Articles by Utopia Support

Kata - October 17, 2011

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in Kata

Good turnout at junior netball tournament

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in Netball

Junior netballers bullet-passed, intercepted and shot their way through a fantastic and fun Potiki Navenave netball tournament at the Telecom Sports Arena on Friday afternoon. The first of its kind, the junior under 8 and under 10 tournament was developed by Netball Cook Islands and driven by development officer Luciana Matenga. Matenga was overwhelmed with […]

Pacific Resort Aitutaki no. 1 again

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

Pacific Resort Aitutaki has been recognised as the Cook Islands leading resort. It is the fifth consecutive year the resort has earned the honour at the World Travel Awards, which the Wall Street Journal has deemed the Oscars of travel and tourism. Pacific Resort Aitutaki beat six other contenders. Titikaveka hotel The Little Polynesian has […]

Pink Ribbon proceeds doubled

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation raised $1521.60 last weekend through its Pink Ribbon Appeal. The figure is higher than in past years thanks to a successful Zumba fundraiser held last Friday night at the Tupapa Centre. The Zumba event generated $554.40 for the foundation, and the sale of pink ribbons and T-shirts at the […]

Youth health hub being established

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

A youth hub is being established through the Ministry of Internal Affairs (INTAFF) youth and sports division. The hub is aimed at improving coordination and the sharing of information to promote youth health. On October 10 the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through the Ministry of Health, handed over computing equipment and other resources worth […]

New practice manager at pet clinic

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

Rarotongas pet population is in even safer hands with the arrival of veterinarian Jess Moore-Jones who has taken up the new role of practice manager at the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic in Nikao. Moore-Jones is now working alongside Esther Honeys clinic director Gregg Young and the nine volunteers at present. In a few weeks […]

FIU spearheading legislative change

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is spearheading legislative change in respect of financial transaction reporting, information sharing and its role within the country. At present the FIU has almost completed a draft of the new legislation, which will eventually replace the Financial Transactions Reporting Act 2004. FIU head Bob Williams says he hopes the draft […]

Leaders group just an idea

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

A Polynesian leaders group is nothing more than an idea at this stage, but if one is formed the Cook Islands is likely to be a member, Prime Minister Henry Puna says. The formation of such a group was suggested at last months Pacific Leaders Forum in New Zealand. It could include leaders from the […]

Local woman boosts ecotourism in Rarotonga

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

Earlier this year, Lynda Nia, the Takitumu Conservation Areas field officer for the last eight years, was normally to be found in the bush there, putting rat poison out along baitlines, or putting bands on young birds she had caught, or recording banded birds or their nests or fledglings, or keeping the baitlines and tourist […]

Fine arts and crafts by Mauke seven

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

Mauke CICC Oiretumu Vaine Tinis annual exhibition was held on Thursday October 6. The many sheets and bed spreads flapping furiously on lines outside with even more hung under the verandah and draped wherever possible inside Opetipa hall, along with many woven crafts, kikau brooms and oils, defy the fact that this is the work […]

Grow local to lessen reliance on imports

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

Grow your own food to decrease the countrys dependence on imported goods that was one of the key messages disseminated at Fridays Agriculture Food Day at the Punanga Nui market. The other message of the day pertained to food prices and how to stabilise them. The annual market on Friday attracted a large crowd of […]

Aitutaki on to something with bonefishery

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

Aitutaki is blessed to have a prime minister from the island, as well as a tourism, education and marine resources minister and member of parliament, those at a function in Arutanga were told on Saturday evening. Tourism board chairman Ewan Smith spoke at the launch of Aitutakis inaugural international bonefish catch and release tournament, which […]

Leading scientist to study Aitutaki bonefish

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

In an effort to develop a biological profile on Aitutakis bonefish, the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) has contracted a world-leading bonefish scientist to study the species. Alan Friedlander, of the United States, has spent about 30 years getting to know everything one can know about the worlds bonefish populations. He is an expert on […]

Prime minister at home in Aitutaki

Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna spent the weekend at home in Aitutaki, where he received the warmest of hospitality. Puna flew to Aitutaki from Rarotonga on Saturday afternoon, arriving to a welcoming committee at the islands airport. He travelled primarily as a main guest of Saturday nights launch of an inaugural Aitutaki bonefishing catch and release […]

Female firefighters do the hard yards

Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Environment

Trish Barton and Mona Raui are the first women to be semi-qualified members of the Puaikura Fire Brigade but they dont want any of the associated glory. We dont see it that way theres no segregation, Barton said. Were all equal and the Crash Fire boys are really good to us. Raui says that while […]

Home gardens in Mauke

Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Environment

Climate change Climate change affects gardening because it causes a lot of sunlight and less rain which could make the plants die of thirst. We will have less food to eat. Climate change is caused by pollution. By Cindy William Saving seeds People must start saving seeds because its what we really need. Seeds from […]

People not pigs causing pollution

Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Environment

Almost half of the pollution reaching the Muri lagoon is coming from private residences, according to figures gathered by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning. The ministrys Water Waste and Sanitation unit (WATSAN) this week started inspecting properties located near the Muri lagoon to help identify the source of contaminants reaching the water and possible […]

7 arrested

Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands police officers are concerned that certain people in the community are supporting criminals by accepting stolen property in exchange for cash. In the latest crime breakthrough, police swooped on Matavera and Ngatangiia homes earlier this week, executing search warrants. The Tuesday and Wednesday raids uncovered property believed to have been stolen from Titikaveka […]

Oe a tribute to Takitumu clan

Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Local

Master carver Te Aturangi Nepia Clamp whittles away at a six-metre oe, which he is crafting for Phillip McNicholl of Reef Shipping as an expression of thanks for his support of the Cook Islands Voyaging Society. For full story, see p.20. 11101460

Parliament not sitting until late next month

Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Local

Parliament is likely to sit in late November or early December, pending the completion of some bills being drafted at present. Prime Minister Henry Puna says it is a concern that government has not been able to fulfil its promise of calling at least 100 days in parliament this year, but regardless business continues on […]