Articles by Utopia Support

Mauke support for Steve Barrett

Friday 18 February 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Leta kite Etita, Kia orana rava i te aroa nui o te Atua i teia mataiti ou 2011. Kia akameitaki nuiia aia no te semeio tei rauka i Mauke nei mei teia openga mataiti akenei ra 9 no Okotopa e tae mai ki teia ra, iaku e tata atu nei i teia aenga leta. We […]

Grocers answer complaints

Friday 18 February 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have been wondering lately if anyone other than myself has noticed the number of foodstuffs that are currently being sold by CITC outlets and other retailers that are close to, if not already past, their ‘use by’ date. I find it more than a little disturbing that, unless one looks very carefully, […]

Kata - February 18, 2011

Friday 18 February 2011 | Published in Kata

The real result of the pa meeting

Friday 18 February 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Has anyone who WASN’T at the fish trap meeting in Avana bothered to ask Ina Organ who took the minutes on the night how many people attended and what the meeting concluded with?” a smoke signaller asks. “I know because I was there and the result was 15 people in attendance, mainly Muri Environment Care […]

Scientists testing lagoon quality

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Environment

The curious white poles planted in the Ngatangiia lagoon this week do indeed serve a purpose. A team of researchers from Southern Cross University, the University of Texas, the Ministry of Marine Resources and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning is testing lagoon and inland areas to get a clearer picture of the nutrient makeup […]

Kids raise water and sanitation awareness

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Environment

Vaka Takitumu school pupils have until this Friday to complete their various projects as part of the education awareness competition organised by the Muri Environment Care Group in conjunction with the European Union Muri Water and Sanitation Project. Students have been researching, writing and creating posters under the water and sanitation topic with the view […]

Tribunal to hear police complaints

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Local

Cook Islands Police will be establishing a formal tribunal to hear a number of outstanding public complaints lodged against officers. CINews understands that Police Commissioner Maara Tetava is in discussions with New Zealand police for a commissioned officer to be on the tribunal. Police are said to be reviewing disciplinary processes assisted by a NZ […]

'Tag team' not talking

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Local

Once best political buddies who described themselves as the Atiu tag team, MPs Norman George and minister Nandi Glassie haven’t spoken since November 17 – election day. “When Nandi left me, we haven’t contacted each other. He’s supposed to come back but he hasn’t,” says George, adding he’s used to such treatment from so-called friends. […]

PM pleased with NZ response

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna says he’s pleased with the New Zealand government’s response to Cook Islands’ renewable energy polices and the direction being taken. Puna says he’s particularly glad that NZaid has supported the government’s plans for waste management, “and we are getting on with that right now”. In preparation for NZa id related meetings […]

Forum to help officials understand big picture

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Local

A Commonwealth forum to be held here next week aims to provide top Pacific government officials the opportunity to reflect on understanding the ‘big picture’ for strategic leadership to achieve government objectives. Aimed at cabinet secretaries and heads of the public service, the forum will be held on February 21-24 and is a follow-up to […]

Stringent recruitment process for Finsec job

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Local

Extra steps are being taken by the Public Service Commission to have a stringent recruitment process in place to evaluate suitably qualified candidates for the top job of Financial Secretary. A New Zealand specialist recruitment firm has been engaged to scrutinise all applicants and provide the local selection committee with expert advice on ranked candidates, […]

Local firm attends Sounds Aotearoa

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Features

Local company Motone Productions will be attending Sounds Aotearora Music Festival this year after receiving support from festival organisers. Sounds Aotearoa is a two-day music event that has three main elements to it – a conference, an expo and artist showcases/performances. The event is designed to facilitate exposure, networking, capacity building, and business promotion ensuring […]

It's a breach of code of conduct

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read the letter from Concerned Public Servant in Wednesday’s Cook Island News with some disquiet. While the matter raised is relevant, the letter is malicious with no substantial facts. The correspondent claims that they are in a senior enough position to speak about good governance of all Heads of Ministries and obviously […]

Recycling glass is nothing new

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to reply to ‘Couch Potato’ in Nelson NZ regarding recycling/crushed glass. Thought I should let you know that my husband and I have been crushing glass for two years here in Rarotonga. As you’ve mentioned, we have replaced sand and aggregate with crushed glass in use with cement. We too […]

Kata - February 17, 2011

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Kata

Masters league fires up

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in League

Masters rugby league players will have their first hit out this Saturday at Ngatangiia. All interested rugby league masters players are encouraged to dust off your boots and wear correct coloured shorts for your age and get along to Ngatangiia for the game starting at 2.15pm. All players will be split into two teams for […]

3 awarded soccer scholarships

Thursday 17 February 2011 | Published in Football

Three promising young Cook Islands soccer players have been given the opportunity to further develop their football careers and education. Twin Tiro, Temana Pennycook and Anthony Samuela have been selected by the Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) to receive scholarships to attend Mt Albert Grammar school in Auckland, New Zealand. The three recipients were part […]

George opposes salary deal

Wednesday 16 February 2011 | Published in Local

Rebel MP Norman George has turned his attention on Cook Islands Party stalwart Sir Geoffrey Henry alleging the former prime minister is demanding an $85,000 salary package to be speaker of parliament. Under civil list regulations if Sir Geoffrey were appointed speaker, he would be entitled to a $35,000 salary as an unelected member. A […]

Stick to the dress code says George

Wednesday 16 February 2011 | Published in Local

The casual dress code of Tahiti’s parliament makes members look like they’re “party goers having cocktails” when in session, says MP Norman George. George wants parliament to stick to the present formal dress code saying Tahitian MPs “sometimes even wear jandals” to their parliament. “It’s very slack and casual, there’s no dignity and respect and […]

PM to NZ for first formal talks

Wednesday 16 February 2011 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna has been invited to New Zealand by Prime Minister John Key to hold their first formal discussions as leaders of two countries which share a special relationship. This will be the first time Puna will meet John Key. Puna is scheduled to leave this Thursday on what will be his first […]