Articles by Utopia Support

'Now I really do feel like I belong'

Friday 10 February 2012 | Published in National

It was an emotional day for Jillian Hewett in Aitutaki yesterday. After living through a cancer scare last year and approaching her 50th anniversary of her marriage to husband Reiatua, Hewett was understandably overwhelmed when she received her certificate of permanent residency. Together the couple has four children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They have […]

Third time lucky

Friday 10 February 2012 | Published in National

Third time’s a charm and Morris ‘Steve’ Moyle knows it. After two failed attempts of receiving his permanent residency status – a fact that comes down to clerical issues and problems with paperwork – bad luck almost struck again. Moyle was able to get his name on the permanent residency list in Aitutaki this time […]

PR means more on their 'home island'

Friday 10 February 2012 | Published in National

Surrounded by their families, friends and the island they now call home, Aitutaki’s newest permanent residents said there was nowhere else they’d rather be to officially receive the status. Speaking on behalf of the 18 Aitutakians that received their permanent residency certificates on the island yesterday, Bernadette Doherty said the day meant even more to […]

'Rebuild' website builders rewarded

Friday 10 February 2012 | Published in National

Days after the September earthquakes shook Christchurch in 2010 – Deon Swiggs started up the rebuildchristchurch.co.nz website which quickly became the ‘eyes and ears’ of Christchurch. The site became a more valuable source of vital information when severe quakes caused massive destruction in the South Island city in February 2011. Swiggs, a student and former […]

More heading for Perth

Friday 10 February 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

“I’m totally with what Jason Tini was saying in the paper a couple of weeks ago about him and his family moving to Perth,” a smoke signaller writes. “I was a staunch Cook Islands Party supporter but now I’ve given up with all the lies and bullshit. I’m relocating my family of seven to Aussie. […]

Soccer set for five-a-side challenge

Friday 10 February 2012 | Published in Football

The Cook Islands Football complex in Matavera will be buzzing again with the annual Rarotonga five-a-side soccer competition scheduled to kick off in two weeks. The round cup competition will run for eight weeks and will wrap up with the knock out at the end of April and early May. There are two divisions in […]

Countries weigh cost benefits of climate adaptation

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in Environment

The third and final series of the ‘Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change – Cost Benefit Analysis Workshop’, focusing on coastal sector pilot projects, is currently underway in Apia. Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Cook Islands national coordinator Vaipo Mataora is representing the Cook Islands at the conference. The week-long training at the Secretariat of […]

Growers invited to 'soil school'

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in Environment

The Titikaveka Growers Association (TGA) is encouraging growers and people with an interest in agriculture to sign up for an introduction to ‘soil school’ course starting on March 5. TGA asks that people register their interest at their earliest convenience, so it can start confirming numbers. Space is limited – the course is only open […]

Growers showcase progress

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in Environment

New Zealand High Commissioner John Carter got down and dirty with the Titikaveka Growers Association (TGA) yesterday. Maybe that’s a stretch, but Carter did hop into the back of a ute to tour the nursery and newly-established compost centre – the fruits of both TGA’s labour and a bit of New Zealand Aid Programme funding. […]

Parliament to sit on February 20

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in Local

Parliament has confirmed it will be sitting on Monday, February 20, at 10am. Notices are currently being issued to Members of Parliament. Parliament’s priority agenda item is the supplementary budget, which is expected to be finalised before the sitting begins. The Office of the Prime Minister says parliament will sit for as long as it […]

Heroes and heroines greeted warmly

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in Local

Christchurch volunteers enjoying island hospitality as part of the Heroes and Heroines initiative were told yesterday that because Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens – the Cooks was their country too. The first group of Christchurch Heroes and Heroines volunteers arrived on the island at the weekend and met with Prime Minister Henry Puna yesterday […]

Ambitious $15.5m plan for Aitutaki

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in Local

Aitutaki Island Council is confident it will be able to find funding for an ambitious redevelopment project that is expected to cost about $15.5 million. The project is being planned to help beautify the main town area surrounding the wharf while also improving facilities in the area. The wharf, too, will benefit under the plan […]

Too many scientists

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, According to what I have read in the Cook Islands News dated February 7, it seems the Cook Islands Government is in the process of creating five new consultancy jobs at the PSC. What for? I have previously mentioned in the newspaper the government structure is well over staffed which is costing the […]

It's a 'farcical situation'

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, If nothing else, the recent Public Health survey of Muri residents has established that a nuisance has been created by Scotts Farm. On 8th February, Cook Islands News reported that nearly 80% of survey respondents were ”bothered“ by the odours and Dr Fariu is quoted as saying, ”it’s a nuisance but not health […]

Kata - February 9, 2012

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in Kata

Sharks out of league comp

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in League

There will be heartbreak in Aitutaki when the news sinks in today that the island’s sole rugby league club has been kicked out of the national rugby league competition. Without an Aitutaki Sharks member present at a rugby league meeting yesterday – even though it was confirmed a representative would be there – it was […]

Volunteering concept 'is beautiful'

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in National

Some people choose to spend their holidays on Rarotonga relaxing and sipping cocktails by the pool – but not the Global Volunteers. For three weeks five volunteers have been cleaning libraries and reading books to students at St Joseph’s and Takitumu Schools, visiting the mamas and papas of the Are Pa Metua, helping out at […]

Active PTA helps Tereora achieve

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in National

Tereora’s enrolment numbers are up to 680 this year, but the national college’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) board is confident that the educators and management team are well-prepared to handle the increase. PTA chairperson Tere Taio says improved NCEA scores and higher marks are a testament to the strength of the team running Tereora College. […]

Past pupil returns as principal

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in National

Tarona Daniela’s return home to Aitutaki has been 35 years in the making – much too long for his liking. Since coming back for a visit in 2006, Daniela has been trying to find a way back to his home island. After decades working in New Zealand’s school system – in primary schools and secondary […]

Sir Terepai fights prostate cancer

Thursday 9 February 2012 | Published in National

Prostate cancer weighed heavily on the minds of Democratic Party leaders yesterday, as the caucus gathered to show support for two prominent party members who have been diagnosed with the illness. A meeting was held to honour opposition leader Robert Wigmore, who was last year granted medical leave after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, and […]