Articles by Utopia Support

Climate change talks

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in Local

It is hoped a $5 million fund for climate change adaptation throughout the Pacific can be tapped into by the Cook Islands government and organisations, following a week-long workshop starting in Rarotonga today. The National Adaption Planning Week will be officially opened by Prime Minister and Environment Minister Henry Puna. It is a joint initiative […]

Violent attacks

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in Local

Police are investigating two incidents of violence over the weekend. A female tourist staying in Ngatangiia was assaulted by a local man carrying a bush knife while out for a run. The woman had jogged from her accommodation in Ngatangiia towards Rutaki where she was attacked. According to police the woman fought off her attacker […]

Aotearoa Society launches appeal

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in Local

Nine-year-old New Zealander Hannah Bewg collects funds for Christchurch from generous locals on Saturday. Quake appeal report, page 7. 11022740

PM asks for two minutes of silence

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in Local

A two minute silence will be held in the Cook Islands today at exactly the same time the vigil is held in New Zealand to remember those who lost their lives in the Christchurch earthquake. Prime Minister Henry Puna announced this yesterday when he arrived back in Rarotonga from a week in New Zealand where […]

'Give the new government a chance'

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

“Doreen Boggs’ opinion is her own – she does not speak for all Cook Islanders!” a smoke signaller writes to TXT188 in response to her letter to the editor last week. “Sir Geoff has made some mistakes – he’s human just like all of us. I reckon that he will be an awesome Speaker [of […]

'Clothes maketh the man'

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I write to contribute to the debate about the dress of the parliamentarians because as minor as it is, it points to bigger concerns as the voters hope for a fresh start. There is value in the attitudes of both George Maggie Angene and Tangata Vavia but there is also an opportunity in […]

Kata - February 28, 2011

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in Kata

Turtle nests need protection

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in National

A stretch of beach along Aitutaki’s northern point may be restricted to vehicle access to protect nesting turtles – thought to be either green or hawksbill turtles. At least eight turtle nests have been established along the beach, behind the Aitutaki airport. Four of the nests have been made in the last month, with the […]

Biodiversity database redesigned

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in National

With $30,000 to spend on enlisting the help of expert computer specialists, the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust has nearly finished redesigning its extensive online biodiversity database. This was an allocation over and above the Trust’s basic budget, as outlined in its 2008-2009 annual report, which was tabled in parliament last Friday by Prime Minister […]

Criticism accepted

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in National

Health secretary Tupou Faireka says he respects the right of critics to voice opinions against ministry policy. Faireka’s comments are in response to a report by Cook Islands News of complaints lodged with the Ombudsman office alleging discrimination and unlawful deprivation of medical treatment by health. This is in relation to health policy covering alcohol […]

Trade deficit grows

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in National

The country’s balance of trade deficit for the September 2010 quarter was $105.6 million – marking a $10.5 million deterioration since the June 2010 quarter and a $30.9 million deterioration as compared to September 2009. The Cook Islands Statistics Office bulletin for the September 2010 quarter puts the deterioration down to a continuous increase in […]

Gross turnover down from previous year

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands Statistics Office quarterly bulletin for September 2010 shows that gross turnover during that period was $149.6 million for all industries – an increase of 12.7% compared to the June 2010 quarter and a decrease of 2.3% compared to the September 2009 quarter. The wholesale and retail trade industry declared a $55.8 million […]

'Overwhelming' response to quake appeal

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in National

The Aotearoa Society launched its Christchurch Quake Appeal on Saturday to an overwhelming response from the community. The society will continue the appeal over the coming week and close on Saturday March 5 with the announcement of funds raised to be made at the Aotearoa Centre in Tupapa. Volunteers went out on to the roads […]

Tetava visits Cook Islanders

Monday 28 February 2011 | Published in National

Police Commissioner Maara Tetava’s brief visit to earthquake torn Christchurch at the weekend to visit the Cook Islands community there has given people some much needed confidence that they will recover from the disaster. Cook Islands community leaders in Christchurch Frank Karati and Pastor Joseph Maea took Tetava to some of the worst hit areas […]

Bonefishery requires 'conversion'

Saturday 26 February 2011 | Published in Environment

The Ministry of Marine Resources is happy its new bonefish management plan, which includes the Aitutaki lagoon, is being supported by most within the island’s community. MMR secretary Ben Ponia says a few locals remain opposed to the regulations, which were formally adopted in October and will start to be enforced at the beginning of […]

Wages finally paid to 135 electoral workers

Saturday 26 February 2011 | Published in Local

Public service commissioner Navy Epati has signed off on wage payments to 135 electoral staff, which hit their bank accounts early this week. The PSC review into suspended secretary of justice Mark Short’s management of funds and election overspending revealed that there had been no contracts drawn up for electoral workers, thus delaying the payment […]

TCI books won't be opened

Saturday 26 February 2011 | Published in Local

He wanted Telecom Cook Islands to open up its books, but State Owned Enterprises minister Mark Brown now knows that’s not going to happen. Brown told CINews that government is bound by confidentiality clauses in the Joint Venture Agreement it has with TCI. He says those clauses prevent the disclosure of commercially sensitive information without […]

George should go Demo: Maoate

Saturday 26 February 2011 | Published in Local

When Democratic Party MPs voted in favour of a confidence motion in Prime Minister Henry Puna, it was an indication that there isn’t an opposition in parliament, according to maverick MP Norman George. George sees himself as being the only MP in ‘opposition’. After warning he’d be absent at the first sitting of parliament in […]

King Kapisi reaches out

Saturday 26 February 2011 | Published in Features

Samoan hip-hop legend King Kapisi recently released his latest music video for a track entitled ‘Salvation’, which was shot on location at Pacific Resort Rarotonga, the Punanga Nui marketplace and in Muri lagoon. King Kapisi says ‘Salvation’ is about preserving traditional culture in the face of colonial injustice. He says he is a firm believer […]

Taura Mani passes warrant of fitness

Saturday 26 February 2011 | Published in Features

Lying immobile in a hospital bed last year, Papa Taura Pakitoa Mani wasn’t thinking about his music – he was clinging to his faith and to his wife Marie, praying and crying, hoping to come out of a terrible stroke alive. Now, not one year later, Mani has a chance to represent his country as […]