Articles by Utopia Support

Local scenes and talent in new music video

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Features

The beauty of the Cook Islands and the talent of its people star in New Zealand band Unity Pacifics newest music video, due out before the start of summer. A New Zealand film crew, headed by producer-director Venusi Junior Taumoepeau, visited Rarotonga last week to shoot Though We Are. Making up the crew were co-producer […]

Masquerade ball for under 10s

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Features

Theres an evening ball on next week, but unless youre in primary school, dont bother looking for a dress. Its the under-10 spring ball, an annual event organised by Rotaract for kids between the ages of five and 10. On Friday, October 14, Club Raros Are Karioi will host a masked ball. The theme this […]

Scooters for the water

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Features

The underwater equivalent of the battery-powered bicycle the underwater scooter is reportedly all the rage amongst Rarotonga vacationers. Poko Ina says that while he was working with Pacific Resort, he would hire scooters out to tourists almost every day. Theyre for people that cant use flippers they can just take a snorkel and go, he […]

Tino Pio backs League 4 Life

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Features

Tino Pio was working as a storeman and forklift driver, playing league for the Marist Saints Rugby League club in Mt Albert and living quietly with his partner Elizabeth when their lives were changed forever. One evening at league training earlier this year, Tino was tackled and broke a bone in his lower leg. While […]

Scaremongering

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am concerned about Mr Richard Wachters claims regarding his water testing, What qualifications does Mr Wachter have, does he have a proper laboratory, control sample procedures, sterile containers, what are his parameters for his tests and what standards is he using? In a past report he even claimed the HIV virus was […]

A virtual meeting would lead world

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I hear PM Henry Puna saying that their trips overseas are necessary. I believe it is time for a paradigm shift and our small Pacific Nations could lead the world in realising the extent of technological advances and letting the world know that were serious about reducing our carbon footprint. The Smoke Signaller […]

A government full of yes-men?

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, There is an old Chinese proverb which says that a government full of yes-men ill serves the needs of the people. When you look at our own situation here, the costly yet totally unnecessary expansion of ministerial support office budgets, coupled with the ever-increasing political interference in the appointments of senior public servants, […]

Kata - October 8, 2011

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Kata

Late fight-back by resident Kukis

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in National

A late fight-back from the Cook Islands residents squad couldnt reel in the opponents at BCI Stadium on Thursday evening, the locals going down 38-22 in the final tri-series match. The locals went up against an Anzac team in the curtain-raiser to the evenings Kukis-Prime Ministers XIII clash. Members from the visiting New Zealand and […]

Local boys win U18 Kuki league series

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands under 18s representative team has taken its second win against the New Zealand Kukis and secured the three-match series 2-1. The local side won its last match against the visiting Cook Islanders 10-4 in another evenly-contested match at BCI Stadium on Thursday afternoon. It all looked like it might go against the […]

Feed the soil not the plants

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in National

Use the worm farm Hip Hip Hop dont you stop. I gotta give it all what I got. Worm farm is that a harm One, two, three makes me free Hip Hip Hooray No more delay The R.E.P. we are here to stay You cant mess with us because we are the bestes We give […]

Keen gardener at your service

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in National

If youre keen to start a garden, plant some new fruit trees or shape some hedges, but feel like you dont have the know-how, worry no longer. Rarotongas hobby gardeners and backyard planters can get access to a lifetime of experience with Avaiki Mataio Aperau for pruning, trimming, grafting, margotting and budding your garden into […]

New jetty on schedule

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in National

Construction of Arorangis $2 million cruise liner jetty is due to start in mid-December and continue throughout the summer school holidays. Arorangi Primary School backs on to the beach where the jetty will be built. The most disruptive work should be done while students are away from the classroom, but development will not be completed […]

Graffiti strike

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in National

Police are investigating the recent graffiti vandalism and tagging of various buildings and structures in the Avarua township. Worst affected is the Aotearoa Society Rarotonga hostel in Tupapa, which is covered in spray paint. Executive committee member Jo Bevin says the tagging is outright vandalism which is a huge waste of time, effort and money […]

Wheres CISNOCs report?

Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

The Pacific Games have come and gone and theres no word from the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee on the teams performance, a smoke signaller writes. No accountability of funds that CISNOC got from government. Check out the Pacific Games website to find out that this was the Cooks worst-ever performance at any […]

Inspections start today

Thursday 6 October 2011 | Published in Environment

Muri and Avana residents this week have been receiving hand-delivered letters from the Water Waste and Sanitation (WATSAN) unit of the infrastructure and planning ministry, as well as the health ministry, about site inspections set to start today. Inspections are part of an overall programme, funded by the Australia and New Zealand governments, to upgrade […]

Celebrating teachers

Thursday 6 October 2011 | Published in Local

Kukis make case to NZ chairman today

Thursday 6 October 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands Rugby League officials will today push their New Zealand counterparts to sign a contract committing the Kiwis team to a rematch with the Kukis at Rarotonga next year. Members of the CIRL will hold a meeting with the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby League Scott Carter today to plead their case for […]

Town water quality condemned

Thursday 6 October 2011 | Published in Local

Ministry of Health staff are trying to determine the validity of a report alleging Avaruas water supply is rife with parasites, bacteria, pathogens and toxins dangerous to humans. Doctor Rangi Fariu, the ministrys director of community health services, says he is perplexed by the report, which has been circulating via email this week. The email, […]

Kata - October 6, 2011

Thursday 6 October 2011 | Published in Kata