Articles by Utopia Support

'Inspiring' public servants is key

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I’d like to make a few comments regarding the article in Saturday’s paper regarding the reform of the public service. Specifically I want to talk about one particular aspect of the article. How do you get better performance out of public servants and in turn the public service? Your article points out that […]

Another vote for Joe

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It was with much happiness that I read of the recognition for Joe Kaveao’s selfless efforts in his rescuing a stricken tourist recently. In September last year I was unfortunate enough to hit a dog in Matavera on my motorbike and received serious head and facial injuries. The first person to my rescue […]

Kata - February 14, 2012

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in Kata

Kata - February 8, 2012

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in Kata

Friendly islanders arrive in Cabo

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in National

Kia Orana Tatou! All vakas pulled anchor at dawn on Tuesday morning from deep within Bahia Magdalena (Bay). We were heading out in a easterly direction and sticking close together in case any more whales decided to pop up to visit and provide the support vessel some good filming opportunities. It was a beautiful warm […]

Excess speed blamed for 2 accidents

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in National

Excessive speed is being blamed for two motor vehicle accidents at the weekend – one of which saw a man admitted to hospital with serious injuries after he slammed into a roadside power pole. The man, a tourist, remains in hospital in a serious condition with injuries to his head, legs and other parts of […]

Local fishing methods under review

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in National

Fishermen will meet again on Friday to continue discussions about drafting a set of national standards governing fishing activity and Fishing Aggregate Devices (FADs) used in the Cook Islands. A meeting on Saturday laid the foundation, giving fishers an opportunity to air their concerns before each other, Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) staff and the […]

Business trainer believes in social media

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in National

Business trainer Stephen Caunter firmly believes that in this day and age, social media platforms are an integral part of any marketing strategy. Such was the underlying premise of two ‘smart marketing’ seminars he ran yesterday – one in the morning and another in the evening at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa. About 40 […]

New marine headquarters 'iconic'

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in National

A new concept being promoted by the Ministry of Marine Resources will see a majority of the Cook Islands’ Rarotonga-based marine observers brought together under one roof in a state-of-the-art building. The ‘Marine House’ concept developed by the ministry and local architects is being described as an iconic, new headquarters for MMR and its associated […]

2 new companies formed

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in National

The Business Trade and Investment Board (BTIB) has registered two new companies in December and reports that three building approvals were given out for the month. The building approvals, for homes in Takuvaine Valley, Arorangi and Inave, are worth $460,000 combined with the developments costing $150,000, $180,000 and $130,000 respectively. Of the two new companies […]

Lucky 10,000th, 2000th customers

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in National

Telecom Cook Islands marked two milestones last week when it signed on its 10,000th mobile phone customer and its 2000th broadband connection. Estimates from earlier this year put Telecom’s mobile phone customer number at about 8000, but after revising its figures that figure jumped to 10,000. Ngateina and Laycn Rani were identified as the people […]

Bank theft 'wasn't a total loss'

Tuesday 14 February 2012 | Published in National

It’s been six months since the world’s attention turned to Aitutaki, where the island’s first bank robbery captured the imagination of the globe. The person or people who carried out the robbery, which netted them about $20,000, remain on the run following the early-August heist. But talk at Aitutaki still persists, even though it’s not […]

Blooming main road in Arorangi before patai 'butchered'

Monday 13 February 2012 | Published in Environment

Aitutaki’s botanical garden owner Bill Tschan sent in this beautiful photo taken about 30 years ago of the patai (flame tree) lined main road in Arorangi. Tschan wanted to share this photo to show the youth of today “how blooming beautiful their island was before some ‘genius’ minister at the time butchered the trees”.

Teariki talks tough on tita

Monday 13 February 2012 | Published in Environment

Teariki Heather, Minister of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP), didn’t mince his words when he voiced his opinions on the issues of waste management in the country. Speaking on Friday at the launch of the Taau Taku Tita 2012 campaign aimed at reducing and improving waste management, Heather pointed the finger at bad management of the […]

Overhaul for outdated Crimes Act

Monday 13 February 2012 | Published in Local

Crown Law, in conjunction with the Australian Attorney-General’s Department, is undertaking a major, comprehensive review of the Cook Islands Crimes Act 1969 – which outlines crimes against persons, property and the public order. In 2010 the Australian government offered to provide the Cook Islands government with technical assistance in its review of the Cook Islands […]

Oceania sports award to Rosie Blake

Monday 13 February 2012 | Published in Local

For a lifetime of dedication to sports and in particular women in sports, Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee general secretary Rosie Blake BEM (right) has been nominated as the woman in sport for the region of Oceania by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Blake (68) departs today for Los Angeles for the awards […]

Discrimination over alcohol

Monday 13 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was surprised to see a notice on the wall at the Aitutaki hospital stating if you are involved in an accident due to alcohol use, you will be charged for your treatment. In reality if you are not under the influence, there will be no charge. To me this is like treating […]

Another junket

Monday 13 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, On Thursday it was reported on CITV that Rosie Blake and Lydia Sijp would be attending an IOC World Women in Sports conference in Los Angeles. It is reported that Rosie will receive an award an Oceania Women in Sport award. Somewhat ironic I would have thought given she sits on the CISNOC […]

Translate, please

Monday 13 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We have enjoyed many memorable holidays staying in the Cook Islands – friendly people, good weather (even when it rains), beautiful beaches, great food and cocktails too! BUT and there is always a BUT – when the local news is aired on television it would be so helpful to have a translation to […]

League a 'politically driven mess'

Monday 13 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am responding to this saga concerning the Aitutaki Sharks. It sickens me to think that all the blame is laid on the Sharks for the 2012 league competition. If I may, I want to expose some of the reasons why a couple of the Rarotonga clubs voted against the Sharks entering the […]