Articles by Utopia Support

Its not drunk driving

Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to correct your heading of Jury Convicts man of drunk driving in Wednesdays Cook Islands News. My client Koroa Raumea was not convicted of drunken driving but of driving with excess alcohol in his breath EBA. He was acquitted of 2 charges of driving under the influence of drink or […]

Kata - May 26, 2011

Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in Kata

Centre ready for new members

Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in National

Though the Creative Centre in Tupapa already has 23 registered members, its staff of just six is confident it can take on more members. Onsite physiotherapist Ainslie Duncan is also available to see patients. Though she divides her time between the Creative Centre and the Ministry of Health, she can see clients in the centres […]

Accused released on bail conditions

Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in National

All 13 accused under Operation Eagle are remanded on bail with various conditions, including a 24-hour curfew for those facing the most serious charges. Under 24-hour curfew are Rehab nightclub owner Scott Arlander, suspended Cook Islands police officer Inano Matapo, Matapos de-facto partner and son of the Deputy Prime Minister Giovanni Marsters, former postal worker […]

70 charges laid against 13

Thursday 26 May 2011 | Published in National

A total of 70 charges have been laid against the 13 men and women arrested under Operation Eagle the largest police investigation of any kind in the Cook Islands. The charges all relate to alleged activity on Rarotonga between January 1, 2004 and May 5, 2011. The charges are selling cannabis (27), possession of cannabis […]

New TIS role

Wednesday 25 May 2011 | Published in Environment

Former National Environment Service officer Ana Tiraa has been appointed biodiversity coordinator for Te Ipukarea Society (TIS). The society received two applications for the 12-week position. TIS programme manager Jacqui Evans says Tiraa will coordinate two major surveys the society is undertaking in coming months. She will coordinate the northern group sea bird survey which […]

Wetland champions

Wednesday 25 May 2011 | Published in Environment

The Matavera Girls Brigade has taken on the role of environment champions. Ten members between the ages of 10 and 14 have spent the past five months learning about the role of wetlands in the Cook Islands. This year the National Environment Service will embark on a campaign to create cultivate wetlands for the Cook […]

Eagle accused face judge

Wednesday 25 May 2011 | Published in Local

Operation Eagle defendants at present remanded in custody will today have their bail applications considered by New Zealand judge Justice Hugh Williams in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua. Of the 13 men and women arrested in relation to Operation Eagle the largest police investigation of any kind in the Cook Islands seven remain […]

PM foresees police collaboration

Wednesday 25 May 2011 | Published in Local

The prime minister says Operation Eagle is not the end of the road for joint operations between New Zealand and Cook Islands police. Police Minister Henry Puna said yesterday that his police force will continue to collaborate with New Zealand police and to exchange information that will aid both governments in combating drug abuse. He […]

20 new fishing licences approved

Wednesday 25 May 2011 | Published in Local

Cabinet has approved 20 new exploratory fishing licences. Prime Minister Henry Puna announced at a press conference yesterday that cabinet has agreed to administer 10 licences for swordfish and 10 for big-eye, though the ministry of marine resources has not made any concrete arrangements with foreign fishing companies. Minister of marine resources Teina Bishop says […]

Mirage Resort details not known

Wednesday 25 May 2011 | Published in Local

Cabinet has established a committee to manage the Mirage Resort development project, but has not yet received disclosures from the property developers. Mirage is a New Zealand developer proposing to develop the Vaimaanga site of the failed Sheraton and Hilton projects.Prime Minister Henry Puna said yesterday that cabinet has formed a committee which is meeting […]

Stan Wright a Leinster legend

Wednesday 25 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I dont believe there are many of your compatriots who live in Ireland and unfortunately one who does live here will shortly be leaving. Stan Wright came to play rugby for Leinster in 2006 and played his first match literally a few hours after landing. From that inauspicious start Stan has played for […]

Kata - May 25, 2011

Wednesday 25 May 2011 | Published in Kata

Netball finals start

Wednesday 25 May 2011 | Published in Netball

The 2011 club netball grand finals start tonight at the Telecom Sports Arena with the open one and two grades taking to the courts. According to open one and two grade players and supporters, Wednesday night netball never fails to produce plenty of entertainment and on court action. Now that its grand finals time, spectators […]

Election costs twice as much

Tuesday 24 May 2011 | Published in Local

Last years general election will cost the new government $405,916 in the 2010-2011 financial year. That is $202,916 more than initially expected. Costs break down to general election accounts payable ($89,000), petition costs ($58,000), by-election costs ($55,916), and electoral rolls management ($3000), on top of the $200,000 allocated for the election itself. A schedule of […]

Sea Dragon explores Pacific environment

Tuesday 24 May 2011 | Published in Local

Sea Dragon is on a three-year journey to study ocean pollution, coral conservation and a host of other environmental issues, and until Saturday she is berthed at Avatiu. Owned and operated by environment group Pangaea Exploration, her mission is to raise awareness around environment issues on a long journey around the world. The 22-metre steel […]

Spending up on election promises

Tuesday 24 May 2011 | Published in Local

The new government has started spending money on some of its election promises, including an increased payment to parents of newborns. Within the supplementary budget for the 2010-2011 financial year, money is allocated to programmes pledged by the Cook Islands Party in its campaign leading up to last Novembers general election. The governments allowance for […]

Pukapuka entitled to people of integrity

Tuesday 24 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Is it just me or is there something rather strange about putting up a candidate that the High Court held committed bribery? Surely the party brass could have found someone else for the candidacy we already have two Members of Parliament with blemished records with the court and if by chance this candidate […]

Bishops scripture reading wrong

Tuesday 24 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I find Tutai Peres Churchtalk message in Fridays paper disappointing, misleading, and wrong on some aspects. I agree totally with him on not being able to predict the date of the end times etc. This man Harold Camping is walking into areas Jesus told us not to (just as he did in 1994). […]

Being absolutely Frank

Tuesday 24 May 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

If Cook Islands News is going to continue printing the words prime minister in the same sentence with the name Bainimarama, could you please insert the words self-appointed? writes a smoke signaller. This man is an armed terrorist by any definition of that species. Stop giving him any credibility please. SmokeSignals: Its interesting to see […]