Articles by Utopia Support

Kata - November 19, 2010

Friday 19 November 2010 | Published in Kata

Maggie for prime minister!

Friday 19 November 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writing to TXT188 reckons the election night results as ranked by popular vote should determine how the official appointments are allocated: “George Maggie, number of votes 386, prime minister; Mark Brown, 304 votes, deputy prime minister; Kiriau Turepu, 294 votes, senior cabinet minister; and so forth…” SmokeSignals: Now that’s a novel way […]

Fighting on

Thursday 18 November 2010 | Published in Local

Every voter in the Cook Islands yesterday had the chance to say if they believe that less MPs would be good for the nation. Lynnsay Francis of the People’s Group for Change (GPC) originally asked the government to ask 12 referendum questions. Prime Minister Jim Marurai took six questions to cabinet for consideration, but just […]

CIP victory

Thursday 18 November 2010 | Published in Local

Resounding defeat for Democratic Party The Cook Islands Party (CIP) looks set to govern for the next four years after strongly beating the Democratic Party at yesterday’s general election. Potential Prime Minister Henry Puna said he felt relieved, pleased and challenged at last night’s preliminary result which gave 15 seats to the CIP. “I claim […]

It's my right not to vote

Thursday 18 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To vote on not to vote, that is the question. Thank God we live in a democracy. That means some of us can choose to vote, or choose not to vote, because that is our right. Yes, that’s right – the right not to vote if we so choose. This right was won […]

Island admin top heavy

Thursday 18 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to an article in the general news section about a visit by the CIP leader to Mitiaro. It highlighted an administration problem on the island between the island secretary, the island council and the people of Mitiaro. Now we have a similar problem in Mauke. Our biggest problem is with a […]

Superbug threat is real

Thursday 18 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing with concern regarding yesterday’s article ‘Superbug threats in NZ’. A Superbug is created when due to antibiotic resistance, antibiotics are no longer able to kill that bacteria, rendering it untreatable. It highlights the risk of infectious diseases and how we should be looking at ‘holistic approaches to combat’ bacterial and […]

Kata - November 18, 2010

Thursday 18 November 2010 | Published in Kata

Wow Jim, nice speech

Thursday 18 November 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

Sometimes when a person says some really dumb things, others automatically assume it’s the result of a few too many drinks. But in outgoing PM Jim Marurai’s case when interviewed on Radio Australia before the start of the election, maybe it was just he wanted to give his honest opinion, without considering the damage it […]

Soccer action in Matavera

Thursday 18 November 2010 | Published in Football

Matavera will host Nikao Sokattak today at the Matavera school grounds with the Under 14 boys kicking off at 4.15pm followed straight after by the senior women’s division. Tomorrow will see the premier men go head to head with their match kicking off at 4.45pm. – CIFA Media Draw and referee appointments for today: 4.15pm, […]

Parliament due to sit in February

Wednesday 17 November 2010 | Published in Local

The final result of today’s election should be announced by the end of the month, but the new Parliament probably won’t meet officially until February. This means new MPs are unlikely to be sworn in at Parliament until the New Year. Potential election petitions challenging results of the polls could take several months to be […]

It's decision time

Wednesday 17 November 2010 | Published in Local

15 independents expected to divide party loyalties Just over 10,000 electors are registered to vote at today’s Cook Islands General Election – with polling booths open from 9am. This election, voters not only get to choose their members of Parliament from the record 70 candidates, but they also get to take part in the referendum […]

Kata - November 17, 2010

Wednesday 17 November 2010 | Published in Kata

Laptop risks for men

Wednesday 17 November 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

After reading an overseas news article ‘Is your laptop cooking your testicles?’ a smoke signaller writes: “As someone who has been robbed, I hope this article is true and that thieves and receivers of stolen laptops on Rarotonga become infertile for their sins!” The article says that sitting with a laptop computer on your lap […]

Solar Bob tackles power bills

Tuesday 16 November 2010 | Published in Environment

Bob ‘Solar Bob’ Reilly is getting more orders than ever for his Solar Breeze, the solar powered spinning fan that he says is a real money spinner for customers. “The Fishing Club had two installed last year and they have lowered their electricity bills by $1000 a month,” Reilly said. Now orders are pouring in, […]

Arbitrator hold up

Tuesday 16 November 2010 | Published in Local

The arbitrator who was asked in September to resolve a dispute over money held by the Cook Islands National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) in Pacific Mini Games per diems still hasn’t begun work. Lawyer for Pacific Mini Games Ltd (PMG) Tim Arnold said in September that an arbitrator had been recruited who would begin work in […]

Exams in full swing

Tuesday 16 November 2010 | Published in Local

They kicked off last week with a scholarship drama exam, and for secondary school students around the country the examination schedule goes through to Tuesday, November 30. That is when students will sit the last set of tests on Latin, agricultural and horticultural studies, French and science at 3pm. Yesterday morning more than 120 anxious […]

Coalition government likely

Tuesday 16 November 2010 | Published in Local

Independents predicted to form part of the new government The outcome of this election is likely going to be a coalition, but many are reluctant to voice the prediction because there is much uncertainty about what its make-up could be. CI News has approached some locals for their predictions on the election outcome with most […]

Auditor answers CIP

Tuesday 16 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Normally I do not reply to individuals or non politicians or Parliamentarians that air their grievances through the media. All Members of Parliament are well aware that they can call me in the Audit Office to explain or clarify a certain issue or problem that they may have that involves public resources, be […]

The truth will honour you, Mann Short

Tuesday 16 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Kia Orana e te Tama Etita, Kua marekakore tikai matou I te akarongo’anga I te au tuatua akakino a Terepai Maoate e Amoa Amoa I runga I te ratio ia Mann Short. E tuatua taukore ta raua I akakite kia vare a Ngatangiia e kua rave a Mann I te moni a te Ngatangiia/Matavera Sports […]