Articles by Utopia Support

Matutu to start bottle buyback

Monday 13 September 2010 | Published in Local

Matutu brewery might not use green bottles, but it’s certainly greener than most breweries. James Puati and Debi Futter of Matutu are offering to pay 10 cents for every returned bottle, which they will sterilise for re-use. They’ve been recycling bottles for a while, collecting them from resorts around the island, but with the 10 […]

New CI made airport outlet

Monday 13 September 2010 | Published in Local

The Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) is opening a new retail outlet to promote Cook Islands foods and locally made goods at the airport departure lounge. BTIB chief executive Terry Rangi says it is not the agency’s intention to compete with other businesses but part of their role is to help local producers and manufacturers […]

Arnold to stand

Monday 13 September 2010 | Published in Local

Lawyer Tim Arnold has confirmed he will stand as an independent candidate for Tupapa-Maraerenga in the November election. Arnold said last week that he was looking at the possibility of standing on the single platform of political reform. He has now made the decision to stand. Arnold has organised a meeting at the Aotearoa Centre […]

Solar project for north

Monday 13 September 2010 | Published in Local

$5.4 million earmarked for solar panels and desalination The northern group islands are set to receive US$4 million (NZ$5.48 million) worth of solar panel generation systems and desalination units under Japan’s Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund. The US$66 million fund is for Pacific Forum Island country governments, non-government organisations and community groups. A representative from […]

Children our greatest asset

Monday 13 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to support Moana Rule’s letter and petition for a reciprocal Child Support Agreement between the Cook Islands and NZ. Like Moana, I know firsthand what she is and has been going through. My daughter also is a victim of abandonment. The lack of commitment, inconsistency and irresponsible behaviour of the absent […]

Beautification not political

Monday 13 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the letter in the paper of September 2 about the Titikaveka beautification contract. The beautification programme is an opportunity for the community to come together and take ownership and clean its own village, ownership of the programme belongs to the village and not to a handful of […]

Kata - September 13, 2010

Monday 13 September 2010 | Published in Kata

Hey politicians, who's the silly one now?

Monday 13 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Why do politicians keep repeating ‘We have to keep it simple so the public can understand’?” a smoke signaller asks. “Most of us can balance our chequebooks and don’t keep losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process. Most of us don’t keep asking the same questions for 12 years in a row over […]

Jury finds Williams guilty

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Local

Twelve jurors this week found Paul Williams guilty of manslaughter and driving with excess breath alcohol. He was facing both charges after fatally striking visiting Golden Oldies rugby player Duncan Barrowman with his truck in May of last year. The jury delivered its guilty verdict on Thursday night, following a trial that lasted roughly six […]

Government 'fair' to 'dismal'

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Local

Most people polled were stuck in the middle when it came to rating the performance of our current government, with 49 per cent saying the performance was fair or average. However, 39 per cent were not so kind, rating the performance as “useless” while just 12 per cent rated it as good. But those were […]

76% want seats cut

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Local

Election survey – 33% for Demo, 26% for CIP, 14% Independent The Cook Islands News pre-election poll reveals 76 percent of 182 voters surveyed want the number of seats in parliament reduced. The same question will be put to voters on November 17 in a national referendum that will need over two-thirds (67 per cent) […]

Eminem to kick off awards

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Features

Eminem is ready to kick off the MTV Video Music Awards. MTV general manager Stephen Friedman said Wednesday that the rapper, who’s nominated for eight trophies and continues to sit atop sales charts with “Recovery,” will open Sunday’s ceremony at the Nokia Theatre, which has been transformed with a sprawling white set reminiscent of the […]

Three wakas turn into one again

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Features

Trinity Roots’ two albums made a big impact and set a path for New Zealand’s emerging roots scene. Five years after parting ways, the trio is releasing a live album, a documentary and is getting back together to rekindle the spirit. It’s five years since Wellington band Trinity Roots turned their one waka into three. […]

Schwimmer turns dark with new movie

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Features

David Schwimmer made his name as a hapless romantic in the hit TV comedy series Friends, but takes on a much darker topic in his second stint behind the camera with the movie Trust. A heart-rending drama about how online predators groom child victims and the impact it has on a family, Trust was inspired […]

Maori culture study brings out writing talent

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Features

Not only did Takitumu Primary School students take part in fun learning activities during their Maori Culture programme this week – the senior students also put their Maori writing to the test in creating original poems. Poems were based on a number of themes including my environment, my strength and my dream. Following are the […]

New artist in residence

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Features

New Zealand artist Reuben Paterson is the Beachcomber Contemporary Art Gallery’s current artist in residence, and this weekend he’s putting the finishing touches to an exhibit that debuts at the gallery on Monday at 6 pm. Paterson has been on the island since July working on his exhibit – Aere E Akamotu (Start to Finish) […]

Clinic a success

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Features

The Men’s Health Clinic has pulled in big numbers this week – and the team has every intention of carrying on the good work. Tuesday night’s first clinic had more men arriving than the clinic had appointment slots for – but the team made sure that everyone was seen, even staying open later to make […]

Holiday prize highly valued

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Features

Travel agent Helen Roehnelt of Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre spent this week enjoying the prize she won at Cook Islands Tourism’s Australia road show in June – a week’s holiday on Rarotonga and Aitutaki with her husband and four mates. “Someone (at the road show) won a black pearl, but this is so much […]

Pollsters ready for the numbers game

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Features

The 2010 pre-election opinion poll conducted by Cook Islands News this week has produced some very interesting and, we believe, accurate results. Our staff pollsters called 500 randomly selected – and current national numbers – kindly supplied to us by Telecom Cook Islands. We received just over 200 valid responses of which 182 were eligible […]

Outer island thoughts

Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Features

From the outer islands there was some sage advice as voters said MPs need to be fair to everyone without favouritism, and that MPs need to consider the welfare of the nation, leading wisely. Many offered all standing good luck in the coming elections. But there was also much unhappiness with the current government in […]