Articles by Utopia Support

American Eagle Airline approved to fly

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in Local

The United States Department of Transportation has cleared another airline to fly into the Cook Islands. US airline American Eagle Airlines an affiliate of American Airlines was last week granted approval to operate in the Cook Islands, Samoa, New Zealand and Tonga. All are signatories to open skies agreements with the US, which essentially enable […]

Go for gold!

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna has told all Team Cook Islands athletes to go for gold at the Pacific Games in Noumea. Most of the 152-strong team departed Rarotonga yester- day. During a special parliamentary sitting yesterday Puna invited all members to farewell those travelling to New Caledonia from Rarotongas international airport. The regional sporting tournament […]

Surprise sitting

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in Local

A surprise session of parliament was held from 1pm yesterday although the main agenda item could not be addressed. Members of parliament were given seven days notice of the special session, which was called for amendments to governments withholding tax to be legislated before an implementation date of September 1. The parliamentary sitting was not […]

Hooray for Tamariki Sports!

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in Local

Grade two St Josephs Primary School students excitedly rush to greet ANZ Tamariki Sports coach Ake Hosea-Winterflood whose enthusiasm and energy matches those of her young students.

Kata - August 24, 2011

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in Kata

Big gathering for annual Gary Parlour Fishing Comp

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

The 15th annual Gary Parlour fishing competition between the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club and the Aitutaki Game Fishing Club is expected to be the biggest ever. The competition will run this Friday and Saturday with boat registration closing at 1700 on Thursday, August 25. Gary Parlour, his wife Kate and his tribe from Kaitaia […]

Fitness revolution rolls on to another group challenge

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

The fitness revolution is rolling on in Rarotonga, with the Mind and Body Challenges second group challenge pulling in more punters than ever before. The number of people attending the Fitness Revolution Mind and Body Challenge again pushed past 100 participants. Organisers say a record number of people showed up for fun, exercise and an […]

Ferry headed home

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

The MV Lady Naomi has made its last stop in the northern group and is expected to now be on its way back to Samoa. The vessel was expected to make contact with Pukapuka on Monday and should now be on its way back to Apia, the Samoan capital and city it calls home. Robert […]

Phone and email scams continuing

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islanders are being hit with a fresh wave of internet and telephone scams. One email being widely circulated is from a person claiming to represent the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Under the alias Judith George, she informs recipients that their inheritance fund awaits, but that to recover it, they must reply with […]

Akaoa night market to be fortnightly

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

Last weeks night market in Akaoa was so successful, the organisers are planning to hold it fortnightly. It was the first Akaoa night market to proceed in years. Cook Islands Christian Church orometua opened the market with a pure. All night, stall holders struggled to keep up with the hungry crowd they were busy serving […]

Japanese professor visits

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands ties with Japan are strengthening with the visit to Rarotonga of a top Japanese professor. Deputy prime minister and foreign affairs and immigration minister Tom Marsters welcomed Professor Izumi Kobayashi to Rarotonga recently. It was the professors first trip to the Cook Islands. He is recognised as one of Japans leading authorities on […]

Security guru arrives at Ngatangiia

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

New Zealand security guru Joel Ngatuere has touched down on Rarotonga, bringing 12 years of military experience and government training to the fight against theft in Ngatangiia. Ngatuere is the man conducting security assessments for businesses that sign up for the Ngatangiia Neighbourhood Watch groups patrol service. Business operators of all varieties in the Ngatangiia […]

New head girl and deputy

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

Tereora College has a new head girl and deputy head girl. Halfway through last term, head girl Jericka Matapuku stepped down from the position so as to focus on her study commitments, and deputy head girl Kara-Lee Hunt (right) stepped up to fill the vacancy. Lindsay Graham (left) was appointed deputy head girl. 11082313

Dont dump trash

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

The National Environment Service (NES) is asking the public to refrain from dumping rubbish into the culvert that passes by the National Auditorium and Avarua School. There has been more waste in the drain which may be due to the increase in the number of events and traffic around this drain due to Maeva Nui […]

Police boost to vaka stations

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands Police is promising to deliver more patrols, better law enforcement and more community interaction through its beefed-up community stations. Five officers are now stationed at the two community stations which were manned by just one officer each up until a month ago. Now, three officers are staffing the vaka Takitumu community station at […]

Shipping left to private sector

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

Government is not likely to invest in a shipping service, despite its recognition of the fact the Cook Islands has a serious cargo transportation problem. Prime Minister Henry Puna says if government were to invest in a shipping service it would jeopardise the investments of those in the private sector. And we need to avoid […]

George grills govt over CISNOC

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in National

Independent member of parliament Norman George has given government a grilling over its bail-out of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC). Government last week paid Air New Zealand and Air Calin $126,000 in order for Team Cook Islands to travel to Noumea for the Pacific Games, after CISNOC revealed at the last […]

Meat makes round-trip flight

Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

I am hot about this topic! exclaims a smoke signaller. The following is a piece of advice from a recent traveller to the Cook Islands and posted on Trip Advisor they are referring to vacuum-packed meat products: Do ensure your vac packs are labelled with a country of origin as trying to return to New […]

Two CI reps at climate change review

Tuesday 23 August 2011 | Published in Environment

Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP) staff Vaipo Mataora and Teu Mataroa returned to Rarotonga last week from a climate change conference in Vanuatu. The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) project involves 13 Pacific island nations. A meeting to review and discuss progress of the regional project, which coordinates adaptation activities in each member […]

Ozone regulations kicking in

Tuesday 23 August 2011 | Published in Environment

People or businesses importing, using, handling or selling gases associated with air cooling will soon be required to hold permits. Recently the Environment Act (Ozone Layer Protection) Regulations 2008 were established, and the National Environment Service (NES) will begin enforcing them in phases. By January 2012, those who import gases, goods and equipment containing ozone-depleting […]