Articles by Utopia Support

Aitutaki BCI bank robbed

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in Local

Police officers from Rarotonga went to Aitutaki yesterday to conduct investigations into a robbery of the BCI Aitutaki Branch office on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. Two senior BCI staff members from Rarotonga were also dispatched immediately to Aitutaki to assist with the investigation after raising of the alarm. BCI managing director Vaine Nooana-Arioka […]

Stash of stolen goods found

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in Local

A 28-year-old Matavera man is due to appear in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua today following a police raid on his home this week. A cache of drugs and what is believed to be stolen property found at the address has been confiscated by police. The man, who has been in police custody […]

Terrified

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, A few weeks ago, I wrote to you raising my concerns about the occurrence of break-ins and burglaries on Rarotonga which are being targeted at the tourist accommodations and tourists being the victims. I was recently in Rarotonga with two disabled adults for the Constitution break. They enjoyed the stay but were terrified […]

Kata - August 11, 2011

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in Kata

9 jobs open at MFEM

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) has nine vacancies at present. Finance secretary Richard Neves says they are a mix of new and existing positions.He says one vacancy is a result of retirement and another of resignation.The ministry has also created two temporary contract positions to catch up with accounts, Neves says. From […]

Sex education needs broad approach

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

A whole of community approach is needed to address sexual health issues like sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy. This week those involved in various organisations and ministries spoke to the Cook Islands News about sexuality education in schools, support agencies for sexually active youth, and the power of abstinence as well as parental involvement […]

Growers off to Tahiti

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

Agriculture minister Nandi Glassie leads a delegation of Cook Islands growers to Tahiti this week, flying from Rarotonga today. The week-long trip is a growers initiative to learn methods for growing exotic crops including vanilla, and Glassie has been asked to attend as a government representative. His return airfare of $905, as well as that […]

New safari track

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

Raro Safari Tours is applying to the National Environment Service (NES) for a permit to develop an access road and construct a building platform through inland bush at Nukupure in Ngatangiia. The project involves excavation of mature vegetation along the slopes and top of a ridge to extend an existing access road which leads from […]

Land degradation decried

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

A professor from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation says that the Cook Islands government should intervene and stop people from cutting into hills to build their new homes. Dr Kebin Zhang, professor at the College of Soil and Water Conservation at Beijing Forestry University, said he was disappointed to see chunks of the […]

Judges praise show of pride

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

According to Te Maeva Nui cultural competition judges overall progress in the standard of performances as well as costumes by teams in the Te Maeva Nui continues to improve from year to year. Te Maeva Nui judging convener Tamarii Tutangata says that this years teams have continued that trend to the delight of the judges […]

USP holds alumni dinner

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

USP Cook Islands is holding its first-ever alumni dinner. The first 100 graduates to register with USP will get a Tamarind Restaurant meal at the universitys expense on the evening of August 18. USP Cook Islands director Rod Dixon says this is the inaugural alumni dinner, which he hopes will pave the way for the […]

Tyre fire investigated

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

National Environment Service (NES) staff and public health officials are investigating the burning of tyres behind Michigan Motors in Taputapuatea on Tuesday. It is illegal to intentionally burn rubber and plastic without authorisation. Ministry of Health chief health inspector Tangata Vaeau attended the fire and is conducting an investigation accordingly. Vaeau wants to determine how […]

US credit downgrade no alarm

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands financial thinkers say last weeks US credit downgrade should not have any direct impact on the local economy, at least in the short term. The international stock markets continued their unpredictable movements yesterday, with investors seemingly remaining unsure of how the USs downgrade from its prized AAA credit rating will influence share prices. […]

San Francisco celebrates Cooks culture

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

San Francisco celebrated Cook Islands culture yesterday at Pier 39, one of its most visited tourist attractions. From about 11am to 3pm San Francisco time, vaka Marumaru Atua and the Cook Islands occupied the centre of the wharfs attention. The Cook Islanders aboard Marumaru Atua pulled up to Pier 39 to be greeted by a […]

Do not do this!

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

Police commissioner Maara Tetava says boot-surfing on moving vehicles is illegal and should under no circumstances be attempted. Tetava was asked to comment on a photograph submitted to Cook Islands News. It shows a man sitting on the boot of a car as it is driven along the road in the Takitimu district. Tetava says […]

International youth day celebrated

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

International Youth Day is tomorrow being celebrated by the Cook Islands National Youth Council. Council president Nukutau Pokura and fellow members have organised a World Changer competition for people to nominate youths they consider to be changing the world in their efforts, support and dedication to working in the community. The six most outstanding nominees […]

PM busy travelling

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna has a full travel itinerary for the next couple of months. He departed for San Francisco on Saturday on a week-long trip to meet vaka voyagers and promote the Cook Islands. Puna then travels to New Zealand to meet Prime Minister John Key. He returns to Rarotonga on August 15. Puna […]

Cultural thieves face $1m fine

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

Foreigners caught in breach of proposed traditional knowledge laws could face a fine of up to $1 million and be banned from entering the Cook Islands for 30 years. The draft Traditional Knowledge Bill 2011, presented to pa enua cultural and traditional leaders for consideration at a workshop yesterday, is being designed to enhance and […]

Kia akaaka koe e tama

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

E te tama Etita, Kare au i poitirere ana e kua pakia te mema paramani o Vaipae/Tautu a Mona Ioane i te peapa a Aunty Peta i tata ki roto i taau peapa no te mea kua akarongorongo ana au i tetai tangitangi kereteki no tetai au apinga tei anoano ana teia mema paramani kia […]

Do a deal with Maori TV

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in National

Dear Editor, A delegation arrived from Mr McCullys office recommending that CITV find offers for us to broadcast the rugby world cup through Maori TV seeing theyve been given the rights to host the rugby world cup. This is good because at least the money will go towards the country that has supported the Cook […]