Articles by Utopia Support

Manuia sale funds swallowed by receivership

Tuesday 20 March 2012 | Published in National

About 13,000 investors owed $400 million following the collapse of one of New Zealand’s largest finance companies will receive a small payout next month thanks in part to the sale of a Rarotonga resort. John Fisk, Strategic Finance receiver, said he had completed the sale of Manuia Resort earlier this month with the funds due […]

Not extended, yet

Tuesday 20 March 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller called at the BCI yesterday at 3.30pm to renew their motor vehicle annual licence as an advert in Cook Islands News has been saying that the bank will remain open until 5.30pm for this purpose until the end of the month. “Unfortunately nobody told the staff about it – the bank was […]

Under 17 soccer squad named for Oceania

Tuesday 20 March 2012 | Published in Football

Coaching staff of the Cook Islands under 17 women’s national football squad have named the players who will represent the Cook Islands at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Under 17 Women’s Championship in New Zealand. The OFC U17 Women’s Championship will be held in Auckland from April 9 to 14 where Cook Islands will play […]

Guarantee necessary

Monday 19 March 2012 | Published in Local

Tourism officials expect the Los Angeles-Rarotonga flight will never make a profit for the airline operating it, meaning it will stay reliant on the government underwrite that currently guarantees its existence. However, the direct Sydney-Rarotonga flight still has a potential to become more profitable as its popularity increases and if it was used more for […]

Lawyers concerned at debtor penalty

Monday 19 March 2012 | Published in Local

Members of the community last week cautioned a select committee against endorsing the Judicature Amendment Bill in its draft form. Appointed to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the bill, the select committee was this week chaired by opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen in chairman Henry Puna’s absence. Also on the committee are Norman George, Mona […]

What mechanisms protect local employers?

Monday 19 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, My letters over the past few days have brought employment issues of both the employer and employee’s to the fore. Good employees are a key to a business’s success. When employers in the Cook Islands lose a staff member they have trained, they get peeved off when the company down the road offers […]

Don't let the bureaucrats get you

Monday 19 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In reply to the article in last week’s news about the harbourmaster leaving because he is worried about receiving his NZ pension, I don’t blame him. In 2002 I was living in Christchurch and receiving the pension and went to WINZ and told them I was considering going to live in Rarotonga, they […]

The Lost Tribe strikes again

Monday 19 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Last week’s reports and letters about the NZ pension emphasise the gross deficiencies in the NZ Superannuation Act as it relates to eligible NZ expats and Cook Islanders living here. Your recent coverage of the dilemma of Bill Framhein, a Cook Islander and Vietnam War veteran who is stuck in an untenable situation […]

Kata - March 19, 2012

Monday 19 March 2012 | Published in Kata

Road crossing officially opened

Monday 19 March 2012 | Published in National

Children’s voices were raised in celebration at the official opening of the Takitumu School road crossing on Friday morning. Prinicipal Engia Pate said they identified the need for a crossing after observing some near accidents by the school back in 2009. She thanked Matavera MP Kiriau Turepu, and his election campaign manager Nga Jessie, Rescue […]

Marine pilot certificates awarded

Monday 19 March 2012 | Published in National

Ports Authority staff, maritime and police officers including (from left) Andre Tuiravakai, Tuariki Henry, John Teaurima, Tepaki Baxter, Saungaki Rasmussen, Papata Tangaroa, Tapiti Taringa and Roger Ua Ua (kneeling) with Police Commisioner Maara Tetava (centre) pose with the marine pilot certificates presented to them on Friday morning. The five police and maritime officers along with […]

Lucky Charlie wins

Monday 19 March 2012 | Published in National

Manea Foods has given new meaning to the saying ‘cut your neighbour’s grass’ over the weekend. Drawing its St Patrick’s Day grass-cutter competition at Manea Food’s Nikao store on Saturday, Nikao’s Charlie Ave had his name pulled out of a container from hundreds of entrants. Manea Foods owner James Beer said it was fitting that […]

Asia market in our sights

Monday 19 March 2012 | Published in National

Government tourism marketers are looking to Asia as they form ideas and plans to help improve the viability of the Sydney-Rarotonga flight, a tourism industry meeting has heard. Cook Islands Tourism Corporation chief executive officer Carmel Beattie and board chair Ewan Smith said the Sydney flight is providing the Cook Islands with a great potential […]

New PSC in office

Monday 19 March 2012 | Published in National

Russell Thomas has officially replaced Tonumaivao Navy Epati as the Cook Islands’ public service commissioner. Thomas took up the position on Friday, after being appointed by Prime Minister Henry Puna late last month. His responsibilities as public service commissioner include but are not limited to: reviewing the machinery of government, carrying out enquiries relating to […]

Reef restoration project by Koka

Saturday 17 March 2012 | Published in Environment

The Rarotonga Lagoon Conservation Trust, created and funded by Koka Lagoon Cruises, is embarking on a long-term reef restoration and revitalisation project within the Tikioki ra’ui area. The goal of the project is to bring the reef back to 60 percent live coral coverage and encourage the re-establishment of local fish and clam populations. Koka […]

Switch off and save the earth

Saturday 17 March 2012 | Published in Environment

Make switching off non essential lights and power services a habit and take positive action for the environment. The world will celebrate Earth Hour on Saturday, March 31, but in the Cook Islands Friday, March 30, from 12 noon to 1pm has been earmarked as the day and time for locals to switch off. Earth […]

New incinerator needed

Saturday 17 March 2012 | Published in Environment

The Airport Authority is looking to upgrade its incinerator –which is no longer environmentally sound –and inviting tenders for the project contract. It welcomes tenders for the design, installation, supply, testing and commissioning of a new or upgraded incinerator, to replace the current model which is not complying with environmental standards. “We’ve got an old […]

CJ hears Toa case

Saturday 17 March 2012 | Published in Local

Chief Justice Tom Weston will begin hearing cases in the High Court at Avarua from Monday. He arrived in Rarotonga on Thursday, and spent all of yesterday reviewing case files. From 9am on Monday he will hear cases both civil and criminal, and will be presiding until Friday, March 30. On Monday at 9am, the […]

Brother Love picks up

Saturday 17 March 2012 | Published in Features

Edward Ru of New Zealand reggae band Sweet & Irie will be performing at the National Auditorium on Thursday, March 29, to raise money for the Miss Cook Islands pageant and mental health awareness. Opening acts include local singing sensations Emile Rima – who is gearing up to launch his first album – and Rose […]

Pop, rock, noise and folk in Raro

Saturday 17 March 2012 | Published in Features

Their music has been called uplifting and inspiring, and they’re bringing it to the Cook Islands. Husband-wife duo Andy and Victoria Knopp are The Response, an indie pop-rock band that released its debut self-titled album in February. The son of Mauke’s June Hosking, Andy is bringing his wife – and his band – to Rarotonga […]