Articles by Utopia Support

New unit will 'lift the bar'

Monday 27 February 2012 | Published in National

While he’s got a heavy workload ahead, Paul Allsworth is moving into his new job with enthusiasm and confidence. Buoyed by government’s appropriation of $40,000 to parliamentary services for the establishment of its new select committee support services unit, he looks forward to ‘cleaning up’ parliamentary procedure. Allsworth is heading parliament’s new governance and oversight […]

Soil school postponed

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Environment

The Titikaveka Growers Association (TGA) this week has had to delay the soil school course that was scheduled to start on Monday and run for two weeks. TGA was unable to secure the numbers to make running the course worthwhile. “It is unfortunate and we apologise for any inconvenience for the postponement but it is […]

Super fund tops $50m

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund has exceeded $50 million in managed funds, CINSF management have reported. The fund has slowly grown since 2001 when it managed $67,000 for just 463 members through an investment portfolio managed by Frank Russell Investments in New Zealand. Today, the fund includes more than 6600 registered members. Chief executive […]

Workers association decries budget

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands Workers Association (CIWA) has denounced government’s supplementary budget. CIWA president Anthony Turua yesterday issued a statement decrying the budget’s prioritisation of airline subsidies, CISNOC and the Civil List. In it he challenges government to consider the implications of its deficit budget on the ‘little people’, or the Cook Islands’ workers. “How about […]

60.5kg yellowfin makes them smile!

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Local

Fishing charter Marlin Queen became Tuna Queen yesterday after reeling in a beasty 60.5kg yellowfin tuna. Captain Junior Ioaba and crewman Pauro Arnold were out on a morning fishing excursion with five Canadian anglers. What they originally thought was a marlin on their line turned out to be the granddad of all yellow fin tuna […]

Poetry in motion

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Features

Cook Islander Karl Teariki is one of three poets set to take the stage at Wellington’s TelstraClear Festival Club on March 4 (NZT). From 4pm, three ‘Words in Motion’ poets will be reading their prose to a crowd of Wellingtonians. Teariki is proud to represent the Cook Islands onstage. Joining him are Apirana Taylor of […]

Battle of the ballads at H Factor

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Features

A battle of the ballads will determine the make-up of the H Factor grand final in the final elimination round tonight. Two more singers will be removed from the competition tonight at Hidie’s Bar, reducing the competition from six to four for the final week of contest next week. The H Factor contestants will battle […]

My dad is the sweet lolly in the wrapper

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Features

In my family Dad is the gas in the heater He is the tall one in the mall Dad is Vacuum of food My dad is the sweet lolly in the wrapper In My Family Mum is the maid of the house She is the worm in the book My mum has the brains of […]

Fire dancer wins year supply of beer

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Features

Cook Islander Ina ‘Troy’ Nooroa has won a year’s supply of Black Star beer for a standout fire dance he performed in Montana while on holiday. With partner American Bryn Acheson, who is originally from Montana, he attended the second annual Black Star Beer Barter in the town of Whitefish. Contestants tried their hand at […]

Tourism opens new office in Gold Coast

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Features

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation staff based in Australia have moved into a new Gold Coast office to help further the Cook Islands’ push on the Australian market. The office will welcome in its recently appointed marketing development manager Susie Lloyd-Smithe to the team, which continues to be led by Australia general manager Kerryn Cook. Lloyd-Smithe […]

Phil Urlich all round good sort

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Features

All round good sort Phil Urlich was named the Rarotonga Rotary Club’s ‘good sort’ for December for a lifetime of dedication to sports in the Cook Islands. As well as the good sort title – Urlich won a dinner for two at The Spaghetti House donated by the Edgewater Resort and Spa. Also in December, […]

Nikao kids cheer up Are Pa Metua

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Features

The bookends of life came together on Thursday when pre-school and new entrant students from Apii Nikao Maori visited their elders at the Are Pa Metua in Nikao. The bus load of children brought with them smiles, songs and raurau of fruit for the mamas and papas at the Are Pa Metua who welcomed the […]

Smile at our visitors

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Visitors do seem to be fewer but it is the off peak season after all and perhaps we just notice them more because so many of our own people have left our shores. The Air NZ subsidy debate is a difficult one, because on the one hand, the taxpayers via the government are […]

Not so cultural

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Where has the “cultural” in Punanga Nui cultural market gone? In support of Just Wondering (February 16) I would like to add that government should remember that Punanga Nui market was initially funded by NZODA as a hand-up for Maori people with small businesses – not as a profit-making scheme for government. While […]

Disclaimer: check your acronyms!

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The following letter is a disclaimer and we implore you Mr Editor to print this to save the reputation of our organisation for what is a terrible case of mistaken identity. On Thursday you ran a disrespectful letter from the Peoples Popular Front of Judea (“PPFJ”) which pillaried Mark Brown, Henry Puna and […]

Face it, it's an environmental problem

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Regarding the Ngatangiia Farm Stench, I see in Tuesday’s CINews the Minister of Health Nandi Glassie has finally managed to see through the bunch of crap being put forward by the Director of Environment Vaitoti Tupa and come to the conclusion that this problem is, and always has been, the responsibility of the […]

Kata - February 25, 2012

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in Kata

Global leader loves this place

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

As chief executive of American organisation Global Volunteers, Bud Philbrook’s job is to travel. Global Volunteers sends voluntary workers to 100 communities in 35 countries on six continents – and Philbrook tries to visit each ‘every couple of years’. He also served a year in the Obama administration as deputy undersecretary for the United States […]

Keeping books in order

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

Most accountants with any experience in the Cook Islands will agree that a decent number of local businesses don’t have their books in order. Chartered accountant Justin Rous says in most cases businesspeople file their VAT returns and PAYE but otherwise neglect financial housekeeping. “Having current information is essential in making business decisions. Looking at […]

Cook Islands Day at NZ's Te Papa

Saturday 25 February 2012 | Published in National

March 3 is Cook Islands Day at Te Papa Museum in Wellington. The museum reports it will be a vibrant day of performances, personalities, arts and speakers – all a testament to what makes the Cook Islands special. Cook Islands Tourism has partnered with Te Papa to put on the show, which will run for […]