Articles by Utopia Support

A night in paradise

Monday 23 May 2011 | Published in Local

Junior dancers of Te Korero Maori cultural dance group entertain diners during Saturday nights Tennis Cook Islands island night paradise fundraiser. About 100 people supported the cause that raised $6000 for junior tennis development in the Cook Islands and to cover costs for the tennis team that will represent the Cook Islands at the Pacific […]

Taskforce reports on summit action

Monday 23 May 2011 | Published in Local

The economic taskforce has prepared a detailed report to the Office of the Prime Minister capturing the specific actions and recommendations of last months national economic summit. Taskforce chairman John Tierney says the report includes a summary of the groups findings as well as submissions and community opinion from the two-day public summit. The interaction […]

Fiji police accuse Cook Islander

Monday 23 May 2011 | Published in Local

A Cook Islands mother faced an anxious wait for news after hearing her son was being grilled by Fijian police, accused of helping Fijis former army chief of staff escape the country. Tim McBride, a 38-year-old surfing instructor, was suspected of helping Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara leave to the island of Kadavu to board a […]

Fewer government employees needed

Monday 23 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wasnt surprised about the present financial situation. I knew all along that we did not have the resources to deal with our infrastructure. I did remind the previous government about restructuring the government entities to save money but it fell on deaf ears. Well over 40 percent of revenue is used to […]

Great injustice done to our family

Monday 23 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To Rahui David, genealogy is a very big part of Gods work since the beginning yes, you have your genealogy and we have found ours. Firstly I wasnt pointing fingers but verifying what my sister and I found in the courts when we did our research. As mentioned earlier, our ancestors guided us […]

Kata - May 23, 2011

Monday 23 May 2011 | Published in Kata

Bodies on the line in netball semis

Monday 23 May 2011 | Published in Netball

Netball grand final games start this Wednesday at the Telecom Sports Arena with the open 1 and 2 grade matches. At the weekend intense semi final games were played at the TSA where players put their bodies on the line for club pride. In the premier grade defending champions Titikaveka eventually cruised home to a […]

Chasing dead butterflies

Monday 23 May 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

What or when exactly is 12pm midnight? asks a smoke signaller after reading Public Notices in our daily classifieds from establishments seeking a restaurant liquor licence from the Liquor Licensing Authority. 12pm is midday and midnight is 12am! Cmon Cook Islands News, read and think carefully unless the notice came from the Authority and you […]

Self-sustainable living satisfying

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Environment

In the past 50 or so years it was only alternative lifestylers who lived off the land, chose to have less things, consciously reduced water, fuel and power usage basically did the whole greenie/hippy thing. But now, as the world faces the consequences of years of consumerism without regard, individuals are rethinking their lifestyles. In […]

Campaign starts on Biodiversity Day

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Environment

The National Environment Service will launch its national biodiversity report and wetlands campaign next week, tying in with Biodiversity Day on May 22. May 22nd marks the annual celebration of Biodiversity Day so it is quite fitting that the countrys report is launched then, as well as the campaign for wetlands for 2011, says Deyna […]

Draft fishing plan ready

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Environment

An exploratory fishing monitoring committee is being pondered as the Ministry of Marine Resources prepares to take the final draft plan on the issue to cabinet. A monitoring committee would be made up of members of the Te Ipukarea Society and House of Ariki. This week the ministry held detailed discussions with those groups. MMR […]

Doing her bit for Japan

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Local

Nana Hirata in her traditional Japanese kimono, to promote this evenings Japan Night at Staircase Restaurant & Bar. The three-hour show will raise money for the victims of Japans devastating earthquake and tsunami. Full story page 8.

Second victim dies

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Local

An 18-year-old Cook Islander is the second person to die as a result of a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a car on Rarotonga this week. The family of 18-year-old Pukapukan Waka Ayoka gathered around his hospital bed on Thursday evening Cook Islands time and switched off his life support. He was admitted to […]

Go Local urges BTIB

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Local

Business Trade Investment Board chief executive Terry Rangi is finding ways to reduce the countrys reliance on imported goods, promoting locally-grown and made items. In the latest BTIB Cook Islands Business Gazette Rangi says the organisations Go Local campaign is in full swing. Media campaigns showcase Cook Islands products through the initiative. Rangi says the […]

SOE sell-off considered

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Local

Privatisation of state owned enterprises (SOEs) is being considered to strengthen the economy. Finance minister Mark Brown says nothing is sacred and the government will consider all possible options in its economic review. Brown says although Cook Islands SOEs such as the Bank of the Cook Islands, Te Aponga Uira O Tumutevarovaro, Ports Authority and […]

Ani puts spotlight on Cook Islands

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Features

The Cook Islands enjoyed some time in the spotlight at a recent Mangere Arts Centre show in Auckland. Tereora College art teacher and Pacific Sister Ani ONeill has returned from the show, where she opened her solo exhibition and performed with her group Pacific Sisters. Anis solo exhibition which runs at Mangere Arts Centre until […]

Composting toilet good for earth

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Features

Kia Orana Kids, At Lagoon Day this year youll notice our model composting toilet has undergone renovations and youll get to see an actual sample of soil from our real Rotaloo composting toilet in Mauke, now matured and ready for the garden. We know it sounds weird, but we often say how much we like […]

Worship songs rock through to NZ

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Features

A locally-produced worship CD is making waves as far away as New Zealand. Celebration on the Rocks first 10-track album, entitled Enter the Land, is selling quickly to congregations in Northland and Christchurch. The local worship team marked the release of the album with a performance to an 800-strong congregation in Christchurch last month. Since […]

Chef plans French fusion menu

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Features

Chef Christian Ben Hassan has a vision to establish Rarotongas first fine French fusion restaurant at The Little Polynesian. Originally from Andorra a tiny country bordered by France and Spain with a cuisine that reflects both influences Ben Hassan arrived last week and has already set about changing the Titikaveka resorts menu. He envisions a […]

Leave the waves to the real locals

Saturday 21 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Theres suggestion of offering surfing tours and surfing camps here on our small and lovely island. We LOCAL surfers who have been born and grown here still wish our spots to remain uncrowded. Ive surfed many places but nothing compares to our local spots. Less crowds and less aggression. Lets keep it that […]