Articles by Utopia Support

Leader was great to know

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Just reading Cook Islands News online and its a shock to read about Keri Hermans passing away. Belated condolences to his family and friends. I worked with Keri at Tereora College from 1991 – 1994. He certainly was a leader and an intelligent person. Great knowing you. Aere Ra. Mathew Tauia Auckland, New […]

Take action to avert catastrophe

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Last weeks speech from the throne made specific reference to this government working tirelessly to establish the Cook Islands as the cleanest and greenest place in the world. A very ambitious commitment for any government to make but certainly a worthy cause. To prove to the people of this country that the clean […]

Trader Jacks is the best

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to reply to the letter dated June 29 and headed Food poisoning claim answered (if you allow this comment to be printed). I strongly oppose this letter that was posted in your newspaper. How can Michael and Natashia Lucas accuse a premises of food poisoning, where is their proof? Where are […]

Kata - July 5, 2011

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in Kata

CI league to test mettle against Kiwis

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in League

New Zealand Rugby League has confirmed that the Kiwis will play the Cook Islands in Rarotonga on Friday October 7. New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Jim Doyle confirmed the match as an important fixture for the Kiwis before they defend their Four Nations title in the UK, from October 28. We are committed to […]

CI dancers immortalised in book

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands dancers feature in the first-ever photo book to commemorate a Festival of Pacific Arts. Writer and photographer Floyd Takeuchi has compiled a book of photos from the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts in American Samoa in 2008. The 186-page book, called Pasefika, features photos of Cook Islands dancers, who danced in the kickoff […]

Beefed up foreign presence planned

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National

In an effort to improve European relations the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration plans to seek cabinet approval to re-open its Brussels office and nominate a Cook Islands ambassador. These plans are listed within the ministrys output specifications for the 2011-2012 year. Government objectives this financial year include funding for the foreign affairs and […]

Funding to guard CIs top asset

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National

People are the countrys top asset and accordingly $48.3 million is being allocated to social sector services in the next year, finance minister Mark Brown says. When tabling the 2011-2012 national budget in parliament on Friday Brown said 25 percent of the governments resources are being used to build and sustain societys core fabric the […]

Workshop examines arts

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National

Artists and curators, both practising and aspiring, are encouraged to attend a curatorial workshop at the National Museum this month. The Ministry of Culture is hosting A Curatorial Perspective on Traditional Art Objects and Pacific Art from July 12 to 16. Pacific Arts Association president Dr Michael Gunn is the workshops designated guest tutor. The […]

Dispute must go to board

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National

An employment dispute between health secretary Tupou Faireka and former director of hospital services Heather Webber-Aitu must be referred to the Cook Islands Public Service Board of Appeal. New Zealand judge Justice Hugh Williams has issued a judgement in the case, in which Webber-Aitu claims Tupou breached her employment contract by advertising her position, leading […]

Blue light shines on youth

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National

A direct link between the police and community, with a focus on youth, is being formally established in the Cook Islands for the first time. Blue Light New Zealand national manager Brendon Crompton has spent the past week in Rarotonga helping set up Blue Light Cook Islands and its official constitution. Blue Light, which has […]

Pearl authority has big plans

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National

As the Cook Islands Pearl Authority (CIPA) looks to rejuvenate our once-mighty pearl industry, it welcomes a budget increase and aid support. The new budget appropriates $502,387 to CIPA – $215,574 for personnel, $265,583 for operating costs and $21,230 to cover depreciation. The 2010/11 budget appropriated $570,641 to CIPA, but $90,000 of this was for […]

Avaiki pearls to go on sale to millions

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National

An upmarket shopping mall in a Shanghai satellite city is preparing to set up a jewellery shop exclusively retailing Avaiki pearls from the Cook Islands. Cook Islands Pearl Authority (CIPA) chief executive officer George Ellis, Ora Moana Ltd managing director Raymond Newnham and Jackie Tuara of Moana Gems were last month invited to Wuxi, China […]

Winners and losers in this years budget

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands Police seems to have suffered the most of all government departments in this financial years budget compared to last, with a total net appropriation of $595,509 less than it was allocated in the 2010-2011 budget. It is the single largest decrease of any ministry appropriations from the last financial years budget. Other […]

Call to reveal travel benefits

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

As I understand, the Prime Minister has just globe trotted around the world, a smoke signaller writes. Will he present himself on national television, as other world leaders do, and be questioned by the media and local academics as to just what benefits this jaunt has brought to the Cook Islands people? This should also […]

Funding workshop draws in 14 countries

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Environment

Representatives from 14 Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat member nations will gather in the Cook Islands this week for a five-day workshop on accessing funds for environmental projects. The workshops will supply training and details on writing project proposals needed to attract backing for projects through funds such as the Pacific Environment Community Fund. The participants […]

Man dies

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Local

A motorbike accident on the Nikao back road early on Saturday morning claimed the life of 36-year-old Boye Nicholas and left a second man from Nikao seriously injured. The accident occurred in Atupa near the Tiare village about 100 metres from the scene of a fatal accident that killed two young Pukapuka men in May. […]

Underpaid justice staff due for increase

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Local

With a total net appropriation of $1.7 million, the Ministry of Justice receives some extra attention from government this financial year. In his budget speech on Friday, finance minister Mark Brown said the government has committed 17 per cent of its resources towards the governance and law and order sector. A key component of this […]

$20m to boost economy

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Local

More than $20 million is to be spent in the next year on economic growth, half of which has been directly allocated towards tourism. Within the governments 2011-2012 budget, which was tabled on Friday, 12 percent of its resources ($20.5 million) is earmarked for what finance minister Mark Brown describes as the economic sector. A […]

Plea to MPs

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Of late, there has been a noticeable rise in burglaries, thieving, dishonesty and outright disrespect for the laws of our land and in particular targeting the tourism industry and our visitors. It also seems obvious to me that there are certain elements in our society who are preying on the hard work of […]