Articles by Utopia Support

Sixteen new foreign enterprises approved

Monday 9 January 2012 | Published in National

In the past year a total of 16 foreign enterprises collectively worth $37 million have been approved by the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB). The board says in 2011 it granted the 16 approvals, of which the bulk of investment relates to harbour developments on Rarotonga and Mauke. Aside from infrastructure, the largest sector for […]

Avocado not rated for export

Monday 9 January 2012 | Published in National

Amidst suggestions for the commercial production of crops in the Cook Islands, agriculture minister Nandi Glassie says priority will continue to be given to plants for which there is already a market. He says while there are many crops which can be commercially grown in the Cook Islands including avocado and jackfruit it is not […]

The year that was - Letters

Monday 9 January 2012 | Published in National

One of the best ways to find the pulse of any community is to open up a newspaper at its letters to the editor section, and luckily for Cook Islands News, ours is pumping strongly with public discussion and free speech. CINews published 700 letters to the editor in 2011 and received thousands of smoke […]

Fewer returning locals this year?

Monday 9 January 2012 | Published in National

Rarotonga transport operators say the Cook Islands has experienced a slightly quieter than usual festive period this year, with fewer expatriates making the trip home for holidays. The number of returning Cook Islanders travelling home typically spikes in the month of December, with figures showing up to four times as many Cook Islanders travel here […]

New fishing observers to be trained

Monday 9 January 2012 | Published in National

In line with its exploratory fishing programme, the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) is advertising a training course for observers aboard foreign long line fishing vessels. The training runs from January 12 to 26 and is open to applicants who meet certain criteria. MMR says it wants to ensure those fishing through the programme report […]

What's in a name?

Monday 9 January 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

Commenting on suggestions that the country should consider using a local name, a smoke signaller writes: Shouldnt there at least be a text poll for the name change of our country? The people should have a say! There are so many reasons as to why we might not want to be called Avaiki Nui. SS: […]

Stabbing still under investigation

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Local

Police are continuing their investigations into an incident that ended with someone being stabbed on Christmas Day. Cook Islands Police inspector John Strickland said officers from the Criminal Investigation Branch are still carrying out investigations into the incident. Police reports show that a person was stabbed early on December 25 suffering what police have described […]

Police step up manhunt

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Local

Cook Islands Police have formed a dedicated team to look for wanted man Kakino Kakino Junior. Kakino has been on the run from police since breaking his bail conditions three weeks ago. The 31-year-old is believed to be moving around the island on foot and by bicycle since before Christmas. Inspector Tere Patia said Kakino […]

Burglars caught

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Local

The spike in crime recorded in Rarotonga over the festive break does not appear to have extended to the pa enua, with police reporting that no serious incidents had occurred outside the capital for the period. Aitutaki police recorded two cases of burglary over the Christmas and New Year period, one at Samade Bar and […]

Pero would like cheaper interest, too

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Local

Like so many Cook Islanders, business tycoon Mike Pero would like to pay less interest on his mortgage. It may surprise some that Pero, who has made millions in the mortgage and finance industry, has a Cook Islands mortgage for his Rarotonga property. Pero is a Cook Islander – his father is from Matavera. Despite […]

Drumming out new year's greeting

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Features

Drumming group Te Vaerua Kuki Airani from Tereora set out to circle the island with drums beating and wishes of a prosperous New Year on Monday, January 2. The drummers were one of a number of groups that circled the island to celebrate the New Year in customary style.

Crab munching on Mauke visit

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Features

In today’s Kids Page we feature more wonderful and creative writing by students of Apii Te Uki Ou in Turangi. Travelling lions all know that a Sensible lion must not ride on a boat. Boats are not for big sharp teeth, Imagine all the people running and Screaming! I wonder how many people hide and […]

Is it time to look at the end result of the freedom we take for granted?

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Features

There is a freedom to life in the Cook Islands and much of this is what makes people want to live here. There is a feeling of safety, enough to let children wander out of sight when in other countries they would never leave your side, and to enjoy the wind blowing through your hair […]

TIS shocked

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, At the public consultations on the controversial subject of foreign fishing licences several months ago, the public was told that these were exploratory licences, to help us gather data on the extent of our fishery resources. It is clear that for this to be effective, there would need to be at least one […]

Smell is worse

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, If your letter writer in Fridays paper is correct in saying that the Muri Beach Club Hotel & Spa was largely financed and built from the profits of Scotts Farm, one can deduce that this hotel was built at the expense of those unfortunate residents in Muri who have had to put up […]

No one gives a damn

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to respond to the letter of 29 December (Looking beyond the market) by Anonymous. Te akameitaki nei au ia koe, Anonymous! I offer three additional comments. No personalities involved. 1. Having recently returned from a global conference on market-based economics (my work prohibits me from elaborating), I wish Anonymous had […]

Dreadful stench speaks for itself

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is simply amazing that Public Health has now decided to conduct a survey in the Muri area to gauge the views of those living in close proximity of Scotts Farm who have been affected by the dreadful stench over the years. Aside from the awful drunken behaviour of that silly All Black […]

Public health census in Muri

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In writing this letter, I have no intention of involving myself in gutter level politicking, which has been generated by defeatist politicians that have jumped on the bandwagon of the Scotts Farm saga in anonymous fashion to propagate their political agenda on this rather very important issue concerning the Muri community and Mr […]

Kata - January 7, 2012

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Kata

International netball will draw players

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Netball

Netball loving Cook Islanders from all over the globe will have the opportunity to come home and play the game they love when Netball Cook Islands stages its International Netball Tournament in November. The tournament is scheduled to be run from November 28 to December 1 this year and is open to any team locally […]