Articles by Utopia Support

Women must challenge unfair treatment

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In a conversation with a friend last Friday, I was told that a person had called me a “troublemaker and that I should mind my own business”. My response was, “I’m a women’s human rights defender and “that’s exactly what I’m doing – defending the rights of women”. We celebrated international women’s day […]

Road rough

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, While out riding my bicycle on Saturday afternoon, I decided, with much anticipation, to check out the new tar sealed section of road by the airport. What a disappointment. I thought I’d be riding on a smooth hot mix machine laid surface the likes of in front of Ocean Fresh and Panama petrol […]

Kata - March 13, 2012

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in Kata

Inter college netball starting

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in Netball

The first ever inter college netball tournament has been set down for May 11 with the aim of sharing the love of the game with young Cook Islanders. Netball Cook Islands development officer Luciana Matenga has begun working with students at Tereora College, Titikaveka College, Papaaroa College and Nukutere College who are encouraged to enter […]

No more room at the inn – homes wanted

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in National

With the next kitten season just around the corner, the Esther Honey Foundation are looking for homes for their cute and cuddly friends at the clinic. The clinic is nearly full with 40 adorable stray cats and kittens in residence – all desperate for love and attention. The foundation does a wonderful job of caring […]

Students hone leadership skills

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in National

Tereora College student leaders learned how to be role models during a leadership training programme at the Edgewater Resort and Spa. School prefects, counsellors and peace ambassadors attended the half-day workshop conducted by Tereora principal Bali Haque, deputy principal Andrea Panther and school counsellor, Thomas Wynne. Haque started the session off by introducing and explaining […]

Communication difficulties eased with new radio system

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in National

Communication was the keyword at the official handover of the emergency services upgraded radio-communications system on Friday. Acting Prime Minister Tom Marsters spoke at the ceremony outside the police station in Avarua, noting that communication is of prime importance to the Cook Islands. As the Cook Islands is a large ocean state with remote island […]

Port work to be explained to chamber

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce is inviting members to attend a general meeting tomorrow. The chamber meeting will be held at the Aquarius Hotel from 4.30 to 6pm. Among the items on the agenda are the nomination of a vice president and a brief update on the Avatiu harbour redevelopment project, presented by representatives […]

More visitors, vendors

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in National

Business trade and marketing manager Melina Tuiravakai of the Business Trade and Investment Board reports from Pasifika: “The Cook Islands Village had huge crowds throughout the day and the most trading vendors compared to the other 10 villages. Entertainment showcased our Cook Islands dance teams and performers mostly based in New Zealand. The Cook Islands […]

Cocos a breath of fresh air

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in National

As of yesterday Cook Islands vaka Marumaru Atua was one day’s sail away from Cocos Island, headed toward the Galapagos Islands. Below is a blog update written by crew member Alex Olah. We are now a day’s sail away from Cocos Island and we are all still recovering our energy after all the activities we […]

Pasifika crowds flock to CI village

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands village at Auckland’s Pasifika festival was reportedly brimming with visitors, who flocked there to buy local arts, crafts and food from vendors – both Auckland-based Cook Islanders and Cook Islanders who, with the support of the Business Trade and Investment Board, were able to set up shop at the wildly popular festival. […]

Neves explains deficit

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in National

In light of the government’s recent announcement that the country is saddled with a $2.9 million deficit, financial secretary Richard Neves has opened up about debt and what it comprises. Neves responded to questions on the county’s debt in a radio interview with William Framhein on Matariki FM last week. He said the December quarterly […]

PM visits South Islanders

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in National

Prime minister Henry Puna will spend three days this week visiting Cook Islanders on New Zealand’s South Island. The prime minister’s chief executive officer Edwin Pittman said the PM had promised to see them last year and would like to see how they are doing. “If possible he would try to persuade them to return […]

Youth gather to discuss suicide

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in National

The highly-anticipated one-day youth suicide prevention forum gets underway this morning. Based at the Youth With A Mission building in Vaimaanga, the forum will involve over 100 Rarotonga youth and 26 young people from the outer islands – 10 from Aitutaki, six from Mangaia, six from Atiu, two from Mauke and two from Mitiaro. One […]

Good Sorts, Raro-style

Tuesday 13 March 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

After a spate of burglaries hitting the headlines, it’s great to read some positive news such as this sent in by Heather Brannigan who is visiting Rarotonga from New Zealand: “A holiday that could have ended in tears – didn’t. Something precious was lost, found and returned. A big special thank you to the staff […]

20th Pasifika celebrated

Monday 12 March 2012 | Published in Local

AUCKLAND – Islands from throughout the Pacific came together in a display of art, music, song, food and dance in Auckland over the weekend. Western Springs Park was transformed into 10 ‘villages’ representing Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Niue, Tahiti, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Aotearoa for the annual Pasifika Festival. Event organisers estimate more than […]

Forum is for and by youth

Monday 12 March 2012 | Published in Local

Rather than spending exorbitant amounts of money on outside experts, the youth forum being held on Rarotonga this week will instead honour the ‘expertise’ of Cook Islands young people. Drawing out young peoples’ views on the challenges they face and solutions that could make a difference to their lives will be the focus of the […]

Airline tax 'a national issue'

Monday 12 March 2012 | Published in Local

Government has not made any concrete decisions about whether or not to tax foreign airlines operating in the Cook Islands, but the opposition hopes to be included in deliberations when it does. A paper was tabled in parliament last month which authorised the possible lifting of an income tax exemption foreign airlines have enjoyed for […]

Kata - March 12, 2012

Monday 12 March 2012 | Published in Kata

Tuara reinstated as president of CIRA

Monday 12 March 2012 | Published in National

For the first time in two years the Cook Islands Research Association (CIRA) has held an annual general meeting. President Makiuti Tongia was not present at the meeting – something anticipated by the CIRA as he has been out of contact for some time. Previous president Angie Tuara was reinstated, with full support from the […]