Articles by Utopia Support

PMs delegation strengthens China ties

Monday 26 September 2011 | Published in National

Government is in a favourable position to strengthen its ties with the Chinese city of Shanghai. Prime Minister Henry Puna and his delegation to China were last week given a red carpet welcome to the city, where they attended a number of official engagements. Puna met with Shanghais executive vice mayor Yang Xiong, who expressed […]

Round Raro plastic glass trail

Monday 26 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

What a shame that for the Round Raro Road Race, the water bearers gave out water in hard plastic glasses, a smoke signaller writes. Many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of these have been dumped by participants right around the island in an ugly trail along the roadside. What an environmental eyesore. Who is supposed to pick […]

Supplies for Pukapuka

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Local

A boat full of building materials has headed to Pukapuka this week, to help further the progress on the islands cyclone shelter. Foundations of the multi million-dollar cyclone management centre in Pukapuka have been laid and materials for the next stage in the sites construction are now on the way. A boatload of mostly steel […]

New HoMs to be announced

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna yesterday reiterated the Governments commitment to conducting a rigorous process for appointing senior public servants to the countrys top positions. He said an announcement regarding the positions of Commissioner of Police and the Secretary of Justice position would be made next week, with the Government also close to finalising the appointment […]

Meter box mapping proposed

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Local

A new house-numbering initiative being promoted by the Rarotonga Rotary Club would help emergency service response times and possibly save lives, says Rotary president Bob Riley. Rotary is pushing for a numbering system on Rarotonga to be designed around the unique identification codes on each propertys electricity meters. Emergency services and a number of other […]

Riding with an eco message

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Local

Pasha Carruthers of the National Environment Service decked out in costume during the round-Rarotonga ride yesterday. The ride was part of a global campaign to remind people that its possible to move beyond fossil fuels.

Ladi6 joins Divas in Paradise

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Features

New Zealands leading hip-hop artist Ladi6 has joined the line-up for Divas in Paradise. Show organiser Glenda Tuaine of Motone Productions says the international star contacted her via Facebook. Ladi 6 contacted us on our Facebook page and asked if it was possible for her to join the bill, so with a talent like that […]

Cook Islands is nice right now

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Features

Tourism operators, agents and wholesalers will travel to the Cook Islands this December to help boost visitor numbers from the southern hemisphere and account for shortfalls from the north. The so-called Kia Orana Cook Islands event is the biggest tourism wholesaler event held in the Cook Islands each year. About 30 wholesalers and members of […]

Top labels at new boutique

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Features

Fashionistas in need of retail therapy should start heading to Muri theres a new boutique on the rock. Renee Galea and Rory McBride opened Blossom about five weeks ago. Stocked with Australian brands Seafolly, Sass, Fate, Ladakh, Betty Basics and MJ&CO, the shop offers a range of swimwear, beachwear and evening wear. Also available are […]

Trade winds a money spinner

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Features

If you have clear access to the trade winds that blow in areas of Rarotongas east and north east and are looking to invest in renewable energy generators, Chip Boyle says wind may be for you. After six years of trialling and testing various wind turbines at his house in Matavera, Boyle is more than […]

Whats in a name?

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We are writing in reference to the article regarding the name game which quotes Sir Geoffrey Henry. We agree with Sir Geoffrey that it is timely for the discussion for a name change to occur for the following reasons: On August 4, 1965, our indigenous nation celebrated our independence from New Zealand, essentially […]

Kuki Kukupa, you missed the vaka

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Im sorry to say to Kuki Kukupa: you missed the vaka, even the vaka Mata Atua. The question with the name Mata Atua is which Atua? Tangaroa? Rongo? Career? 4WD? Sports? Title? Taonga? Land? I did not jump on the band wagon of the historically oppressed indigenous people of Ao Tea Roa They […]

Kata - September 24, 2011

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Be peaceful in everything you do

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

Verse1 Standing young and bold Facing piercing cold I beg you on my knees I cry out please bring peace You glide gently in the air Telling people that you care You are perfect, peaceful dove Pure and loving, you are peace Chorus Make peace with me Shine peace in my home Teach peace in […]

Zumba classes raise $900

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands community organisations have benefitted from the profits of two Zumba classes, held by visiting Zumba education specialist Maria Teresa Stone in Rarotonga recently. About $900 has been given to the Creative Centre, following a Zumba master class by Stone at the National Auditorium tickets for which were $5. The Te Kainga Mental Health […]

Shipwrecked back

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

British television series Shipwrecked is in the midst of filming its eighth season on Aitutaki. The reality show took a three-year hiatus after filming four separate seasons in the Cook Islands but will resume airing on Channel 4 in the UK this year. RDF Television is producing the series, which comprises 15 episodes, and has […]

Bonefishing comp draws anglers

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

Aitutaki is gearing up for a week-long bonefishing competition, set to raise the islands profile amongst angling communities worldwide. The fly-fishing event will run from October 12 to 19 and include the world premiere of a DVD documentary featuring Aitutakis record-size bonefish. The Aitutaki Business Association is organising the tournament, with support from local bonefishing […]

Bugs Bunny lied to the Cook Islands

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

For those uninterested in world politics, the current Arab uprisings in the Middle East would seem like a world away from the surf and sand of the South Pacific. Truth is, they are a world away. Dig a hole directly from the Cook Islands through the centre of the Earth and, despite what Bugs Bunny […]

Town windmill an expensive failure

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

The question of whether wind technology can be used in town or not has not yet been fully explored, but one man thinks he can offer a clear answer from his experiences: no, it cannot. Rarotonga Printing managing director David Norgren has been testing wind turbine equipment at his offices in Maraerenga as a way […]

Lessons from Mangaias turbine trouble

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

Although they sit idle, not generating even one volt of electricity for the island, the Cook Islands government does not consider the Mangaia wind project a failure. Since they were erected in 2003, the two 20-kilowatt windmills at Mangaia have been plagued with problems that caused them to underperform and eventually shut down. The $365,000 […]