Articles by Utopia Support

Lack of faith the problem

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in National

People must overcome their superstitions through faith and conviction, including those who believe a curse placed on the Vaimaanga Sheraton site will ruin their business plans, according to Bishop Tutai Pere. Bishop Pere says people must embrace their faith in Jesus Christ and have the belief that they will realise their dreams to overcome any […]

The 100-year-old curse explained

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in National

A history of a Vaimaanga land plot that some believe is cursed has been added in an online archive, detailing the history of property that has been the site of a shooting in 1911, under dispute for much of the century and now the home of the failed Sheraton hotel project. Radio station Matariki FM […]

Road transport policy needed?

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in National

It is possible various government ministries may be involved in the development of a transport sector policy, focusing on road transport in the Cook Islands. Cook Islands News is trying to determine whether such a policy exists. It appears there is no overarching framework in place which addresses issues of road vehicle numbers, types, use […]

Are our streets roadworthy?

Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

If the government is going to be difficult about warrants of fitness, a smoke signaller writes, I ask the question: Would our roads pass a warrant of fitness? SS: Thats a good point, and probably one thats often raised by those whose vehicles might not pass muster at the WOF inspections! Here’s an interesting thought […]

There is a link to that greatness

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Church Talk

For the most part, the last few weeks have been spent by many pondering and celebrating the birth of the Saviour Jesus Christ. The wise men said: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Mathew 2:2. Greatness […]

Charlies green dengue machine

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Local

Public health staff have begun preventative measures to stop the spread of dengue fever in the Cook Islands after a number of Pacific nations have recorded a spike in cases of the mosquito-borne disease. Protection officer Charlie Ave said the agency would be using spraying machinery and a number of chemical-free biological controls to help […]

No details about missing skipper

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Local

Details have yet to emerge on the circumstances surrounding the suspected death of a yacht skipper who disappeared in Cook Islands waters on Tuesday. Cook Islands police have been tight-lipped on the issue since patrol boat Te Kukupa was deployed on Tuesday afternoon in response to a distress call from the yacht Bonny, received about […]

Minister reviews medivac costs

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Local

Members of the public should put up some of the costs associated with transport expenses in the case of health emergencies and not rely solely on government assistance, minister of health Nandi Glassie has said. The government has estimated it will spend $500,000 on patient referrals this year, funded through its POBOC fund or Payments […]

Stench drove me away

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Last night (Wednesday) the stench from Scotts Farm was so terrible that I had to go and sleep at a relatives home which is outside the Muri area. After the welcomed rain the island has recently experienced, the smell from Scotts Farm, particularly on a breezeless night, is simply terrible. But hey, lets […]

Out of the circle

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Reading Mr Kas article with regards to his views and translation of the beautiful name TE PAE TAI NUI, I am lead to make this comment. I think Mr Ka is very picky and critical of the word NUI as to maatamaata, atupaka, korereka, poria, ngao and so the list goes on. Looking […]

A name change is superficial

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Brandon (January 4) needs to do some research. Avaiki Nui is not the Cook Islands. It is more likely to be Tahiti and her islands or Samoa before that. Before that, SE Asia. Sure, all of the islands he mentions have indigenous names but the achievement is meaningless (apart from Samoa, Tonga and […]

Call from taro patch to help Scotts Farm

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Everyone is now complaining about John Scotts farm the very man who built the Muri Beach Club Resort without a single penny of debt or mortgage but one that was built from every cent of profit from selling chicken eggs. Thats right, Mama Tara who delivers the eggs first thing in the morning […]

Kata - January 6, 2012

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Kata

Busy netball year planned

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Netball

A full calendar of netball competitions and programmes is in store for local netball players from the grassroots level right up to the international squad. While the new netball executives fine tune dates of events they have put out a tentative overall plan for 2012. Starting this month a new school holiday netball programme will […]

Samoan community celebrates new year

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in National

Rarotongas Samoan community came together on New Years Eve to raise a toast to 2012 and reflect on the year gone by. About 25 people attended the barbecue night at Titikavekas YWAM (Youth With a Mission) hall on December 31, bringing together Samoans young and mature, and new and old from the local community. The […]

The year that was - Government

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in National

The office of the Public Service Commissioner plans to introduce a blanket policy on the use of government vehicles. Government issues its half year economic and fiscal update for the 2010-2011 financial year, which predicts growth in the economy through new investment in tourism. In an interview with Cook Islands News, Prime Minister Henry Puna […]

Searching for surgeon

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in National

The Ministry of Health is searching for Rarotongas next hospital surgeon, in light of Dr Bwabwa Otens departure shortly. Health minister Nandi Glassie says Dr Otens contract expires in the middle of this month and the ministry is likely to contract a New Zealand or Fiji-based surgeon to work in Rarotonga while a permanent replacement […]

Airline seeks land

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in National

Domestic airline hopefuls Kia Orana Air will make a bid on a piece of land at the Rarotonga International Airport with the hope of launching its first flight during 2012. Director Mark Lusby said the aspiring airline was putting in a tender for a section of land in the airport grounds that is currently being […]

On dengue alert

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in National

Public Health has begun spraying insecticides at the airport, ports and hospital as a precautionary measure against dengue fever, following an increase in the number of cases being recorded across the Pacific. Public Health protection officer Charlie Ave said the government agency had began precautionary steps to stop the spread of mosquito-borne diseases with a […]

One tuna $936K, 17 boats $800K

Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

I hope the minister of fisheries reads where a tuna one whole bluefin tuna was sold for 56.49 million yen (NZ$936,000) to a Japanese restaurant last Thursday, a smoke signaller writes. This surely makes a mockery of the NZ$800,000 fee paid to the Cook Islands for 17 and more long line fishing boats which have […]