Articles by Utopia Support

Kidding about at the Kia Orana market

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in Local

There was plenty of fun to be had for families, visitors and locals at the Kia Orana Night Market held at Muri on Wednesday night, and Putere, 6, Tevaerangi, 4, Vaimearii, 5, and Ryan, 5, made sure they got their fair share. (See story Fire dance the night away at Muri)

Please leave BTIB alone

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Im just writing to support BTIB in organising the market days and night market that was held recently during the Vaka Eiva. This is in response to the letter by Disgraced. BTIB had done a great job in helping this event also in support of the Takuvaine/Tutakimoa market days. I find there is […]

Do it the Wale way - respectfully

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with interest your article regarding the NZ Pukapuka Community going to court in the Wednesday 7 edition of Cook Islands News. It states that Nuku Rapana is using the so called draft constitution that he drafted in August this year for a mandate that his position of president of the Pukapuka […]

Netball makes a comeback on Atiu

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in Netball

Netball is set to make a comeback on the outer island of Atiu after the recent visit to the island by Netball Cook Islands development officer Luciana Matenga and coach trainer Maryanne Miller. The pair visited the island armed with netball equipment and enthusiasm to revive the sport there as part of Netball Cook Islands […]

Tereora juniors congratulated

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in National

The achievements and successes of Tereora Colleges year 10 students were noted at a prizegiving ceremony on Wednesday. Year 9 and 10 students were the toast of the school when high achievers in the classroom, on the sports field and on the cultural stage were congratulated for their efforts and successes. Below is a list […]

Mangaia School celebrates its students

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in National

Mangaia School prizegiving 2011 was held at the Numangatini Hall on Wednesday of this week. Lots of parents came to help celebrate the successes of Mangaias students from preschool to year 12 and from the three villages of Tamarua, Ivirua and Oneroa. At Mangaia School all preschool and primary students receive a prize as a […]

Low season shorter this year

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands will again experience a dip in visitor numbers over the summer months but the trough in tourism this year should be shorter than previous years, according forecasts coming from foreign markets. Tourism industry members from New Zealand are predicting the Cook Islands visitor figures for January to be a little sluggish when […]

Family tourism has room to grow

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in National

The whole island experience of Rarotonga should be used as a focal point for attracting more families to the Cook Islands, according to tourism wholesalers taking part in the Kia Orana Cook Islands forum. Families account for about 10 percent of the Cook Islands tourism industry coming from New Zealand, according to information collected on […]

Kia Orana moves into final forum day

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in National

Europe will take the spotlight in the Kia Orana Cook Islands tourism forum today with Cook Islands workers and industry members to share their perspective on the state of the tourism industry from the other side of the world. Cook Islands Tourism Corporation staff based in the United Kingdom and continental Europe will take to […]

Trade days making the mama proud

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in National

The Vaka Eiva Trade Days held during the paddling festival have brought in a handy injection of money for the outer islands and town community. Vendors from the two-day market experienced a high turnover of their stock, the best period coming during the Thursday, November 24 night market. The area across from the Banana Court […]

Fire dance the night away at Muri

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in National

The Kia Orana Night Market rolled into Muri for the second time this week, saying a friendly hello to the areas visitors and a kind welcome home to Cook Islanders back on the rock for Christmas. About 25 stalls set up on the Muri rugby field for the night, providing food, crafts and clothing for […]

Pacific media pushing investigative reporting

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in National

A web-based training programme for Pacific media has been commissioned by the Pasifika Media Association (PasiMA). This follows a three-day board meeting in Auckland this week where the one-year-old organisation charted the course for its training programme, funded by a $100,000 grant from the British High Commission in the Solomon Islands. The training resources will […]

Bill enables greater accuracy

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in National

Parliament is considering a bill providing for better definition of the Cook Islands territorial borders. The Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Amendment Bill was tabled in parliament yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters, on behalf of marine resources minister Teina Bishop who was absent. The bill enables the preparation and publication of documents […]

Employment bill may be withdrawn

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in National

Cabinet minister Nandi Glassie will today report to parliament about the progress made on governments outdated employment relations bill. The bill has been around for about 20 years, and was earlier this year tabled in parliament. A steering committee was then established to reconsider the bill, and the document was passed on to members accordingly. […]

PM takes blame for justice error

Friday 9 December 2011 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna has taken responsibility for a legislative anomaly, in his capacity as minister for justice. Puna, speaking in parliament yesterday, explained to fellow members the need for an amendment bill in respect of the Leases Approval Tribunal. He tabled the bill, which enables the validation of the tribunal and its work this […]

Wigmore on medical leave until March

Thursday 8 December 2011 | Published in Local

Leader of the opposition Robert Wigmore is in NZ receiving medical treatment and is likely to be there until March. Deputy leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen yesterday moved a motion under standing order 37 for leave of absence to be granted to Wigmore because of his need to be treated for medical reasons in […]

Tax under fire

Thursday 8 December 2011 | Published in Local

In light of the prime ministers assurances that the Cook Islands economy is healthy and the budget trending toward a $6 million surplus, opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen wants to know when the government will cancel the withholding tax – which was originally implemented to generate extra revenue. He put his question to Prime Minister Henry […]

Digital registers bill passed without amendment

Thursday 8 December 2011 | Published in Local

Parliament yesterday passed the Digital Registers Bill 2011, just in time for the Financial Supervisory Commissions planned roll-out of its online registry on December 12. The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) secured funding about a year ago from the New Zealand Aid Programme to move from a paper-heavy manual system of company registration to an electronic […]

MP reminds govt of promise to pensioners

Thursday 8 December 2011 | Published in Local

The government is assuring the members of the Cook Islands population aged over 70 that it has not forsaken its promise to increase the old-age pension to $400 per fortnight. In parliament yesterday Nikao MP Ngamau Munokoa directed a question toward Prime Minister Henry Puna about the pension promise outlined in the CIP manifesto. Puna […]

Kata - December 9, 2011

Thursday 8 December 2011 | Published in Kata