Articles by Utopia Support

Get fit by email

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

Fitness enthusiast Puai Wichman continues his crusade to shape up Cook Islanders and turn them to a healthier lifestyle. Here Wichman shares his new challenge for those wanting to take the step in the healthy direction. “Starting this week, I will be running a challenge of a different kind – one that doesn’t involve anything […]

United we stand, divided we fall

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

Mangaia School celebrated its new prefects for 2012 on Wednesday. School chaplain Reverend Toko Ongoua from the Oneroa Cook Islands Christian Church blessed the ceremony, at which Kiriana Ngatamariki was chosen as head prefect and Junior George as deputy head prefect. The school’s ‘virtue of the week’ was creativity, which principal Sue Ngatokorua says fit […]

Araura honours new perfects

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

A large crowd of parents, leaders of Aitutaki and invited guests were present to witness the investiture of new prefects and student councillors at Araura College last Friday. Twenty-one student councillors were presented with their new badges. Each form class selected their own boy and girl student council leaders. There were 10 prefects from year […]

Prefects inducted at St Joseph's

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

Avarua School showers new prefects in ei

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

Avarua School’s new leaders have been officially welcomed into their positions with a big event held for the large group of students taking on the roles. Thirty-two students have taken on leadership roles at the school for 2012, including 24 prefects or tutara apii and eight librarians or tutara runanga puka. Principal Teremoana Herman said […]

Underwriting makes Air NZ a partner

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

The following ‘key messages’ were provided by Cook Islands Tourism Corporation in response to discussion and debate about the Air New Zealand subsidy, which is expected to cost the country $12.5 million this year. – Tourism accounts for some 75 percent of the gross domestic product of the Cook Islands. – The greatest challenge facing […]

Callout to Atiuans

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

The Atiu community on Rarotonga is selling barbecue plates today to raise money for its hostel project. In parliament on Tuesday, Teenui-Mapumai member of parliament Norman George pleaded with all Atiuans – both in Atiu and on Rarotonga – to support the cause. “We are facing difficulties at our Atiu hostel,” he began. He noted […]

Aunty Mau wants $5000 for Nikao roads

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

Nikao member of parliament Ngamau ‘Aunty Mau’ Munokoa continues to champion her cause – securing further support for her village’s infrastructure. In Parliament on Monday, the woman of the house gave an impassioned Cook Islands Maori speech about the state of the roads and drainage systems in Nikao. “I’ve got a question in regards to […]

Water spout off Aitutaki

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in National

A couple in Aitutaki was left scrambling to find their cameras after spotting a water spout that had formed off the coast about 1.50pm yesterday. Bill and Teetu Tschan managed to snap these pictures of the waterspout, saying it was the first they had ever seen on the island.

Love birds, more like it!

Friday 24 February 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Torrid? Is that what Wilkie Rasmussen and Henry Puna call it? Ha!” quips a smoke signaller after predictions that this would be the nature of Parliamentary debates between the opposition Democratic Party and ruling Cook Islands Party. “These two guys are as torrid as two love birds on the Rarotonga Golf Club course!” An on […]

Hero takes time out

Thursday 23 February 2012 | Published in Local

Chris Sharman has spent his days on Rarotonga avoiding any news of the one-year commemoration of the Christchurch earthquake. Instead he has spent his time reflecting on the tragic events of February 22 and enjoying the relaxed pace of the island. Sharman is one of 82 people from quake stricken Christchurch selected to take up […]

PM defends CISNOC

Thursday 23 February 2012 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna yesterday defended CISNOC from allegations made by Norman George that the sports organisation was mismanaged. “What we are talking about is our athletes,” Puna said in an interview with CINews. “These men and women have trained hard and deserve to be rewarded for their hard work.” Puna said that his aim […]

Finance minister defends CISNOC funding

Thursday 23 February 2012 | Published in Local

Finance minister Mark Brown justified the allocation to CISNOC in the supplementary budget in Parliament yesterday. He noted that $8000 was appropriated for a review of the sports body’s accounts, and that the $30,000 allocated for its operating costs covers salaries of those workers who have been labouring without pay. “This money is to pay […]

Loan conditions are the answer

Thursday 23 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Over the last two months we have heard Mark Brown and Henry Puna parrot the mantra “We cannot direct changes at CISNOC” time and again. “It’s up to the members” they squawk. Even the FINSEC has joined in the birdsong. This is rather disingenuous. On a superficial level, they are right, they cannot […]

It's also exercise

Thursday 23 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to the letter of complaint about pole dancing by Bishop Pere. Pole dancing is also a form of fun dance and of exercise. The ad on TV was a world renowned lady who performs pole dancing as a sport. I hope people who come to the bar will have fun with […]

Kata - February 23, 2012

Thursday 23 February 2012 | Published in Kata

Govt to develop marine resources in north

Thursday 23 February 2012 | Published in National

Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen raised the first question in yesterday’s session of Parliament, opening by joking that usually “independent pro-CIP member” Norman George is the first to rise. Given George’s absence from the House, Rasmussen said he would “reluctantly” do the honours instead. In a question to minister of marine resources Teina Bishop, he sought […]

Claims of irresponsible spending 'unfounded'

Thursday 23 February 2012 | Published in National

Finance minister Mark Brown defended the supplementary budget yesterday in Parliament, accusing the opposition of making ‘gross overstatements’ in its criticism of the Appropriation Amendment bill. “Under the laws of the MFEM Act this budget that we are presenting is a responsible budget. It’s responsible because we are not making any rash decisions. “Those areas […]

New leader gets official nod

Thursday 23 February 2012 | Published in National

Wilkie Rasmussen has been officially confirmed as the new Leader of the Opposition following Monday’s announcement that he will take over the role from Robert Wigmore, says Democratic Party President Sean Willis. This was formalised through a party caucus agreement this week and announced on Monday at the opening of parliament for 2012. Willis said […]

Opposition calls budget 'irresponsible'

Thursday 23 February 2012 | Published in National

Nukuroa MP Tangata Vavia called last year’s budget ‘irresponsible’ in Parliament yesterday. Directing a question to finance minister Mark Brown, Vavia raised the issue of government’s withholding tax, which was imposed in an effort to generate $1 million in revenue. “After looking through the supplementary budget and the revenue on behalf of the crown, it […]