Articles by Utopia Support

Kata - December 29, 2011

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in Kata

Call to prepare for Maeva Nui 2012

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

People of the outer islands should begin planning for the Te Maeva Nui Trade Days markets to ensure they have enough stock to meet demands during the festival, Business Trade Investment Board chief executive Terry Rangi says. The government this week announced the dates set for the Te Maeva Nui festivals for next year, which […]

Xmas in Afghanistan

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

While his Cook Islands family feasted together in Rarotonga and in New Zealand over the Christmas weekend, one local man spent his Christmas with children from the Bamyan Province of Afghanistan. Corporal Mata Nooroa Jnr is currently deployed in Afghanistan with the New Zealand Army until April 2012. The 25-year-old Rutaki boy is the son […]

EU marks $20.8 million for Pacific

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

The European Union has signed off on assistance of $20.8 million (12.3 million) to increase Pacific ACP countries ability to benefit from global trade and regional economic integration. Such activities are financed under the tenth European Development Fund (EDF) and are part of the Strengthening Pacific Economic Integration Through Trade (SPEITT) programme. The agreement was […]

Nominees sought for democratic workshop

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

A regional workshop on democratic institutions is set to take place in Brisbane, Australia, from February 27 to 29. The workshop is being convened by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat. It aims to identify issues and challenges critical to democratic institutions, share experiences, impart lessons and discuss the […]

Less for more turns away visitor

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

Unscrupulous businesses, predatory practices and a fall in standards is hurting the Cook Islands tourism industry, according to one American visitor. Ron Heckman said he and his wife have made their third visit to the Cook Islands their last because each visit has cost them more but delivered less. Overall we have fallen in love […]

Investigation completed

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands Police have yet to decide if they will lay any charges in relation to a Christmas day stabbing. Cook Islands police detective inspector Areumu Ingaua said police had completed their investigations into the incident. A person was stabbed at a Nikao beach party early on Christmas day after an alcohol-fuelled dispute. Ingaua said […]

Telecom fixes fault

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

Telecom Cook Islands (TCI) customers were affected by a service failure yesterday between about 9am and 1pm. TCI sales and marketing manager Damien Beddoes says yesterday morning the company started experiencing connectivity issues to its mobile network, which affected international roaming customers as well as those with pre-paid mobile phones and some post paid (contract) […]

15 new teachers, education staff

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands students are on holiday until January 30, but a new crop of teachers and principals begin come January 26. January 26 and 27 are teacher-only days, giving new Kiwi recruits and Cook Islands teachers returning from New Zealand a chance to settle into life in a Cook Islands classroom. Fifteen new teachers and […]

Govt banks $810,000 China payment

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

Chinas fisheries association has paid the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) $810,000 for 17 fishing licences. Marine resources minister Teina Bishop says the payment went through in the last week or so. It secures fishing licences for 17 Chinese vessels to operate in Cook Islands waters as part of MMRs exploratory fishing programme. […]

Symbolic sculpture donated to Pa Ariki

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

Takitumu legend Te Ika Nui a Tangiia has inspired retired French artist Michel Kirsch to create a sculpture as a gift for Takitumu paramount chief Pa Marie Ariki. Last week Kirsch and his wife Sylvie presented the sculpture to the family of Pa Marie Ariki at the new Are Ariki in Ngatangiia. Kirsch was not […]

Confiscated tobacco and alcohol for sale

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

A years worth of confiscated tobacco, cigarettes and alcohol is up for sale by tender at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management. Senior customs officer Stephen Matapo explains that the bulk of confiscated goods were taken from passengers at Rarotonga International Airport who had exceeded their quantity allowance on alcohol, tobacco and cigarettes. Matapo […]

Keep eye out for Kakino

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

People across Rarotonga should watch for wanted man Kakino Kakino, who was last sighted in Tupapa and may be linked to a theft in the village. Cook Islands police detective inspector Areumu Ingaua said Kakino, 31, could be hiding out anywhere on Rarotonga and urged anyone who spotted him to immediately contact police. Kakino, a […]

Weather predictions differ

Thursday 29 December 2011 | Published in National

Online wind forecasters are predicting gusts of more than 100km/h will lash Rarotonga today as the stormy weather bombarding the island expected to worsen. The forecasters also predict up to 100mm of rain will fall on the capital island this afternoon during a particularly bad patch of weather. Local forecasters are doubting the accuracy of […]

SPC defends deep sea minerals project

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Environment

Members of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community have hit back at claims that its Deep Sea Minerals Project, which is currently being put into action in the Cook Islands, will disenfranchise local people in favour of the interest of mining companies. Pacific activist group Act Now! which is based in Papua New Guinea has […]

Marine park will allow for mining

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Environment

Deep sea mininG and ocean conservation through a marine park can happily co-exist in the Cook Islands, Prime Minister Henry Puna says. Puna was asked by Cook Islands News whether government initiatives to explore deep sea mining and the establishment of a marine park are at odds with one another. Thats a challenge that government […]

Kakino Kakino wanted

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Local

Local police are on the hunt for known felon Kakino Kakino (above) who has become a wanted man after failing to meet his bail curfew before the Christmas weekend. Police have been unable to locate Kakino who they would like to talk to in relation to a rash of burglaries on the island over the […]

Christmas crime wave

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands police have had a frustrating festive weekend with high numbers of incidents ranging from domestic abuse to burglaries and motor accidents. In total five people were arrested. Eight domestic disputes were attended to by police between Thursday December 22 and yesterday. Detective Inspector Areumu Ingaua says the majority of domestic disputes attended to […]

Cabinets gone for quick dollar

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Recently I ended my letter by questioning whether it was a good idea for MMR to sell our fish to foreign fishing companies at 18 cents a kilo. Some years ago this might have been good, but times change. Some of us remember when fruit like bananas, pawpaw, tomatoes, were all grown for […]

The people of Muri have had a gutsful

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Fortunately, my home is not next door to Scotts Farm. As a resident of Muri, however, my family do get the effects of the awful smell on a regular basis. I therefore wish to have my say on what is a very important and serious issue. Important not only for the many people […]