Articles by Utopia Support

Thanks for good advice

Wednesday 10 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, A big thank you to both Alistair Macquarie and Tap Pryor for taking the time to shed more light on the effects of tsunamis and making us realise that islands such as those in our country are actually not vulnerable to the deadly effects of tsunamis. Not only have Alistair and Tap put […]

Thanks, but road works incomplete

Wednesday 10 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Thank goodness that MOIP’s road work gang has finally got around to adding a tar and gravel mix fill into the 6 inch gaps that were recently ripped perpendicular at set intervals throughout the main road in Tupapa. This simple but critical work has probably saved many vehicles from enduring a further bashing! […]

Toast the PM and TCI board, don't criticise them

Wednesday 10 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Your correspondent ‘Bottoms Up’ (February 26) is surprised that the Telecom NZ Directors on the Telecom Cook Islands Board should meet with the PM over a meal and drinks. The inference that this unduly influenced the PM is, in my view, well wide of the mark. The NZ directors attend board meetings on […]

CIP clears up 'misconceptions'

Wednesday 10 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to state for the record the following in order to clear up any misconceptions about the true CIP position on a range of current issues. First, the CIP has not merged nor is about to merge with the Democratic Party. We have no need to do that, especially at this point […]

Kata - March 10, 2010

Wednesday 10 March 2010 | Published in Kata

Double scam – be careful

Wednesday 10 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

You’ve heard about the Nigerian scams were people around the world have been conned out of their bank savings by promises of huge rewards for helping to release millions locked away by a relative who supposedly cheated their countries by hidden overpayments on major projects etc. Some individuals and organisations here in the Cook Islands […]

Child benefit part of welfare review

Tuesday 9 March 2010 | Published in Local

Changes to the child benefit, currently paid out for 3645 children nation-wide, are being considered under a review of the social welfare system. This year more than a third of the population will receive welfare payments – there were about 5600 or about 40 percent of the resident population (about 13,000) on a welfare benefit […]

Gym for health

Tuesday 9 March 2010 | Published in Local

Over 100 staff at the ministry of health plan to use their own gym so they can walk the talk in promoting healthy living. Yesterday the ministry and guests opened the gym and reopened the refurbished Tupapa community health clinic. Thanks to about US$30,000 funding from the World Health Organisation, the ministry has been able […]

Helmets won't stop a neck breaking

Tuesday 9 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I take my hat off to Nga Puna big time. Realistically a crash helmet will not be able to prevent a motorcyclist’s neck from breaking, and losing one’s life. Understandably young motorcyclists would overlook the speed limit, and with the crash helmets on they are unable to physically experience the actual speed with […]

Count the deaths

Tuesday 9 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, When I was principal at Tereora College a few years back, I strongly encouraged the wearing of bike helmets on the Island. With the support of our Board of Trustees, the Road Safety Council, Cooks Transport and many others, we accessed helmets which the students were able to purchase at heavily subsidised prices. […]

Police need to re-focus strategies

Tuesday 9 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I do not want to be too critical of the work our police are doing but I believe that they could be more effective in discouraging drivers to stop drinking and driving than what is happening at the moment. To me it is pointless stopping/checking the vehicles of every tom, dick and harry […]

Answers and repairs, please

Tuesday 9 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Can the HOM of ministry of infrastructure and planning please advise the public when the road works department will repair the roads in both Tupapa and Ngatangiia which were recently dug up to lay some power cables and water pipes? My car has taken a battering every time I drive over these roads. […]

Kata - March 9, 2010

Tuesday 9 March 2010 | Published in Kata

League counts up

Tuesday 9 March 2010 | Published in League

It’s been a tricky process working out the rugby league points table as the Titikaveka Bulldogs is the only premier team that has played all five round one games. However, the Bulldogs are still looking for their first win as they remain on zero points on the table. The Ngatangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles, Tupapa Panthers and […]

Colouring it up at mixed netball

Tuesday 9 March 2010 | Published in Netball

Be the most colourful social mixed netball team on Wednesday night and be in to win some goodies and prizes. This week’s theme of ‘the most colourful’ is sure to brighten up the already lively weekly competition. The social mixed netball competition heads into round five of games this Wednesday night with more ‘fabulous’ matches […]

No second chances

Tuesday 9 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“The police can plead for a stop to drink driving and the loved ones of those killed can hope as well,” writes a smoke signaller, “but until the court locks offenders up in prison on the first offence it is just not going to stop. Forget the tears over the family that will be disadvantaged […]

2 upset wins

Monday 8 March 2010 | Published in Features

Panthers 50 vs Bulldogs 18 Sea Eagles 18 vs Eels 16 Sharks 16 vs Bears 14 The Aitutaki Sharks/Warriors and the Ngatangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles league registered wins at the weekend by upsetting their fancier foes. The Sharks are now on a roll after winning their second match in a row with a tight 16-14 win […]

Egg numbers don't stack up – Scotts Farm

Monday 8 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am replying to CITC’s response on the egg sales situation. What would be really enlightening at this time is to hear from the egg consumers because they are the ones mostly affected. Some other observations: 1) If, as they state, our weekly supplies into the CITC Food Group comprises just 40% of […]

Island leader praises T&M

Monday 8 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to thank the Heather Families of Arorangi, Rarotonga, for the great support and work they are giving to help the people of Aitutaki from the devastation caused by Cyclone Pat. I say thank you and thank you again many times. Your men or operators are great. They know their jobs, […]

Leaders emerging who know how to run businesses

Monday 8 March 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, When people complain to me about the CI government I point out that there are a lot of bigger countries with much worse ones. However, one thing does occur to me and it concerns the type of person who is selected for the job. The Cooks is really a small player in the […]