Articles by Utopia Support

It's still a fragile freedom

Monday 3 May 2010 | Published in Features

Freedom of expression is a civil liberty we mostly take for granted in this country. We see and hear that freedom working itself out in everyday life – letters to the editor, talkback radio, the ongoing Sunday flight protests in Aitutaki – and we consider it normal. But by comparison with our Pacific neighbours, some […]

Reporter Speaks out about trespassing case

Monday 3 May 2010 | Published in Features

On March 14 I was wrongfully arrested and charged with being unlawfully found on property. For a month I lived in a state of shock and disbelief that this could happen to me for simply doing my job. People told me that I was being victimised and intimidated by ‘bullies’ through the police, as retribution […]

Please explain tourism situation

Monday 3 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor A few days ago you had the ‘golden goose’ of tourism being strangled in your newspaper cartoon. I think that is such a good image of what’s happening in this country. What I am worried about is that it is being allowed to happen with no one really doing anything about it. There […]

Kata - May 3, 2010

Monday 3 May 2010 | Published in Kata

Finals spots decided in league

Monday 3 May 2010 | Published in League

The Avatiu Eels premier and under 19 grade, Arorangi Bears reserve and under 16 grade and the Tupapa Panthers under 13 grade have all secured a grand finals spot after winning their rugby league playoff matches at the weekend. On Friday night the Arorangi Bears broke the hearts of Ngatangiia-Matavera supporters and players when they […]

Billboards spoiling enua manea

Monday 3 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A reader writes: “As we were driving around our beautiful island (enua manea!) enjoying the green, well kept sections and sweeping oceans views, our vision was suddenly obscured by a huge billboard, demanding attention to a business in Arorangi. It made the “OIRE RANGIATEA” sign seem less important! We continued driving and then another billboard […]

Leader of the house sacked

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Local

Demo Party secretary and Tupapa-Maraerenga MP John Tangi has been sacked as leader of the house by Prime Minister Jim Marurai this week. Tangi has been outspoken against Marurai’s cabinet and is supporting party leader and former deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate in his stance that all members of cabinet have now had their […]

George walks free after not guilty Slush verdict

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Local

Yesterday’s acquittal ends long running corruption trial Atiu MP and lawyer Norman George declared it a great day for justice after being acquitted on the seven corruption charges in the High Court yesterday. “It is a great day for justice. God preserve the best judicial system in the world,” he said. “This concludes five years […]

Jokes good for kids

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Features

Telling jokes is good for kids. It increases their confidence, helps them to remember a story in order and relate it to others, and stimulates their thinking. Who would have thought something that all kids enjoy could be so useful! So, here are a few: 1. Knock Knock Who’s There? Wood Wood Who? Wood you […]

Discovering their country

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Features

June Hosking discovers the thrill that can be found when people take the time to explore their own backyard. During the last school holidays a number of groups from Atiu visited other islands – and had a blast. Don’t leave home until you’ve seen your country. That’s just what three groups from Atiu decided to […]

Cricket kids have a ball in holidays

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Features

Junior cricketers showed off their batting and bowling skills yesterday to Cook Islands Cricket school holiday programme sponsors Nick Henry of 88FM and Nauma Atiau of Avarua Bakery. 88FM and Avarua Bakery have supported the cricket initiative over the past two weeks of the school holiday, which drew close to 30 kids for each session. […]

Peka enjoying her taste of news

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Features

Cadet reporter Peka Fisher has begun laying a solid foundation for a career in journalism after a smooth two weeks with Cook Islands News. The form six Tereora College student is mature beyond her 16 years and this can certainly be attributed to her recent eight-month stint at Kamehameha School in Hawaii as an exchange […]

Meitaki maata CI from the UK

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I just want to send out a big thank you to the people of the Cook Islands. I made my first trip to your beautiful country last month with my wife and children. It has always been a dream of mine to visit, ever since I can remember. Well finally in my 47th […]

Thank you 60+ women

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to thank and acknowledge the women of the sixty plus club for their work in the community. I had the privilege of being a guest speaker as a representative of Punanga Tauturu Inc at their monthly meeting and have walked away renewed in my conviction of the resilience and perseverance […]

A ridiculous situation

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I just happened to pick up the newspaper about 10 minutes ago and to my amusement, there was a reta re Health System Unfair. I am saddened to read that Tuao Messine’s son and daughter-in-law is facing what we came through and I applaud them for voicing their disappointment. I can only hope […]

Kata - May 1, 2010

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Kata

League playoffs all go

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in League

The BCI Stadium in Nikao is the place to be today for the rugby league playoffs. Games will begin at 1pm starting with the clash between the baby Panthers and Bears. Games will run right up to the main premier grade match between the Avatiu Eels and Tupapa Panthers. Last week these two sides locked […]

Netball jumps back into action

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Netball

The netball season started with the open one and two grades clash last night with a full afternoon of games planned for today. This week’s first round of games sees the Titikaveka club take on Avatiu, and Takuvaine playing Ngatangiia. Future netball stars will begin today’s games in the under 10 and 12 grades. For […]

Living the word

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Church Talk

Three theology students were discussing the relative merits of different translations of the Bible. One argued for the New Revised Standard Version: “It’s closer”, he said, “to the original Hebrew and Greek. Another preferred the New Jerusalem Bible: the layout made it very readable and he found the notes superb. The third student said that […]

Catholics welcome new priest

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Church Talk

Last Thursday night Father Freddy Kaina was ordained in a moving service. He was inducted into the priesthood in front of his proud parents Kaina Kaina and Marii Kaina, family members from overseas and a huge congregation of Catholic parishioners from across the Cook Islands. The Manihiki community paid special homage to their son by […]