Articles by Utopia Support

It's Tiare Week

Thursday 1 December 2011 | Published in National

The jungle has come into the town, with green displays popping up at the Avarua courthouse, Mareko Islands Creations and tourism centre as part of Tiare Week. In a subdued competition this year, the Avarua courthouse and Cook Islands Tourism offices have gone all out in their flower and plant decorations for the contest. The […]

Uirangis ready for the test

Thursday 1 December 2011 | Published in National

Months of training, practice and preparation is about to be put to the test for Cook Islands Miss South Pacific contestant Uirangi Bishop, who will leave for Samoa today. Maine Purotu Bishop will leave the Cook Islands for New Zealand this afternoon, on her way to the 2011 Miss South Pacific contest in Apia. Bishop, […]

Kia Orana tourism workshops still open

Thursday 1 December 2011 | Published in National

Tourism industry members will have access to a range of free workshops as part of next weeks Kia Orana Cook Islands forum. The workshops will be open to anyone interested whether or not they are paying to take part in other events during the forum will not matter and cover a range of topics from […]

Adopt a road?

Thursday 1 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

In response to yesterdays front page CINews article Cycleway plans in the pipeline a smoke signaller writes in with a good suggestion: Business operators in each area of the island could adopt the section of road alongside their businesses and assist the Government (and Rotary perhaps) to make the bike paths and walkways become a […]

Just Play soccer celebrated

Thursday 1 December 2011 | Published in Football

One hundred children aged 6 to 10 gathered at the CIFA Complex in Matavera last Friday during Childrens Awareness Week for the celebration of Just Play along with nine countries throughout the Pacific. On arrival all children received a special Pacific Nations Celebration t-shirt, before mixing in with students from the various schools attending and […]

Survey to determine link between lagoon and health

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in Environment

From today, the Ministry of Marine Resources is conducting its first-ever survey to determine the specifics of the correlation between the quality of the lagoon water and sicknesses experienced by people who swim in it. Emma Castel has been contracted by the ministry to analyse the bearing water quality has on health, and is working […]

Driver granted bail

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in Local

The man arrested and charged in relation to 60-year-old Pauline Ateras death on Sunday morning has appeared in the Cook Islands High Court. He is Christopher Castillo, a 39-year-old Te Vara Nui Village worker and Muri resident. Castillo, who has not entered a plea to the single charge he faces of manslaughter, has instructed local […]

Airport emergency test today

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in Local

An annual emergency exercise will be held at Rarotonga Airport at 8.30am. It is designed to test the response and effectiveness of relevant agencies in processing victims and survivors in response to an international aircraft accident at the airport. This exercise will look at two main issues effective control and processing of passengers after the […]

Regional NGO relocating to Fiji

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in Local

The Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF) is closing its Rarotonga headquarters and relocating to Suva due to funding constraints. This is a direct result from funding constraints set on a small regional organisation like PIAF, chief executive Maire Bopp said. A small wind-up ceremony is scheduled for December 8. Research officer Hilary Gormon will continue […]

Cycleway plans in the pipeline

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands government has plans to introduce a series of cycle ways and footpaths to Rarotonga and the outer islands, but not in the short term. Budgetary documents released in the 2011-12 financial year detail medium- and long-term goals to have a string of cycle ways and walking tracks constructed on Rarotonga as part […]

Congratulations on a wonderful presentation

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I had the privilege this morning of attending the Cook Islands Tourism Global Marketing Breakfast Update. Congratulations to the Cook Islands Tourism Council and to the CEO Carmel and her team. What a wonderful presentation. Clear, concise, direct, futuristic and strategic. It left no one in any doubt as to what the marketing […]

Prevent the carnage on our roads

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This Sunday gone has seen yet another senseless road death here in Rarotonga. In a little over two years, which is about the length of time I have lived here for, there have been about six or seven in total. That is six or seven too many. An island which is only 32km […]

Trial by email a disservice

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As a regular cyclist on Rarotongas roads I am dismayed to hear of the news of Pauline Ateras death, but I have been equally dismayed by the discussions being published via email following the accused mans arrest. I have had a few close calls with careless drivers along the same stretch including two […]

Kata - November 30, 2011

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in Kata

Hilyard attends international internet forum

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands internet advocate Maureen Hilyard has joined representatives from across the Pacific and as far as the United States, Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand at a Pacific Islands internet meeting in American Samoa. Maureen Hilyard, founder of the Cook Islands Internet Action Group and Cook Islands representative for the Pacific Islands Chapter of […]

Tiare Taporo joins Picton Castle

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in National

Rarotonga-registered vessels Tiare Taporo and Picton Castle are braving the Canadian cold, side-by-side in a Nova Scotia shipyard. The Tiare Taporo is due to arrive in Rarotonga early next year to fill an important niche inter-island passenger and cargo transport but for the time being, she is being poked and prodded by the labourers who […]

1000 photos in new Kia Toa

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in National

In terms of its layout and photo content, Tereora Colleges Kia Toa magazine is looking better than ever. Produced by art teacher Jason Green, the end-of-year school magazine contains over 1000 photos of students going about their business taking exams, playing rugby, dancing, planting, celebrating Valentines Day, studying marine ecology at Lagoon Day, and generally […]

Funeral planned for Friday

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in National

Pauline Ateras funeral is to take place from midday on Friday at the familys Matavera residence. Her husband Marona says all are welcome to attend. The service will be followed by burial at the residence and a kai kai next door. Other tributes are being planned for Atera, who was tragically killed when a car […]

PM pledges support for Red Cross

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna has reiterated the Cook Islands firm commitment to the Red Cross movement and international humanitarian law that protects individuals in times of armed conflict. Addressing the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Geneva, Switzerland, he said it was important for all members of the international […]

Leaders told to push UN goals

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in National

Finance minister Mark Brown and financial secretary Richard Neves are being urged, along with their regional counterparts, to make progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Both are representing the Cook Islands at the fourth High Level Forum on aid effectiveness in Busan the second largest city in the Republic of Korea. Jim Armistead, manager […]