Articles by Utopia Support

Diagnostic clarification

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Eric Shorts claim to be the only local provider of automotive diagnostic and air conditioning services (as reported on September 3) has been challenged. Short says he is the sole Cook Islands member of the Automotive Diagnostic Network. Cook Islands Motor Centre service manager Andrew Leeburn says the company has an up-to-date generic diagnostic system […]

Take care with our fish

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I had the privilege of staying in Tongareva for one month, four years ago. I am concerned about the foreign fishing deals that have been made. We need to look at what has happened in other Pacific Nations. Where are the fish? gone (for good). Some fish species (tuna) are under pressure from […]

Favouritism not founded

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In the Cook Islands News of Saturday September 10 there was a headline to the effect that I had alleged Police favouritism in a customs case. The article itself was in materially different from and to the effect that there was an indication of Police favouritism. The correct position is this.The charges against […]

Secrecy over travel costs not legal

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I write regarding travel costs, allowances and expenses of parliamentarians. To assist you in your quest for more transparency and accountability, I once again draw the attention of MFEM to S.22 of the Civil List Act 2005 (at that earlier time S.26 of the old 1984 Act was the reference) which requires full […]

Kata - September 12, 2011

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Netball for kids

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Netball

Calling all netballers aged 10 or under: there is a new competition in the Cook Islands. The Potiki Navenave netball competition is looking for teams of seven to nine people to compete in the 10 years and younger section and the eight years and younger section. Cook Islands Netball Association is hosting the tournament on […]

Homes wanted for dogs, cats and 12 kittens

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in National

Its that time again! We are in kitten season and already have 12 kittens in our care. We have limited space, and accordingly we encourage everyone to get their cats spayed and neutered! The Esther Honey Foundation offers this service free of charge. Donations make this treatment and other clinic services possible but we dont […]

Register for a gas check

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in National

The National Environment Service (NES) is urging all Cook Islanders to do their bit to preserve the ozone layer. The government departments national ozone unit is offering a free refrigerator de-gassing and gas check service to those in Rarotonga, in line with international ozone layer protection day which is annually observed on September 16. International […]

A world of imagination for book week

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in National

The students of Avarua Primary School went touring the world last week, all within the walls of their library. The schools library was decorated in various themes in celebration of World Literacy Day. The students can now sit in a jungle, the deep sea or outer space to read books of the theme. There are […]

Beach crew cleans up storm mess

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in National

The beachfront at the Rarotonga Sailing Club facilities has undergone a facelift of sorts, after wild swells a fortnight ago swept out some of the sand into the Muri lagoon. Sun-seekers had to make way for a bobcat on Friday, there to remodel the beach in front of the Sails Restaurant. High swells and a […]

Cooks bucking trend: Brown

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands is bucking a Pacific trend in terms of financial management, finance minister Mark Brown says. Speaking at a Lowy Institute conference while in Auckland for the 2011 Pacific Leaders Forum, Brown explained the ways in which the Cook Islands is different from other small island states in the Pacific region. Brown was […]

Cooks will receive help for 2012 forum

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands is set to receive significant assistance from Pacific region governments and organisations in its hosting of the 43rd Pacific Leaders Forum next year. A Cook Islands bid to host the annual series of meetings, in which hundreds of top-level delegates participate, was unanimously accepted by leaders at this years forum in New […]

Maine Tiare gets a brother

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in National

Young men and women will get an equal chance to learn public speaking skills and self-belief in a revamped Mire Tama competition this year. The 2011 competition will split from the structure of previous years to include two categories this year the Tama Aito grouping for young men and the Maine Tiare class for young […]

Muri party concerns

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: Sad to see the organising committee for the Vaka Eiva has moved from their traditional party central at Avarua to Muri. They claim the festival atmosphere will be similar to the New Years Eve parties I avoid the New Years Eve party there because of all the drunken fights that occur […]

More political support needed

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Environment

The Cook Islands has the chance to become the world-leader in sustainable thinking, but it first needs more political support and funding to get there, says alternative energy advocate James Beer. Beer said the Cooks was better positioned than almost any country to become completely reliant on renewable energies for its electricity supplies, but individuals […]

Clean up brigade attacks rubbish

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Environment

More than 30 teams banded together to clean up Rarotongas little portion of the world yesterday. To mark Clean Up the World Day, teams spent the day picking rubbish out of streams and scouring the streets for forgotten refuse. They donned gloves and armed themselves with plastic bags, and pored over beaches and roads for […]

Finger picking good sounds

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Features

The head-turning tunes of Ru and the Boys are back on the family bands second album of Cook Islands music. Father and sons Ru Tauta, Ru Junior and Abraham took some time out from their busy playing schedule to record 14 island tracks on their second CD though Ru Senior said some tracks had more […]

Whale vomit for lipstick, revolting!

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Features

Astounded That was the first time Ive been there. I was so astounded there were so many amazing things but the thing that took my interest was the coconut crab, it was about 30cm. Sheryl came and picked it up by the clippers everyone just stood there in shock. Tefaatau File-Ataera Opportunity The outstanding preparation […]

New fish shop opens

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Features

For the fish-philes among us, theres a new place on the rock to buy the local catch. Local fisherman and entrepreneur Tutu Ina is supplying his familys new shop with fish he catches aboard his vessels, which hes named Matira and Noella.K. The new shop Kuki Pac Fish is wedged between RTM and FBI at […]

Writer exalts Mangaias subterranean Disneyland

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Features

Australian journalist Craig Tansley, who visited the Cook Islands on Cook Islands Tourisms dime, has published a story on Mangaias underworld in the Sydney Morning Herald. The writer is the son of John Tansley, who moved to Rarotonga over 40 years ago. Tansleys story was published in a Monday edition of the Sydney Morning Herald, […]