Articles by Utopia Support

Bring Norman George home

Friday 2 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

E tama, Aka’oki mai ia ratou tei akaruke ia tatou, ki roto i te koro Demo. E numero tangata tena ka inangaro ia, uatu ta ratou takatakai ia tatou i te au ati’anga i topa. Akakoromaki. Aka’oki mai ia Norman George meia tatou i aka’oki mai ia Jim Marurai e Wilkie Rasmussen tei oro ana […]

Kata - March 2, 2012

Friday 2 March 2012 | Published in Kata

Stakeholders air views on Telecom

Friday 2 March 2012 | Published in National

Telecommunications Minister Mark Brown has his ear to the ground, and for that the telecommunications industry is grateful. Brown called an informal meeting of the industry on Tuesday afternoon to discuss Telecom Cook Islands’ plans for the coming year and to address any hang-ups stakeholders might have about the present telecommunications situation in the Cook […]

The pirates are back!

Friday 2 March 2012 | Published in National

They lay low following a 2010 sting – but they’re back, much to the chagrin of Empire Theatre and Rarotonga’s law-abiding video shops. The pirates have already managed to sneak the much-anticipated action-adventure film Battleship into the Cook Islands, and Empire Theatre manager Harry Napa is scratching his head and wondering how. Empire Theatre was […]

Don Dorrell is right about the rocks

Friday 2 March 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

Responding to letters to the editor over the past few days ‘Avatiu rock wall ‘dangerous’ and ‘Rock wall is in breach of law’ a smoke signaller writes: “Don Dorrell’s expert comments are true about the rock wall at the Avatiu harbour. The key question is, are Bim Tou [Ports Authority general manager] and Mike Henry […]

CITC gives cameras for turtle expedition

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in Environment

Capturing turtles in their natural habitat and documenting the marine creatures will be an easier task for the Cook Islands Turtle Project team who this week were donated two Panasonic FT3 Lumix waterproof cameras by CITC and Panasonic New Zealand. The Cook Islands Turtle Project, under the Pacific Islands Conservation Initiative umbrella, was recently awarded […]

Leap year baby Kurake melts hearts

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in Local

New mum Rangi Rau didn’t care that she was probably the only woman in the country to give birth to a leap year baby – she was just ecstatic to finally meet her baby girl. The 20-year-old first time mum didn’t really know what the fuss was about when CINews paid her a visit to […]

Inter-island ferry service proposed

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in Local

A consortium involving Cook Islanders, Tahitians and New Zealanders is contemplating establishing a ferry service for the outer islands, according to documents acquired by CINews and confirmed by Tim Tepaki. “The outer islands are dead,” Tepaki says. “Someone has to do something. The private sector needs to step up.” Tepaki believes that the Cook Islands […]

Mire Atu time

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in Features

A true Cook Islands evening of live music is set to rock the National Auditorium this evening when the 2012 Mire Atu composer’s competition starts at 7.30pm. Twelve new musical compilations are sure to shake the hips and soothe the souls of the audience at tonight’s competition which will feature eight first time composers including […]

'Rock wall is in breach of law'

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The reply by Bim Tou to my letter regarding the rock wall does not address the fact that it is in breach of section 36 of the Environment Act and the work being carried out is illegal. There is no doubt whatsoever that the activity being undertaken by the Ports Authority falls under […]

We are Christian, and proud of it

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As you know I am a Master of Ceremony at a couple of entertainment establishments around the island. It is a normal practice for me to open the night with a prayer and close that prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. A couple of nights ago, after saying the prayer and grace, […]

'Dreamliner' would help

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In an extraordinary act of goodwill, barely half way through the three-year “agreement” with Air New Zealand, the Cook Islands Government has increased its subsidy to the airline. It would seem, despite the obvious hardships confronting the world airline industry, that there are ample opportunities for Air New Zealand to reciprocate “in kind”. […]

Kata - March 1, 2012

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in Kata

People of Atiu leading the way

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in National

New Zealand High Commissioner John Carter returned from an overnight visit to the island of Atiu this week inspired and impressed by the island’s pro-active approach to developing its tourism and agriculture industries. Carter was part of a delegation that visited the island to be part of the blessing ceremony for the newly renovated tourism […]

350 join Red Cross to celebrate new HQ

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in National

More than 350 people are expected to attend the grand opening of the Cook Islands Red Cross headquarters in Kiikii this morning. Secretary-general Nikki Rattle says that while 300 invitations were distributed to people in the Cook Islands and around the Pacific region, she is expecting over 350 to turn up. Yesterday Rattle reported that […]

Inspired

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in National

Experts in the community are visiting Tereora College to inspire and motivate students. On Monday morning, one class of Tereora College’s accounting students was lucky enough to have Vaine Nooana-Arioka, managing director of BCI (Bank of the Cook Islands), as a guest speaker. Arioka is pictured with the students she met. The visit was organised […]

Pa Ariki's Mata Enua market on tonight

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in National

Pa Marie Ariki’s Mata Enua palace is heralding the arrival of March with a night market. Following on from a successful inaugural effort, coordinator Sam Napa is hopeful there will be a healthy turnout at tonight’s market. “The idea is to get people to come and have a feed and then go to the composers’ […]

20 Honda Waves out the door

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in National

Twenty new stylish Honda Wave 110cc fuel injected motorbikes rolled out of the Motor Centre shop floor on Tuesday with delighted new owners grinning ear to ear. Honda has been the world’s top selling bike for the last 40 years and Rarotonga’s top selling bike for 30 years. As well as its stylish exterior, the […]

Sound of Music and dictionaries at Nukutere

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in National

Nukutere students were treated to a resounding rendition of Sound of Music song “Climb Every Mountain” by visiting Rotarian Frank Leadley yesterday morning. Leadley, from Rotary Bay of Islands in New Zealand, is in the Cook Islands to gift beautiful illustrated dictionaries to Year 9 students across the nation. He encouraged students to strive hard […]

Grassroots support

Thursday 1 March 2012 | Published in National

Community groups are encouraged to apply for an India Grant Fund through the development coordination division of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM). Between 2006 and 2008 the Indian government provided grant funds of US$100,000 for each Pacific Island country. In 2009 the fund increased to US$125,000 annually. Targeted at socio-economic development projects, […]