Articles by Utopia Support

Political soiling no good

Wednesday 17 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In this time of suffering for fathers, mothers and children in Aitutaki, Makiuti Tongia had nothing else to do but political vengeance. E aha roa teia tu? Tera akaou te au tuatua taviriviri e te akapikipiki a teia “political animal”. And I recall while people were preparing for a recent cyclone warning in […]

Daniel, you are not a bad person

Wednesday 17 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The story about Daniel Taura! During my visit to the Island, I spoke to Daniel outside Cafe Ariki in early January. He asked me how could he get a job. I said you need a CV. Much to my surprise he didn’t know what that was. Well, we carried on talking about his […]

Social netballers amp it up

Wednesday 17 February 2010 | Published in Netball

Tonight’s second round of social mixed netball will include prizes for standout players and one special prize for the team that fits the week’s theme. Tonight, the netball team that brings the biggest support team will get the evening’s special ‘theme’ prize which has this week been sponsored by the Staircase Restaurant – whose thirsty […]

$400,000 in PMG per diems unresolved

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Local

Money paid in by overseas athletes attending last year’s Pacific Mini Games is the subject of ongoing discussions between the organising committee and Cook Islands Sports & National Olympic Committee. Pacific Mini Games chief executive Mac Mokoroa did confirm that there was an issue over the payment of the per diems which is charged to […]

Restoring power and water not easy

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Local

Restoring power to homes in cyclone-ravaged Aitutaki is still a difficult challenge and the priority for officials. Aitutaki mayor Tai Herman reported yesterday afternoon that only a few homes on the island had electricity. He said homes still with power were those least affected by the storm or were already supplied power via underground cables. […]

Hercules brings relief supplies

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Local

An air force Hercules will deliver emergency supplies and hope to Aitutaki today. The plane was due to arrive in Rarotonga around midnight last night carrying supplies and 32 military personnel to help the island recover from cyclone damage. Squadron Leader Kavae Tamariki, a Cook Islander, is with the relief mission as communications and media […]

Please follow up

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have received an urgent message from family living on Aitutaki. They have no water, 70% are homeless, 20% of the roads are down and no building supplies. They have heard nothing of any aid coming. In NZ the government has given $200,000 in aid. Can I ask you to check if that […]

Investigate the Public Service Commissioner

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Sir, It’s amazing to read that the Public Service Commissioner appeared before a Ministry of the Crown to make submission on behalf of a private fishing company. Given the position he holds in government, doesn’t he feel an obligation to stay out of these private sector involvements. If other fishing companies require similar support […]

Censorship suggestions

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I note with interest significant paid advertising in the weekend paper advising details of banned movies, etc. I suggest the new Minister and HOM for Internal Affairs have the censor get his act together and actually pursue these pirates who we all know have been smuggling/illegally downloading these movies for at least 10 […]

Concern at school subject restrictions

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Allow me to raise some of my concerns through your column. Before the start of the school year, I was very happy as a parent that my daughter had passed her level one NZEA exams that she set last year. I encouraged her to do well again in the level 2 programme this […]

Kata - February 15, 2010

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Kata

We're always asking for it

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “The policy advisor for the government urges the nation to push for more aid money to combat economic downturns, recessions, global warming, etc (CINews 9 Feb). Workshops and meetings held all over the Pacific, to see where funds can be sourced. Why? There is nothing intrinsically wrong with this economy that […]

88FM starts on Aitutaki

Saturday 13 February 2010 | Published in Local

Nick Henry of 88FM helped to set up a temporary radio station on Aitutaki yesterday. They have set up in the island’s hospital. The signal can be picked up clearly on 88FM in mainly the town area. Henry says it will help disseminate messages to the public. – MM

$200,000 from NZ

Saturday 13 February 2010 | Published in Local

New Zealand will make an initial contribution of $200,000 for relief and recovery efforts in the Cook Islands in the wake of cyclone Pat, foreign minister Murray McCully announced yesterday. Cyclone Pat hit the southern Cook Islands on Thursday (NZT), causing widespread damage on the island of Aitutaki. “Thankfully, there are no reported deaths or […]

Airlines respond to cyclone crisis

Saturday 13 February 2010 | Published in Local

Air New Zealand and Air Rarotonga are offering special discount fares, effective today, for those willing to donate their time to the cyclone relief effort in Aitutaki. For the next couple of weeks, Air New Zealand will be offering discount fares of $419 from Auckland to Aitutaki on the condition that those who purchase them […]

Kata - February 13, 2010

Saturday 13 February 2010 | Published in Kata

Next time send workers

Saturday 13 February 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

Mamas wandering around crying, not knowing what to do…A New Zealand businessman staying at Pacific Resort Aitutaki had that in his mind when he was stumbling over fallen trees on resort paths on Thursday, until he noticed a group of about 12 Cook Islands politicians and bigwigs having lunch, which resort staff had stopped (clearing […]

Rebounding from failure

Friday 12 February 2010 | Published in Church Talk

I believe that the current global economic struggle is beginning to be felt in a big way in our country. Families are not only finding it difficult to make ends meet but it is also creating stress in relationships. Some businesses are barely keeping afloat while others have failed miserably. And if life is not […]

Green jobs can help

Friday 12 February 2010 | Published in Environment

Green jobs can create a large number of jobs quickly and help revive economies suffering from the impacts of the global economic crisis. Pacific leaders and country delegates heard more about the potential of green jobs at the final day of the regional conference on the human face of the GEC session on green growth […]

Damage estimated at $10m

Friday 12 February 2010 | Published in Local

The people of Aitutaki are still coming to terms with the devastation caused by cyclone Pat which ripped through the island on Tuesday night. Government officials including prime minister Jim Marurai and members of his cabinet were floored at the extent of the damage on the island when they visited on Thursday afternoon. The initial […]