Articles by Utopia Support

Suggestions for Scotts egg farm

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have found this debate regarding John Scotts Farm very interesting. What has concerned me is all the talk about the smell, but not about what is causing the smell. Out of all the letters not one has raised the point about the conditions of where and what the chickens are kept in. […]

Pharmacist swaps jobs in Orewa

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

Come December 28, there will be a less familiar face behind the counter at CITC Pharmacy. New Zealand pharmacy owner Kenneth Hickey will be serving the Rarotonga public for a month in place of pharmacist Shannon Saunders, and given his experience and industry knowledge Saunders considers him an ideal stand-in. Saunders is obligated to do […]

Christmas in Mauke's park

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

Unexpected heavy rain late afternoon of December 23 did not douse enthusiasm as Maukes inaugural Christmas in the Park became Christmas on the veranda at Opetipa Hall, Oiretumu. As night fell and skies cleared many chose to sit under the stars and peer through and over the railings to watch the variety show. The show […]

Pacific papal visit

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

llegal fishing nets $100,000

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

The Ministry of Marine Resources has agreed to a settlement of $100,000 for illegal fishing conducted by a Chinese fishing vessel near Cook Islands waters. According to marine resources secretary Ben Ponia, there were mitigating circumstances surrounding the case taken into consideration by the ministry. The incursions occurred in August in the area of maritime […]

Groups join forces to stop domestic violence

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

Laws relating to domestic violence offences and sentencing need to be strengthened to empower victims of the crime and help eliminate it in our community, a national workshop on domestic violence has found. The workshop, held on Friday, December 16, brought together community groups and government agencies that are dealing with domestic violence for a […]

Bishop picks up beach rubbish

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in National

Bishop Tutai Pere wasnt impressed when he came across piles of empty beer bottles while out for a walk in Kavera over the Christmas weekend, but instead of turning a blind eye Bishop Pere found a sack and picked up all the bottles left by party-goers. The bottles were left under trees and in piles […]

It's not a farm its a factory

Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

The victims of the Scotts Farm smell are hard pressed to find words adequate to convey the degree of the misery they are unable to escape, a smoke signaller writes. When assaulted by such olfactory violence it is difficult perhaps to consider the real cause of the onslaught. Scotts operation is not a farm in […]

Scott addressing odour

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in Environment

Scotts Farm owner John Scott has ordered an odour-reducing microbial culture with which to treat chicken manure. The product, called EM (Effective Micro-organism Concentrate), arrives on a cargo ship next week. Scott denies his farm is generating any odour at present, but at any rate assures the public that the product will minimise any stench […]

Two financial organisations to merge

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in Local

The Financial Supervisory Commission and the Financial Intelligence Unit will merge next financial year under Cook Islands government plans to streamline its public sector and become more cost effective. The two regulatory bodies will share office space at the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) site from next year, with the five staff currently working at the […]

Puna stops Aitutaki hydrogen plant

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna has stopped plans to establish a hydrogen plant on Aitutaki for electricity generation. Cook Islands News has received a copy of a letter from Puna addressed to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) director general Kandeh Yumkella in Austria. The letter, dated December 22, declines an invitation from the UNIDO […]

23 Christmas wishes

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in Features

Brave Ngamata, 5 – I’m wishing for a toy shotgun, so I can shoot other people. For Christmas lunch I wish for burgers and chips. “/> David Bridge, Air New Zealand Cook Islands manager (standing at far left) May the happy moments of Christmas brighten every day of the New Year, 2012 , and may […]

Dont drink and drive

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To the mamas and the papas who had contacted me regarding the One News, my recommendation to you is to tune in to Vaka Television at 7.30pm. There are also other programmes too you can watch. Thank you Vaka Television for your great contribution and keep up with the good work. Finally to […]

Christmas greetings

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your team at Cook Islands News. May the festive season bring joy and happiness to you all. You have served our communities well during 2011. Cook Islands News Online has been very informative, educational and entertaining for our people in the Cook Islands, New […]

Kata - December 24, 2011

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in Kata

Government takes a break

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in National

Most government departments and ministries are taking a break this Christmas closing offices for a few days over the festive season. But care has been taken to ensure vital services, such as health care, remains available to members of the public. The Ministry of Health is observing all public holidays, with the exception of emergency […]

Kids activities for holidays

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in National

1. Have a picnic at the beach. 2. Play volleyball in the sand. 3. Make popcorn and watch a movie. 4. Write letters to family and friends overseas. 5. Go bushwalking. 6. Have breakfast for dinner. 7. Hold cooking classes in your own kitchen and invite your friends. 8. Go for a bicycle ride. 9. […]

Raromart shares spirit

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in National

In keeping with its yearly tradition, Raromart has given back to the community by donating goods to needy people this Christmas. The Rarotonga retail outlet has donated to government and non-government departments as well as individuals. Recipients include the Rarotonga Hospital, Arorangi Prison, Tupapas Creative Centre, and the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic in Nikao. […]

Give pets a break too over the holidays

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in National

Holiday-makers are reminded to consider their pets and animals this Christmas and New Year. Those leaving Rarotonga and pa enua to travel for the holidays need to ensure a friend or family member will tend to lonely pets and animals at least twice a day, providing food and water. Those at the Esther Honey Foundation […]

Special church services for Christmas

Saturday 24 December 2011 | Published in National

Rarotonga churches are expected to be full of worshippers this weekend as Christians gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus the reason for Christmas. All Cook Islands Christian Church branches on Rarotonga will on Saturday evening, Christmas Eve, conduct services at 11pm. At the Avarua CICC church things will kick off with carol singing by […]