Articles by Utopia Support

Cowboys on winning streak

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Features

The Arorangi Cowboys senior A grade continued their winning streak at the weekend thanks to a late 2-try burst that gave them a 31-12 win over the Takuvaine Reds. A resistant Reds team, led by the Samania brothers Ailaoa and Vaivase and busy loose forward Rodney Tiro, kept the Cowboys honest throughout the physical match […]

Sad to say

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Its so sad to read letters from non-blood related Yolande Browne so sad, the real Patuakino was murdered killed by papaa and changed their papaa name and used Patuakino. Read Years Of The Poo-Bah as its in this book there is some of the truth. Now you people bring Tangiia and Karika as […]

Ceremony a sad indictment

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is an ironic yet sad indictment on the current government that they chose to spend an exorbitant amount of taxpayer money on a lavish and redundant ceremony on the day they also decide to release the CIP government budget to the people of the Cook Islands. Its is also very sad to […]

Kata - July 4, 2011

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Kata

Four local netballers make team

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Netball

The Pacific Netball Series tournament team selected at the end of the series last month in Papua New Guinea includes 4 Cook Islands players. The local girls selected into the tournament team were Paula Te Huna (far left), Ritua Aliivaa (5th from left), Luciana Matenga (4th from right) and Curly George (2nd from right). The […]

Back roll clinches kite win

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in National

For a lack of wind the second day of Manureva International Kitesurfing Competition could not proceed, but two women riders had a chance to give it their best shot in a spontaneous ten-minute heat on Thursday. Chanti van Boxtel was leading on the point-scale for much of the heat, but Fitness Revolutions Brynn Acheson pulled […]

Night market and fireworks to celebrate kitesurfing week

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in National

The Aitutaki wharf was buzzing with uncharacteristic amounts of activity on Friday night. Locals and tourists weaved in and out of long marquees housing over 20 vendors frying sausages, grilling tuna-pawpaw-and-onion kebabs and hawking handmade jewellery. It was the first night market of its kind, organised by Business Trade Investment Board and the Cook Islands […]

$30,000 for recruitment

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in National

Government is allocating $30,000 for recruitment costs in 2012 as contracts for incumbent heads of ministries will expire this time next year. Its allocation falls within the governance sector of this financial years budget. Also provided for under the sector are assets for the new electronic border control system at Rarotongas international airport. The government […]

Teachers become students

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in National

There has been a role reversal of sorts for Australian teachers volunteering at a Matavera school, who say they have not just been giving lessons there, but taking them as well. They say they have become the students, in a way, with their pupils dishing out some lessons on the roles family, enjoyment and culture […]

Burglary victims set trap for thief

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in National

After being robbed last Wednesday evening a visiting New Zealand couple baited their Vaimaanga accommodation unit the following night, successfully escaping a second theft. The husband and wife were last week on their fifth trip to the Cook Islands with their two children. On Wednesday night their accommodation unit was burgled and property taken including […]

Telecom celebrates 20 years with promo specials

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in National

Look out for details on birthday specials, competitions and giveaways this week as Telecom celebrates its 20th birthday. Log on to www.telecom.co.ck any day of Telecoms birthday week from July 4 to 9, to take advantage of some awesome offers. Tap in with text competitions to win a mobile phone, cordless phone packs, monthly post […]

$40m job hectic but rewarding

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in National

Not every new job comes with the responsibility of managing more than $40 million, but that is the reality for Jim Armistead, the Aid Management division manager of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM). Armistead says the Cook Islands will receive about $43 million in donor funds to be administered through MFEM within […]

Health and education cost most

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in National

Health and education remain the government ministries with the greatest annual operating costs $10.4 million and $10 million respectively. Despite this they receive less money than the ministries of internal affairs and finance and economic management in this financial years budget, tabled in parliament by finance minister Mark Brown on Friday. The Ministry of Healths […]

$150,000 for census

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in National

Government is allocating $150,000 for a census this year. The finance and economic management ministry expects the census on population and dwellings to start on December 1 and take one month. Within the ministrys budget is a net appropriation of $309,034 for the production and dissemination of relevant statistics. Under that ministerial output are guidelines […]

Tattoo art is Boyes legacy

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in National

Renowned tattoo artist Boye Nicholas will be laid to rest today at the Nicholas/Ngati Manavaroa burial ground in Avana. Nicholas died from injuries sustained in a serious motorbike accident early on Saturday morning. Nicholas, who was born and raised in New Zealand, is the third son of six children of former Avatiu-Ruatonga member of parliament […]

Araura takes on environment challenge

Saturday 2 July 2011 | Published in Environment

Araura College students presented their English poems, Maori purua, artwork, dance and ute compilations as part of last months Environment Week competition for proud parents and families at the school hall last week. For the past few weeks the students and teachers practised their ute and in the end the form 1 Vaireka/Kitai classes won […]

Lavish ceremony

Saturday 2 July 2011 | Published in Local

A two-hour, $20,000 ceremony yesterday marked the official opening of the forty-seventh session of the Cook Islands Parliament. Queens Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin, Lady Goodwin, lady-in-waiting Tangi Goodwin, aide-de-camp inspector Arama Tera, official secretary Harry Ivaiti and official messenger senior sergeant Kau Mapu arrived first, each greeted with a maire ei and a turou. After […]

Pay as you go budget tabled

Saturday 2 July 2011 | Published in Local

A balanced Budget was tabled in parliament yesterday with total revenue and total expenditure both estimated at $106.1 million. Finance minister Mark Brown presented the 2011-12 Appropriation Bill and Estimates at a short session in the House after the ceremonial opening at the National Auditorium. Debate on the budget detail will begin on Monday when […]

Singing for peace in Songquest

Saturday 2 July 2011 | Published in Features

Student peace ambassadors are hosting a Songquest next month. The Songquest is the first of its kind, says PPSEAWA (Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Womens Association) peace council chairwoman Johanna Simiona-Gifford. The purpose of the function is to promote peace, and proceeds will go toward the peace ambassadors upcoming projects – upgrading peace gardens in schools […]

New business offers water sports

Saturday 2 July 2011 | Published in Features

Coinciding with the Cook Islands first kitesurfing competition is the launch of a Muri-based beach business specialising in kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Kitesurfing and stand-up paddling are quickly emerging popular water sports, and Lee Dawson has made a business of combining them. Dawson recently set up shop in front of and together with Te Vakaroa […]