Articles by Utopia Support

Mangaia ready to host Manea Games

Thursday 15 September 2011 | Published in National

The outer island of Mangaia is ready to host over 500 athletes and officials for the Manea Games which will run from October 3 to 13. The host island is expected to have around 130 athletes while competing islands Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro will have between 40 and 100 athletes taking part. Aitutaki will […]

Travel cost disclosure still a promise

Thursday 15 September 2011 | Published in National

Finance minister Mark Brown and financial secretary Richard Neves are preparing a breakdown of governments Civil List, detailing how much money has been spent to date on ministerial travel, allowances and incidental costs. This follows repeated requests for Civil List disclosure and a special meeting of cabinet yesterday morning at which Prime Minister Henry Puna […]

PM sees huge benefits in Forum

Thursday 15 September 2011 | Published in National

Next years Pacific Leaders Forum, hosted by the Cook Islands, is likely to revolve around an environmental theme, Prime Minister Henry Puna says. He is already planning the event, dates for which have yet to be finalised. Puna says it is likely the governments of China, Japan and Israel will showcase their countries renewable energy […]

Walk or ride to cut emissions next Friday

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in Environment

Rarotonga is preparing to hit the pavement in its fight against fossil fuels. The National Environment Service (NES) is coordinating a Move Rarotonga campaign to raise awareness of issues like climate change, fossil fuel use and waste management. Scheduled for Friday, September 23, the campaign encourages everyone on Rarotonga to ride a bicycle, walk, jog, […]

Solar likely for low-income homes

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in Environment

Solar panels, and subsequently reduced electricity bills, are within reach of low income households throughout the Cook Islands, finance minister Mark Brown says. A deal is being negotiated at present between the Cook Islands government and European Investment Bank (EIB) which may see Cook Islanders access renewable energy infrastructure through low-interest loans. Government has access […]

Tolerance questioned

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have just a couple of quick responses to Jarl Arneric. Firstly, my religion Christianity is exclusive in the sense that Jesus Christ is the only way for salvation. Jesus Himself said in His Bible in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the father […]

Ivaiti accuses auditor of vengeance

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I cannot help but put fingers to keyboard again to respond to the spin doctor Paul Allsworth in the recent article Allsworth responds to Ivaiti vendetta. I last wrote to your paper in May 2011 (many moons ago) responding to his accusations, and it has taken Paul Allsworth almost four months to respond, […]

Kata - September 14, 2011

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Last call for yellow ribbons

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

If you havent yet purchased a yellow ribbon in honour of Suicide Prevention Awareness Week, stop by Te Kaingas booth in front of Westpac this morning. Today is the last day Mereana Taikoko will be hawking ribbons from her booth, as Suicide Prevention Awareness Day came and went last weekend. Shell also be selling Suicide […]

George says forum should exclude Fiji

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

Independent member of parliament Norman George says Fijis government should not be allowed to participate in next years Pacific Leaders Forum, which will be hosted by the Cook Islands. George opposes comments by deputy opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen, who says the Cook Islands government should consider allowing dialogue at the forum in relation to Fiji […]

Regional bank recommended

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

Private sector representatives from around the Pacific met in Auckland recently for a private sector dialogue, to recommend to delegates of the 2011 Pacific Leaders Forum policies to promote business in the Pacific. The forums theme was converting potential to prosperity and the private sector group focused on its own theme of supporting business growth […]

Buddy readers celebrate literacy

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

Aitutaki schools tackled reading on World Literacy Day with a buddy reading programme between Araura Primary and the neighbouring Araura College. The students of both schools took turns reading to each other on the heels of its success, they all agreed to have a monthly session. A book cover competition was also held during the […]

She did us proud

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands choice for Miss Universe, Miss New Zealand Priyani Puketapu, did not make the top 16 in Mondays pageant but she still did Oceania and Maori people proud. Puketapu has Cook Islands connections she is the granddaughter of Tapaeru (Utia) Puketapu, who lives in Waiwhetu, and the grandniece of Hinarere Tupangaia. For the […]

No gold medal for winning the Forum race

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

We are all looking forward to the individual tourists summaries of what, other than socialising, and watching the rugby, went on in Auckland, a smoke signaller writes in respect of the 20-strong Cook Islands delegation that headed to New Zealand last week. The South Pacific forum was only a three day affair so aside from […]

New grant funding for education

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

Education within the Cook Islands will be improved and expanded through a half billion-dollar Pacific grant offered by the New Zealand and Australia governments. Prime Minister Henry Puna says the $500 million will be rolled out over the next four years, to 13 Pacific nations. He is not sure just how much the Cook Islands […]

Special meeting to look at Civil List

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

Finance minister Mark Brown has concerns about governments Civil List, which has reportedly received a bashing in the three months of this financial year. Money for ministerial travel, of which there has been a lot lately, is drawn from the Civil List. A special cabinet meeting is being held this morning to allow Prime Minister […]

China state visit going ahead

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna will lead a delegation to China, departing Rarotonga early on Friday. The state visit, at the invitation of Chinas government, will see either six or seven delegates travel business class on Air New Zealand flights between Auckland and Beijing. Puna says the Chinese government is paying the way of all Cook […]

Bishop withdraws from trip

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

Cabinet minister Teina Bishop has opted out of a trip to China this week because he might be visiting the country for a tourism conference next month. Bishop was part of governments delegation (of six or seven) to Beijing, departing Rarotonga early Friday. Instead he has chosen to stay behind in the Cook Islands. Bishop […]

New shipping deal for north

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

Northern group islands shipping woes are over, Prime Minister Henry Puna says. He announced a new shipping service to the northern Cook Islands community, which starts in November, at a post-cabinet media conference yesterday. Puna says his government has struck a deal with the Samoan Shipping Corporation for a cargo vessel to service northern group […]

Pacific pride

Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in National

Kafo Tuteru yesterday donned her reds and put up her Tongan flags in preparation for last nights Tonga v Canada match. Shes been in Rarotonga for 36 years but her heart remains with her homeland. My greatest joy was seeing them (Tonga) play in the opening game, she said. While Tuteru is a staunch Tonga […]