Articles by Utopia Support

Leave Norman George alone

Thursday 2 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In yesterday’s (Wednesday) newspaper I see that Norman George is not “encouraged” as he feels that he will miss out on a Cabinet post. I am glad he is not encouraged. I hope he does not get a position in Cabinet. History has so clearly demonstrated that every team in which Norman has […]

Kata - December 2, 2010

Thursday 2 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Not another minister!

Thursday 2 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

Relief!

Wednesday 1 December 2010 | Published in Local

New Prime Minister Henry Puna said his swearing in ceremony yesterday now paves the way for the real hard work to begin for the new CIP government. “Now that it’s over there’s a huge sense of relief and I guess of concern also that the real hard work starts now,” he said. Puna told CI […]

Happy day for CIP

Wednesday 1 December 2010 | Published in Local

CIP President Rau Nga said it was his happiest day yesterday as he witnessed party leader Henry Puna being sworn in as the new PM. “Being president of the CIP it’s the day I’ve been waiting for. I was happy with the election victory, but once he is sworn in then the power of this […]

Kata - December 1, 2010

Wednesday 1 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Marurai stands down

Tuesday 30 November 2010 | Published in Local

Outgoing Prime Minister Jim Marurai resigned yesterday to make way for CIP leader and Prime Minister elect Henry Puna to be sworn in as the country’s new leader today. He’s pictured above clearing out his office yesterday. Marurai tendered his resignation with Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin early yesterday morning – it was accepted shortly […]

Burglar jailed

Tuesday 30 November 2010 | Published in Local

Kaveao Kaveao was yesterday sentenced to a term of nine months in prison, one month of which he has already served. The defendant was facing two charges – burglary of the 6-11 shop in Muri and possession of cannabis. Defence counsel Charles Petero said in his submissions that the defendant is remorseful, as indicated by […]

Family gathers

Tuesday 30 November 2010 | Published in Local

The country’s new Prime Minister Henry Puna will be sworn in today at Government House, surrounded by family and supporters. Many of Puna’s family members living in NZ and Australia, including his children, have flown in this week to be present for the occasion. Former cabinet minister Ngereteina Puna, who arrived on Sunday, believes his […]

New PM sworn in today

Tuesday 30 November 2010 | Published in Local

CIP leader and Manihiki pearl farmer Henry Puna will become the country’s eleventh leader when he is sworn in as Prime Minister today. He will take the official oath of ministers before Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin at Government House at 10.30am. A number of invited guests will be present, as well as the CIP […]

Varu's paintings snapped up at exhibition

Tuesday 30 November 2010 | Published in Features

Six of the 11 paintings in Varu Samuel’s Life Voyage exhibition were sold on the opening night. It is Varu Samuel’s first exhibition for four years and has already proved that the interest in his work hasn’t slowed down. Samuel has spent the last four years developing his skills as a tattooist, and only took […]

Kata - November 30, 2010

Tuesday 30 November 2010 | Published in Kata

Turangi's twister

Monday 29 November 2010 | Published in Environment

Some beachfront residents ran for safety to escape a towering water twister – 500 metres tall – as it churned across the Turangi lagoon and headed straight for them. “We were looking straight up this huge, swirling column as we ran in all directions,” says Kanoe Aquino, who said they are all still excitedly talking […]

Pirate movies in police hands

Monday 29 November 2010 | Published in Local

Chief Censor concerned at inaction on pirate DVDs The police have not prosecuted anyone for selling pirate DVDs, despite having several cases passed on to them by the Chief Censor. An amendment to the Film and Censorship Act of 1985, passed in 2008, increased the fine for piracy from $500 to $5000. It also gave […]

'Halt tourism growth'

Monday 29 November 2010 | Published in Local

The environmental lobby group Te Ipukarea Society is calling for a moratorium on new tourism accommodation development until waste treatment and disposal problems are fixed. The action group wants a 15-year halt on new development because of the strain on existing infrastructure. It wants urgent focus by government on infrastructure development, and it wants tourism […]

Joyana is Miss South Pacific

Monday 29 November 2010 | Published in Local

Miss Cook Islands Joyana Meyer was crowned the new Miss South Pacific 2010-2011 on Saturday night at the pageant in Papua New Guinea. Joyana, 21, took out the first prize after winning the categories for best sarong and best talent and being named Miss Photogenic. Joyanna is studing for her Bachelors of Mechatronic Engineering at […]

Coffee business 'is' local

Monday 29 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We refer to the letter by ‘A local coffee lover’ in Friday’s Cook Islands News. The mobile coffee van business is 70 per cent owned by a Cook Islander. The foreign ownership being 30 per cent, does not command one third (33.3 per cent) or more of the required threshold for the business […]

Hard to get

Monday 29 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, With so much interest in Steig Larsson’s books and recent comment in your newspaper, I must explain to disappointed customers of the Bounty Bookshop that we are finding it difficult to obtain these books. Ordered on August 1, re-ordered in September, inquired about in November, they are meant to be ‘still coming’ – […]

Quality road work required

Monday 29 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Cook Islands Party’s landslide victory in this election is a great relief for our Cook Islands people living at home, and abroad as well. Congratulations to Henry and your team. The result is an emphatic victory, stemmed from a smart old fashion approach, and I am so delighted to see the change […]

CITV addresses reception quality

Monday 29 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Through your good paper may I ask CITV to please do something urgently to improve the overall quality of the picture and sound received on our TV sets. Although I’m not a huge fan of CITV’s programmes, I must say that it is very, very frustrating watching local TV when the picture quality […]