Articles by Utopia Support

Proposed marine park explained

Saturday 30 April 2011 | Published in Features

By creating a marine park in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Cook Islands stands to reap manifold benefits, says Sue Taei, the Pacific Islands marine programme manager at Samoa-based non-profit Conservation International. Not only would a protected area ensure the sustainability of marine resources, but it could boost tourism and even prompt international donor […]

Enough is enough

Saturday 30 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As a frequent globetrotter himself, I find it rather amusing that the Public Service Commissioner is now working furiously to put into place a mechanism so as to prevent HOMs from taking further advantage of their positions to abuse overseas travel. But good on Navy Epati for having the guts to stand his […]

Conned big time

Saturday 30 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Chinese are taking far more fishing stock right now from Cook Islands waters and basically there is nothing Cook Islanders can do about it! Cheap loans, smiling Chinese government officials, cheap buildings with Chinese labour and materials! Cook Islanders have been conned big time. There wont be much fish or any seafood […]

Police finance process new

Saturday 30 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to the article in the Cook Islands News dated Thursday April 28 and titled Audit finds faults in Police books. I would like to point out that your reporter has incorrectly reported the period of the report as covering the period from October 1 to December 31 2010. The report in […]

Usurpers warned

Saturday 30 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Where are the tangata whenua of NZ and Aussie, in the Anzac battle at Raemaru? We were not consulted nor were we asked to be selectors or players. To show our displeasure at this obvious snub of the Anzac natives, we and our supporters will hold a hikoi from anywhere on Rarotonga to […]

Why do we pay a suspended HOM?

Saturday 30 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Can someone in government please tell the public why the former Secretary for Justice continues to receive his full pay months after he has been suspended? Surely there is a limit or cut off period when a suspended HOM or any public servant for that matter stops receiving a salary. And what happens […]

Noise just a diversion

Saturday 30 April 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: Its obvious that no matter what the PEOPLE of the Cook Islands think, no matter what noises the minister makes, our government will carry out the so-called exploratory purse seining and then go for it. After all who cares about fish stocks in our waters? Why cant we make a stand […]

Scenes from Stations of the Cross

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Church Talk

Looking for the good

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Church Talk

While looking for a new home, a young Latter-day Saint couple talked to potential neighbours about the neighbourhood and the schools in the area. One woman they spoke to said of the school her children were attending: This is the most incredible place! The principal is a wonderful and good man, the teachers are well […]

Te Tika takes NZ post

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Local

Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid (above) has been officially appointed to the post of Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand. Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters announced the appointment yesterday. Te Tika is a very well-known Cook Islander, long active in a wide range of public and social activities and well aware of the needs […]

Tourism opens Sydney shop

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands Tourism is looking to set up an office in Sydney to more effectively target the Australian market. We decided Australia is so important were going to take a different tack, CIT chief executive officer Carmel Beattie said. We want to ensure were not out of the marketplace the big challenge weve got in […]

Man accused of assaulting baby

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Local

A 33-year-old Tupapa man charged with assaulting a three-year-old child and 10-month-old baby has laid a formal complaint against two police officers for the way he was allegedly treated by them at the Avarua police station. The man, a consultant, was granted interim name suppression by Justice of the Peace Bernice Manarangi in the Cook […]

New industry on outer island

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Local

A proposal to establish a homestay industry on Mitiaro is quickly coming together. The project is the brainchild of Cook Islands Tours director Temu Okotai, who together with Mitiaro MP Tangata Vavia, House of Ariki president Tou Ariki and Cook Islands Tourism destination development manager Metua Vaiimene visited Mitiaro last week to discuss the proposed […]

Dont be fooled

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Every Cook Islander and Pacific Islander should click and see these videos. Purse seine fishing is going to destroy the fish stocks in our territories. No matter what the government says or theyre research seems to claim, this irresponsible act of allowing purse seine fishing will be disastrous for our ocean ecology and […]

Disbelief at size of ships

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with disbelief the concept that a cruise ship of 150m will be able to just drive in and back out of your exposed harbour. I then took it upon myself to do some research on the size of cruise ships that visit Rarotonga and am amazed that the port itself must […]

Audit responds to conflict of interest claim

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This will be my last public statement in the media about this particular subject matter. I refer to the letter to the editor by Mr Lance Patterson, retired auditor. Mr Patterson makes some fair points (and he can be assured I take no offence at his letter) but he, like the general public, […]

Kata - April 29, 2011

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Kata

Netball competition intensifies

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Netball

Netballers take to the Telecom Sports Arena again this Saturday after taking a break over the long Easter weekend. But players will have to spring back into action quickly as this weekends games mark the second to last round of the tournament. Next weekend will be the final round of games before the tournament heads […]

New bloodsucker arrives

Friday 29 April 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

After being told theres a new bloodsucker on the island one smoke signaller wondered who it might be and whether they were of the political or bureaucratic variety. Turns out its neither, its way, way smaller and it really likes sucking the blood of our canine friends. The Brown Dog Tick was discovered on a […]

Golden oldie shows how to dance

Thursday 28 April 2011 | Published in Local

Full of smiles, humour and great moves, local policewoman Rebecca Hosking was outstanding on stage in the golden oldies division of the Dancer of the Year competition at Hidies Bar on Wednesday night. Report and photos, pages 8-9. 11042718