Articles by Utopia Support

TAU accepting tenders for roof work

Saturday 5 November 2011 | Published in National

Contractors will be obliged to ensure that new roofs at two Te Aponga Uira buildings will be able to take solar systems in the future. Two TAU buildings, the administration/network building at Tutakimoa and the power station in the Avatiu valley, will soon have their deteriorating roofs removed and replaced. The jobs are currently out […]

Aviation aficionado seeks Raffs half-finished book

Saturday 5 November 2011 | Published in National

American airplane designer John Cashen says he was on the first commercial non-government and non-military plane to fly from Pago Pago to Penrhyn in 1973. Piloted by Edson Raff a US military colonel whose claim to fame was putting the green beret on the Green Berets, Cashen says the craft was a single-engine Beechcraft Twin […]

Govt asks Google to remove content

Saturday 5 November 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands government has put in its first content removal request to internet giant Google, the search engine has reported. In its January-July 2011 transparency report, the Cook Islands is listed as having made its first ever content takedown request to Google. Google reports that it has complied 100 percent with the governments request. […]

Council calls for full revision of code

Saturday 5 November 2011 | Published in National

The Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) is now considering submissions on its proposed changes to the investment code, which closed to public feedback yesterday. BTIB has spent the past 18 months revising the existing investment code and amending certain parts of the legislation. Main changes include further restrictions on foreign investment, although BTIB has always […]

482 students to sit NCEA exams

Saturday 5 November 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands secondary school students are busy preparing for National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) examinations, which begin on Wednesday. In total, local students will sit NCEA exams in 15 subjects English, mathematics, accounting, science, biology, media, physics, agriculture and horticulture, economics, history, chemistry, calculus, physical education, social studies and geography. Exams are scheduled for […]

Pa Ariki confident in Mirage Group

Saturday 5 November 2011 | Published in National

The Mirage Group is continuing to work on attracting investors for future redevelopment work at the Sheraton hotel site, according to landowner Pa Marie Ariki. Pa Ariki this week said the New Zealand-based Mirage Group was still paying rent as per its lease agreement and had been in contact with her in recent weeks to […]

The Grandest Cup Final! Te Re Tika tikai o te Kapu Openga!

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in Church Talk

I wonder if it has ever occurred or sunk well into the minds and hearts of the people that there is another Grand Cup Final, more glamorous, spectacular, breathtaking and awesome that all eyes will see at the Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. What the world has propped itself up for – the All […]

What is biomass?

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in Environment

Tapping into biomass as a renewable energy source of islands like Atiu could help it manage and remove the threat introduced with new species of tree. Introduced timber like acacia and pine, which were planted at Atiu more than 20 years ago, are now growing wild and out-performing native species at the island. The trees […]

Biomass a viable option, says expert

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in Environment

The Cook Islands is in a viable position to harness biomass energy for its electricity as an alternative to diesel generation, according to a leader in the field. The low electricity use of its islands, high cost of diesel generation and abundance of suitable fuels makes biomass energy a possible alternative for at least three […]

Stoddart details CISNOC demise

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in Local

In light of recent debate about the financial status of CISNOC and calls for its current executives to resign, triathlete and CISNOC member Geoff Stoddart has written a detailed opinion piece on the organisation and its alleged troubles. Stoddart attempts to inform readers of the organisations goings-on in recent years, highlighting what he says are […]

Sevens action sweeps stadium

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in Local

Members of the returning New Zealand rugby sevens team Te Ara Wheke rip into a spine tingling haka. The performance was the highlight of the 2011 Sevens in Heaven opening parade at the BCI Stadium where the rugby sevens action will continue at 1pm today.

Prime minister embarks on three-week trip

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna is embarking on almost three weeks of international travel which will see him touch down in Noumea, Hawaii, Samoa and New Zealand before returning to Rarotonga. Puna departs the Cook Islands tomorrow for New Caledonia. In Noumea he will participate in the seventh conference of the Pacific community as a guest […]

Water catchments reach critical levels

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in Local

Rarotonga’s water catchments are again reaching critical levels as intakes around the island dry up. The north and east of Rarotonga are the worst-hit areas. Since the rainfall more than a week ago, water pressure has decreased drastically across Rarotonga. Avatiu is again the worst performer of the island, sitting at a level that is […]

Keep government out of CINSF investments

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, While I am pleased to see that the government is commencing the budget process earlier than in previous years by consulting with the general public I have a concern with one of its objectives. The minister has announced that the governments intention when preparing the budget is to consider including recommendations by the […]

Kata - November 4, 2011

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in Kata

Regional mentoring programme expanding

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in National

In the short time since the idea was introduced to the Pacific through the Cook Islands, the Pacific Business Mentoring Programme has undergone a large expansion and that doesnt look set to stop soon. The Cook Islands took part in the first round of mentoring work in 2010, slightly ahead of the programmes roll-out in […]

Govt organisations to take on mentors

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands government enterprises will be among the first in the Pacific to receive specialised training through a business mentoring programme. Trainers and mentors from the Pacific Business Mentoring Programme are currently in the Cook Islands, making face-to-face contact with private sector businesses for the fourth time in 18 months. The scheme, which is fully […]

Business mentors are back on Rarotonga

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in National

Five New Zealand mentors are visiting 70 Cook Islands small businesses this week for the fourth time in 18 months all part of what Ian Furlong says is a recipe for success. The volunteer mentors from the Pacific Business Mentoring Programme are back in the Cook Islands for their six-monthly visit to the businesses they […]

Financial secretary to Fiji

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in National

Financial secretary Richard Neves and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Managements Dallas Young depart Rarotonga today to attend a conference in Nadi, Fiji. It is a meeting of the Pacific Islands Financial Managers Association, which will focus on the way forward with the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) programme. The Cook Islands has […]

Discounted fares for Australians

Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands is taking aim at Australian families this summer and has launched a special discounted price for children flying aboard the Sydney-Rarotonga direct flight. Children aged between two and 11 years old will be eligible for the half-price fare between Australia and the Cook Islands with bookings made before November 13 (Australia time). […]