Articles by Utopia Support

Thanksgiving thanks

Friday 23 April 2010 | Published in Church Talk

Dear Editor, Please allow me to use your column, on behalf of the members of the Religious Advisory Council, to thank ALL the churches and people that came to support the Thanksgiving Service last Sunday evening at the National Auditorium. To all the pastors, bishops, elders and all the members of your churches and fellowship, […]

Colourful mamas spread God's word

Friday 23 April 2010 | Published in Church Talk

Sporting stunning head eis, beautiful rito hats and colourful uniforms, the women of the Vainetini conference gathered for another day of fellowship and discussions yesterday. Hosted by the Avarua parish at the Sinai Hall, the mamas of the Cook Island Christian Church were all smiles, despite the rain. Secretary of the Avarua Women’s CICC fellowship […]

Fox to speak at dawn service

Friday 23 April 2010 | Published in Local

This year’s Anzac Day dawn service guest speaker will be Derek Fox. Fox is a veteran New Zealand broadcaster, commentator, publisher, journalist and a Maori Party candidate in several elections. His father, Dudu Fox, served in the 28th Maori Battalion. Fox was the mayor of Wairoa from 1995 to 2001 and is of Ngati Kahungunu […]

What about Sydney marketing?

Friday 23 April 2010 | Published in Local

The outspoken critic of Cook Islands Tourism board chair Tata Crocombe says the most important issue right now is a lack of marketing and promotion of the new direct Sydney flight to Rarotonga. Christopher de Doby, a director and part owner of Unique Tourism Collection, which was terminated yesterday as the Cook Islands Australian marketing […]

Judgment reserved

Friday 23 April 2010 | Published in Local

Judgment has been reserved on the high profile Apex Agencies case heard before the court this week. Yesterday Justice Tom Weston reserved his judgment indicating that it will likely be issued in the second week of May. The court has been asked to determine whether government must honour the full settlement agreement it made with […]

Board sacks Aussie agents

Friday 23 April 2010 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands Tourism board yesterday sacked its Australian marketing agents because of harsh criticism of board chairman Tata Crocombe by a director of the agency. The board announced yesterday it has terminated the sales and marketing contract with Australia’s Unique Tourism Collection (UTC) following a scathing critique of chairman Tata Crocombe by an owner […]

Finish what was started

Friday 23 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This Toagate problem will not be solved, unless someone steps in and picks up the faults and sorts it out without blaming others who did not do their job rightly or did not finish it. Wilkie Rasmussen needs to concentrate on fixing it, because he is the new leader that has been appointed […]

Respect America

Friday 23 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, How sad it is to read and notice straight away the bigoted comments penned by Wilkie Rasmussen in his letter to the editor last Thursday. I was absolutely disgusted that he would stoop so low as to highlight to the whole world, via this medium, Steve Boggs’ country of origin and his relevance […]

Best refs for top games

Friday 23 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In reply to ‘Give credit to the ref’, and his defensive and sheltering of an individual referee, I would like to lend in my support to the writer who was requesting our best referee for top games. Top referees cannot and should not hold centre stage of any match, they should control the […]

Kata - April 23, 2010

Friday 23 April 2010 | Published in Kata

Flu season on the way

Thursday 22 April 2010 | Published in Local

The recent rains are a reminder that the country is heading into a new season a busy season for health clinics and pharmacies. CITC pharmacist Shannon Saunders says she’s noticed an increase in the number of prescriptions rolling in for coughs and common colds. “We’re definitely heading into that time of year,” Saunders said. Saunders […]

Medicine mix up causes scare

Thursday 22 April 2010 | Published in Local

The very different medicines Lyndsay Francis was given for her granddaughter’s throat infection – on the left the Cervmol ear drops which was labelled and dispensed from the Tupapa ministry of health pharmacy as the Nystatin oral drops at right. “/> Local woman Lyndsay Francis got a scare this week after the Tupapa ministry of […]

Toa 'guarantee' under scrutiny

Thursday 22 April 2010 | Published in Local

Submissions in the Toa Petroleum (Apex Agencies) case against government are expected to wrap up today following a full day of technical arguments in the court yesterday. The focus of the case is whether the court should order government to honour the second part of the out of court settlement agreement government made with Toa […]

Toagate – worst blunder since self government

Thursday 22 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It saddens me to observe people like Bret and Tony holding the people of the Cook Islands to ransom in terms of what they think is right, that is, for the people of the Cook Islands to pay for not only the stupid and silly mistakes done by former Finance Minister Sir Terepai […]

Kata - April 22, 2010

Thursday 22 April 2010 | Published in Kata

Glenda must stay as CEO

Thursday 22 April 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “After reading the exit review from Cook Islands Tourism marketing director Glenda Tuaine in your Wednesday paper, all I can say to Minister of Tourism Robert Wigmore is: Persuade Glenda to return to the office immediately as CEO, invite her to bring her proven team around her, ask her advice on […]

Tuaine on her CIT years

Wednesday 21 April 2010 | Published in Local

CI Tourism director of marketing Glenda Tuaine says her five years at the corporation have been years of great enjoyment and professional development. In a letter to the editor, Tuaine outlines what she believes CI Tourism has achieved during her time there. Tuaine resigned last month, also quitting the role of acting chief executive, and […]

Lyon quits council to voice concerns

Wednesday 21 April 2010 | Published in Local

Tourism industry member Steve Lyon (pictured right) resigned as vice president of the Tourism Industry Council this week to be able to speak out on concern with the board of CI Tourism. “The industry council does a really good job and it deliberates and provides a balanced perspective. My view is only one end of […]

Tourism board set to respond

Wednesday 21 April 2010 | Published in Local

The CI Tourism board has indicated it will issue a press release in response to recent criticism from Australian travel industry representative Christopher de Doby. De Doby sent his scathing comments to the Cook Islands tourism industry last week, saying tourism board chairman Tata Crocombe had created a path of destruction over the past few […]

Critic stands by his words

Wednesday 21 April 2010 | Published in Local

The outspoken Australian travel industry person causing grief in Cook Islands tourism has come forward with his credentials. Christopher de Doby is a 61-year-old French Australian who owns and operates a string of tourist properties and travel companies, and who serves as an international advisor to France’s Minister of Tourism. De Doby last Friday published […]