Articles by Utopia Support

End of a beautiful harbour?

Tuesday 2 November 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“The Ports Authority must be on to an environmental winner with the call for placing billboards to block the sea views down at the water,” quips a smoke signaller. “Tourists will soon discover that the Cook Islands are the same as where they come from, billboards everywhere, and tourism will decline with less jet fuel […]

New-look Treddlecat launched

Monday 1 November 2010 | Published in Local

Father Damien blessed the fourth version of local inventor Ken Kingsbury’s Treddlecat at a ceremony on Saturday. The boat was then launched on to Muri Lagoon, where it joins two other versions of Treddlecat, a vessel which is entirely powered by an easy pedalling motion. Kingsbury hopes to get the funding to begin production of […]

Pencil or pen? The pencil rules

Monday 1 November 2010 | Published in Local

The use of pencils in casting a vote at the general election remains a concern for some voters. ‘Ballot security’ is an issue raised in democratic countries that use pencil instead of pen on the voting paper — including Australia. New Zealand, on the other hand – the country we have our closest tie with […]

Today is Turama

Monday 1 November 2010 | Published in Local

Turama – the festival of light on the eve of All Souls Day – will be held this evening on Rarotonga. While All Souls Day is November 2, in the Cook Islands it has become customary to anticipate this day with the festival of light known locally as Turama. Turama is the time when the […]

'Hard drugs' rumoured

Monday 1 November 2010 | Published in Local

While rumours circulate about hard drugs like crystal meth, cocaine and ecstasy having infiltrated Rarotonga, police have no hard evidence to back that claim. Both acting detective inspector Areumu Ingaua and superintendent Akatauira Matapo say that the claims are unsubstantiated, and they have not come across hard drugs or information about hard drugs in any […]

My Papa catches bad people

Monday 1 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor My Papa is a policeman. I love him because he catches bad people to keep me safe. He is sad when bad people steal and do bad things. He is sad when people die on the road. He works hard. He comes home late at night and goes to work any time. Sometimes […]

Police answer complaints

Monday 1 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Police commissioner Maara Tetava has responded to Putoto Powell’s allegations that police treated her in a ‘totally unsatisfactory’ manner following a motor vehicle crash she was involved in last month. Powell had charged in last week’s CI News that police ‘spin doctors’ would likely make excuses for the way they treated her. Tetava responded: “About […]

Why does Telecom need protection?

Monday 1 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have experienced the most frustrating four years of my life, and perhaps the most costly, and I would like to briefly explain this frustration to your readers. In 2005 I began inquiries with the Prime Minister in respect of telecommunications and in 2007 and 2008 respectively registered companies including a mobile phone […]

Kata - November 1, 2010

Monday 1 November 2010 | Published in Kata

Yearly election will fix it

Monday 1 November 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” quips a smoke signaller.” If it takes an election to get the Tupapa drains fixed, let’s have an election every year. Then the government of the day will fix everything in the 30 days before the election and we can send all the public works fellas home without […]

Cyclone church service

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Local

All churches that fall under the Religious Advisory Council are gathering tomorrow evening for a prayer service to mark the start of the cyclone season. This season, the national meteorological services predict average to above-average cyclone activity – the southwest Pacific should expect between nine and 12 cyclones to form this year. While risk for […]

It's Tutaka time again

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Local

Michelle Harris It’s the nature of the beast. The main reason is because kids can’t afford to buy what other kids have like iPods. It’s a trend thing. “/> It’s the nature of the beast. The main reason is because kids can’t afford to buy what other kids have like iPods. It’s a trend thing. […]

Septic systems fail inspection

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Local

Public Health has found around 90 per cent of the septic systems in a recent survey of 50 random properties from Tupapa to Vaimaanga are not working properly. Director of Community Services, Dr Rangi Fariu, says the shocking result of the survey does not paint a good picture of sewage treatment standards on the island. […]

Rotaract junior spring ball a success

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Features

The Rotaract Royal Family (Club of Rarotonga District 9920) hosted over 60 young princes and princesses, pirates, Indians and Pippie Longstockings at the Rotaract Junior Spring Ball. It was Rotaract’s first Junior Spring Ball since 2008. The night started off with a photo booth at the entry where there was an opportunity for parents to […]

'Rockumentary' screening on Hendrix

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Features

Widely considered the greatest electric guitarist in the history of rock music, the late James Marshall Hendrix – or Jimi Hendrix – has developed near-cult followings worldwide. The 1973 ‘rockumentary’ Jimi Hendrix is a window into the iconic rocker’s life and music – and it’s being screened at Coco Putt on Monday night. The 87-minute […]

Senior students act out their fears, hopes, dreams, dramas

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Features

Through theatre, Tereora College senior drama students are smashing down the blockades on sensitive teenage issues. Through this week students have been performing their end of year production titled ‘I walk down the road’ devised by the students themselves and written by drama teacher Claire Waldron. The production has been six months in the making […]

Last call

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Features

Until this month, just one public telephone linked the island of Palmerston to the world beyond its shores – now, 26 households in Palmerston have a personal landline. The telephones can receive phone calls but must use Telecom’s ‘147 platform’ to dial out, meaning they must use a Kia Orana card to make outgoing calls. […]

Reviving an artform – tivaivai group makes a comeback

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Features

A meeting of the national Tivaivai Association has agreed that the organisation continue and be revived. “Tivaivai is a unique and important art form for the women of the Cook Islands. It also plays a significant role in our culture. It is an heirloom, a gift for births, marriages and very special occasions. A loved […]

SOCIAL WELFARE, HEALTH and EDUCATION What main changes do you want to see in social welfare, health and education?

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Features

This week election candidates respond to our question on the issues of social welfare, health and education. Responses from candidates help readers and voters know what they are standing for and whether they have the courage to express their own views ‘on the issues’ of the day. Some candidates have let it be known that […]

Canoemaking tradition kept alive in Mauke

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Features

“This is history in the making for Mauke.” Mayor George Samuela says the island’s fishing club has been quick to follow talk with action as about 20 young men craft the first 12 paiere (fishing outriggers) under the instruction of taunga (specialist craftsmen) Vaine Aberahama and Teina Enua. The fishing club was recently formed as […]