Articles by Utopia Support

Demos deny job cuts

Thursday 21 October 2010 | Published in Local

Party says no plan for public sector cuts to pay for babies The Democratic Party was forced to do damage control after president Sean Willis was quoted as saying government could afford the increases in welfare payments by sacking ‘excess’ public servants. The party has refuted the suggestion it has even contemplated laying off public […]

Thankful for great support

Thursday 21 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am overwhelmed and thankful at the support and gratitude extended to me in your letters to the editor column on Monday, October 18 entitled ‘A great youth venture’ by Jinz George from Auckland. I for one would like to convey and acknowledge firstly, the honour and glory to our heavenly father the […]

Attacks on past governments unfair

Thursday 21 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to Tim Arnold’s letter of Thursday, October 14. I take my hat off to Tim for having the courage to stand politically and fight for his beliefs. It says a lot for the man as he is not of this land and must know he has an uphill battle. I too […]

Kata - October 21, 2010

Thursday 21 October 2010 | Published in Kata

Please leave it to the private sector

Thursday 21 October 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “The Cook Islands Investment Corporation was set up during the reform years to monitor the performance of state-owned enterprises and report their results to Cabinet and eventually the Parliament. One of the principles of the reform was to leave commercial activities to the private sector where they can best do the […]

George tries again to lay criminal libel charges

Tuesday 19 October 2010 | Published in Local

Atiu MP and lawyer Norman George has filed a fresh claim of criminal libel against Cook Islands News after the case was dismissed last week based on his failure to obtain approval from a judge. The same day George filed an application to the High Court for the charges to be approved by a judge […]

Police seek help to stop burglars

Tuesday 19 October 2010 | Published in Local

It’s no secret that burglary is becoming an ever-more-prevalent problem for Rarotonga – a problem that some worry will do irreparable damage to the country’s tourism industry. But recently, burglars have been stealing from occupied homes – over the past few weeks, multiple homeowners have filed police reports after discovering that they were burgled as […]

9 to 12 cyclones?

Tuesday 19 October 2010 | Published in Local

Forecasters predict ‘above average’ cyclone activity Weather experts are forecasting nine to 12 cyclones in the new cyclone season starting on November 1. The National Meteorological Services yesterday released a bulletin in collaboration with New Zealand’s National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and NZ MetService, which predicts average-to above-average cyclone activity for the […]

Message to a pig thief

Tuesday 19 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, What’s happening to our slice of paradise when people feel the need to not only steal from our visitors but from each other? Just this weekend, I heard some strange noises coming from our little piggery across from our home. I thought to myself this is weird as the pigs are screaming like […]

Why 'tama aito'?

Tuesday 19 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

E te tama Etita, Dear Editor, Tama Aito? Eaa te kino i to tatou uaorai reo? These words “Tama aito” (meant “Young warrior”)? What’s wrong with our own language? Te inangaro nei au, na roto i taau nuti pepa, i te ui atu i tetai uianga ki te au aronga marama o te Minitiri o […]

'Mischievous' letter worse than scaremongering

Tuesday 19 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Robin Bullen writes a good letter but he can be selective as he is being on this occasion so please indulge this letter’s length as I try to restore some balance and the reality. The establishment of our egg farming was with the full support and encouragement of the CIP and Democratic Party […]

On a roll online

Tuesday 19 October 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

With the general elections less than a month away, those who want to check their name on the main electoral rolls for the country’s 24 constituencies have another option to view the rolls, thanks to the Cook Islands Statistics Office’s website. Go to www.stats.gov.ck and scroll down the left hand index column to the heading […]

Burglary spoils arrival for NZ family

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Local

A newly arrived New Zealand family had to relocate to safe accommodation on Saturday after they returned from the airport to find their bungalow burgled with alcohol and cash totalling $1750 missing from their room at a Muri-Ngatangiia tourist accommodation. Police are still investigating after what they report was a busy weekend of crime. In […]

Tama Aito a new twist

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Local

This year’s Tiare Festival is back with a whole new angle. Boys are being invited to take part in the new Tama Aito – training warrior contest. “Miss Tiare has always been aimed at improving young women, training them in public speaking, deportment, and public relations,” said secretary of culture Sonny Williams. “This is useful […]

Tiare Festival rejuvenated

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Local

Culture secretary Sonny Williams has big plans for this year’s Tiare Festival. “Last year I had to trim areas as we were restricted on funds,” he said on Friday. “Now I am re-expanding the Tiare Festival. We plan to bring back important categories which haven’t been done over the past few years. These events are […]

Home sweet home from Delhi

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Local

Team Cook Islands received a warm welcome home on Friday night after a long 19-hour journey back from the Delhi Commonwealth Games in India. For the young mothers and fathers in the team – seeing their children after three weeks was probably a bigger buzz than the games. While the team had an incredible time […]

Call for house numbers

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In response to the Ivor Nicholas letter re the taxi driver unable to find the tourists accommodation …. what is so new? Recently an ambulance driver had trouble finding our place at 2 o’clock one morning. Tradesmen and electricity and telecom have trouble finding places for service calls. Goodness knows what problems police […]

So proud

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It’s great to read the Cook Islands News weekly online, so proud of our Cook Islands Team that went to Delhi, to have my son-in-law represent the Cook Islands in boxing, Mathew Titoa, a true Samoan at heart, he was very proud to represent the Cook Islands, we farewelled him back to Raro […]

A great youth venture

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kia Orana! I love what the CICC are doing for the youth, by hosting a youth convention. Mr Henry is doing a great job. I believe that the church hold the answers of hope, but the answers will never come out if the church stay inside their four walls. Great stuff for moving […]

Letter to a criminal

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To the criminal who broke into my house last night: You saw my car. You saw the lights on. You KNEW I was home. And you decided to break into my house anyway. Your arrogance and fearlessness could be put to better use. You found nothing of value in the lounge so you […]