Articles by Utopia Support

Crowds flock for thriller KO soccer

Monday 19 December 2011 | Published in Football

The enthusiastic crowds that flocked to the CIFA complex in Matavera were not disappointed with the high level of action packed soccer games on display in the knock-out cup finals. The junior age grade teams set the tone for womens and mens knock-out cup grand finals which were nonstop action affairs. In the womens finals […]

Pacific asked to slow down on mining

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Environment

A group of Pacific civil society groups has launched a petition against the expansion of deep sea mining in the region, calling on governments to slow down until the impacts of the young industry could be examined. Groups from Fiji and Papua New Guinea have launched a campaign against deep sea mining, saying they have […]

New solar system to help education

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Environment

A new solar installation in the Te Aponga Uira car park area will help build up public awareness and knowledge of the equipment as the Cook Islands becomes more reliant on the technology in the future, says chief executive Apii Timoti. The state-owned energy supplier Te Aponga Uira (TAU) officially opened and blessed its new […]

21 days this year

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Local

Parliament was yesterday adjourned sine die, or until further notice. During the last session of the year, members of parliament extended Christmas greetings to their constituents. The sitting was topped off with a big kai kai to which all past and present members of parliament were invited. Honourable members, this is our last sitting for […]

Cooks credit rating takes a hit

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Local

United States credit rating agency Standard & Poors has downgraded the Cook Islands credit rating further into non-investment territory, citing a lack of positive information as the reason for its credit status. Cook Islands financial secretary Richard Neves said it was disappointing to see S&P lower the Cook Islands sovereign rating from BB-minus to B-plus. […]

Students pony up for summer stall

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Local

Two young entrepreneurs have set up shop in town, using their Christmas break from school to gain some experience in managing a stall. Nine-year-old Manamea Koteka and 12-year-old Selane Tairea arent wasting away their summer break at the beach theyve decided to get some practice in managing a stall and pitching sales to passersby in […]

Student creativity at Tereora

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Features

When the war was done and youth stone dead I try to remember them for their brave hearts Not in the hands of boys but in their eyes Shall shine holy glimmers of goodbyes Worried we are by ones we could not find And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds In all my dreams, […]

Spirits with Pa Ariki on big day

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Features

Pa Marie Ariki felt the familiar presence of her guardian angel Taakura during the Thursday ceremony that marked the completion of her palace. Taakura, she says, was with her and with the people of Takitumu, who gathered to celebrate the long-awaited occasion. The opening of the palace at Mata Enua was a spiritually significant occasion […]

Cooks heritage needs support

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Features

The Cook Islands should take more steps to empower its traditional structures and uphold its heritage, according to the paramount chief of Takitumu. In a new exhibition detailing the past, present and future of the Pa Ariki title, the current titleholder Pa Marie Ariki said the traditional power structure of the Cook Islands could be […]

Exploring the history of Pa Ariki

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Features

The history, lineage, artefacts and district of the Pa Ariki title will be explored and explained at a new exhibition at the Cook Islands National Museum. The exhibition brings together written, verbal and photographic material from the last 600 years to cover the story and development of the Pa Ariki title since it was first […]

Pa Ariki O Takitumu exhibition

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Features

The origins of the Pa Ariki title, Paramount Chief of Takitumu, dates back to the time of legendary Polynesian hero Tangiia, who was recorded to have founded and settled on Rarotonga around 1350AD. Tangiia was one of the first early discoverers of Rarotonga, and the architect of the ariki system that is recognised on the […]

A tick for new shipping service

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Fantastic to read of a shipping service between Samoa and the northern group. I enjoyed my travels on Tapis boats but the shorter trip will be much better. One idea for income for these islands is recycling which would clear the clutter. Merry Xmas all.

$55 is way too much

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, $55 for departure tax is way too much, not only for the oldies but for any visitor to our shores. Think about a young couple with a family of five leaving our beautiful shores after an exceptional holiday having to dig much deeper to put together $275 to tidy up the departure tax. […]

One News is on too late

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to raise an issue with Cook Islands News concerning the CITV nightly programme, the timing and so on. As a regular viewer of the local and One News, I am very disappointed that the Cook Islands Television is not doing its job properly. For example the One News is supposed to […]

Improve standards

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We visit beautiful Rarotonga every year and stay at Muri beach. This year our visit was spoiled by the dreadful smell from the chicken farm. Talking to other visitors I believe you will have a problem with tourists not wanting to come back in future and telling other potential tourists about the stink. […]

Downright horrible and disgusting

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The other night the stench from Scotts farm was so pungent and unbearable that I could not sleep. Nor could my wife and grandchild. We are situated approximately 200 metres from Scotts farm, and the smell coming from that farm is simply unbearable at times. When talking to my neighbours and others in […]

Kata - December 17, 2011

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in Kata

Soldiers get a taste of the Cook Islands

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in National

A group of 25 New Zealand soldiers recently spent a week getting to know Rarotonga as part of a self-funded cultural awareness and leadership training programme. Their trip borne out of encouragement from a colleague with Cook Islands connections, most of the group had never before been to Rarotonga. They were motivated by the prospect […]

Violence reports to police almost daily

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands Police are responding to an average of five domestic violence calls a week, according to figures reported to a national workshop yesterday. Police have recorded an increase in the incidents of domestic violence reported to them over recent years, and it is a trend they are happy to see despite the drift having […]

Men must cope with their feelings

Saturday 17 December 2011 | Published in National

Men must learn how to cope with their feelings if they intend to stop carrying out acts of domestic violence, a national workshop has been told. John Robinson, the Cook Islands mentor under the Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme, said the perpetrators of domestic violence had no one and nothing to blame their actions […]