Articles by Utopia Support

Going to the dogs

Wednesday 15 September 2010 | Published in Local

Weekly Hash House Harrier regulars, pictured right, (from left) Te-Atua-Nui George, Bones the dog, Jette Johnston and Stephen Whitta at Monday night’s K9-9K run. Although only three dogs were brought by their owners to the gathering – the 30 odd runners and walkers still supported the Esther Honey Foundation event by bringing along a can […]

Tourism strategy

Wednesday 15 September 2010 | Published in Local

Cook Islands Tourism (CIT) presented their strategic plan to cabinet yesterday. Now they are throwing the plan open for comment from the industry. CIT chief executive Carmel Beattie said that she will be presenting the strategy to the tourism industry at a meeting at Club Raro on Thursday from 5pm. The main focuses of the […]

Fuel crisis continues

Wednesday 15 September 2010 | Published in Local

The Southern Express made two attempts to come into port yesterday and was to try again this morning. The photo on the left shows the vessel attempting to head in before pulling out. /08 “/> Raro waits anxiously as fuel ship fails to berth The fuel crisis mounted yesterday as the Southern Express made two […]

Cut our cake to size

Wednesday 15 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The debate should not be about how rich (or thick) the icing is on top of the cake, it should be about how the ingredients are combined and organised in the body of the cake. I would like to throw out a provocative question. Is the Westminster system – based on the English […]

Humbled by Arnold's plan

Wednesday 15 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was so amazed and humbled to read Tim Arnold’s political plan for upgrading the Cook Islands’ Constitution if he becomes the MP for Tupapa. This is what the other political advocates and current politician should be dealing with – the moral issues and sensible thing to do for the country. I hope […]

No show by MPs says a lot

Wednesday 15 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The GPC forum for change was an interesting meeting that demonstrates just how little the sitting MPs really care about what you think – they don’t show up! But first, kudos to Robert Wigmore for his attendance and participation. Teina Bishops super brief appearance allowed no questions from the public so I hope […]

Kata - September 15, 2010

Wednesday 15 September 2010 | Published in Kata

Smackdown crew leads volleyball league

Wednesday 15 September 2010 | Published in League

The CITC Smackdown crew continues to lead in the Vonnia’s Corporate 6 on 6 volleyball league but was kept from scoring 100 points by their valiant opponents the Sparklings. CITC only managed to reach 85 points this week which was enough to beat the Sparklings who scored 66 points. High scoring honours went to Telecom […]

Bottom of the barrel?

Wednesday 15 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

One of our readers phoned the newsroom on Monday after seeing the TOA tanker pumping petrol – they checked, it wasn’t diesel – into Budget Rentals’ own tank in Avarua. Raising eyebrows and a callout to the tanker driver from passersby, and he went (finger to mouth) ‘shhhhhh…’ “Chris Vaile was right all along,” a […]

Health changes

Tuesday 14 September 2010 | Published in Local

The quality manager for the Ministry of Health is getting managers to commit to making improvements by getting them to her Quality Assurance workshop. “We are trying to change people’s attitudes,” Elizabeth Iro said. “We understand it is about small steps, but the ultimate goal is to have a quality culture in the Ministry of […]

Ship, petrol due today

Tuesday 14 September 2010 | Published in Local

Already a week behind schedule, the Southern Express is now due to berth at Avatiu Harbour this morning. The heavily laden cargo ship’s arrival has been keenly awaited since petrol supplies on the island ran out last week. Shipping agent Express Cook Islands Line was scheduled to arrive Sunday morning before bad weather at sea […]

Arnold talks political upgrade

Tuesday 14 September 2010 | Published in Local

Tupapa independent candidate says this issue will dominate election Tupapa-Maraerenga Independent candidate Tim Arnold says political upgrade is the largest issue that dominates this year’s election, and he’s inviting people to hear his views on the issue. “For me, the single largest issue that dominates this election is political upgrade. And I use the term […]

Artist captivated by Rarotonga

Tuesday 14 September 2010 | Published in Features

The first time New Zealand artist Freeman White came to Rarotonga, he was guided up and down Te Manga by a little dog that befriended his group at the start of their mountain trek. They named the dog Akatere, guide. “He kept barking at us and we tried to shoo him away…then he just started […]

How a democracy works

Tuesday 14 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, On Wednesday, September 8 I attended the GPC meeting and there I asked the candidates: “Would you still run for parliament if the pay was to be reduced from $50,000 to $3000 per year and all the perks wiped?” A few said yes but most were evasive using arguments like “we would not […]

So just what is political reform?

Tuesday 14 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Your feasts of political reform editorials invited opinions. Those championing it appeared to be devoid of sufficient knowledge and proper understanding of what a political ‘reform’ really is; its purposes and essential paradigms. What you reported those saying was not political ‘reform’ but electoral, parliamentary and or economic reform? They are neither one […]

Referendum or no referendum?

Tuesday 14 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To hold a referendum asking the people of the Cook Islands, for the reduction of the numbers of Members of Parliament, the answer will definitely be the affirmative. Who, and how, will make the decision to make reduction possible? To the writer, there is no need for a referendum for this, because we […]

Beautification contracts all MP related

Tuesday 14 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In response to the letter from Rouru Tangatapoto regarding the Titikaveka Beautification contract, my letter was not a personal attack on him and his private business but it is an attempt to reveal how these beautification contracts are awarded and to see if the decisions are biased and political. The tender was awarded […]

Kata - September 14, 2010

Tuesday 14 September 2010 | Published in Kata

Firing back at big Norm

Tuesday 14 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “Amazing to see and hear Big Norm (Norman George) on Turama the other evening, especially having a go at the Group for Political Change’s reform initiative, saying it was ’not researched, not thought out, not long term…kneejerk reactions’. By your own admission Norm you have had 27 years to get things […]

Helping start them young

Monday 13 September 2010 | Published in Local

As part of its literacy programme, PPSEAWA (Pan-Pacific South East Asian Women’s Association) delivered over 50 ‘pepe packs’ – kits containing a T-shirt and a book for new mothers to read to their children, among other goodies – to hospital last week. The maternity ward at the hospital graciously received the donation on Wednesday, which […]