Articles by Utopia Support

Kata - August 27, 2010

Friday 27 August 2010 | Published in Kata

Good on you James Beer

Friday 27 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

In response to a letter yesterday from the Democratic Party candidate for Murienua titled ‘How to repair puna run-offs’, a smoke signaller writes: “If James keeps thinking so rationally and clearly, he may change ‘beer’ from a noun to a verb, as in ‘Hey, mate, let’s go beer over this’, meaning let’s sit down and […]

Tahiti vaka in Fiji

Thursday 26 August 2010 | Published in Local

The crew of the O Tahiti Nui Freedom outrigger canoe made their third stop in Fiji on Monday morning. The team of six including Cook Islands voyagers Sam Napa and Rakeimata Koronui were accorded a traditional welcome ceremony at Albert Park hosted by the Fiji Arts Council (FAC). FAC projects officer Semi Laliqavoka said the […]

Population declining

Thursday 26 August 2010 | Published in Local

The country’s yo-yoing population appears to be continuing its downward trend, according to the latest statistics released by Statistics Cook Islands. While these statistics are almost eight months old, they show the resident population of the country dropping year on year. For the December 2009 quarter the resident population was estimated to be 12,000 – […]

Petition launched for Maoate

Thursday 26 August 2010 | Published in Local

Democratic Party supporters in Ngatangiia are now being pressured to sign a petition in support of MP Sir Terepai Maoate to remain as the candidate for the election. The petition had been going door to door yesterday prior to last night’s three-man run-off for candidacy being staged. Reports from members of the Ngatangiia community were […]

How to repair puna run-offs

Thursday 26 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Tangata Vainerere from Pacific Legislature for Population and Governance is quite right – puna run-offs are a problem (see “Run-off under microscope”, page 8 in the August 23 edition of this paper). I can speak from firsthand experience – they are not being done correctly, and the consequences are far-reaching. Let me share […]

Cunning plan

Thursday 26 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, You would think by now Uncle Bob would be used to anything the so-called ‘reluctant’ politician/PM comes up with. Firstly, he was trying to avoid a ‘snap’ election and now we find out this one in November is actually a ‘snap’ election. There is no such thing as a technical ‘snap election’- this […]

Agreeing to some reforms

Thursday 26 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Reading your newspaper dated 24/08/10 it once again highlighted political reform. Yes, I do agree with the political reform to save the country millions of dollars but I object to some of the reforms mentioned in the newspaper. a) Direct election of the Prime Minister by all the voters. What is wrong with […]

Support for Arenikau MP

Thursday 26 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to forward my undivided support for Arenikau’s Member of Parliament, Hon Teina Bishop. As long as he maintains an alignment with the Cook Islands Party, I will continue to lend my support for him. I have followed his journey in politics with interest, and I for one have never doubted […]

Kata - August 26, 2010

Thursday 26 August 2010 | Published in Kata

The golden touch?

Thursday 26 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“If this were a fairy tale, Mr Junior Areai believes he has the Midas Touch!” a smoke signaller writes. “He goes into politics and stands as an independent in the Oneroa electorate! Mr Areai is gifted at getting close to powerful politicians and political hopefuls and once he associates himself with them, his touch reveals […]

Reform eyed

Wednesday 25 August 2010 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Jim Marurai will meet with lobby group Mou Piri and other political reform advocates this week as part of talks on a possible election referendum. Marurai’s office confirmed yesterday that cabinet had been holding informal talks on holding a referendum on political reform at the November 17 election. The PM has agreed to […]

'Terrorism' remark caused strife

Wednesday 25 August 2010 | Published in Local

No explanation yet for former PM’s actions It has been confirmed that Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) president Sir Geoffrey Henry was taken off a plane at Auckland airport because of alleged comments he made about terrorism. In a statement issued to CI News yesterday, Air New Zealand’s Cook Islands manager David […]

Time for a change is now

Wednesday 25 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The inability of government to make sure that the continued water drainage problem along the main road directly across from Chilli’s Bar in the village of Tupapa is properly fixed is glowing testament of the dismal performance of the Demo government during the last four years in power. Every time it rains the […]

Run-off required by constitution

Wednesday 25 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The proposed run-off to decide the official candidate for the Democratic Party for the Ngatangiia constituency on Wednesday is based on the requirements of the constitution of the Cook Islands Democratic Party. Under article 17 (b) it states: “The Constituency Committee shall give sufficient public notice of the place, date, and time fixed […]

Kata - August 25, 2010

Wednesday 25 August 2010 | Published in Kata

Raro's electric roads

Wednesday 25 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Before government spends too much time negotiating with TOA over the future of petroleum imports, it might not be a bad idea to get current on the pace of technology in regards electric vehicles,” a smoke signaller writes. “The biggest carmakers in the world are in a race to see who will take the biggest […]

Soccer sponsorship launched

Wednesday 25 August 2010 | Published in Football

Cook Islands Football Association recently signed a new two year apparel partnership with Lotto to outfit the Premier Men’s teams of Arorangi, Avatiu, Matavera, Nikao Sokattak, Takuvaine, Titikaveka and Tupapa. This sponsorship deal was launched yesterday and during the launch of the seven clubs were all represented by club officials and players. “Lotto has also […]

Turner here to help

Tuesday 24 August 2010 | Published in Local

A well-known name in the NZ produce industry is lending a hand to government’s $3.5 million Te One Kura agriculture revival project. Peter Turner, managing director of Fresh Direct, is accompanying agriculture minister and Deputy Prime Minister Robert Wigmore on a whirlwind visit to the southern group islands this week as part of the project. […]

Tension grows

Tuesday 24 August 2010 | Published in Local

Ngatangiia’s three-man run-off for the Democratic Party candidate selection is going ahead tomorrow night amid growing tensions between party supporters. Candidate nominee Stephen Peyroux says he stands by the actions of the ‘interim committee’ he chairs and is disappointed at the stance of standing MP Sir Terepai Maoate’s supporters. The interim committee has challenged the […]