Articles by Utopia Support

McCully visits

Tuesday 10 May 2011 | Published in Local

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully will arrive in Rarotonga this week, after he takes a short trip to Tonga. The minister arrives in Rarotonga on Thursday afternoon, and according to a spokesperson from his office he will stay for just two days. In both Tonga and the Cook Islands, McCully has a similar agenda […]

Police praised for drug sting

Tuesday 10 May 2011 | Published in Local

Leader of the Opposition Wilkie Rasmussen is praising Cook Islands police officers for apprehending 13 people in the countrys largest ever drug bust. Rasmussen, Democratic Party deputy leader, says the party fully supports the investigation into the importation and distribution of class A and C drugs in the Cook Islands by local and New Zealand […]

Minister test drives new dental chair

Tuesday 10 May 2011 | Published in Local

Minister of Health Nandi Glassie makes himself at home in the chair as director of dental services George Hosking (back left) shows him the newly renovated dental clinic, along with Dr Rangiau Fariu and secretary of health Tupou Faireka. Report and photos, page 9. 11050529

Ports contract was questioned weeks ago

Tuesday 10 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, May I write in regard to the Smoke Signal that yesterday suggested that action could have been taken earlier regarding the low level of local involvement in the port contract. In fact, some weeks ago before the contractor was present on the island, I met with members of the Cabinet on this very […]

Justice must be served

Tuesday 10 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am responding to the letter Mothers incarceration a mockery published on Monday, May 9. I cannot come to any agreement by the kind of thinking of Yvonnes so-called closely knit family in regards to what she has done to her employer. My sympathy goes out to Mr Smith whose business had suffered […]

Its a vendetta: Sholan Ivaiti

Tuesday 10 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to respond to the release of an article in your paper on Friday May 6 relating to my appointment as the Financial Secretary. First point I wish to outline is that the review of employment matters or processes is the job of the Office of the Public Service Commission, not the […]

Kata - May 10, 2011

Tuesday 10 May 2011 | Published in Kata

Drug use by young people targeted

Monday 9 May 2011 | Published in Local

The use of illegal drugs by young people is a concern of local police, but they say compared to some neighbouring Pacific nations, illegal drugs are not as prevalent in Cook Islands society. Police commissioner Maara Tetava says illegal drugs of any kind and any level are a worry, and he is determined to identify […]

Triathlon turou at Muri lagoon on Saturday

Monday 9 May 2011 | Published in Local

Warrior Katu conducts a traditional turou (welcome) and blessing for the 150 athletes who took part in Saturdays Air New Zealand International Triathlon. Report and photos, pages 8­10.

Ports issue ironed out

Monday 9 May 2011 | Published in Local

More involvement by local contractors has been pledged in the $27 million Avatiu harbour upgrade project. After a series of round table meetings on Friday and over the weekend, an agreement has been reached with main contractors McDonnell Dowell to increase the level of local contractors within the scope of works and budget. In a […]

Tims cowering

Monday 9 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to recent letters and smoke signals. First, let me acknowledge that, blinded by the outrageous references to boiler in your rag, I did make an inaccurate reference to the RMS Maitai as SS… I have been cowering in my office, flailing myself with a damp cloth, awaiting a visit from Don […]

Not his fault

Monday 9 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We have to give Norman George some credit, its not his fault that the CIP took him in as member for Atiu, they all know what George is like and yet they still accepted him into their fold. George is just a great tactician and a good teller of stories just like any […]

Mothers incarceration a mockery

Monday 9 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am responding to Ewan Smiths letter in your issue of Wednesday May 4. I would like to correct Mr Smith on a few understandings on what has been a most traumatic time for those involved concerning Yvonne Quarters court case. Please understand that the family of Yvonne in no way condone her […]

Toagate2 not hard to imagine

Monday 9 May 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Reuben Tylers searching questions in his letter in Saturdays CINews set alarm bells ringing which hopefully are peeling in MMRs ears! Toagate2 would be a blockbuster that would dwarf Toagate1. But instead of making our own favourite son rich, it would put millions into the foreign purse seiners. Imagine the scenario: In the […]

Kata - May 9, 2011

Monday 9 May 2011 | Published in Kata

Reigning in the purse seiners

Monday 9 May 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

Very clever of Cook Islands News putting a picture of Joe Cocker next to the headline Guard our precious marine resources in Saturday’s paper, a smoke signaller playfully writes. Who could resist finding out why Cocker had an opinion on our marine activities? Turns out it was an article by Reuben Tylor and an excellent […]

Big clean up

Saturday 7 May 2011 | Published in Environment

This year at least four outer islands are organising their own activities to supplement the national programme to recognise Environment Week (May 30-June 3). Mauke island National Environment Service officers will work with the Island Secretary to coordinate an island-wide clean up of all whiteware, e-waste, batteries and other rubbish lying around the island. This […]

Discussion secret as project hangs in limbo

Saturday 7 May 2011 | Published in Local

The $27 million Avatiu harbour development project by contractor McConnell Dowell was still in limbo yesterday. On Thursday, the Business Trade and Investment Board refused to grant the projects main contractor permission to work in the Cook Islands. BTIB chief executive Terry Rangi and board chairman Grant Priest met with Prime Minister Henry Puna yesterday […]

Opposition applauds decision by BTIB board

Saturday 7 May 2011 | Published in Local

The Opposition Democratic Party applauds the decision by the BTIB Board to refuse approval for McConnell Dowell to conduct business in the Cook Islands because of its poor inclusion of Cook Islands companies and enterprises into the project. Local participation has been a major policy advocated by the Democratic Party when it was in Government […]

55 charges laid after drugs sting

Saturday 7 May 2011 | Published in Local

Thirteen people are in prison after being remanded in custody following the largest Cook Islands police investigation into drug importation and distribution in history. The 13 accused collectively face 55 charges and it is likely additional charges will be laid against the nine men and four women presently locked in the Arorangi prison. It is […]