Articles by Utopia Support

Good luck at Vaimaanga

Wednesday 2 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor It is comforting to know that the latest entry in the ‘finish the Vaimaanga before 2050 sweepstakes’ does not intend to hang his hat on the expired building permits and expired EIA but will begin anew. Just a note to the gentlemen involved, the last EIA was in essence a ‘blank cheque’ that […]

Manarangi responds to template view

Wednesday 2 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to the letter “Kevin Carr explains Toa Template” which was published in Monday’s CI News. In general I agree with the views expressed by Mr Carr but there is one passage in his letter that requires a response in order that the observation made by Mr Carr is seen in its […]

Kata - June 2, 2010

Wednesday 2 June 2010 | Published in Kata

Pacific netball all set to go

Wednesday 2 June 2010 | Published in Netball

The Pacific Series netball tournament will officially begin with an opening ceremony tomorrow at the Telecom Sports Arena. The netball series will be battled out between the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea. The top two placed teams will maintain their world ranking and qualify for the 2011 Singapore World Championships. The opening […]

Prison escape email

Wednesday 2 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

The ‘prison break’ early Monday morning resulted in a flurry of FYI (for your information) e-mails from people in various business and government offices who forwarded a police e-mail and pdf attachment – including the WANTED heading in bold Latin typeface with large triangular serifs reminiscent of Wild West posters – about the escapee and […]

Compost toilet saves water and environment

Tuesday 1 June 2010 | Published in Environment

The latest in eco-friendly toilet technology, the compost toilet, has found a home on Mauke. Andrew and June Hosking have elected to save the environment from pollution by using a Rota-Loo, a toilet that doesn’t require water to operate. June said that most people misunderstand the waterless toilet, and mistake it for a long drop, […]

Prisoner escapes

Tuesday 1 June 2010 | Published in Local

Repeat offender Andrew Tonorio escaped from prison for the second time early yesterday. The escape yesterday morning follows a previous escape in November, which landed him back in prison soon after he fled. According to police, Tonorio was last seen near the rubbish dump just outside the Arorangi prison perimeter between 6.20-6.50am. Tonorio has black […]

Weston suggests Demos live up to their name

Tuesday 1 June 2010 | Published in Local

Chief Justice Tom Weston’s written judgement on the Democratic Party injunction application found decisively against the applicants party leader Sir Terepai Maoate, president Makiuti Tongia, and secretary general John Tangi. The applicants had filed the injunction to try and stop a Demo Party faction holding a party conference yesterday. “It would be an odd state […]

New venture for Sheraton site

Tuesday 1 June 2010 | Published in Local

A new developer is in the wings ready to resurrect the failed Sheraton Hotel property at Vaimaanga. The Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) has approved an application from New Zealand-based company Mirage Group Ltd to invest in and develop the 10-hectare Vaimaanga site, owned by Pa Marie Ariki. BTIB chief executive Terry Rangi said that […]

What's different?

Tuesday 1 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Here’s a good one for your readers. The mighty Jimmy says he was advised against a snap election because he did not have the numbers. But wait just a minute, same PM, same QR back in 2006, they did not have the numbers then, but still called an election. What’s the difference now, […]

Stop the performance

Tuesday 1 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Nobody is buying the latest scene of the two leading performers in the Jim and Fred con game act. In scene 1; 2006, the PM didn’t have a majority in parliament to call a snap election but that didn’t stop the two conmen from calling a snap election at the time. In scene […]

Great paper, but bad news

Tuesday 1 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Thank you for the Cook Islands News. I like reading what’s happening to Government it’s sad. I hope they will elect a strong leader to run the county. And another thing I want to ask is why the fare to Aitutaki on Air Raro is so steep? It’s just only 45 minute to […]

'Outsider' comments on tourism

Tuesday 1 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I hope you will accept my ‘outsider’ comments on tourism to the Cook Islands, based simply on our strong desire to visit but finding considerable practical reasons to be unable to fulfill our dream. My wife and I live in Britain, and will be in Melbourne in December and January. We had planned […]

Kata - June 1, 2010

Tuesday 1 June 2010 | Published in Kata

Voyagers welcomed

Monday 31 May 2010 | Published in Local

Home in loving arms – Tetini Pekepo bear-hugs his son Te Aroha who just couldn’t wait for the official welcome ceremony on Saturday. “/> Pacific voyagers were celebrated on Saturday afternoon when the five voyaging double hulled sister canoes made an historic landfall at Avana harbour. The welcome ceremony for the canoes was a moving […]

Demos told to 'get together'

Monday 31 May 2010 | Published in Local

The High Court yesterday declined and dismissed the Democratic Party injunction application to stop today’s controversial party conference from taking place. But the faction organising the conference has decided to postpone it anyway – until Wednesday – on the advice of the court. Court registrar Claudine Henry-Anguna confirmed the outcome to Cook Islands News after […]

Tourism's very big ask

Monday 31 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

A New Zealand Herald article says: “Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand will between them invest about $130 million in the United States market during the next four years, with a target to increase annual visitor numbers from 200,000 to 300,000 over five years,” writes Stephen Lyon. He asks: “If it will take $130 […]

Little wonder

Monday 31 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read the CI News online every Friday and I’m very grateful to have updates on the political scandal going on! I am disgusted at your government’s treatment of the local people who gracefully casts their votes for you liars to represent our paradise. I suggest that you all get the hell out […]

No sharks in the lagoon!

Monday 31 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is comforting as a returning visitor to Raro, that you can roll out of bed, grab your bathing suit (snorkel optional) and hit the FANTASTIC beaches in Muri. Meeting a Stonefish is rare, and a puffer may be less rare (but sort of harmless), and there are no sharks (that I’ve seen). […]

Less for more

Monday 31 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Cook Islands’ financial situation is fragile, with budget cuts necessary and a reduction in reserves coupled with a rise in debt that is degrading our economy. So far this year tourism has been on the decline with Tata Crocombe being in charge since August last year. The tourism board wants more money, […]