Articles by Utopia Support

Lets get quizzical!

Friday 21 October 2011 | Published in National

They came, they quizzed, they conquered Aitutakis Araura College contingent at the National Mathematics Quiz made quite an impression on its Rarotonga-based opponents on Wednesday night. The pa enua youngsters dominated their categories at the maths competition and will head home with six prizes from the night. The schools form 1 team shone in their […]

Dry spell remains unbroken

Friday 21 October 2011 | Published in National

The coming wet season is forecast to deliver some much-needed rain to the Cook Islands, bringing relief to the islands after months of particularly dry weather. Islands in the northern and southern groups of the Cooks have experienced the driest winter in five years, with rainfall figures showing a marked decline in the last four […]

Over-fishing in decline

Friday 21 October 2011 | Published in National

Conservation measures imposed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) appear to be making a difference, Ministry of Marine Resources secretary Ben Ponia says. The WCPFC employs management measures of bigeye tuna, in addition to efforts to curb over-fishing by parties to the Nauru Agreement. Both should see the decline of over-fishing of […]

180 ministers gather

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in Church Talk

More than 180 Cook Islands Christian Church ministers and delegates will gather on Aitutaki this weekend for the 29th general assembly of the church. Church ministers from across the Cook Islands will join their brothers from New Zealand and Australia for the general assembly. Also attending the assembly will be representatives from Etaretia Porotetani Maohi […]

Last call for photos

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands News readers have one last chance to win two amazing digital cameras by sending in your rugby themed photos as part of our Rugby World Cup photo competition. The paper has received more than 50 images from happy snappy locals and today is your last chance to send in your snaps. The final […]

Matas new phone book cover

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in Local

Here is your first look at an image youll see countless times in 2012 the Telecom Cook Islands telephone and business directory cover shot competition winner. The winning entry came from 18-year-old Mata Priest, whose interpretation of the theme family and family connections results in a mixture of images, photographs and flags moulded together to […]

Fan zone name game fires ideas

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in Local

The public is getting right behind plans for the Rugby World Cup fan zone in Rarotonga and scores of people are putting in their suggestion for the areas name. The National Auditorium will become Rarotongas version of The Cloud the main World Cup fan zone in Auckland and New Zealand for Saturdays grand final between […]

12 codes demand CISNOC meeting

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in Local

CISNOC members are calling time on the organisations executive board demanding a management restructure. Representatives of 12 national sports federations part of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) have called a special general meeting for November 8. Following CISNOC constitution, those calling the meeting make up one third or more of all […]

Surely not

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is very rich for the Finance Minister Brown to claim that his government has been fiscally prudent since assuming office when we all know that it has not. Surely spending the entire annual travel budget for ministers within three months is not fiscally prudent? Surely boosting the budgets of most ministerial support […]

New speed limit inappropriate and ridiculous

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The newly created road rule in the Muri area of Ngatangiia that forbids vehicles to drive no faster than 30 km/h is totally inappropriate and ridiculous to say the least. Seriously, how can someone be fined for speeding if that person is travelling in a vehicle at 40 km/h in third gear in […]

Kata - October 20, 2011

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in Kata

The Kura Rangers take flight

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in National

A new group of junior environmental guardians has spread its wings and taken flight at Atiu, taking inspiration from the one of the islands most famous and most colourful characters. The Kura Rangers came into existence at Atiu last month under the guidance of the Cook Islands Red Crosss disaster risk reduction projects. The group […]

No nuku on Gospel Day

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in National

Due to the 29th Cook Islands Christian Church Assembly starting this Saturday there will be no gospel pageant or nuku on Rarotonga to mark this years national Gospel Day on Wednesday, October 26. The day will still be a public holiday for all and commemorations of the arrival of Christianity to the islands will still […]

Fonterra expertise will help pearl industry

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in National

It might seem like a stretch to compare the Cook Islands pearl industry with New Zealands dairy trade, but Fonterra director Greg Gent said they have a lot more in common than people might realise. Gent is currently in the Cook Islands meeting with the whole spectrum of the countrys pearl industry from manufacturers to […]

New Avatea playground opened

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in National

After weeks of looking on enviously, the children at Avatea school were finally allowed to slide, swing and climb their way through the schools new playground for the first time on Tuesday. The students have had to watch on since last Monday as builders put together the colourful new set at the Nikao school. But […]

Rain lifts water rationing in north

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in National

Its amazing what difference a few days can make. Ten days ago Penrhyn Island was rationing its drinking water and facing the prospect of seeing its supplies dry up. Today, water tanks are flowing over. The northern atoll has been soaking in heavy rain for the last six days, the cloudburst enough to completely fill […]

From the Dalai Lama to the Cooks

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in National

The people of the Cook Islands are gaining access to one of the brains behind the Virtues Project a programme endorsed by the likes of the Dalai Lama and TV royalty Oprah Winfrey. Linda Kavelin Popov, who created the Virtues Project some 23 years ago with Dan Popov and John Kavelin, is currently on Rarotonga […]

Fan zone great way to promote drink-driving

Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

In response to the news of the Rugby World Cup fan zone at the National Auditorium where alcohol will be on sale a smoke signaller writes: What a great way to promote drink-driving set up a fan zone, bring the kids, keep them up late, get the parents wasted then drive home with a vehicle […]

Water pressure dropping

Wednesday 19 October 2011 | Published in Local

Water shortages on Rarotonga are continuing to impact on water pressure across the island, with Avatiu, the driest water intake, sitting at 17 percent of its optimal pressure level. The other 11 intakes at Rarotonga are sitting from 28 to 50 percent of their optimum levels. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP) released the […]

Organised crime rumour dismissed

Wednesday 19 October 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands police have dismissed rumours that an organised racquet of expatriate workers in the Cook Islands is coordinating thefts and exporting stolen goods from the country. Rumours have been circulating that the seven men arrested last week were part of an international conspiracy to burgle Cook Islands homes and ship their spoils to overseas […]