Articles by Utopia Support

Kata - March 31, 2010

Wednesday 31 March 2010 | Published in Kata

Materials doubled up

Wednesday 31 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “Three weeks ago Wilkie arrogantly boasted in the media about his government’s intentions for a cyclone recovery plan for Aitutaki. The business sector of Aitutaki mobilised to purchase basic building materials – timber, iron roofing and cement – expecting government to purchase from them as part of its plan to stimulate […]

Semifinal showdown at primary school soccer

Wednesday 31 March 2010 | Published in Football

The semifinals of the annual Rarotonga Primary School Soccer Tournament will be played today at CIFA’s Matavera complex. A more structured play pattern has emerged from school teams that have been working hard for the last four weeks. Organisers said the “kick and chase” the ball around the field style has changed to a more […]

Internet society draws interest

Tuesday 30 March 2010 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands Internet Society held its first meeting recently and will gather again soon. Founder Maureen Hilyard said that the inaugural meeting was “very successful”. She said she’s continued to receive calls from people who are interested in joining the society but weren’t able to make it. The internet society was formed to address […]

Blitzing drunks

Tuesday 30 March 2010 | Published in Local

Police reported yesterday that drunk driving is still their biggest problem. On Friday night, police staged an operation around the island to target drivers under the influence and ended up detaining ten drivers. On Saturday, a 19-year-old girl was stopped on the main road outside Nikao Beach Video and found to be driving over the […]

Judge who toppled Henry government dies

Tuesday 30 March 2010 | Published in Local

Sir Gaven Donne, the Cook Islands first Queen’s Representative, former chief justice and the man whose decision on the 1978 ‘fly-in voters’ case toppled Sir Albert Henry’s government, has died, aged 95. Sir Gaven passed away at Otaramarae, near Rotorua, on Sunday. He had been chief justice in the Cook Islands when the furore erupted […]

News team changes

Tuesday 30 March 2010 | Published in Local

THE Cook Islands News is pleased to announce two senior appointments in its editorial ranks. Reporter Helen Greig has been promoted to Senior Journalist following the recent resignation of Moana Moeka’a while Martin Tiffany joined the newspaper yesterday as News Editor. Greig, 29, has been reporting with Cook Islands News for seven years and covers […]

A shambles

Tuesday 30 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Tourism is in a shambles! The question I ask is, why can’t the Minister of Tourism Robert Wigmore see that Tata Crocombe and those board members with hotel/motel ownership, similar to Tata, have huge conflicts of interest. The tourism community and public Joe Bloggs can easily see it, but somehow it’s inv- isible […]

Departure tax puts off returning islander

Tuesday 30 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, What’s up with this $55 Cook Islands departure tax? I am writing to strongly voice my concern and disappointment about the increase in the Cook Islands departure tax. I have just recently returned from the Cook Islands after a fantastic week and the half holiday on Rarotonga with 30 of my extended family […]

Women suffer while govt idle

Tuesday 30 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Right now women who work for government receive six weeks of pay for maternity leave when they have their baby. The same can’t be said for women who work in the private sector. They have absolutely no maternity protection under the law. Women in the private sector are being treated like second class […]

Kata - March 30, 2010

Tuesday 30 March 2010 | Published in Kata

7 locals named for national netball

Tuesday 30 March 2010 | Published in Netball

Seven local netball players will head to New Zealand next month for the final trials to select the Cook Islands national netball squad. Cook Islands Netball Association president Patsy Hockin has confirmed that CINA has selected Ngatokoa Gifford-Kara at the national head coach assisted by team manager Cathrine Kaumoana. Gifford was the assistant coach in […]

Justice for all

Tuesday 30 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “While reading the newspaper court report, one matter that came to my attention was a male adult pleading guilty to careless driving and who to my understanding had been drinking and was only fined a total of $70. One Sunday afternoon my friend was stopped by police and fined a total […]

Money isn't everything!

Monday 29 March 2010 | Published in Environment

Money is not everything, and that was one of the messages from Earth House observation on Rarotonga on Saturday night. A successful and hardworking businessman on Rarotonga proved this during the one hour. Titikaveka’s member of parliament and cabinet minister Robert Wigmore walked the talk when he closed his popular supermarket for an hour. His […]

Earth Hour brings drop in power usage

Monday 29 March 2010 | Published in Environment

The drop in power supply readings by Rarotonga’s Te Aponga Uira almost doubled what was recorded last year during Earth Hour on Saturday. Rarotonga joined the global campaign to fight climate change for an hour with residents switching off all non-essential lights and electrical applicances. TAU’s general manager power station Nooroa Tupa said that for […]

Eggelton steps up for Earth Hour

Monday 29 March 2010 | Published in Local

Cassey Eggelton, the country’s newest cabinet minister with the environment portfolio, did not mince her words and meant business when she launched Earth Hour on Saturday night at Takitumu School on Rarotonga. “We are custodians of our natural environment, from the hills down to the valleys, from the ridges to the reefs – every one […]

Think about dry vegetable matter for energy

Monday 29 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Seeing you are not averse to publishing some of my letters, I feel moved to throw this quite topical one in. During my 30 years of aviation contributing more than my fair share of carbon to the atmosphere I also learned some basic science that helps me to see related issues clearly. Out […]

Lack of experience again

Monday 29 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The announcement by the head of the Business Trade Investment Board that he can’t manage a staff of 10 and therefore is making some redundant but adding three sub managers to his structure is another example of an inexperienced local placed into a position he does not have the commercial, legal nor management […]

Think and dream big

Monday 29 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In reply to ‘Hopes and Dreams’ in Saturday’s Cook islands News, I would like to agree 100% with all your statements. I know many others who feel the same way. You should say who you are. Third world mentality, my God don’t we as a nation have more pride and passion! It’s got […]

Don't lose sight of your best asset

Monday 29 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor As a bit player in Cook Islands tourism, I have been dismayed at the turmoil and turnover within the local tourism board. It is apparent that the views of a few are taking precedence over the best interests of the tourism industry and the islands in general. While I understand that a catchy […]