March 24 paper, this was aided by satellite technology. However, I would be hesitant to use this report, unless it has gone through a peer-reviewed process and published in a […]

Kata - March 29, 2012

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in Kata

New advocate for general equality

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in National

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has appointed a new human development programme adviser for gender equality. Brigitte Leduc has been working as a gender equality specialist for over 15 years, supporting gender mainstreaming processes in international organisations in Asia, Africa and now in the Pacific region. She has extensive experience working with both […]

Get jammin' into the auditorium

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in National

Ticket prices for tonight’s Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association concert have been dropped after one performer was removed from the line-up. Organisers and performers alike agreed that the ticket prices should be reduced to $15 when it became apparent performer T Angelo would not be able to make it to Rarotonga in time for the […]

New bill 'doesn't go far enough'

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in National

The chief justice believes the proposed Judicature Amendment Bill represents only a partial solution to the problem of legislative failure to enforce civil judgments. Yesterday Chief Justice Tom Weston was invited to address a parliamentary select committee convened to discuss the proposed bill. After being welcomed by committee chairman Prime Minister Henry Puna – whose […]

Lawyers justified

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in National

The chief justice has dismissed recent criticism of the make-up of a parliamentary select committee chosen to hear submissions on the proposed Judicature Amendment Bill. Recently members of the public have expressed concern through the media that the committee analysing the merits and shortfalls of the Judicature Amendment Bill includes lawyers. Their primary concern is […]

39 dancers sign up

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in National

The Te Mire Ura dancer of the year competition is beginning to heat up, with 39 boys, girls, men and women already signed up to put their cadence and capabilities to the test. Fifteen people will contest the senior open competition, with men outnumbering women nine to six in the category. Similar too in the […]

4x4 flood from road fix

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

The road leading to the top of hospital hill should be left as it is,” a smoke signaler writes in response to yesterday’s front page article ‘Tour operator wants hill road upgraded’. “If they were to make improvements [to the dirt road], you will find that every man and his 4×4 will try and drive […]

Agriculture must return to its roots

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Environment

Crop prioritisation and sustainable crop intensification were the two topics that captured discussions attended by agriculture minister Nandi Glassie at the 31st FAO Regional Conference for Asia and Pacific held in Hanoi, Viet Nam earlier this month. Glassie was one of 39 ministers of agriculture who attended the conference, including minsters from Samoa, Tuvalu, Tonga, […]

Shark sanctuary bid goes regional

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Environment

Representatives of the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) attending the WCPFC meeting in Guam this week will have more than tuna to talk about. Bycatch is a major concern in any commercial fishery and as a result, a portion of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meeting is dedicated to mitigating fishing impacts on […]

Marine park doco in production

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Environment

A team of renowned videographers was in Rarotonga and Aitutaki last week to shoot footage for a documentary that will launch the proposed Cook Islands marine park on to the international stage. Accompanying the crew were Conservation International president Russell Mittermeier and his son Mickey and project director Peter Stonier. Freelance cameraman Richard Wollocombe, who […]

Pirates still at it

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Local

The public continues to report the circulation of pirated DVDs on Rarotonga. Chief censor Alfred Morris says he plans to carry out raids in conjunction with police, but declines to divulge details so as not to compromise the operation. Inspector John Strickland says police are in the planning stages of a piracy sweep. Empire Theatre […]

Tour operator wants hill road upgraded

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Local

A four-wheel-drive tour operator has approached the Cook Islands government to upgrade the hospital hill track –claiming that it is part of crown land. Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Teariki Heather this week met with Raro Safari Tours operator Sam Crocombe to discuss the hospital hill trail and plans to have it developed for public […]

One company 'a real concern'

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Local

Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen is gravely concerned about the discontinuation of shipping vessel Forum Pacific’s services. “It is a real concern. It is not something that should be taken lightly,” Rasmussen said yesterday. “Our view is the government should act immediately and try to do something because we’re down to one ship domestically and one […]

Keep them honest

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The one indispensable ethic for all non-state regional media and their professional bodies is to ensure their journalism aspires to tell it like it is to the people so that the people are properly informed and can form well informed opinions about prevailing situations – including political situations – themselves. It is a […]

Jesus more known as a swear word

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to say thank you for the times you have allowed me to put across the truth regarding the reality of Christ and Christianity in your paper over the years. As some may know, my time on the island is nearing an end and I am moving overseas with my family. […]

Cooks Islands tourism already well served

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Interesting to read the debate around proposals to launch a new compendium publication here in the Cooks. As someone publishing a tourism publication here, I should declare my self-interest. But also, because I work in the industry, I have a close understanding of it. The Cooks is already served by two publications that […]