Articles by Utopia Support

Resort GM predicts job losses across sector

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Local

Sixteen staff at Crown Beach Resort were laid off this week as part of drastic restructuring brought on by the general decline in the performance of the tourism industry. General manager Rohan Ellis predicts other large hotels in Rarotonga will soon be forced to follow suit. “The Crown Beach has 36 rooms but we had […]

Industry council asks for tourism budget increase

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Local

The Tourism Industry Council says the country is at risk of losing the direct Air New Zealand Sydney-Rarotonga flight before it has begun due to a lack of budget for marketing. On Tuesday the council issued an open letter to government on what it considers the most crucial decision ever the allocation of appropriate funding […]

Women journalists want to move forward

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Features

BRISBANE, April 30 Women journalists attending the Pacific WAVE Media Network in Brisbane this week, including a number from the Cook Islands, have confirmed they want to move forward on a draft strategic plan developed over the last year. They say they want to work on their governance and working documents helping them to lead, […]

That's democracy!

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As I have a lot of friends on Rarotonga I regularly dip into your online publication to catch up on local news and views. This week I was pleased to see a most erudite communication from The Bard and as today, April 23, is Shakespeare’s birthday I thought it fitting to congratulate the […]

Plates just the number

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with interest the article on Cook Islands number plates. I live in Michigan, USA and have new Cook Islands plates on four cars. My Toyota with the CI plate on the front of the car in the snow appeared in the CI News last year. We only need a rear plate […]

Kata - April 30, 2010

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Kata

What about the others?

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“I was just reading through the Cook Islands News this morning (Thursday) regarding the sentencing of Danny Cook,” writes a smoke signaller. “My points are: There are other offenders who are facing the same sentencing but have not taken place yet. How quickly Danny’s case has been dealt with. His sentence is two years in […]

Two year's jail for fatal crash

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Local

Eighteen-year-old sentenced for dangerous driving causing death Eighteen year-old Danny Cook was sentenced to two years imprisonment yesterday for the tragic car crash that killed 19-year-old TV presenter Tamarii Pierre last month. Justice Colin Nicholson made it clear that the prison term imposed by the court must send a message to all people that if […]

Student parliament has its first official sitting

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Local

Parliament was called to session yesterday morning to debate on a new bill. The ‘reduction of the voting age’ bill was on the table all day and finally passed at the end of the day’s sitting. In student parliament that is. Twenty four secondary school students are currently taking part in the mock parliament sessions. […]

Lecture series explodes freedom of expression

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Features

Ahead of World Press Freedom Day to be held at the University of Queensland this weekend, the UQ School of Journalism and Communication will hold a free World Press Freedom Day lecture series commencing Thursday, April 29, at the UQ St Lucia campus. The first lecture in the series is entitled: A phone is just […]

Press freedom celebrated

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Features

BRISBANE, April 28 – More than 300 media professionals will gather in Australia this weekend to celebrate freedom of the press and to acknowledge what they and their colleagues undergo to uphold it. World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) falls on Monday, May 3. This year, the University of Queensland in Brisbane is hosting the Asia-Pacific […]

A bit of poetry

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This is a response to the letter signed ‘Two senesene worth’ letter in your newspaper yesterday: Two Senesene, the moon is green. Yes! Minister Wilkie, the moon is green. Two Senesene, the sun is purple. Yes! Minister Wilkie, the sun is purple. Two Senesene, I command you to follow my instructions. Yes! Minister […]

Coco Putt deserves a licence

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing in regards to the issuing of a new liquor licence. People who set up the new business called Coco Putt put a lot of money and dreams into their new venture, and then are denied a restaurant liquor licence, which is needed by the business to succeed. I know Tokerau […]

Health system unfair

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to voice my disappointment at our national health system in regards to an issue when my son and daughter in-law were blessed with a beautiful baby girl in March this year at the Rarotonga hospital. They were told to pay $1000 for their week’s stay in hospital, added to that they […]

Kata - April 29, 2010

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Kata

Action-packed league weekend

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in League

Two days of action are set for Friday and Saturday as teams take to the BCI Stadium grounds for the rugby league playoffs. On Friday, four games have been scheduled with the under 13 Bulldogs and Eels taking to the field first at 4pm. The Bulldogs and Sea Eagles reserve grade will take to the […]

Local bums on empty seats?

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A suggestion has been made that if taxpayers have to underwrite the new Sydney flights, surely taxpayers could expect first dibs on any empty seats. It would help keep the planes (looking) full and leave a sweeter taste in our mouths… of course we’d be hoping we don’t leave anyone behind permanently in Australia! It […]

Driver swerves to avoid youngster

Wednesday 28 April 2010 | Published in Local

A young boy narrowly missed more serious injury after being hit by a car on Monday, thanks to the quick reaction of the driver. At 9.56am on Monday in front of the Matavera CICC church the five-year-old was hit by a car while crossing the road. Police say that according to eye witnesses the child […]

Community to decide site for alternative jetty

Wednesday 28 April 2010 | Published in Local

The Puaikura community has been asked to agree on a site for a proposed $2 million tender boat landing for visiting cruise ships. Initial talks for the NZAID funded alternative port began with NZ foreign minister Murray McCully last year. During his most recent visit last month, McCully reportedly told government that the project could […]

Court to issue verdict on Slush charges this week

Wednesday 28 April 2010 | Published in Local

The High Court is due to issue a verdict on the seven corruption charges faced by Atiu member of parliament Norman George on Friday as the country’s longest, and possibly most expensive, criminal trial comes to an end. Yesterday, the Operation Slush trial closed before Justice Colin Nicholson with defence attorney Tim Arnold’s final submissions […]