Articles by Utopia Support

Trade days declared successful

Saturday 6 August 2011 | Published in National

Locals and tourists were treated to three days of delicious food, hand made crafts and beautiful smelling ei this past week. The island trade days held at the cultural centre grounds – spanned three days and featured products from two outer islands each day. Products from Rarotonga were also for sale. The three-day event encouraged […]

Te Maeva Nui spectacular

Saturday 6 August 2011 | Published in National

The costumes have been stunning, the performances passionate and best of all, the shows have run on time and without any technical difficulty making each night an amazing cultural experience for both visitors and locals. All Te Maeva Nui photos by Matariki Wilson.

PM will welcome vaka to US

Saturday 6 August 2011 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna will today travel to the United States to welcome the Cook Islands vaka Marumaru Atua into San Francisco. The vaka set sale from the Cook Islands in March this year and has travelled about 5000 nautical miles to make it to the US west coast this week. The crew will take […]

Petition for CI Maori recognition in NZ

Saturday 6 August 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands supporters are among the 5000 people to have signed a petition calling for more cultural protection and promotion for Pacific languages in New Zealand. Takitumu paramount chief Pa Marie Ariki has joined the movement in Aotearoa New Zealand pushing for a greater promotion and protection of Pacific languages and cultures in the country. […]

Mama Tuki hands over

Saturday 6 August 2011 | Published in National

After putting in more than 10 years of service, Mama Tuki Wright is bidding farewell to her beloved disability council. It was a tough decision for Mama Tuki who has been serving as the Cook Islands National Disability Council since it was formed in March 2001, but she said it was time for a new […]

Distance difficult for Chinese tourists

Saturday 6 August 2011 | Published in National

Chinese Ambassador Xu Jianguo says he will continue to sell the Cook Islands to Chinese tourists, but admits the task is made difficult by visa requirements and the distance between the two countries. Speaking to Cook Islands News during his two-day visit to the Cook Islands this week, Xu said he hoped to see more […]

Remarks unreasonable and unfair

Saturday 6 August 2011 | Published in National

Dear Editor, This letter is specifically directed at the author of the letter to the editor published on August 1, We all hear of corruption, whom I should call the most Perfect Aunty Peta. The author of that letter appears to be the most perfect lady under the sun. I am writing this letter not […]

Constitution Day car blaze

Saturday 6 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller who sent in the photo taken on Thursday, August 4, of a car on fire writes: The person on the back road in Matavera must think our Constitution Day gives them the independence to burn cars and ruin our environment! A smoke signaller sends a warning to all scooter riders: It seems […]

Marking the steps of Jesus

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Church Talk

An early start for members of the Catholic Church last Friday morning. Members of the church and those attending the Cook Islands World Youth Day celebrations camp walked around the island acting out the Stations of the Cross. The first of the 15 stations was acted out at St Josephs primary school at 4am.The procession […]

How can I be confident in a crisis?

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Church Talk

I remember not so long ago when $50 could fill my car up with petrol. I remember also when $150 could fill up my trolley at the supermarket. A few years back I noted that my 12 month term deposit was earning me about six percent interest but today it is down to four percent. […]

Opposition wants tax act repealed

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Local

Opposition Democratic Party members will look at objecting to planned amendments of the governments withholding tax passed into law by parliament last month. The opposition party is insisting the government repeal the tax act which deputy opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen says has been comprehensively rejected by the wider Cook Islands public. The irony is that […]

Last day of competition today, drumming tomorrow

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Local

Tonight will feature the final performances by Te Maeva Nui teams in what will once again be another feast of colour and culture on the national auditorium stage. First up on stage today will be Mangaia who will perform their pee followed by Rakahanga with their ute. Avarua are sure to match the ura pau […]

Go colour!

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Local

The Manihiki pearl in all its hues of pink, gold, purple and black shone on the Te Maeva Nui stage this week when the island dedicated its drum dance to the pearl a treasure seen by the islanders as a gift from God. This picture makes a fitting start to daily colour in the pages […]

Dont blame Jimmy

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was interested to read your court report, Alcohol blamed for assault, published Friday, July 22. To quote the article, This is a mother daughter punch-up fuelled by Jim Beam. We all know who the trouble-maker is, its not mother or daughter, its the dreaded Jimmy, JP Kenning said. How can Mr Jimmy […]

Kata - August 5, 2011

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Kata

Impressive first night sets the bar

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in National

Manihiki, Enuamanu and Vaka Puaikura Te Maeva Nui teams rocked the stage on Tuesday night and were without a doubt the favourites of the packed national auditorium on the first night of competition. The precious Manihiki black pearl was the central theme of the groups ura pau (drum dance) which started with one of the […]

Dazzling dance draws 2000

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in National

More dazzling performances by Te Maeva Nui teams drew an even larger crowd to the national auditorium for the second night of competition on Wednesday night. Manihiki and Aitutaki were the two standout teams on the night with their respective action song and drum dance performance sending the 2000 strong crowd into roars of appreciation. […]

PM song leads for Constitution

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in National

The 46th year of the Cook Islands being self governed was celebrated in true Cook Islands style yesterday with singing, dancing and a solo by Prime Minister Henry Puna. Even before the arrival of Queens Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin outer islands Te Maeva Nui teams turned the national auditorium into a dance party inviting guests […]

No teacher exodus from Cooks

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in National

Ministry of Education secretary Sharyn Paio says there is no mass exodus of teachers from the Cook Islands, despite advertisements seeking a multitude of jobs being released in recent weeks. Instead, it is just a mixture of timing and chance that has seen so many government school positions being publicised all at once. The education […]

Two ministers off to EU meeting in PNG

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in National

Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters does not plan to meet with Papua New Guineas newly appointed prime minister while visiting the country next week. Peter ONeill was installed as Papua New Guineas new prime minister on Monday, Cook Islands time, after government MPs crossed the floor to join the Opposition and force a vote to […]