Articles by Utopia Support

Eco message in ride around Raro

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

The National Environment Service (NES) was aiming to register 80 people in yesterdays round-Rarotonga bicycle ride. NES reached its goal and then surpassed it. Just before 11am, the drums of Oire Avarua heralded a long line of bicyclists, some garbed in bright colours and Cook Islands flags, others bearing signs decrying fossil fuels. The convoy […]

William elected

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

Justine Tuatai William has been voted on to the Manihiki Island Council, beating opponent Takairahi Toka by ten votes. An official count of votes has been completed, securing Williams win with 37 votes to Tokas 27. Earlier this year Tauhunu council member Taromi Solomona passed away, leaving his seat vacant. The preliminary results for the […]

Recruiting revamped

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands police recruitment programme is going through an overhaul. Police commissioner Maara Tetava says he is currently revising the police recruit training package, but anticipates the latest recruit wing to complete training before the end of this year. Police officers are going through a short list of recruit applicants at present, while an […]

VIPs here for $1m signing

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

A ceremony will be held next week for the signing of a US$1 million solar panel installation project for Rakahanga. Government is signing a finance agreement for the project, which will see Rakahanga residents move away from a reliance on diesel. The government of Japan and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) will also be represented […]

Rent finally paid after 19 years

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

Government has paid almost $60,000 in outstanding rent to a group of Penrhyn landowners, subject to a 35-year-old property lease. In 1976 government signed the Naharakura rental agreement with Penrhyn landowners, for lease of 11 acres comprising three adjacent sections in Omoka. No rent has been paid until now. A court order of August 16, […]

Down to basics

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

A village safety programme is being considered for implementation by the Cook Islands Police Force. It is modelled on neighbourhood watch concepts in New Zealand and Australia, but caters to the Pacific community environment. Police commissioner Maara Tetava says it is something he is looking at for the near future. The village safety programme also […]

Triple the energy on 11/11/11

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in National

Numbers-minded couples are flocking to Rarotonga to exchange I dos on November 11 or 11/11/11, which some numerologists believe will be the luckiest day of the year. For them, it is an historic date the first of its kind since 1911, and the last until 2111. According to Adele Conlon, a Kiwi who plans to […]

Reading between the road lines

Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: Reading about the Aitutakian as a word in your signals, one thing that came to mind is why is it that the government is only helping pay for the Aitutakian team to the Manea Games in Mangaia what about the Atiuans, Maukeans, Mitiaroans? What is this? Dont tell me that what […]

Fundraiser tonight

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in Church Talk

Celebration on the Rock is holding a quiz and auction fundraiser tonight to send its youth to Christchurch for their first-ever Unashamed Youth Conference. The conference, which takes place next month, will draw over 500 young Christians together for fellowship and immersion in the Word of God. Its a chance for our youth to experience […]

Pacific church leaders hear the Maohi cry

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in Church Talk

The leaders of the member churches of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) have pledged their support to Maohi Nui (Tahiti) in her struggle to gain independence from France. This commitment from the 50th Pacific Church Leaders Meeting coincides with the opening celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the PCC in Samoa. In a special […]

Church leaders make statement of solidarity

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in Church Talk

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, Pacific church leaders met at Piula Theological College in Samoa from August 26 to 29 to discuss issues pertinent to the Pacific. Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) president Tangimetua Tangatatutai and general secretary Nga Mataio represented the CICC congregation at the Pacific Conference of […]

Joint Forces commander visits Rarotonga

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in Local

New Zealands commitment to defend the Cook Islands is being enhanced and there is a possibility of increased military coordination between the two countries. This week the commander of Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Dave Gawn, boarded a New Zealand P3K Orion as it was deployed on a routine maritime surveillance mission around the […]

Get moving, Rarotonga

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in Local

The biggest match in the Rugby World Cups pool A will be held tonight, when the French take on New Zealand. Locally, New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands John Carter and president of the Francaise Alliance de Rarotonga Nathalie Rossette Cazel met up for some pre-match back and forth. Carter, of course, is […]

Conflict of interest alleged

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in Local

An alleged conflict of interest in the awarding of a solar panel installation contract by Te Aponga Uira O Tumutevarovaro is being investigated by the audit office. Audit director Paul Allsworth says his office has received a complaint about Te Apongas board approving a tender from Andersons Ltd to provide and install solar panels. Steve […]

Stick to Kuki Airani

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Danny Mataroa needs to do research into his reo and not be so quick to jump on the bandwagon of the historically oppressed indigenous people of Aotearoa. New Zealand Maori have had a much more difficult past than we and they are now a minority in their own country. We, on the other […]

Be part of the team that cares about Muri

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the letter titled Muri community not duly consulted (19/9). It is really sickening to read negative comments that are written by gutless people who dont put their name to their letters to the editor. In that case I will refer to the letter writer as Casper. Casper, […]

Kata - September 23, 2011

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Continue to practise peace year-round

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in National

International Peace Day has come and gone, but thats no excuse to stop actively promoting and practising peace, says peace council patron Paddy Walker. Her mantra is peace begins with me. It does begin with us if you dont do anything, you dont get anything, she said. Paddy says the Cook Islands should be consciously […]

Takitimu Festival inspires Mataroa

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in National

Culture came to the fore in Hawkes Bay last week as people from New Zealand, the Cook Islands and across the Pacific came together for the second Takitimu Festival. Even people from Canadas First Nations journeyed south for the three-day festival, which organisers said was organised to celebrate indigenous culture and to strengthen business ties […]

Lost Tribe not giving up

Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in National

After almost 20 years of lobbying, Kiwi expatriate Les Priest and his fellow Lost Tribe members are still no closer to receiving their New Zealand superannuation. In his latest attempt to get traction on the matter, Priest has written to New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands John Carter. Priest first met Carter a […]