Articles by Utopia Support

Suggestions to make internet affordable

Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I worry about the way Telecom Cook Islands (TCI) is promoting their new plans as being cheaper because the reality maybe the exact opposite. This essentially stems from the way their plans have been put together. I refer specifically to the data-capacity and excess charges in their lower priced plans. By the way, […]

Telecom, the game's up!

Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, There is little doubt that Telecom Cook Islands is mounting what can only be viewed as a rear-guard action to continue to enjoy its monopoly position in the Cook Islands. As the Cook Islands’ most loathed business, they will find few supporters amongst local business and residential customers. That is of their own […]

Kata - March 8, 2011

Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in Kata

Inaccurate reporting!

Tuesday 8 March 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “I note in this morning’s paper (last page on Saturday re Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee celebrates 24th birthday) that CISNOC’s president Sir Geoffrey was reported to have made a ‘short speech’… Everyone knows Sir Geoffrey does not make short speeches!” “This Smoke signaller notes that Norman George said […]

For the love of Nassau

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Local

2011 Mire Atu winner Poti Maeva expressed his love for his home island of Nassau on Thursday night when he sang his winning composition Ongalewu to an appreciative crowd at the national auditorium. Report and photos, paqes 14-15. 11030403

Huge outpouring for 'red and black' day

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Local

Organisers of yesterday’s red and black appeal for victims of the Christchurch earthquake are completely overwhelmed by the generosity of Cook Islanders. Although a tally of the funds raised throughout the country will not be known until next week, those who have started counting donations say it will be a large amount. “There’s a lot […]

Stirrer back

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Local

Controversial New Zealand Maori sovereignty campaigner Bruce Ruatapu Mita is back on Rarotonga reviving his 2008 mission – to rouse the Ui Ariki to assert their “traditional mana”. Te Au O Tonga paramount chief Joseph Vakatini Ariki, once close to Mita and directly involved in events of 2008, says he’s since apologised to the Crown […]

Love for Nassau in Poti's winning song

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Features

Takitumu Primary School teacher Poti Maeva’s original compilation titled Ongalewu was judged the best song at Thursday night’s Mire Atu composer’s competition. Singing his own song – Maeva had the 400 strong crowd at the national auditorium in awe as he sang about the longing one has for their island home. Ongalewu is the original […]

Fresh fish draws them to Moko's Mooring

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Features

Moored at one of the most idyllic locations on Rarotonga is The Mooring, a brightly-coloured container-turned-cafe specialising in fresh fish, healthy sandwiches and passion fruit-infused smoothies. Located on the Muri lagoon, the cafe will soon share its space with the newly-refurbished Avana Fishing Club, which is set to open its doors in about two weeks. […]

'Masterminds' pick up crossword

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Features

The masterminds behind the new Cook Islands News weekend crossword are Australian couple John and Lyn Hobbs, who recently signed on to create a regular puzzle for weekend readers. They initially agreed to fill in for crossword creator Louise Wittwer while she was away, but are keen to continue doing the job on a shared […]

Globetrotters consider Raro the gift of a lifetime

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Features

German-born Helmut Ruedel and his South African wife Dricki Verwoerd have been around the world – from Antarctica to the fabled North Pole and everywhere in between – more than once. But of all the places they’ve seen, the long-time cruise ship director and his travel guide bride consider Rarotonga their ‘place’ and have chosen […]

Sooner or later

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As far as I am concerned, I am not the least bit interested to learn how TCI formulates and justifies its charges. At the end of the day the telecommunications industry in the Cook Islands comprises of one player, that being TCI, which makes it a monopoly. This is my interest and what […]

E reo akameitakianga

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is with a thankful heart and a rejoicing spirit that I would like to express my sincere grateful appreciation to the following people (or persons) who, as a result of an accident on Saturday February 19, 2011, comforted and prayed over me in my time of desperation as I struggled for life. […]

Bird survives tree trimming

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Yesterday (Friday) I received a phone call from TM: “We are trimming trees in Upper Tupapa and found a young native bird sitting on a branch. Could you come and get it so we can cut the tree?” I assumed the bird was a Kakaia chick (White Tern), and they have been fed […]

Kata - March 5, 2011

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Kata

6 netball clubs meet in week 2

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Netball

Today sees week two of netball games to be played at the Telecom Sports Arena. This week Titikaveka will play Arorangi, Avatiu meet Takuvaine and Ngatangiia take on Tupapa. All clubs are asked to make sure that you have umpires and bench officials available to officiate games. Games start at 11 o’clock with the under […]

Land today, road tomorrow

Saturday 5 March 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Wake up landowners of Rarotonga!” shouts a smoke signaller. “Minister Teariki Heather’s explanation [see yesterday’s front page article Widening Explained] for why government is taking soil from the roadsides is deliberate obfuscation for stealing the land from under your feet. If anyone bothers to check, you will find that half the soil is being removed […]

Knowing the will of God

Friday 4 March 2011 | Published in Church Talk

There are not many questions that Christians ask more often than, “What is God’s plan for my life? How can I know it? And how can I be sure that I know it?” These questions come naturally to Christian people. But even if they did not, they would be forced upon us by the Bible’s […]

Rangi worries for youth

Friday 4 March 2011 | Published in Church Talk

Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) director of youth Rangi Henry says many young people within the community need to further develop their relationship with God. “They all have relationships with parents, friends, and teachers but not with God. The most important relationship is missing.” Henry says most problems and challenges faced by youth also sprout […]

READER CONTRIBUTION: Don't condemn all faiths

Friday 4 March 2011 | Published in Church Talk

Do not be deceived. I would like to encourage those who are truly seeking truth/God in their lives to investigate what people are telling them. Do the research. A blind adherence to the spoken word of an individual goes against the gifts you have been given. Look at the various interpretations of a given scripture. […]