Articles by Utopia Support

Warring Demo factions keep slugging

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Local

The battle of the Democratic Party factions continues as MP for Tupapa John Tangi steps up his efforts to undermine the conference planned for May 31. Tangi, general secretary of the Democratic Party and recently sacked Leader of the House, says “Tupapa have never supported the conference”. He goes on to say that documents signed […]

Gypsy Trader lost at sea

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Local

Local police, Search and Rescue New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Air Force are conducting a search and rescue operation to locate a lost fishing boat, which was scheduled to return to Rarotonga on May 9. On board the Gypsy Trader with captain Jo Seva, a former Taio shipping skipper, was a three-man crew […]

Keeping traditional medicine alive

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Features

Group aims to strengthen tradition by encouraging Maori medicines use Te Rito o te Vairakau Maori is a small organisation that visits the outer islands in a bid to encourage the use of traditional Maori health practices. The first outer island workshop was held in Mauke in the first week of May, with a keen […]

'Snap' showcases photo art

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Features

The Art Studio in Arorangi is hosting a photographic group show for artists in Rarotonga with the preview evening opening tonight. Not only will the exhibition grant the opportunity for artists and photographers to showcase their work to the general public, but more importantly it provides acknowledgement and encourages the advancement of photography here in […]

The line between creation and destruction

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Features

Exploring different types of conversation as a means to identify ‘sense of space’ has inspired local artist Krick Barraud’s latest instalment titled ‘Contemporary Conversation’. Barraud is the final local Master of Art and Design student to be assessed and she has once again used the coral limestone home in Avana as the canvas for her […]

Don't take judicial freedom for granted

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Features

The people of the Cook Islands were reminded this week just how lucky they were to have such a strong and free judicial system – and told that they all have a responsibility to keep it that way. At a special court sitting on Thursday, speaker after speaker reminded those gathered, and the population in […]

Dogs bring joy

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I’m having a great holiday here in Rarotonga. A large part of my enjoyment has been the people I’ve met and watching, talking to and cuddling the friendly dogs on Muri Beach. I’ve observed many other tourists doing the same and see the dogs as a huge attraction as you don’t experience this […]

That's real democracy

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I salute and raise my hat to Mr Gordon Brown who after some years as the Prime Minister of Great Britain, once he realised that he no longer commanded the two-thirds majority of seats after the recent general election, humbly conceded defeat, moved out of the government house and graciously bowed out to […]

Mozzie spraying plan of attack

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor Before a shoot from the hip attempt at spraying the Culex night time mosquito has everyone up in arms, can Public Health please tell us how spraying would have any effect whatsoever. Can’t spray the buggers during the day as they are asleep under leaves and under buildings. Drive down the road at […]

Kata - May 15, 2010

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Kata

Panthers chase league triple

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in League

Tupapa after hat-trick but Eels ready for the challenge Rugby league fans can expect a hard-fought and passionate premier grade grand final this evening between the defending champions Tupapa Panthers and the Avatiu Eels. Captain Alan Tuara will be leading the Panthers into the grand final for the third time and a hat-trick today will […]

In the name of Christ, stop!

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Church Talk

Charles Colson, in his marvellous volume ‘Loving God’, told the story of Telemachus, a fourth century Christian. He was a peace-loving, beauty-loving man who lived in a remote village, tending his garden and spending much time in prayer. One day he thought he heard the voice of God telling him to go to Rome, so […]

Call for help with promo

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Local

Cook Islands businesses are being asked to come up with discounts and deals to help attract Australian visitors on the new direct Sydney-Rarotonga flight. The call went out yesterday for help in promoting and making the new service – which is being underwritten by taxpayer funds – a success. Cook Islands Tourism issued the request […]

Bishop slams heads

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Local

Bishop Tutai Pere of the Apostolic Church of the Cook Islands has hit out at the country’s leaders, telling them to stop blaming each other. In a stinging column in today’s Churchtalk on page 13, Pere says that the politicians should look at themselves before they point the finger at others. He asks why in […]

New Chief Justice sworn in

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Local

“If something happens – it’s poetic justice. And I know we have someone who can deliver it.” These were the words of Chief Justice David Williams yesterday afternoon when Justice Tom Weston was appointed the new Chief Justice of the Cook Islands. Local lawyers, distinguished guests and friends of the two judges filled the court […]

Party first, people second

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is very disappointing to see what the minority government and their supporters are focusing on, which is to call a conference to resolve a party matter at the same time overlook the needs of the people of Aitutaki and the Northern Group islands that suffered damage from the cyclones. This is the […]

'Rebels' are pretending

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kia orana e tama, there is no doubt in my mind that the six ministers under the leadership of Jim Marurai and Robert Wigmore are all sacked from the Democratic Party. Those supporters who follow them are also automatically sacked by associating and supporting them. They are no longer members of the Democratic […]

Telecom challenged to court fight

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I write to you on behalf of Mervin Communications in respect of two letters by Telecom Cook Islands CEO Jules Maher addressed to your publication. Our response to the first letter published on May 22 titled ‘Telecom one of the cheapest’ is that this was totally misleading. Telecom is the only supplier of […]

Pasture them all out

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It would seem that the laws of today only apply to the Little People and not politicians etc. Terepai Maoate goes scott free from his million dollar blunder while Tamarii Pierre’s driver and others – the little people, I might add – are in jail to pay for their fines. Shouldn’t Terepai and […]

Airport is open plan

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to advise Peter William that the airport was not attempting to build either a beehive or an opera house but a modern open planned airport terminal. It’s a terminal funded by the Airport Authority with no hand outs from aid monies or government, a project that has stood on its own […]