Articles by Utopia Support

Cheers to Wilkie, it's a start

Friday 25 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Well done Wilkie Rasmussen, your goal to put in policy to help us local businesses is a breath of fresh air and offers a glimmer of hope to business owners. Only those people who develop and run businesses here in the Cooks can understand the massive amount of money, effect and time needed […]

Kata - June 25, 2010

Friday 25 June 2010 | Published in Kata

Netballers fight for last spots

Friday 25 June 2010 | Published in Netball

This week’s ‘do or die’ netball matches will be played on the one court configuration at the Telecom Sports Arena where teams will battle it out for the last spot in next week’s grand finals. But first up tonight will be the open one and two semi finals clashes to determine who goes to the […]

Rugby union all go this week!

Friday 25 June 2010 | Published in Rugby Union

The Takuvaine and Titikaveka under 13 rugby grades will kick start the 2010 rugby union 15s season this afternoon at the Titikaveka field. This match at 4.15 will be followed by the senior B clash between these two clubs. Then it’s full on rugby on Saturday with Avatiu-Nikao hosting Tupapa-Maraerenga at the swamp while the […]

Tax time thoughts

Friday 25 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “Many a company director signing monthly tax cheques to the government this week must have muttered contemptuous things about needing a tax break, like Tav’s and others, and then got a little angry realising that our precious tax dollars are also going into Brett Porter’s coffers. The one question I can’t […]

Cheaper loans likely

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Local

NZAID is currently working with banks in the Cook Islands on a plan to offer cheaper loans to small and medium sized businesses. NZAID is hoping that with the cooperation of the banks, they will be able to fund loans at a rate which is roughly 7 percent lower than the current interest rate on […]

Toa appeal set for July 12 hearing

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Local

The long-awaited Toa audit report has been issued to Cabinet ministers, Toa, Triad and former financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti, among other relevant parties. Audit has been preparing the report for four months, and sources close to the heart of the debacle predict that it contains information that has never before been leaked about the financial […]

Stand-off

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Local

A stand-off is developing in Avatiu as sitting MP Albert Nicholas continues his claim to the Cook Islands Party (CIP) nomination for the seat in the area. Last week Nicholas declared himself the winner of the CIP candidacy for the Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston seat a process that did not allow other nominations to come forward to challenge […]

Independent power base looms

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Local

The trickle of independent candidates standing in the next general elections could soon become a flood, says political reform advocate Teina Mackenzie. Mackenzie said her feeling was one of “relief” when she heard that Philip Nicholas had put his name forward as an independent candidate for the Nikao-Panama seat. “I am so happy that people […]

Seeing the light

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor In the article on mercury poisoning no mention was made of the money saving new light bulbs being foisted upon the world. One elderly lady broke one here in the States, called the Environmental Protection Agency and it cost her US$2500 to have one broken mercury “good for 2000 hours” light bulb that […]

Crime idea

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, For a while now there has been evidence that a few opportunist thieves are sabotaging our tourism industry. No lateral thinking on ideas to combat this seem to be apparent. Here’s one idea that could be adapted and might make a significant difference. It’s well known that when experts in a profession have […]

Promises, promises

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Perhaps people need to ask what the new Demo candidate for Mauke has done since leaving his post as councillor for Manukau City in NZ. One must wonder, what happened to the promises he made to everyone during his campaign for councillor in NZ? Must admit Mr Ka from Melbourne is not far […]

Mind your own backyard

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to make some comments with regards to Teuira Ka’s letter to the editor because it’s sickening and he talks as if he is a born and bred Maukean. Teuira, leave Mauke alone for us Maukeans to talk about. Do you have no better things to do but criticise the efforts of […]

Kata - June 24, 2010

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Kata

'New voice'

Wednesday 23 June 2010 | Published in Local

Nikao Rangatira Philip Nicholas’ decision to stand as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections should send a warning to the two main political parties. Yesterday, Nicholas announced he was going to stand in the Nikao-Panama seat perhaps opening the door for a flood of independent candidates in other electorates. He said he knew of […]

Kids connect with kura

Wednesday 23 June 2010 | Published in Local

Rimatara students Heidi and Verina Hatitio, Kurahiti Make, Maleana and Tepua Taharia, Jules Tetuamanuhiri, Teremu Tupuai and Heirani Utia, accompanied by their principal Claudine Hatito, Mireta Erena, Francine Utia and Manu representative Fasan Chong after arriving at Rarotonga airport. The group travelled from French Polynesia to the Cook Islands yesterday to check on the bird […]

Toa audit report out

Wednesday 23 June 2010 | Published in Local

Audit released its long-awaited Toa report to the minister of finance, PERCA and attorney general Wilkie Rasmussen at 9 o’clock yesterday morning. The report – titled ‘Audit Review into Government’s Attempt to Nationalise the Fuel Industry’ – has been four months in the making. A five-member team at the audit office has spent most of […]

Wanted

Tuesday 22 June 2010 | Published in Local

Police want help in locating 20-year-old Rima Iotua.10062101

20 laptops stolen this year

Tuesday 22 June 2010 | Published in Local

Police are asking for help locating 20-year-old Rima Iotua of Avatiu who is wanted for breaching curfew and a range of other criminal offences. If you know his whereabouts, please contact police on 22499. Two motor vehicle crashes were reported at the weekend. On Friday afternoon, a woman driving a motorbike crashed into another motorbike […]

CJ Williams still has title of CI court

Tuesday 22 June 2010 | Published in Local

Chief Justice David Williams has still not handed over his title to his recently-appointed successor Tom Weston. He will continue to retain his position as Chief Justice of the Cook Islands until June 27, when his warrant expires. The title handover ceremony was held last month at the courthouse for purposes of convenience, as both […]