Articles by Utopia Support

New budget team

Thursday 28 April 2011 | Published in Local

Government has appointed a new budget advisory team which will inform the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management ahead of tabling of the 2011-12 budget. Acting financial secretary Priscilla Maruariki says that the new team is comprised of more government representatives than private sector representatives, as opposed to the former budget committee which consisted of […]

Ties grow with South Korea

Thursday 28 April 2011 | Published in Local

The South Korean government has invited foreign affairs ministers from all Pacific countries to attend a major meeting in Seoul at the end of next month, with a vision to strengthen its relationships with island governments. Korea is a dialogue partner with the Forum of Pacific Leaders and consequently is seeking to deepen its affiliations […]

Govt supports struggling Forum Line

Thursday 28 April 2011 | Published in Local

Amid concerns about the financial status of Pacific Forum Line (PFL), the Cook Islands government has opted to continue using the shipping lines service. Opposition Democratic Party deputy leader Wilkie Rasmussen raised concerns in parliament recently that PFL is in some crisis situation. Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters, whose portfolios include transport and therefore shipping, […]

Danny Mataroa shares his secrets

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in Local

The Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) has developed After5 Biz Business Mentoring, a programme that seeks to put local businesspeople and entrepreneurs in touch with one another. After5 Biz puts on a monthly lecture, delivered by a local business mentor who will explain how he or she established a business and the ups and downs […]

Best dressed and flashing in pink

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in Local

Aquila Rentals fielded two mens teams and one womens team in the Easter Monday 4×4 volleyball tournament on Aitutaki sponsored by Cook Islands News. Each member of the Aquila brigade wore candy pink, personalised uniforms and flashing green sunglasses provided by Aquila owners Ngapare and Morgan Tatira. Report and photos, pages 8-10.

Quiet Easter

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in Local

Police are happy to report that Rarotonga enjoyed a quiet Easter weekend this year. There was one theft of a motorcycle from the Little Polynesian, but the vehicle was later found at a private Vaimaanga residence. It appeared to have been hotwired. A Titikaveka party broke into a fight, but police have yet to lay […]

Call to prosecute telecom companies

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) is being asked to prosecute foreign companies allegedly not registered to operate in the country, including Telecom Cook Islands. Mervin Communications Ltd director William Framhein has formally requested the BTIB investigate his complaint that nine companies are in breach of the Development Investment Act 1995-1996. Framhein seeks […]

Auditor disagrees with finding

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with interest the editor of April 21 titled, Its a clear conflict of interest. The response from your Audit Director I found quite vague and misleading and the allegations by Mr Ka from the little I have read spot on. Any qualified auditor knows to determine whether a conflict of interest […]

Port will handle 200m cruise ships

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, There have been some strange announcements from the Ports Authority CEO Bim Tou lately, but the one in last Wednesdays CINews takes a bit of believing. Does he really believe that cruise ships close to 200m long will come into the harbour and berth when the turning circle is only 135m? What are […]

Growing taro is hard work

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would invite the Smoke Signaller who complained about the high cost for taros to come and see how taro is prepared, planted, cared for and taken out when it is ready. I am a woman, I have planted taro for the first time and now will never complain about the high costs […]

Kata - April 27, 2011

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in Kata

23kg trevally wins Aitutaki comp

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in National

Aitutakis Alistair Webb with a 23kg giant trevally caught popper fishing in the Easter fishing competition on the outer island. The fish won biggest trevally and was caught aboard Foxy Lady, skippered by Jason Watt. 11042501

45 fish landed in Easter comp

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in National

The two-day Rarotonga Easter fishing competition, sponsored by Cafe Salsa was highly successful, with 15 club boats taking part. A total of 45 fish with a combined weight of 451kg was landed over the two days , Easter Saturday and Easter Monday. The catch included a magnificent 43kg yellow fin tuna, numerous other tuna, maimai, […]

CIWA joins trade unions in China

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands Workers Association (CIWA) president Anthony Turua is representing the Asia Pacific Region together with over 300 delegates from all over the world at the 2011 International Forum on Economic Globalisation and Trade Unions in China. Turua says that its a timely forum for the Pacific region considering the post economic crises. The forum […]

PM still waiting for reply

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in National

The onus is on Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker to nominate people he considers heroes and heroines people who went the extra mile in rebuilding the earthquake-ravaged city for a free holiday to the Cook Islands. Prime Minister Henry Puna sent a letter to Parker after the February earthquake and has not received any response. Cook […]

Toilet paper audit laughed at

Wednesday 27 April 2011 | Published in National

An audit review into the procurement of toilet paper for the 2009 Pacific Mini Games (PMG) has found the games organising committee did not comply with the Cook Islands Government Financial Policies and Procedures Manual (CIGFPPM). The committee, which included the then PMG chief executive Mac Mokoroa and acting financial secretary Priscilla Maruariki, accepted a […]

Aitutaki commemorates ANZAC Day

Tuesday 26 April 2011 | Published in Local

People on Aitutaki gathered ­­yesterday to remember the men and women who fought in wars overseas and to ensure the freedom and peace the islanders enjoy today. A combined church service at the Ziona Tapu CICC church in Arutanga began the ANZAC Day commemoration on the island. The message shared at church and by mayor […]

TV told to stop re-broadcasting

Tuesday 26 April 2011 | Published in Local

Vaka Television has been ordered to cease using content from major television networks Cable News Network (CNN) and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which it may not have secured broadcasting licences for. A representative of an international law firm has sent correspondence to Vaka Television owners and operators Dave Reuther and Greg Parker, asking them […]

Never had ariki

Tuesday 26 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Mr John Uri, by his letter on 23 April, appeared to have, with respect, misunderstood mine on 14 March. I only alluded to the long-time suppressed academic question of the constitutional legitimacy of our government, judiciary, parliament, and laws today since our native Cook Islanders sovereignty was usurped by the Colony of New […]

Real genealogy changed

Tuesday 26 April 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To you Rahui, the truth has been hidden for so long that not many people knew the truth about this Makea family genealogy until my sister Stella and I did an extensive research guided by our God and ancestors from August 2007 to June 2008. We found documents in the courts twinked out, […]