Articles by Utopia Support

Toys brighten children's ward

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in National

The children’s ward at the Rarotonga Hospital just became a more kid-friendly place. As part of its ongoing community outreach programme, CITC Building Centre donated $1000 worth of toys to the paediatric ward in an effort to make it a more comfortable place for kids. Amongst the boxes and gift-wrapped packages delivered to the ward […]

Cooks replica sails into museum

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in National

Offering a glimpse into what life is like for a sailor during one of Captain Cook’s voyages will be possible for some lucky people in Australia this week. Cook, the namesake of the Cook Islands, spent much of his life exploring the Pacific. He visited the Cook Islands in 1773 and 1777 and is credited […]

Cruise ship stops at Aitutaki, Rarotonga

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in National

Passengers of sailing ship L’Austral enjoyed a day of activities and sightseeing on Aitutaki on Wednesday, and yesterday visited Rarotonga. Before she arrived in the Cook Islands she stopped at Borabora and her next stop is Vavau, Tonga. Less than a year old, she is the sister ship to L’Boreal. Her passengers yesterday enjoyed a […]

Search and rescue agreement updated

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in National

The updating of an agreement between New Zealand and the Cook Islands will help ensure greater communication and collaboration during search and rescue missions, says Maritime New Zealand (MNZ). MNZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is responsible for responding to major land, sea, air and emergency-beacon related incidents within New Zealand’s Search and Rescue […]

NZ and Cook Islands police collaborating

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in National

Leaders in the New Zealand and Cook Islands police are working together to share ideas for the benefit of both nations. Superintendent Russell Gibson, district commander of central districts New Zealand, has been visiting Rarotonga this week, and working closely with Cook Islands Police commissioner Maara Tetava. The visit is part of a mentoring relationship […]

Select committee hears submissions

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in National

A select committee met in Parliament House this week to discuss the Judicature Amendment Bill, which was tabled in Parliament earlier this year. The committee is being chaired by Prime Minister Henry Puna, with opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen as deputy chairman and Norman George, Mona Ioane and John Henry as members. It has been appointed […]

Taxing airlines a 'bad decision'

Friday 9 March 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Targeting airlines by now charging them income tax is another knee jerk tax reaction from finance minister Mark Brown and his tax advisors,” a smoke signaller writes. “Hasn’t this government learnt from the withholding tax mess? Now the airlines will increase their fares to meet this extra cost. Who will suffer? The little people, of […]

Solar Bob takes DIY solar to jail

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Environment

To build a solar water heater using recycled materials was the challenge undertaken by inmates at Arorangi Prison last week, under the guidance of ‘Solar Bob’ Riley and tutor Karen De Waal. The idea for the class came from De Waal reading a book written by Riley in 1991, “Solar Made Easy”, which discusses simple […]

WATSAN project moving ahead

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Environment

The Muri lagoon sanitation project is moving ahead quickly with 11 bio-filters already installed and work on installing improved septic tanks due to begin in the next week or two. The Muri pilot project is the first in a larger scheme being implemented by the Water, Waste and Sanitation unit (WATSAN) of the Ministry of […]

Funding available for civil society groups

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Local

Civil society organisations are being encouraged to apply for a final round of community initiative scheme (CIS) funding this month. Non-government organisations, Cook Islands-based partners of international non-government organisations, community-based organisations, sports organisations and other groups – individuals and business excluded – are invited to submit proposals for funding. The CIS has $219,000 in available […]

Avatiu seawall the best option

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Local

Criticism of the Avatiu seawall is off target, says Ports Authority chairman Mike Henry. “This is the best option. This plan has been developed over the past four years with input from port users, the main shipping companies,” he said in response to recent criticism of the seawall design. Henry explained the basic concept of […]

Government supports Women's Day today

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Local

The government is throwing its full support behind International Women’s Day. “Empowering Women – today’s global theme for International Women’s Day 2012 – is not only a goal in itself, it is a condition for creating better lives for everyone,” said Prime Minister Henry Puna. Acknowledging events locally and internationally to mark International Women’s Day, […]

A disaster waiting to happen

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am no expert, no one really is, when it comes to these types of issues, one only needs to use one’s experience with observing similar issues to see and be concerned about the bad planning and development occurring at the Avatiu wharf area. Apart from the potential hazards of the rock slope/wall […]

Focus on the more serious crimes

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In late January this year a female living in Matavera was viciously assaulted by an intruder in her home. Although the victim of this vicious assault was hospitalised for a few days and the police were immediately called in to investigate what was clearly a home invasion of terrible consequences, the victim was […]

Kata - March 8, 2012

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in Kata

New system for emergency services

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in National

Emergency communications across Rarotonga are set to improve this week. On Friday morning, the official opening ceremony for the new radio communication system will be celebrated at the Cook Islands police station in Avarua, by local emergency services, members of parliament and also guests from the New Zealand police force. Deputy Commissioner of New Zealand […]

Govt making over Rarotonga for Forum

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in National

Ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum, infrastructure and planning minister Teariki Heather is prioritising the beautification of Rarotonga. Out of the ministry’s capital expenditure funds will come handouts to Rarotonga members of parliament for cleaning streams and drains and trimming roadside trees. Last November, Heather convened a meeting of all Rarotonga members of parliament to […]

Trees chopped to protect hut

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in National

Responding to concerns about the chopping-down of two trees at the Punanga Nui marketplace, Terry Rangi says he made the decision in the interest of public safety. As chief executive of the Business Trade and Investment Board, Rangi is responsible for supervising marketplace operations. To protect vendor Kate Numanga’s hut – which Rangi says was […]

BTIB asked to abolish parking fee

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in National

Yet more changes may be up ahead for the Punanga Nui Market. In a move to reverse the new parking charges that were put in place in December, minister of the Business Trade and Investment Board Mark Brown has asked the Cook Islands Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) to remove the $2 parking fee. Brown […]

Women's Day events

Thursday 8 March 2012 | Published in National

Today is International Women’s Day – a day that honours and celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women all around the world. It was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to recognise the progress women have made over the years, and to inspire women to continue pushing for equality and progress […]