Articles by Utopia Support

One foot in past, one in the future

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in Features

Of all the 36 works being displayed at the Club Bana art gallery, one work struck Mereana Hutchinson as embodying the spirit of the exhibition especially well. The work, Toka Tauri O Rongonui, is the first piece of its type shown by Atiuan artist Sandra Tisam. Hutchinson, curator of the Club Bana Te Maeva Nui […]

Blessing for new love boat

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in Features

A new wedding vaka for Pacific Resort is sure to make for smooth sailing into married life for newlyweds. On Thursday the vaka named vaka o te inangaro, or vessel of love, was officially blessed at the Ngatangiia resort much to the delight of resort guests. The new vaka was traditionally designed and carved by […]

Manihikis beats on grand parade

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in Features

After four days of travel over the ocean from the northern island, the Manihiki crew were more than ready for yesterdays float parade by the time they set off. Last-minute decorations on the float went up without much trouble, boasting the best food, goods and culture from the atoll. Pearls and clam shells hung from […]

Avatea puts best foot forward

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in Features

The best of Avatea School was put on show yesterday with sports and school life taking a side-line to the schools cultural activities. Twenty pupils of the Nikao school, plus staff and teachers, paraded through the town, drumming, singing and dancing along the main street. As the school waited in the Avatiu marshalling area, six-year-old […]

National pride overflows

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in Features

National pride overflowed at Avarua yesterday as thousands of Cook Islanders and visitors took to Maire Nui Drive for the biggest Te Maeva Nui float parade in years. Even the delayed start of the parade through Avarua couldnt dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of dancers on each of the 42 floats that paraded through the […]

The iniquitous tax inequity

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have my hand up to endorse the comments in Don MacKenzies letter A bad concept, published on July 26. A reader friend has belatedly prompted me to write the following ditty in support of that letter. Les Priest Matavera The old folk here on the pension Are Browned off and angry with […]

Get rid of vulgar songs

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is so very annoying, disturbing and disgusting to hear both radio stations still continuing to play songs belittling the beautiful women of this nation. When are the managers of these radio stations going to sit down and listen to what they are airing for anyone let alone tourists to listen to? What […]

MPs, step up to the plate

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to publicly acknowledge the proactive solutions that Martin Iro, other Community Police Officers and in particular that the Cook Islands Police Department are implementing to get a handle on the burglaries and theft on the island, namely Increasing the Cook Islands Police presence in villages by way of Community Policing […]

Kata - July 30, 2011

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in Kata

Balance is key

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in National

For woman of the month Annie Fisher, it is all about finding balance between family, friends, work, sport and charity. When she found out she had been selected to receive the award, Annie said she was nothing but humbled. She challenged every woman out there to be the next recipient. This award is there to […]

Sun and surf draw Roxy fashion tour

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in National

Roxy models and surfers made Rarotonga their playground for a week when a team of 20 hit the rock for promotional shoots and fun in the sun and surf. Roxy is the womens line of the Quicksilver surf brand which sprung to life in 1990 as a swimwear line. But the Roxy brands claim to […]

Time for reflection, celebration: PM

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna has called on all Cook Islanders to celebrate and reflect on the country during the 46th anniversary of its self governance. Puna said yesterday that the theme of Te Maeva Nui te au akairo o toku matakeinanga; the symbols of your tribe or community was a timely reminder for Cook Islanders […]

Whippings suggested

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in National

More than 50 people gathered at Titikavekas Enua Manea Hall on Thursday night to discuss crime, which has been dogging the village in recent months. The meeting, organised by Cook Islands Police Takitumu community officer Constable Martin Iro, brought together hoteliers, moteliers, rental accommodation owners, private residents, school leaders and community workers from Titikaveka to […]

Rehab programme for young offenders

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands Police will increase the number of officers posted at its village stations and introduce a new rehabilitation programme for young offenders in its efforts to curb crime. Police inspector Tere Patia said the police department planned to add an extra officer or two to the community stations at Takitumu and Arorangi with the […]

34 burglaries in 2 months

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in National

Titikaveka has taken the unfortunate title of being Takitumus favourite hotspot for thieves and burglars. Ninety-nine criminal acts were reported in the vaka for the months of May and June this year, with 50 being carried out in Titikaveka. About half of the crimes reported in the period for Takitumu were incidents of theft or […]

Float day speeches

Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

After waiting for the return of the float parade to the Cook Islands cultural festivities, punters yesterday were left waiting a little longer. As the midday start-time breezed past, one man wondered why they were left waiting. The answer: our politicians, he said. The float parade is finally back after years, but as usual the […]

Christs triumph shared

Friday 29 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk

The verse above is a pointed yet magnificent summary of the work that Christ has done for us. In such magnificence, He has won victory for the saints and procured a way for them to be made right before Him, through faith. Over the years I have read over this passage and not really taken […]

How to understand teenagers

Friday 29 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk

In my home Ive got two teenagers, aged 15 and 17 years old. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to spend one on one time with my 15 year-old-son. My wife went across with the teachers of Papaaroa for a retreat on One Foot Island in Aitutaki, and my 17-year-old daughter attended an all teen […]

Mamio Mangaia!

Friday 29 July 2011 | Published in Local

Honouring the islands favourite staple the mamio or taro will be the focus of the Mangaia float today which, along with 40 other decorated vehicles, will parade through Avarua from 12pm for the opening of the Te Maeva Nui celebrations. Everyone is encouraged to get out to line the Maire Nui drive and join the […]

Police advertising for more recruits

Friday 29 July 2011 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands Police is seeking further recruits, advertising for those wanting an exciting and rewarding challenge. Do you want a life changing experience? a recruitment advertisement asks, applications for which close on August 19. At present 10 recruits are going through a standard 10-week training programme, and aim to be made sworn officers next […]