Articles by Utopia Support

Manihikian pride in their PM

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna surrounded by friends and family from the Manihiki community who came together to celebrate in his honour in Auckland last weekend. PM’s report on his first official overseas trip – tomorrow’s CINews. 11030123

Opposition name shadow cabinet

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local

The Opposition Democratic Party has appointed its shadow cabinet, headed by leader Robert Wigmore who will be agriculture and tourism spokesman. Penrhyn MP Wilkie Rasmussen will focus on issues involving foreign affairs, finance, marine, justice and the public service commission. The only woman in parliament, Ngamau Munokoa, is party spokesman for internal affairs and social […]

Fishing fees for nation's coffers – not middlemen

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Local

The Ministry of Marine Resources is said to be close to changing the rules on how commercial fishing licences can be sold so monetary benefits will go entirely to public coffers, rather than to middlemen. Amongst five new Audit Office reports to be tabled in parliament in April is a review of the deal entered […]

It could be huge

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This is a thank you to the people of Aitutaki from an American flyfisherman. Kia Orana and meitaki for sharing your island. Like many of you, I am a fisherman. I like to catch and eat fish. You can use the spear, the hand line and the net. I use the fly rod. […]

Play fair

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Congratulations to Telecom for their spin on Broadband. Great news for the small user – who will get “hooked” and then have to pay excess charges. But what about the larger user – who continue to be penalised. What is this claim by Telecom “more you buy, the lower the unit cost”? Let’s […]

Time to open up telecommunications

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The other day I received my household’s Telecom bill for the past two months of telecommunications usage. What really concerned me about the TCI bill was the fact that almost $400 of this $500 bill related to the usage of the internet by myself and four, school aged children during the past two […]

Kata - March 2, 2011

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in Kata

Ata wai walo, Pukapuka

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

As I sit in a small, open boat ferrying me across the wide, blue lagoon of Pukapuka to the rough airstrip, many thoughts cross my relaxed mind, like lazy, drifting clouds. My short but amazing visit to “Wale-land” (said “Wah-ley”) has come to an end. After crossing the lagoon from the main village of Ngake, […]

Outer islanders think of threats

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

Coastal erosion, loss of marine life, and dwindling economies are potential threats to outer islands from climate change. Adaption to changing weather patterns throughout the Cook Islands is being discussed during a week-long workshop in Rarotonga – comprising up to 100 representatives from local and international governments, organisations, and community groups. During a workshop session […]

Tourism awards on again

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

The 2011 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards are now open for entries. Yesterday marked the launch of this year’s Cook Islands Tourism Awards, a biennial event that debuted in 2009. Winners will be officially announced at a gala dinner on November 11. Part of the Tourism Awards Committee, of which Chris McGeown is […]

Supermarket's new mural

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

CITC Supermarket’s new photo mural attracted hundreds to the store on Saturday, and food general manager Dan O’Brien (above right) is thrilled with the public’s response to the artwork launch. “It went extremely well. It was certainly a lot busier than we normally are on a Saturday.” More than $1000 was raised for the Christchurch […]

Police monitoring effects

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands police are continuing to monitor Christchurch residents of Cook Islands nationality through a Police Emergency Operations Centre in Rarotonga. The PEOC was activated following the recent Christchurch earthquake, and is being staffed by about eight officers on a shift rotation. Acting Inspector Vasie Poila says the PEOC is now operating during daytime hours, […]

Message with mistakes

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

Monday’s formal DPM Office notice issued via email Monday advising of the two-minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the Christchurch earthquake got a bit of flak from some readers. One Aitutaki reader stated if the letter was from DPM Tom Marsters “then it is pretty sad”. “Not only is there […]

Kiwis still collecting

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

Aotearoa Society members are pleased with the response to their appeal for Christchurch earthquake victims, which is running until midday Saturday. Member Jo Bevin says donations to the seven-day appeal – which began on Saturday February 26 – can continue to be made at collection boxes in Cafe Salsa, CITC Foodland, Bond Liquor Store, and […]

Church helps Islanders

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islanders living in Christchurch are among others from throughout the Pacific region being helped through a multicultural church. Reverend Lapana Faletolu is the senior minister at St Paul’s Trinity Pacific Presbyterian Church, which has a congregation made up of mostly Samoans, although others include Cook Islanders, Niueans, Tongans, and New Zealand Maori. Faletolu says […]

Wear 'black and red' on Friday

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands residents are being encouraged to show their support for victims of the Christchurch earthquake by wearing red and black on Friday. Gold coin donations are being collected throughout Rarotonga – and hopefully in outer islands – from those donning the Canterbury colours, organisers Maureen Hilyard and Ronnie Si’ulepa say. All money raised will […]

MPs need lots of training

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

Most Cook Islands MPs need serious upskilling if they’re going to be able to do their job properly and become effective advocates for regional issues, says Tangata Vainerere, an authority on good governance. Vainerere is the coordinator of the Rarotonga-based Pacific Legislature for Population & Governance secretariat which is holding sessions at the current induction […]

Good shipping news to come

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

Prime Minister Henry Puna says government has “a major announcement to come in a couple of weeks” regarding inter-island shipping. “It’s something successive administrations have dreamt about – being able to provide a serviceable boat for our islands,” Puna said. “At long last we will see something on the horizon.” “A mast on the horizon,” […]

Broadband correction

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

Broadband users may have thought Telecom Cook Islands was offering much cheaper excess rates when yesterday’s CINews stated gigabytes instead of megabytes. However, the standard $59 a month package with 1.5GB data – has excess at 18% cheaper at nine cents for each excess megabyte (not gigabyte). A new introductory $29 monthly plan offers 0.75GB […]

Chinese funded vehicle goes back to owner

Wednesday 2 March 2011 | Published in National

After numerous demands by the Audit office and the Cook Islands Investment Corporation, a $37,990 jeep once used by former CEO John Tini has gone back to its owner. The silver coloured late model Suzuki Vitara was purchased in September 2008 by Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) which was contracted by government to […]