Articles by Utopia Support

World AIDS day tomorrow

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in National

Getting to Zero meaning zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths is this years theme for World AIDS Day Campaign in the Cook Islands. The World AIDS Day 2011 committee is hoping to increase awareness about AIDS and draw attention to volunteer confidentiality, counselling and testing (VCCT). World AIDS Day is December […]

Breast cancer foundation holds AGM

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in National

At its annual general meeting (AGM) last week, the Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation re-elected Dawn Baudinet as its president. The same election secured Liz Kotekas role as vice president, and Maara Toleafoas as treasurer. Committee members this year include Noeline Bridge, Karen Tairea and outer islands representative Toru Ngatoko of Mitiaro. Helen Henry is […]

Appy student earns award

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in National

A Cook Islands tertiary student has been awarded for his role in developing an iPhone and iPad app that shows users how to safely operate power tools and other equipment. Cook Islander Taua Piri and three other third-year students at Otago Polytechnic have won the 3M Award for Innovation in Health and Safety for their […]

Tourism photo library improved

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands tourism industry will be able to access a large portion of the Tourism Corporations recently expanded library of photographs, but a selection will be reserved for use in the organisations advertising campaigns. The corporation has taken the last set of images into its library from destination and travel photo specialist David Kirkland. […]

Minister may be absent from parliament

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in National

This years last parliamentary session may go ahead without finance minister Mark Brown. Notice of parliament has been sent to all members, for the next session to resume at 1pm on December 7. But Brown is currently out of the country attending international conferences, and it looks unlikely he will be in Rarotonga for the […]

How healthy are our people?

Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

In response to the Saturday letter to the editor Blinded by dollar signs? a smoke signaller writes to TXT188: Is it appropriate to criticise the local child benefit when some mothers run to Australia to give birth and gain $5000, only to return and get on the local benefit?

Driver faces manslaughter charge

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in Local

A man will face manslaughter charges over the death of a cyclist at Matavera on Sunday morning, Cook Islands Police said. Triathlete Pauline Atera died on Sunday morning after allegedly being struck by a car at about 9.30am while cycling on the main road at Matavera. Police yesterday said Atera, who was affectionately known as […]

Horror weekend on roads police

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in Local

A horror weekend on the roads culminated in the death of a cyclist on Sunday. Cook Islands Police were busy from Friday afternoon onwards. Police recorded a number of road incidents over the weekend, the worst being the death of a female cyclist who was hit by a car at Matavera about 9.30am on Sunday. […]

New course

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in Local

No longer do aspiring hairdressers have to leave the Cook Islands to get a taste of life in the salon. With funding from the New Zealand Aid Programme administered by the Department of National Human Resources Development (HRD), Kim Davis of Pacific Village Salon is planning to run a six-week introductory haircutting and cosmetics course […]

Kata - November 29, 2011

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in Kata

Carter eyes Atius potential

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in National

In his first visit to an outer island, New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands John Carter has been struck with the enormous potential and opportunity of Atiu. Carter travelled to Atiu last week with his wife Leoni and mother Gwen. One of his intentions as high commissioner is to travel to each island […]

Violence disappoints police

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands Police say they are disappointed with community behaviour over the weekend, with assaults, public drinking, excessive noise, a theft and a Peeping Tom being reported. A number of assaults were reported to police during the weekend, with all occurring between family members. The incidents included an Arorangi female being assaulted by her ex-husband, […]

Muri group meets tonight

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in National

The Ngatangiia Neighbourhood Watch is holding a public meeting tonight from 7pm at the Muri meeting house. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss extending the night patrol programme, which began as an experiment but is growing in size and popularity. More than 20 hoteliers and accommodators have signed up to sponsor the initiative, […]

Ford wins

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in National

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning has confirmed Tini Fords success in the recent mayoralty by-election for Penrhyn. Final results of the election show Ford with 69 of the total 107 votes cast. His closest rival William Tekena received just 22 votes, while other candidates Tangaroa Ariki Tai and Mamanave Tini received 13 and three […]

Focus on cyber crime

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in National

The message of cyber safety and awareness is being spread throughout Rarotongas community. Cook Islands police yesterday launched a new cyber safety programme with a series of presentations. Among them was a youth presentation at Avarua School and one for police officers at the Avarua headquarters from 2.30pm. Police commissioner Maara Tetava says as well […]

Census asks about light bulbs and umus

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in National

Census enumerators have until tomorrow to finish collecting pre-census forms. Since November 21, dozens of statisticians and volunteer enumerators have been visiting homes on Rarotonga and in the outer islands, distributing forms one for each individual in the household and an additional form for the head of household and collecting them upon completion. Enumerators are […]

Uirangi off to Miss South Pacific pageant

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in National

The Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association has raised close to $14,000 to send Maine Purotu Uirangi Bishop to Samoa on Thursday. The association held two major fundraisers the first was the Laughing Samoans show, sponsored by Edgewater Resort & Spa, at the auditorium. A subsequent quiz night at Hidies Bar brought the tally to nearly […]

Granny will be greatly missed

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in National

The wider Cook Islands triathlon community is mourning the abrupt and tragic death of Pauline Atera. Atera, affectionately known as Granny, was hit by a car while cycling along the main road at Matavera on Sunday morning and died soon after as a result of her injuries. The 60-year-old athlete was a long-time member of […]

Carter thrilled with Nationals success

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in National

Former New Zealand politician John Carter, who is now the New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, is thrilled the National Party has again been elected into power. National won by a landslide in New Zealands recent election putting John Key back into the driving seat as prime minister for a second term. Carter […]

Trochus harvest starts

Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in National

Aitutakis first trochus harvest since 2003 has begun. The harvest could generate as much as $140,000 for the community through the sale of dried and cleaned trochus shell usually purchased by international fashion companies to make buttons. The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) organises and monitors the harvest, which takes place until December 5. Upwards […]