Articles by Utopia Support

The trampling of furry feet

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Features

A weekly opinion column by Maori journalist and broadcaster Derek Fox. New Zealand was a movie set this last week. Hard to say what genre it was but mostly it was a Mickey Mouse movie with dwarves, politicians, union leaders and bleating fat cats thrown in; oh and then there were the mugs – that’s […]

Why do drains now?

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Really great to see the road drainage work being done in Tupapa but why did it take until just before the elections to get this job carried out? Does that mean the next major road works on Rarotonga will take place in four years time a few weeks before the next general elections? […]

Sad news

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, What a sad day for Rarotonga! I am referring to the article below of the “once again” approved ring road about the “new” proposed Mirage (formerly Sheraton, Hilton etc.) development in Vaimaanga. As multiple visitors to Rarotonga since the early 1990’s, we have always enjoyed driving around or running along the road or […]

Stop farm pollution

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Despite what John Scott blabbers on about when it comes to the so-called benefits of producing local eggs over those that are imported, to save Rarotonga’s fragile and vulnerable lagoons from further environmental damage as a result of commercial farm pollution, I would much rather spend extra money on imported eggs rather than […]

JP court a circus

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Cook Islands News report from the High Court proceedings of October 28 once again highlights the shortcomings in the process of many cases heard by JPs, and the circus it has become. In earlier reports we have read of serious charges where the defendants receive name suppression due ‘to having to inform […]

Kata - October 30, 2010

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Kata

Bike seats not safe storage

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

Almost every time you read the Police crime report in the newspaper there’s at least one case involving visitors losing many hundreds of dollars and cameras (usually with irreplaceable holiday snaps) ‘locked’ under their motorbike seats when they park and go snorkeling or hiking. Many visitors obviously don’t realise that the storage compartment under a […]

Obey, act upon and live the Word

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Church Talk

Several important observations can be made about this passage from Joshua (below). First, the book of the Law is not to depart from our mouths, meaning we are to talk about it regularly. But if we talk about it regularly, we must think about it regularly (you shall meditate on it day and night). We […]

TIS questions rubbish collection and recycling

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Environment

The Cook Islands environmental group Te Ipukarea Society Inc. (TIS) is planning an opportunity for the public to ask questions about challenges of dealing with our rubbish. The group is mainly interested in what is happening to recyclable rubbish. “We’re setting up a panel discussion to answer questions about what the challenges are with achieving […]

Vaka TV investor ordered 'out'

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Local

Ministry of Internal Affairs staff are investigating whether an Australian woman should be deported, following an employment and investment dispute involving Chillis Sports Bar owner and Vaka Television chief executive Dave Reuther. Christine Backer, of Queensland, is anxiously awaiting the outcome of the investigation into the cancellation of her work permit by Reuther – her […]

Chinese official studies election

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Local

The People’s Republic of China is closely following the Cook Islands general elections – even going so far as to send an official here on a ‘fact-finding mission’ this week. Second secretary Wang Xin from the Chinese Embassy in Wellington was here meeting with a number of people including representatives from the two main political […]

Resort's ring road riles

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

A smoke signaller writes: “With regards to the new ring road to go around the Sheraton/Mirage site in Vaimaanga just announced by Cabinet, this might be a great opportunity for the new Cook Islands Party candidate for Titikaveka, as well as the free-thinking independents standing for that constituency, to question whether they would want to […]

Arnold's madness is scary Dear Editor,

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Mr Arnold is now suggesting that locals only be able to purchase businesses here and that locals should no longer be able to sell their businesses for the ‘Best price you can get in a world wide market. Scary stuff! If this populist rhetoric from Mr Arnold is an attempt to become more in tune […]

Let's stop combative politics

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Smoke Signal that suggests that CIP candidate Tom Marsters and Demo candidate Tapi Taio are conspiring with each other to unseat their respective opposition candidates in Murienua and Akaoa is nothing more than a smoke screen. I happen to find Tom and Tapi and their families as good people. I have a […]

Why we should use cloth nappies

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I’m all for giving new parents a hand up whilst they re-evaluate their budget, but it upsets me to hear a young mum say she needs the extra money because disposable nappies cost so much. Should taxpayer money fund toxic landfill that is killing our environment? It is so upsetting to see even […]

It isn't rocket science

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am responding to the letter signed ‘Pro Police’. I appreciate the fact you support your police department, that is in fact admirable. I personally do not have a beef with Cook Islands Police Department. But I would like to know where you get your numbers to back up your claims. I read […]

Theft at 'crisis point'

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We keep reading with dismay the ever increasing and alarming rate of theft and burglaries within our communities on Rarotonga. I sympathise with those homeowners whose homes have been broken into. We have also experienced these unfortunate incidents, not once, not twice, but three times over the past 18-24 months. We have had […]

Kata - October 29, 2010

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Kata

Calling rugby league 'oldies'

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in League

If you are over 35 and love to play rugby league – you can register your interest at a special league ‘masters’ meeting today at the CISNOC office starting at 5pm. The aim of tonight’s gathering is the gauge the interest of forming a Cook Islands masters league association and preparing for the 2011 Masters […]

Henergy eggs 'superior'

Thursday 28 October 2010 | Published in Environment

CITC is now stocking Henergy eggs, which have been lauded for their quality and the ethical treatment of animals they represent. CITC Food Group general manager Dan O’Brien and purchasing manager Trish Wichman travelled to New Zealand to meet with food suppliers in September. They met with Henergy representatives, who they said appeared to be […]