Articles by Utopia Support

MP still an action man

Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in National

In the months after taking office, Minister Teariki Heather earned a reputation of being the action man MP for his work. And though he has taken a step back from the public spotlight of the media in recent months, Heather said the description is still an accurate one. When Cook Islands News asked what he […]

Road, water upgrades on horizon

Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in National

Upgrades to water lines and road surfaces at Avarua are set to begin in August, the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Teariki Heather has said. The long-awaited water mains upgrading will soon be put to tender, with construction work listed to begin towards the end of August. Heather said the ministry would issue a tender […]

Man faces five charges

Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in National

For charges of burglary, entering a property with intent to commit a crime and indecent assault, 26-year-old unemployed Titikaveka resident Japhet Manuel has been remanded in custody until August 25. Manuel appeared in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua before Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata yesterday. Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Ruth Hosking-Tane said […]

No plea on indecent assault

Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in National

A 17-year-old Panama man charged with indecently assaulting a six-year-old girl will next appear in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua on July 28. Ngatokoa Teao has not entered a plea to the charge, which was laid in relation to an alleged incident at Takuvaine on May 29. Defence counsel Norman George told the […]

No bail for accused

Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in National

A 30-year-old man charged with burglary is in jail until next Thursday when he will again be called to appear in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua. Kakino Kakino Junior appeared in the court before Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata yesterday. Crown prosecutor Tuaine Manavaroa opposed Kakino Jnrs release on bail, citing his […]

Work begins on Atius new energy house

Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in National

The Atiu Energy House, which has been providing power for the island for 40 years, has been demolished to make way for a new building. In 2010 a committee headed by Atiu island secretary Ina Mokoroa and including deputy mayor Maara Tairi, Teura Kea, Roger Malcolm, Tony White, Craig Roberts, Eddie Drollett and Tutai Toru […]

Perhaps just avoiding potholes?

Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in National

A smoke signaller writes: Perhaps the Sunday driver [pictured in Wednesdays paper driving over the centre line] was avoiding the one third of the road we all have to avoid since the road widening/works left it intolerably bumpy the whole way round the island. I pity the poor cyclists derrieres too! My daughter announced on […]

Teen denies charges

Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in National

A teenager charged with receiving stolen property following the burglary of a liquor outlet recently has been bailed for two weeks subject to conditions. Bruno Taoro appeared in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua before Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata yesterday. He had been in custody since police arrested and charged him earlier […]

Drugs cases adjourned again

Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in National

It will be October before Operation Eagle defendants next appear in the court to collectively face 69 drugs and corruption related charges. All 12 defendants with cases remaining appeared in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua before Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata yesterday. Crown prosecutor Catherine Evans said evidence relating to the charges […]

$20,000 ceremony essential tradition

Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in National

Speaker of the house Sir Geoffrey Henry says it is essential that the government conduct a ceremonial opening of Parliament as it is a time-honoured, Commonwealth-wide tradition. It cannot be avoided because its a tradition that following an election an official ceremonial opening is conducted, he said yesterday. This is a traditional opening all parliaments […]

Full weekend for rugby union

Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in Rugby Union

The Titikaveka Bulls senior B grade will host the Avatiu Eels B grade team in Titikaveka today for the first game of week three of the club rugby season. This game will kick off at 4.15pm at the Titikaveka College field. Remaining Avatiu Eels grade will travel to Titikaveka on Saturday to rumble with the […]

Operation Eagle in court

Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in Local

Operation Eagle will again be the focus of the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua today when most of the 13 arrested through the drugs bust are due to appear before a Justice of the Peace. Those scheduled to appear, based on decisions made during their last court appearances, are Scott Arlander, Victor Wichman, Dina […]

Parliament ceremony to cost $20,000

Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in Local

Five months after its first parliamentary session, the government is preparing to stage the ceremonial opening of the house. The 47th session of the Cook Islands Parliament formally opens tomorrow. From 10am, a strictly structured ceremony will mark the occasion. More than 1200 guests have been invited to observe the opening at the National Auditorium […]

Police trained in batons

Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in Local

Residents and visitors within the Cook Islands may get used to seeing this a baton-wielding police officer. Here senior constable Epii Poila and constable Tupou Patia demonstrate some of the ways in which batons can be used by officers as defensive weapons in violent, life-threatening situations. About 50 expandable batons are being issued to Cook […]

Eleven things every teenager should know

Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

This list should be posted in every school! That was the suggestion from reader Mark Brown when he pressed the magic button and sent it on me. I go one stage further. These rules should be on the door of every family fridge. To be read as often as possible. Read and understand. Its what […]

Landlords in the wrong business

Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Regarding the letter in Wednesday June 29s paper from Jackie and Steve Brown from Bay of Plenty, NZ Robbery leaves tourists scared. I hope the Browns write to the web site Tripadvisor about their experience. I also hope they include the name of the accommodation where they stayed, which they did not do in their […]

Blind eye to problems at home

Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Can someone at either National Environment Service or Ministry of Health please advise what progress, if any, is being made to remove the ever-growing number of vehicles, whitewear goods and other electronic bits and pieces that are piling up in a vacant yard behind the old Computerman shop in Turangi? Funny how government […]

Kata - June 30, 2011

Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in Kata

Dirty shoes expected at run

Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in National

Todays cross country run will be set up at the back of Papaaroa School in Titikaveka with the race to start at 5.15pm sharp. There has been some rain, so expect dirty shoes. Be on time as the days are getting shorter and the cross country courses longer. The guys will run 5 laps and […]

Atiu warriors ready for fight night

Thursday 30 June 2011 | Published in National

Three Atiu warriors are on Rarotonga and itching to take to the ring for the fight night at the Tupapa Centre tonight. Although the trio has little boxing experience between them they are eager to showcase the raw talent that exists on Atiu where some of the Cook Islands top boxers hail. The Atiu team […]