Articles by Utopia Support

Horse lover's plea

Saturday 7 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Our wonderful 10-day break in Rarotonga has drawn to a close. What amazing people, tours and places to explore. The only let down was Aroa Horse Riding. Ponies of poor physical and mental state tethered to ropes. One a nasty biter, another a vicious kicker bullying all within her range. Very inexperienced operators […]

Who's the dummy?

Saturday 7 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“I wonder who is the dumb one here in regards to protocol?” asks a smoke signaller in response to yesterday’s smokie that suggested the government had no idea of protocol because the Minister of Culture arrived after the Deputy Prime Minister at the official opening of Te Maeva Nui last week. “Minister of Culture Cassey […]

Atiu's Ziona-Tapu under renovation

Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Church Talk

For the past two weeks the people of Atiu have been hard at work renovating the CICC Church building Ziona-Tapu. Ziona-Tapu was constructed in 1843 and opened in 1846. The first renovation was done in 1965 and it reopened in 1967, 43 years ago, under the leadership of the late Vainerere Tangatapoto OBE and his […]

Resisting the devil

Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Church Talk

It seems nowadays that demons and the Devil get a lot more credit than they are due. I believe that is part of the power in which they thrive. They are made out to be the source of all problems and any bad thing – money problems, sinful issues, marital problems, etc. The answer always […]

Always stand up for Christ

Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Church Talk

Fear of opposition or ridicule can weaken our witnessing for Christ, we cling to peace and comfort even at the cost of our walk with God. Jesus reminds us here that we should fear God, who controls eternal, not merely temporal consequences. Don’t allow fear of a person or group to keep you from standing […]

Trade Day delights

Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Local

If you missed out on yesterday’s Trade Day market, don’t worry because it’s on again today, but you’d better cross your fingers that everything hasn’t sold out. That’s because yesterday, huge crowds took advantage of the market day to buy some of the finest Cook Islands art, crafts and locally made oils, soaps and food. […]

MPs meet again

Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Local

Members of parliament are set to meet again today to hold talks about the passage of the supplementary budget and the main budget for 2010-11. Finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen told CI News that both budgets should now be passed by next Thursday. He said yesterday’s talks resulted in agreement over the passing of the supplementary […]

QR's warrant expires

Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Local

Sir Frederick Goodwin was replaced by an acting Queen’s Representative last month following delays in the arrival of a warrant for his new three-year term. When Parliament resumed late last month it was Acting Chief Justice Robert Fisher who carried out the functions of the QR and issued the formal notice recommending the bills be […]

Snap election

Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Local

Members of parliament are eyeing up October 27 as the snap election date – an election likely to be called next Thursday. Acting Prime Minister Wilkie Rasmussen says government will announce the date of the election when parliament completes the passage of the two budgets next week. Parliament resumes again on Monday after adjourning on […]

Blacklist irresponsible employers

Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I recently wrote a letter headed ‘Treat them fairly’ which pertained to the treatment employers dish out to foreign workers arriving on Rarotonga to fill a much needed gap in the work force, particularly in the hospitality industry. I am surprised that no one replied to the argument, which should prove that by […]

Kata - August 6, 2010

Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Kata

No idea of protocol

Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“At the opening ceremony of Te Maeva Nui at the Punanga Nui on Saturday, it was so embarrassing that this government has no idea of protocol,” a smoke signaller emails. “In normal situations, everyone will wait for the Prime Minister to be the last guest to arrive to an official function, but instead acting Prime […]

Row escalates

Thursday 5 August 2010 | Published in Local

An escalating row between Opposition Party deputy leader Teina Bishop and Norman George resulted in a strong warning about ‘dishonourable conduct’ in Parliament earlier this week. Speaker, Mapu Taia, was forced to suspend the sitting for 10 minutes to allow MPs to ‘cool off’ after a motion by Acting PM Wilkie Rasmussen to adjourn Parliament […]

More questions

Thursday 5 August 2010 | Published in Local

Finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen said the first instalment in the Toa profit guarantee agreement of almost $900,000 is one of two items in the supplementary budget that needs to be reviewed by Parliament before it can be passed into law. On Tuesday Parliament adjourned until next Monday to allow time for government to seek more […]

The big promise on political reform

Thursday 5 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The democratic government will establish a political reform commission within six months after taking office. 1) Consult widely with our people and with political experts to determine the best options for political reform in order to do the following: To establish a formula for the reduction of seats in constituencies where there is […]

Retrospective validating of legislation

Thursday 5 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Firstly let me correct the record. While flattering, please do not refer to me as a constitutional expert. I have never claimed to be one and would not want to. We are all fallible but experts are expected to be less fallible than other mortals and I would find that too onerous. I […]

Kata - August 5, 2010

Thursday 5 August 2010 | Published in Kata

All welcome

Tuesday 3 August 2010 | Published in Local

Everyone is invited to tomorrow’s Constitution Day flag raising ceremony at the National Auditorium. Tomorrow marks the 45th year of the Cook Islands’ self governance and the commemoration programme will begin at 9.30am. Between 9.30am and 10am dignitaries will be welcomed to the auditorium before the official programme begins with a prayer followed by the […]

Demos told to apologise

Tuesday 3 August 2010 | Published in Local

CIP MP Norman George has challenged the Democratic Party government to ‘show repentance’ over the Toagate ‘balls-up’ by not putting up candidates this election. George told Parliament yesterday that the saddest aspect to the scandal was that the author, who he said was former finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate, was non-repentant and had not even […]

Govt seeks Budget advice

Tuesday 3 August 2010 | Published in Local

Government will seek more legal advice on whether the supplementary budget, tabled outside of the 2009-10 financial year, can be passed in Parliament. On the eve of Constitution Day, Parliament is still uncertain whether the extra budget will comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the Cook Islands. Local businessman John Scott’s letter to […]