Articles by Utopia Support

Christchurch flights reduced

Thursday 31 March 2011 | Published in National

Higher prices and fewer direct flights to Christchurch are among new changes to the Air New Zealand schedule. Until October 29 the airline will be operating according to its ‘northern winter timetable’, which features higher prices and reduced direct flights to Christchurch. Manager David Bridge says the shift is routine, and each year the company […]

Internet group gifts keyboard

Thursday 31 March 2011 | Published in National

Dawn Hosking is very adept at using her laptop at the Creative Centre, but her vision made keyboarding difficult when she couldn’t see the keys clearly. The Cook Island Internet Action Group has donated a keyboard which will help her to correspond with her email contacts a lot easier because the letters are enlarged. Dawn […]

Regional efforts the way to go says PM

Thursday 31 March 2011 | Published in National

There are more benefits for Pacific island countries to reap from working together rather than individually, says Prime Minister Henry Puna. Shipping, renewable energy and communications technology are challenges common to Pacific islands which regional leaders will soon decide how to address as nations and territories. Puna is attending the Pacific ministers of Energy, ICT […]

Short distances himself from Mita

Thursday 31 March 2011 | Published in National

That Tupe Short allowed Bruce Mita to speak as a guest at his Takitumu public meeting does not mean he supports the New Zealander’s philosophy. Short was unhappy about the way a CINews article painted him as a Mita supporter, and insists that while he knows Mita personally, he does not share his radical vision. […]

Marine park: public must be consulted

Thursday 31 March 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

“The prime minister wants to know if the public want to be consulted on the establishment of a marine park,” a smoke signaller writes. “The answer is a very firm yes. The public also want to know who the trustees of the marine park charitable trust will be – we don’t want to see just […]

PM invites public opinion on fishery

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in Local

The Ministry of Marine Resources is inviting public feedback on its exploratory fisheries programme. This follows a cabinet directive to consult with the public over the controversial fishery licensing regimen. Copies of the MMR report on the scheme can be uplifted from the Tutakimoa office. Details of what fees vessels may be charged for each […]

Tourism aboard vaka

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in Local

Captain Peia Patai with Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Carmel Beattie and crew member Brown Apera at yesterday’s ceremony to farewell the vaka on its epic voyage. Cook Islands Tourism plans to use the vaka voyage as part of a campaign to market the Cook Islands. Tourism will run road shows at locations the vaka […]

Govt has to deal with TCI monopoly

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in Local

Successive governments have avoided dealing with the telecommunications monopoly held by Telecom Cook Islands – but it’s a situation that can’t continue to be sidestepped indefinitely, says the new company chairman Temu Okotai. Okotai, who was appointed on March 17, says he’s well aware of the ongoing monopoly debate and he expects that to continue […]

Too much matey- matey stuff lately

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am surely not alone in wondering what on earth are the responsibilities of our top civil servant. In a recent Cook Islands News, there appeared yet another advertisement for a highly paid ‘national consultant to review our public services who will work closely with the international consultant for a period of nine […]

Defending front line

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to also apologise to the Nicholas family for putting incorrectly a name of the Nicholas family in my letter when, as I have just found out now, it was a member of the Hosking family. And to Mr (Lloyd) Miles, I didn’t mean to call you a racist, it’s just […]

'Supporting our own'

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In last Saturday’s letters to the Editor “Wellington Cook Island Maori Supporter” wrote in support of a petition for competition in telecommunications, saying “let’s support our own”. I’d like to make a few points in response: – 40% of Telecom is owned by Cook Islanders through the Government’s shareholding so they are already […]

Crap umpiring, new dilemma

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wonder what the netball headline would have been if Avatiu Dragonflies won against Titikaveka Pearls on Saturday even if they won by one point. I can just see it, DRAGONFLIES THRASHED THE PEARLS IN A TIGHT AND CLOSELY FOUGHT MATCH. The netball reporting on Saturday games is really biased. Watching the weekend […]

Racism alive and well

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Please allow me to comment on the recent “racist” activities on the island. There have been attacks on Fijians and we haven’t seen any serious action taken (seriousness), so we can only assume that this is encouraged right from the top. It is sadly despicable but the truth. It is obvious that most […]

Keep it local, small-scale

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Te Ipukarea Society Inc. has been closely monitoring the debate over our tuna fisheries and has spent much time formulating a position. It has been challenging coming to a position. We understand that our region is still suffering from the “tragedy of the commons” which means, despite some species suffering from overfishing, if […]

Change now

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Maybe it is time to think about converting from petrol to electrical-powered transportation (cars, scooters and bikes), with the electricity generated by wind turbines. From what I can gather, you have fairly constant easterly winds, which at 100m above ground would be enough to power the turbines. I’m sure the Chinese would welcome […]

Kata - March 30, 2011

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in Kata

Battle for points in junior league

Wednesday 30 March 2011 | Published in League

The mid-week under 16 rugby league Powerade Challenge heads to the Avatiu Swamp today where the Warriors will take on the Panthers. The junior development match kicks off at 5pm. The game will be refereed by Arthur Emile assisted by Jeff Murray and Pious Mitchell. Tomorrow the Bulldogs will take on the Panthers in Titikaveka […]

Region reports on climate change preparations

Tuesday 29 March 2011 | Published in Environment

Pacific nations are working together to better prepare communities for climate change, following a regional conference in Niue. The Cook Islands was represented at the 2011 Pacific Climate Change Roundtable (PCCR) by National Environment Service (NES) island futures division manager Pasha Carruthers. Carruthers made a number of presentations to the roundtable, and gained some valuable […]

Earth Hour celebrated

Tuesday 29 March 2011 | Published in Local

Children took part in Earth Hour celebrations, held throughout Rarotonga villages on Saturday evening. Story on page 7. 11032828

13 women bosses

Tuesday 29 March 2011 | Published in Local

Pleased that a record 13 women are heading government ministries and agencies, prime minister Henry Puna says the public can expect even more to be appointed to senior positions. “There will be more, trust me,” says Puna. “We always make a point of choosing the best.” Puna says he’s proud that it is during his […]