Articles by Utopia Support

Praise for medical service

Monday 6 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, My wife and I are enjoying either our 16th or 17th visit to your island from the UK. Unfortunately this time, due to slipping on a wet floor, my wife has had to make use of both in-patient and out-patient facilities at Rarotonga Hospital, and we have to say the skills, care and […]

Kata - February 6, 2012

Monday 6 February 2012 | Published in Kata

Fans flock to league season openers

Monday 6 February 2012 | Published in League

Rarotonga fans flocked to league grounds to enjoy a fantastic start to the rugby league season with the three games played at the weekend providing plenty of on the field action. At the Titikaveka field – the Bulldogs mauled the visiting Warriors side 46-6. The points didn’t comes easy for the Bulldogs though with the […]

Tourism GPS for road shows

Monday 6 February 2012 | Published in National

Tourism industry members have received a sneak peak at what the Cook Islands will export when it hits the road in the coming year and a half. The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation detailed its plans for a series of road shows to major markets across the world. The nearest is in the United Kingdom and […]

School is cool!

Monday 6 February 2012 | Published in National

Arorangi primary school students were smiles on their first week back at school last week. Their grins were even wider on Friday when the school headed out to a beachside property for a day of fun in the sun. The school wasn’t the only one that had a school picnic on Friday when kids from […]

5 back from rights of child convention

Monday 6 February 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands’ adherence to international laws governing the rights of the child has come under scrutiny at a United Nations gathering in Geneva last month. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is currently holding its 59th session in Geneva, Switzerland, to review the situation of children’s rights in eight nations from […]

2 police officers trained in cyber crime

Monday 6 February 2012 | Published in National

Two Cook Islands Police staff are joining police forces from across the Pacific to talk cyber crime with the Australian Federal Police and, perhaps surprisingly, the NRL. A Cook Islands police officer and IT worker are currently in the Gold Coast to improve their skills in protecting children from online predators and in fighting cyber […]

'Not passing buck'

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Environment

The National Environment Service (NES) claims it is restricted by the Environment Act 2003 from taking action against Scott’s Farm. Some Muri residents believe that the act – of which they have copies – directs that NES take responsibility for air pollution and prosecute persons causing it. “They’re just passing the buck around,” Mann Short […]

'It's time to talk about it'

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Local

It’s time to talk about the issue of suicide, says minister of youth Mark Brown. Brown, like the community at large, was devastated to hear of another Cook Islands youth who had committed suicide at the weekend. “It was just devastating to hear the news,” says Brown who had personally known the young man who […]

Rain and high seas forecast

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Local

A series of low-pressure systems developing around the Cook Islands means a probable continuation of rain and rough seas through the weekend. Unusually large surf drew crowds to Avatiu and the Avarau waterfront yesterday morning and Thursday evening. Waves were even crashing over the sea wall at Nikao and rising above the Boiler in front […]

Carved trophy for winner

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Features

Among the prizes H Factor hopefuls will be competing for is this trophy. The unique trophy has been carved out of stone by local master carver, poet and raconteur Mike Tavioni. It will be presented to the H Factor champion at the grand final on Saturday, March 3, after the competition of 10 is whittled […]

Musical Maoate family taking the stage

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Features

They can’t be missed at Muriwai Beach. Tairi and Neita Maoate have a troop of 12 children who are renowned for their strong family values, surfing and playing sports, home-schooling and business interests. The family of Tahitian-Cook Islands descent also whip out their percussion instruments and transform into Muzacon, “a polytainment fusion group”. They will […]

Go Gaga at H Factor tonight

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Features

Contestants battling it out in the H Factor competition will hit the stage for the first round of competition tonight, taking their singing ways to Hidie’s Bar with some of music’s greats in their sights. The H Factor’s top 10 singers will put their spin on artists new and old, from Lady Gaga to Jackie […]

USP's MBA course ranked 15th for quality

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Features

The Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) programme at the University of the South Pacific has been ranked 15th in the region for quality. International rating agency Eduniversal recently published its 1000 choices for best business schools in the world. Their ranking is based on three criterias – the programme’s reputation, career prospects and salary levels […]

'It's okay to be soft and hard'

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Features

Dr Peter Faga Loresio Mario is in Rarotonga for the next four weeks, with a double-pronged goal – his primary purpose is to teach a human resources course to Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) students, but he’s also trying to sell his students on the benefits of going further and earning a doctorate of business […]

Swiss chef starts mobile service

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Features

For those who can’t decide whether to eat out or dine in, there’s a happy medium – a new service provided by Swiss chef Alberto Bachmann. Bachmann is Rarotonga’s resident ‘Dial-A-Chef’ – available for house calls and private parties. The idea is that the host provides plates, cutlery and a place to eat, and Bachmann […]

Healthy shakes, salads and smoothies

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Features

People who have been swept up in the Fitness Revolution – and those who are looking for something to take the edge off the summer heat – are welcoming Rarotonga’s newest juice and salad bar at Manu Manor. Located on the Tupapa side of town, Juicee offers fresh, healthy alternatives to heavy, greasy takeaway lunches. […]

Pohnpei fishery body recruits Cook Islander

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Features

The appointment of Dr Lara Manarangi-Trott as compliance manager for the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Pohnpei continues the tradition of Cook Islanders being well represented at regional fisheries management organisations. A home-grown girl, Lara is the daughter of Owen and Teresa Manarangi-Trott, current president of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce. Lara […]

A Day Made Better by Mrs K

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Features

She’s too humble to talk much about it, but just last year Te Uki Ou’s newest teacher won a national award in New Zealand for demonstrating passion and dedication to education. Amy Koekemoer (nee Holder) – ‘Mrs K’ to her year four and five students – was recognised by OfficeMax’s A Day Made Better programme […]

Summer photo competition - 3

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Features

These images are a selection from over 60 photos received over the last seven days – the last week of the Cook Islands News Memories of Summer Photo Competition sponsored by CIPS Image & Copy Centre. Next Saturday we’ll announce the overall winner of the major prize – a brand new Nikon1 J1 camera. We […]