Articles by Utopia Support

Businesses leading transition

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Features

Businesses, homes and non-for-profit organisations in the Cook Islands are increasingly moving towards alternative energy for power. Island Craft is one such business, which is moving to sustainable power sources to help bring down the costs of running the venture in the Cooks. Managing director Fletcher Melvin said he felt the time was right for […]

New Muri market going ahead despite conflict

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

The Kia Orana Beach Market organising committee has decided to run its market on September 28 despite resistance from organisers of the conflicting Akaoa night market. The Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) and the Muri community last week announced their intention to stage the Muri market on a Wednesday. While it is driven by the […]

No apology was necessary from Filipino community

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am fully supporting Shonas view that the Filipino community should never have apologised in the first instance. Wake up people! This earth belongs to God almighty and thats that. Is this how we treat our neighbouring countries? To you who have openly criticised the Filipino community, shame on you. You make out […]

Prayer shows sport can be an idol

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was extremely disappointed and disturbed to see a rendition of the Lords Prayer on page 11 of the paper today. I know some people will answer, it is only a bit of fun. But that is not just a bit of fun. Can we imagine what would have happened if we warped […]

Kata - September 10, 2011

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Kata

High-tech tool in the belt

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in National

Gone are the days of trial and error in finding a cars problems with new tools at the Cook Islands Motor Centre they dont even need to open the bonnet anymore. Simply by plugging in one of their high-tech diagnostic tools into your car, the Motor Centre staff can track down any number of bugs […]

Format changes for Vaka Eiva

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in National

Paddlers, pupils and partiers can look forward to a little something different from this years Vaka Eiva. For logistical reasons, organisers are planning a new format for the November oe vaka festival. The iconic Trader Jacks after-party this year shifts to Muri beach. The Round Raro Race has been bumped to earlier in the week, […]

Join Fitness Revolution and teach group classes

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in National

If youre interested in teaching group fitness classes, Fitness Revolution is giving you the opportunity to get certified. A set of qualification courses, taught by some of the regions top instructors, will run for two weeks from September 17. Training for aspiring Zumba instructors will be the first of the series. The Zumba certification course […]

Tapoki building back

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in National

Mauke field athlete Tereapii Tapoki has used the Noumea Pacific Games as a springboard to build up to the London 2012 Olympics. The specialist discus thrower competed in the open womens shot put on the final day of the games and placed 5th overall with her best throw being 13.12m. Her first put reached 12.56m […]

Prevent suicide by recognising the signs

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in National

On average, two people commit suicide in the Cook Islands every year. Mereana Taikoko of Te Kainga Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre has been collecting data since she started working with mentally ill patients in 1997. Twenty-four people have committed suicide on Rarotonga since then 17 males and seven females. The majority were between the […]

Our third-best Pacific Games tally

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands breathed a collective sigh of relief this week when news came through that the team would be coming home with at least one gold medal from the 2011 Pacific Games. Sailors Helema Williams and Teau McKenzie secured two gold medals for Team Cook Islands in New Caledonia this week, ensuring that the […]

Call to save water

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in National

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning is urging all Cook Islanders to conserve water as reservoirs are low and there is little or no forecast of rain. People are also asked to stop lighting fires because of the impact the use of water to extinguish out of control fires will have on already depleted supplies. […]

Works delay

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in National

Water infrastructure improvements on Rarotonga should be completed by the end of this month, infrastructure minister Teariki Heather says. Speaking in parliament recently, Heather said water works are taking longer than initially anticipated and accordingly the commencement of road development is being delayed. His comments came in response to a question, posed by deputy opposition […]

Trip to China by 7 now in doubt

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in National

A Cook Islands Government trip to Beijing next week is up in the air because there may be no money left in the Civil List to fund it. Prime Minister Henry Puna planned to lead a delegation to Chinas capital involving cabinet ministers Teariki Heather and Teina Bishop. At the moment Im not sure whether […]

Library theme fun for literacy

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in National

Literacy week Roimata Karika, Nicole Marurai, Isabelle Mana, Manamea Koteka and Ronnie Teio enjoying themselves in the Avarua Primary School library yesterday. The schools library has been decorated in various themes in celebration of World Literacy Day. 11090914

Recycled prescription danger

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

If the Prime Minister returns to the Cook Islands this weekend, when do you think hell be winging his way on his next overseas junket, ooops, work trip? Will it be in (a) 1-3 days (b) 4-6 days (c) 7-9 days, or (d) not for six months as theres plenty of work to do here […]

Why is my boy wandering tonight?

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Church Talk

There is a song titled Where Is My Wandering Boy Tonight? some of the words include: Where is my wandering boy tonight, the boy of my tendrest care: The boy that was once my joy and light, the child of my love and prayer? Once he was pure as morning dew, as he knelt at […]

Only one way to fill the void

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Church Talk

Every generation has dreamt of a utopian society that dream has motivated us to search for meaning and fulfilment. All sorts of ideologies have been formed to try and cater for the continuous hunger for something that is missing on the inside of mans soul. Some try to fill this gap with business, prestige, wealth, […]

Look for God in times of need

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Church Talk

Today, it is easy to be discouraged. Different things and situations affect and discourage thousands of people and to varying degrees. Many of the serious cases lead to depression which requires medical and psychological assistance, in addition to the spiritual power to overcome. Discouragement can be defined as a sense of dejection in which the […]

Short-term gain for long-term pain

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It seems unbelievable that despite recent fish shortages in Rarotonga the current government headed by MP Teina Bishop has allowed exploratory fishing by the Chinese or any foreign entity for that matter. Bigeye tuna for one is overfished and the species is in danger of collapsing altogether. $800,000 in licenses is just more […]