Articles by Utopia Support

A disgrace!

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Well people what a political disgrace it was The quiet President and the noisy people and the Rosie They said they had taken the money of the sports and they wont pay it back The Olympic people are supporting the people who took the money The Government said they would pay the bailout […]

CISNOC what a financial disaster!

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The long awaited financial report from CISNOC has finally been prepared and shows a deficit of $140,143 before government loans, and a deficit of $306,143 taking into account the amounts owed to government. In other words CISNOC owes $306,143 more than it has. What a financial disaster! Furthermore the term deposit of $160,000 […]

Hoping the harbour is solid as a rock

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am sure I, like many on the island, have been wondering what the contractor for the Avatiu wharf is going to do with all the rocks they are stockpiling at the western end of the port. I have been told that this part of about a third of the harbour front is […]

Kata - December 21, 2011

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in Kata

Christmas gifts to jail

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in National

Inmates at the Arorangi Prison received a dose of Christmas cheer last week, with Santas elves making a visit with practical presents and kai in hand. Prison chaplain Sister Margaret Dwyer helped organise the event for the 24 inmates at the prison and the CITC Supermarket helped supply the gifts handed over on Thursday. Christmas […]

Divine inspiration guided rescue

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in National

With some reminiscing over the old Ravakai vessel in Cook Islands News recently and its wretched end well and truly covered, maritime stalwart Don Silk also got to thinking of some of the positives about the vessel. The Ravakai was used in a number of rescue attempts during its lifespan and came under the control […]

Australia claims 20% of visitors

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in National

One In five visitors to the Cook Islands during November this year has come from Australia. The nation has for the first time this year claimed 20 percent of the Cook Islands inbound tourist numbers for the month, making headways into New Zealands share of the market. Australia sent 1800 individuals for the month, a […]

Triad fuel prices rise

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in National

Triad Pacific Petroleums maximum fuel prices have risen by five and six cents in line with a new price order, replacing the companys last order issued one month ago. It brings Triads maximum prices a little closer to those of rival firm Toa Petroleum, although Toa is still able to sell its petrol for up […]

Media association to be revived

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in National

Media workers met yesterday to discuss re-establishing the Cook Islands Media Association, which has for years lain dormant. At present the Cook Islands is one of the only Pacific nations without a national media association. The impetus to re-form the association was a collective opinion on the part of Cook Islands journalists that the Official […]

WSBC lessons applied in new law

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in National

The postscript to the long-running WSBC Bank case finally closed with the enactment of the Banking Act 2011 by parliament early last week. Although the bank had its licence formally revoked back in July 2011, the lessons learnt in fighting that case provided the impetus for the newly enacted legislation. Much of the significant cost […]

Bad timing for Westpac failure

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in National

Christmas spending ground to a halt for Westpac Cook Islands customers yesterday when the company experienced a mainframe meltdown. All the banks automatic teller machines (ATMs) were out of service, as well as all its eftpos machines and internet banking. In most cases Westpac customers could not even withdraw money in person from the main […]

New Years party time!

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in National

The party-going demographic has a few options come the eve of December 31. Rarotonga can ring in 2012 on the beach at Sails which has declared its intent to turn Muri into the Vegas strip right on the beach or dressed in safari garb, jungle juice in hand, at popular nightclub Rehab. Sails Restaurant is […]

New boulders better than old at harbour

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in National

While it was enviable to have the wharf front extended all the way around the Avatiu harbour as part of upgrades currently being carried out at the site, budgetary constraints on the project meant that could not happen, Ports Authority general manager Nooroa Bim Tou said. Tou said that the harbours design meant that boats […]

New supplier, higher price

Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: I walked into CITC stoked to see my Dove Energise soap was back on the shelf and was then horrified to see that CITC has increased its price to $6.40 from $3.90 for the two-pack. How on earth do you justify that kind of price increase, CITC? Going from a very […]

Police investigate allegations of rape

Tuesday 20 December 2011 | Published in Local

A Nikao woman was raped early on Friday morning after a man broke into her house and assaulted her, Cook Islands Police allege. The suspect is still on the run and police are continuing their investigations into the incident. The case was reported to police on Friday morning and Inspector Tere Patia said the incident […]

Media banned from CISNOC meeting

Tuesday 20 December 2011 | Published in Local

Despite claims that CISNOC has nothing to hide, president Sir Geoffrey Henry banned the media and other members of the public from attending last nights crucial meeting at which the organisations financial status was revealed. Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) treasurer Dan OBrien called the meeting to update the full membership about […]

Date set for Pacific Islands Forum

Tuesday 20 December 2011 | Published in Local

The Pacific Islands Forum will be held between August 13 and 17 in the Cook Islands next year. The government has this week confirmed the forums dates for next year, which will bring in leaders from 15 of the forums 16 nations and territories member states from across the Pacific including Australia and New Zealand. […]

Someone should put a match to it

Tuesday 20 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This chicken farm thing, someone should simply put a match to it! Obviously no action has happened, is happening, or is going to happen. Ever! I had to re-locate my business due to the sickening evil smell. A smell like somebody has died and been left to rot. When I came back to […]

Thank you, Rarotonga, for an amazing Vaka Eiva

Tuesday 20 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This is overdue as we have had to take time to stop shivering upon returning to Canada and a chilly winter! The Jericho Outrigger paddlers, from Vancouver BC, wanted to thank everyone on Rarotonga for the amazing event of Vaka Eiva. There are far too many people to name individuals (starting with Victoria […]

Kata - December 20, 2011

Tuesday 20 December 2011 | Published in Kata