Articles by Utopia Support

Atiu has suffered enough: MP

Monday 11 July 2011 | Published in National

Atiu members of Parliament are at odds over whether the new budget provides for the people of their island. In his review of the budget, MP Norman George accused the government of favouring Manihiki and its pearl industry to the exclusion of all other outer islands. Is Manhiki the most favoured island, the first amongst […]

Will tax send savings overseas?

Monday 11 July 2011 | Published in National

In response to Saturdays p8 article Finance minister defends tax a smoke signaller writes: The finance ministers reference to the Bibles parable of the talents omitted to mention that the servant who received the highest praise was the one who increased the original amount most. This obviously means it is better to withdraw savings from […]

Team re-elected for expanded TIS

Monday 11 July 2011 | Published in National

Ian Karika has been re-elected as the Te Ipukarea Society president and Andy Olah its vice president. The TIS annual general meeting held last week also saw the re-election of committee members Teresa Framhein, Kelvin Passfield, Tamara Suchdolsky, Peter Heays and Jolene Bosanquet, who was also re-elected as the secretary and treasurer. New members of […]

People to be heard on marine park

Monday 11 July 2011 | Published in National

The government will hold public meetings next week to canvass Cook Islanders views on the proposed marine park. Prime Minister Henry Punas government supports the initiative, and Puna has invited Conservation International Pacific marine director Sue Taei and SPREP coastal and marine director Tim Carruthers to the Cook Islands to inform the public of its […]

All about boats at Takitumu

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in Environment

Takitumu Primary School students have been learning all about boats from traditional canoes to the famous Titanic cruise ship as part of this terms inter-grade unit. As part of the learning unit students have written stories and poems as well as built their own models of traditional voyaging canoes and futuristic watercraft. Next Wednesday the […]

Pot proposal

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in Local

MP Taunga Toka suggested in Parliament on Thursday that Rakahanga should consider growing Indian hemp and poppies as a means to kick-start its economy. In Cook Islands Maori he asked the government to consider Rakahangas agricultural potential seriously, as its pearl industry no longer exists. I do hope that government will look at agriculture seriously, […]

Village people at special market day

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in Local

Alexsandra and Vicki Ngarua with their aunty Nanny Kaiou had fun at their musical instrument stall in downtown Avarua yesterday. Twenty-six stalls were set up by Takuvaine-Tutakimoa village people as a money-making exercise for the community.Report, Mondays CINews. 11070810

New tax could be temporary

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in Local

The proposed 15 percent tax on interest is temporary and may be scrapped in two years, finance minister Mark Brown says. In a speech to parliament yesterday, Brown said the proposed withholding tax may not be necessary once the debts it is being proposed for have cleared. Brown told Cook Islands News cabinet members made […]

Te Maeva Nui seeks partners

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in Features

Te Maeva Nui is this year creating a bold new look by going back to the old days and creating more opportunities for the wider community to become a partner of the event. Cook Islands Tourism and the Ministry of Cultural Development are working together with BTIB to ensure that the essence of the iconic […]

Students face last test before event

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in Features

Raratongas emerging top chefs have sharpened their knives and straightened their jackets in preparation for this months student culinary competition Nestle Toque dOr. Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre (HTTC) culinary students Josephine Moeroa Rattle, Kevin Wichman and restaurant service students Xenia Kae and Deana Paiti, will vie against 33 other hospitality students from around New […]

Master navigator Peia Patai invested by traditional voyagers in Hawaii

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in Features

Cook Islands vaka captain Peia Patai has been invested as a master navigator. In a moving ceremony at Kualoa on Oahu a few weeks ago, he humbly accepted the honour. Several years ago Papa Mau Pialug chose Patai and Tua Pittman who have been studying traditional navigation together for decades to carry the Pwo (pronounced […]

Aitutaki Hospital burns toxic waste

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I must say that when it comes to our health, we tend to rely on our health system to help us but what puzzles me is the fact that, they seem to have no knowledge of toxic waste being burnt in a residential area. I am referring to the Aitutaki Hospital who openly […]

Outward migration a grave threat

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Unquestionably the biggest threat this small nation faces is the continued loss of its people through outward migration. If the trend continues at the current pace, the countrys local indigenous population will probably all but have vanished to Australia and New Zealand within a generation span, and probably replaced by peoples of NZ, […]

Kata - July 9, 2011

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in Kata

Edgewater home away from home

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in National

The Edgewater Resort and Spa is a second home for long time Kiwi visitors Terry and Gail Leabourn. The couple have been holidaying on Rarotonga and staying at The Edgewater Resort and Spa every year for the past 13 years and dont plan on stopping. This is our second home, says Gail. Its the way […]

Words inadequate for vaka journey

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in National

Six returning Marumaru Atua crew members met yesterday to recall the two-and-a-half month voyaging experience they said words cant describe. Lin Andrew, Alex Olah, Sarah Moreland, Teresa Taroro, June Simiona and Tua Pittman returned from Hawaii this week after being at sea together for over two months. The group left Rarotonga on April 21 for […]

MP targets import reductions

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in National

Minister and member of parliament Teina Bishop is calling for a reduction in the amount of imported goods within the Cook Islands. In a speech to parliament yesterday Bishop said the country imported $1.6 million worth of bottled water last year alone. We have to take the economy by the scruff of the neck and […]

Government to help all islands

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in National

Government is not biased towards the home islands of ministers and their electorates, Prime Minister Henry Puna assures Cook Islanders. In speaking at parliament yesterday Puna, whose constituency is Manihiki, began discussing the issue by announcing those on Manihiki will receive much needed diesel and food staples from Rarotonga in the next few days. At […]

Night sessions

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in National

For the first time in its parliamentary term the government may hold night sessions of parliament next week. It plans to resume sitting at 1pm on Monday for an afternoon session until 5pm. On Monday and Tuesday the afternoon parliamentary sessions may be followed by night sessions from 7pm to 10pm. Parliament will then sit […]

Sorry for rebel remark

Saturday 9 July 2011 | Published in National

Speaker of the house Sir Geoffrey Henry has formally apologised to deputy leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen for last week accusing him of being part of a team of rebels. Sir Geoffrey was clear that members of Parliament should treat one another with respect and honour, and admitted that his accusation was disrespectful toward […]