Articles by Utopia Support

NCW welcomes patron and guests

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) has formally welcomed its new patron Te Ariki Rongomatane during an evening function. Last Thursday nights event at Takuvaine marked the councils acknowledgment of Rongomatanes significant support to the development of her island people, to historic and conservation activities, and to women in the Cook Islands through […]

MP proud of Penrhyn islanders abroad

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

Deputy leader of the opposition and Tongareva MP Wilkie Rasmussen is proud of his people in Australia, who he says are making considerable contributions to their adopted communities. Rasmussen stays in contact with Penrhyn islanders overseas via a Facebook page he set up for that express purpose. The site is called Tongareva Soasoa Club and […]

NGO funding now available

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is calling for applications from non-government organisations (NGO) for crown funding. Financial assistance is provided on a competitive basis to NGOs which deliver assistance to vulnerable members of the community such as elderly, women, youth and people with disabilities. In the 2011-2012 financial year a contestable fund of $75,000 is […]

Penrhyn islanders build landmark

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

Penrhyn islanders were part of a work crew that recently completed the construction of an historic bridge in Innisfail, Queensland. Foreman Mark Ford, Robert Tapaitau (son of the late QBE Tepure Tapaitau), Tavake Paulo and Petero Mamia all of whom lived on Penrhyn before migrating to Australia were part of the $21.6 million project. Earlier […]

Bail not a penalty: JP

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

Bail is not a penalty, Cook Islands police officers have been told by the countrys senior Justice of the Peace. JP John Kenning presided over the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua on September 15. He questioned the justification of certain bail conditions sought by police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Ruth Hosking-Tane in relation to a […]

Puna commits to One China

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

Top-level discussions in China between the Cook Islands government and that of the Peoples Republic of China are going well. Prime Minister Henry Puna and five other delegates, including immigration and foreign affairs secretary Jim Gosselin, have met with several Chinese officials, including the vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political […]

Ride the rock on Friday

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

Rarotonga is throwing its support behind the Move Rarotonga campaign, which is scheduled to begin this Friday. Fitness Revolution is keen to support the event and will be sponsoring prizes for the Best Environment Message displayed during the bike rally. Other prizes for best dressed individuals, best dressed groups, best dressed bike and best messages […]

High commissioner praises HTTC

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

Dear Editor, My wife Leoni and I had a very pleasurable experience when we recently dined for lunch at the Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre. Alongside our host, Frances Topa-Apera, we were treated to a wonderful dining experience by the students at Kai Reka. The meal was first-class, the setting was ideal and the service […]

No decision

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

An environment impact assessment (EIA) report for the upgrade to Rarotonga hospitals septic system is still being considered by the National Environment Service (NES). Despite public concerns about the installation of a new septic system at the Arorangi hospital, no submissions were made to the NES on whether a permit for the work should be […]

World labour organisation embraces Cooks

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands might become a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which is a United Nations technical agency devoted to advancing opportunities for workers. ILO is the only tripartite UN agency, in that it brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes. Accordingly, members of the Cook […]

UN team learns of CI development priorities

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters will this morning open a conference which aims to include Cook Islands development priorities and aspirations into a United Nations framework document. Marsters will officially welcome participants to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) conference, being held at the Assembly of God (AOG) church hall in Takuvaine from 8.30am. […]

New college principals

Tuesday 20 September 2011 | Published in National

The Ministry of Education has confirmed the appointments of two new principals for the 2012 school year. Secretary of education Sharyn Paio yesterday announced that the current principals of Araura College and Tereora College have submitted resignation letters, and the ministry has appointed their replacements. Tarona Daniela, an Aitutakian currently residing in New Zealand, will […]

Google overfishing and see for yourself

Monday 19 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Google overfishing and you will see many articles, fact sheets, etc on environmental concerns clearly highlighted. Where is the local environment service and Natural Heritage in the debate? Keep up the good work, Reuben Tylor and Kata. My credentials? As a geography teacher of many years standing I have taught about the resource […]

How much more do I have to suffer?

Monday 19 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Recently, surrounding the circumstance of my being charged by the police, I trusted our judicial system enough to plead guilty of my charges. I also accepted the hefty fine but much more importantly, my personal remorse and embarrassment to myself and also to my family name. However, I was under the impression that […]

Immigration says reports sensational

Monday 19 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, On reading your sensational headlines Rasmussen supports foreign workers and Job conditions border slavery: lawyer in Fridays CINews, one would assume that the matters referred to are serious enough to have been brought to the proper authorities for attention and addressed appropriately. This is not the case as far as Immigration is concerned […]

Red carpet in Raro!

Monday 19 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Your writer of Saturday invites Cook Islands to be peacemakers and invite the Fiji PM to the 2012 South Pacific Forum in Rarotonga. And most Cook Islanders would agree that the man should be welcome here. That is AFTER he has done his time in prison for treason and terrorism, after he has […]

Muri community not duly consulted

Monday 19 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It seems a lot gets pushed on to people in Muri without full discussions about the reasons and causes. First there is a new, total raui banning all taking of marine life in Muri for 10 years. This idea started a few years ago from an overseas donor wanting a limited seaweed raui […]

Kata - September 19, 2011

Monday 19 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Tupapa takes early lead in Lotto Cup

Monday 19 September 2011 | Published in National

The 2011 Rarotonga Lotto round cup football competition kicked off on Saturday with Takuvaine hosting Tupapa and Avatiu facing Arorangi. In the premier mens match in the Happy Valley Tupapa showed their dominance in terms of ball possession and tactical play, however it was Takuvaine that piled the pressure on first. Tupapa found it difficult […]

Zumba funds go to mental health

Monday 19 September 2011 | Published in National

International Zumba instructor Maria Teresa Stone generated funds for the Cook Islands Creative Centre and Te Kainga Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre last week. Stone, who originates from Mexico but now lives in Sydney, hosted a Zumba master class at the National Auditorium in Rarotonga on Wednesday. Shes pictured here with zumba enthusiast George George […]