Articles by Utopia Support

Education can make a difference

Friday 3 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with interest the concerns and comments from the different sectors with regards to the recent tragedies that have hit our community. I too share those concerns and would like to offer some food for thought. Firstly, to the families and friends, I offer my sincere condolences for your tragic loss and […]

Kata - February 3, 2012

Friday 3 February 2012 | Published in Kata

Stray cat in Nikao

Friday 3 February 2012 | Published in National

A feline patient from the Esther Honey Clinic in Nikao has escaped and needs urgent treatment. Residents in the Nikao area are being asked to look out for a tabby cat with patches of orange, white and gray that went missing from the clinic yesterday. The cat, named Pear Bear, has a wound and significant […]

Accommodators urged to register forward bookings

Friday 3 February 2012 | Published in National

Cook Islands accommodators are again being encouraged to register their forward bookings figures with the tourism corporation to help it direct funding and organise campaigns. The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation needs about 75 percent of all tourism accommodation providers to submit their forward booking figures to make the scheme worthwhile. At present, 25 per cent […]

ADB warns not to rely on tourism

Friday 3 February 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands needs to find ways it can diversify its economy and help bolster its protections against international upheaval, according to the regional director of the Asian Development Bank. Adrian Ruthenberg, who is in the Cook Islands to attend a summit of the country’s main development partners, said the Cook Islands was vulnerable to […]

Cooks could go either way: bank manager

Friday 3 February 2012 | Published in National

With less emphasis being placed on the traditional work week, the Cook Islands should not be majorly disadvantaged by choosing not to move to the other side of the international date line, says Westpac Cook Islands general manager Carmel Butler. In fact, she said, the increasing flexibility of working hours means the Cook Islands is […]

Gun laws under police review

Friday 3 February 2012 | Published in National

Cook Islands Police will soon begin examining the laws governing gun ownership. The police force is bringing together a committee of people including representatives from the Returned Services Association (RSA) and an aspiring small-bore firearms club, to examine and hopefully update the laws. But members of other groups are being encouraged to join the committee […]

Noni operation audited for organic certification

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Environment

Two auditors are at the Cook Islands Noni Marketing Ltd premises in Titikaveka this week doing a routine inspection to ensure the factory is complying with its organic regulations. “We’re just here to make sure that the business complies with our requirements – it’s as simple as that,” senior qualifications assurance auditor Raymond Najm, who […]

'Nothing severe'

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Local

The newest storm brewing near New Caledonia and Vanuatu does not pose a threat to the Cook Islands, says Meteorological Services operations manager Maara Vaiimene. This week a few new weather systems have developed within the region – a tropical depression near Vanuatu and New Caledonia (which actually falls under Fiji’s area of responsibility), a […]

Major road works underway

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Local

A $2.9 million roads project has begun in Rarotonga after more than four years of planning and waiting. The job, officially known as the Rarotonga Road Network Improvement project, is bringing three parties together for its completion, coupling the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP) with contractors T&M Heather and Triad Petroleum. MOIP secretary Donye […]

'We must tackle suicide as a nation'

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Local

More needs to be done at a governmental level and in the home to tackle suicide among Cook Islands youth, according to Minister of Health Nandi Glassie. Glassie said the Cook Islands must tackle suicide as a nation, by bringing in better legislation for mental health, introducing more funding for psychological and mental health care, […]

Summer photo competition - 1

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Features

We’ve been inundated with nearly 200 images of children, pets and family fun in our first ever Memories of Summer photo competition sponsored by CIPS Image & Copy Centre. This selection of pictures were received in the first few weeks. Summer photo competition – 3; Summer photo competition – 2 Previous weeks: (Week 1 – […]

No one objected to Rupe Raea's recital

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I’ve read with great interest of an aggressive and anti Makea letter to the editor blaming the Makea families for the failures of the Takitumu people choices for selecting the Pa Ariki ki runga ite Paepae Ariki. The writer goes on to say that there are records in the registrar where people can […]

Roundtable discussions just PR

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Your reporter Eric Parnis said in the lead story in yesterday’s paper that some of the participants at the Roundtable Discussions between the government and development partners disagreed with my comments. I did not hear such disagreement from those that spoke after my intervention. My experience in fact was quite the opposite. Many […]

Kata - February 2, 2012

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Kata

Marumaru Atua down Mexico way

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in National

The voyagers aboard Cook Islands vaka Marumaru Atua are exploring the streets and eats of Mexico. The vaka – flanked by her sister vaka – departed the California coast on January 24 and set sail for the Sea of Cortez. Crew member Alex Olah, who has been updating the vaka blog, said it was smooth […]

Gill-net ban enforced in Aitutaki

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in National

Fisheries officers are cracking down on the use of gill-nets in Aitutaki lagoon. Following a recent visit to Aitutaki, senior fisheries officer Rima Manavaikai has asked that the public take note of the restrictions on the use of gill-nets in the bonefish reserve pursuant to the Marine Resources (Aitutaki and Manuae Bonefish Fishery) Regulations 2010 […]

Pacific Forum boss 'impressed'

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in National

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat secretary-general Tuiloma Neroni Slade says he is ‘impressed’ with what the Cook Islands has to offer as host of this year’s Pacific Islands Forum. Slade spent the week in Rarotonga, attending roundtable discussions and meeting privately with the prime minister and senior officials in hopes of working out the details of […]

Australian Cook Islanders lead the charge

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in National

Cook Islanders living in Australia have led the charge for visitor figures during December – returning Kukis from the wide brown land numbered just under 1000 for the month, making a 27 per cent increase on last year’s effort. The number is impressive when compared to the typical number of Aussie expatriates that make it […]

New EU ambassador welcomed

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in National

The relationship between the Cook Islands and the European Union has further advanced this week when the union’s non-resident ambassador officially presented his credentials while visiting Rarotonga. Doctor Abdoul Aziz Mbaye met with Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin on Monday to deliver his credentials as the new non-resident Ambassador of the EU to the Cook […]