Articles by Utopia Support

Lost Tribe repeats its plea

Friday 2 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

Dear Editor, I wrote a letter to CI News more than a fortnight ago headed Request to PM from Lost Tribe, which related to our PM Henry Punas discussion with John Key recently in New Zealand on the subject of portability of NZ superannuation to deserving local residents. Ive not yet received an answer to […]

See what $48,000 could buy for the Cooks

Friday 2 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

No amount of wisdom, logic or outrage is going to stop the travel of the 20 to the Forum, a smoke signaller writes. But before you anointed ones travel offshore, travel to your local primary school and ask the principal for a tour of the worn out fixtures and buildings. Then climb upstairs at the […]

Prices control lifted

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Local

A 12-month freeze on price control of grocery commodities and laundry items on Rarotonga starts today (September 1). The Price Tribunal has revoked a 2005 price order for such wholesale and retail items, and implemented the moratorium in its place. That is subject to review. The tribunal says its moratorium follows an invitation to the […]

2 would do

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands government delegations to the last six annual Pacific Leaders Forums pale in comparative size to this years group of 20. Accordingly the cost to government of attending the annual forums has risen from about $5000 to at least $48,000 under the new Cook Islands Party administration. Ivirua MP and former Prime Minister Jim […]

Forum tour party names released

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Local

It has taken three days, but the names of those in governments delegation to New Zealand for next weeks Pacific Leaders Forum were released yesterday. Government plans to spend about $48,000 on the delegation, of which at least three members are being paid for by the New Zealand government. Other delegates are also having part […]

Mataiapo title returns to elder

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Local

Mama Ngametua Enuake Kaota (seated) after being re-invested with the Kaimarama Mataiapo title yesterday beside her is Tangianau Tuaputa.

We love our father

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Features

Ianita and Joelle Tinirau with their father on their first day at St Josephs in January this year. Cook Islands fathers like this one express their love for their children by being with them on big days like the first day of school Fathers Day is a chance for those children to offer thanks to […]

Doomsday for disgruntled taxpayer

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To the Taxpayer: Today makes the start of the Brown tax on your savings. Fact Information Sheet part 2. 1. All interest on deposits at local banks will be taxed 15%. 2. This will be the first time since 1 July 1997 that interest from Westpac or ANZ has been taxed. 3. The […]

CITC explains minimum charges

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like CITC to clarify why they have minimum purchase amounts per EFTPOS on a DEBIT card (not credit card) linked to either ANZ/Westpac local bank accounts. On numerous occasions when I have personally shopped at CITC/Foodland and I have purchased items under $15, the checkout operators have tried to make me […]

Spending just goes on

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Please allow me to point out my very concern in your paper about the current Government. Mark Brown who has the title of Minister of Finance has shown over and over again that he is obviously not capable for the position. I have done USP courses and havent finished but dont think I […]

Kata - September 1, 2011

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Pacific sports awards open for nomination

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in National

Nominations are now open to Cook Islanders for 10 award categories in the New Zealand Pacific Islands Sports Awards. The biennial awards were created to celebrate the sporting skills and leadership of Pacific island people from Polynesian, Micronesian and Melanesians living in New Zealand. Ten different awards are up for grabs to the New Zealand, […]

Potential killer swims offshore

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands is home to different types of needlefish/longtom, a species known to have killed human beings in the past. Natural Heritage Trust director Gerald McCormack said needlefish had been blamed for two peoples deaths, but said they were mainly due to accident rather than a blood-thirsty temperament. The larger needlefishes can be attracted […]

Needlefish fish a poor mans marlin

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands angler Ria Emile has spent 20 years fishing off Rarotonga. Twice he has pulled in a needlefish, remembering both as fighting like they were mini marlin. The needlefish/longtom family has a reputation for being mean and those living in the sea off the Cook Islands are living up to that name. Emile said […]

Four needlefish varieties in the Cooks

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in National

Keeled needlefish The keeled needlefish is the one commonly seen in the lagoon swimming with the half-beaks. They grow to about 40 centimetres in total length. Their most distinctive feature is the long keels on each side of the tail-base. Local names include miro vaa-roroa and miromiro on Rarotonga; akuaku and kakukaku on the Makatea […]

Myna almost gone

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust director Gerald McCormack is moderately confident that Enuamanu will be rid of the common myna by early next year. He has recruited three new bounty hunters locals with hunting and shooting experience to be part of the myna eradication programme. Dan OBrien, former manager of CITC Food Group, recently returned […]

Cricket awards 40 players and officials

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in National

Forty awards were handed out during the Cook Islands Cricket Associations award night on Friday, recognising the efforts of the players and supporters in the local fraternity. The accomplishments of players on the pitch went awarded on the night, the players with the most wickets and runs in the junior category, womens competitions and mens […]

Heavyweight hopes dashed

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in National

The medal hopes of local boxer Osolai Agai were squashed on Wednesday (NC time) when he was convincingly defeated by his New Caledonian opponent in the ring. The look on the faces of the boxer, his coach Tom Marsters and manager Taoro Brown said it all. Brown struggled to find the words to explain the […]

Thanks, Dad!

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in National

Fathers Day is a day that is set aside to thank the men in our lives to acknowledge the hard work they do as a parent every day and often without thanks. It begins in a time we cant even remember as adults; when we are carried in our fathers arms and grow a sense […]

New CI noni juice sales to China

Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in National

Next month 36,000 litres of Cook Islands noni juice will be shipped to China via New Zealand in the first of what is hoped will be a regular operation. The juice is being blended with fruit juice in China and sold as a beverage, which will be marketed with reference to the Cook Islands. It […]