Articles by Utopia Support

Refugees hired to remove asbestos

Tuesday 1 December 2015 | Published in Regional

YAREN – Refugees and local workers on Nauru are being hired to remove asbestos from houses on the island without proper protection from the hazardous material, the ABC claims in a report.

Where are the locals?

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals

The Esther Honey Centre has been training vets and nurses at the Nikao premises for many years. Why haven’t they trained some locals up to do the work? It’s not as if they haven’t had the time to do it? The island definitely needs a centre for animal care and it would be good if locals could be involved.

Give us strength!

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is ludicrous to see a story CI News that the Cook Islands government is considering contacting the US embassy about their citizens who are said to be resisting the Esther Honey Clinix eviction notice.

Promises come to nothing

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Before the current prime minister and the CIP won government, Puna announced that when he and the CIP government come in to power his government would convene parliament for at least 100 days of each year.

Missing in the translation

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Thought I’d better make it clear that we, the members of MCIPA are not confused about the reigning Miss Samoa attending the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant from the 6th to the 12th of December.

Prime minister at climate talks

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna will be away until next week at what is set to be the most significant meeting on climate change in Paris this week.

Tropical Christmas fun time again!

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Local

This year’s Christmas season has a lot to offer.

Committed to White Ribbon cause

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Local

Last week marked the start of the 16 Days of Activism but also highlights Australia’s commitment in partnering with the Cook Islands to tackle the elimination of violence against women.

Nationwide survey begins next week

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Local

Eight hundred Cook Island households will be put under the spotlight over the next 12 months aiming to help the government make informed decisions about the future of the country.

Preschoolers take a lagoon cruise

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Local

For the past two weeks, pupils of Apii Blackrock preschool have been learning about the sea and all the creatures that live in it.

Book celebrates women in business

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Local

It was a historic evening for 50 creative and driven Cook Islands businesswomen and their families on Friday night at the Muri Beach Club Hotel, as they launched their first book called 50 Business Women in the Cook Islands, a masterpiece “by Cook Islands women, for Cook Islands women.”

Sewerage compliancy

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Local

The Public Health department has been instructed to reissue a letter to all commercial properties on the Muri foreshore warning them of the April 16, 2016, expiry date when all sewerage systems have to be compliant.

Cook Islands lifestyle showcased

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Local

Civil defence 'needs work'

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Local

On the back of three deaths in Rarotonga waters recently, serious work is needed to strengthen civil defence and emergency responses in the Cook Islands.

Monster seiners heading our way

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Local

If Cabinet agrees to the European Union purse seining agreement, four Spanish super seiners will be heading this way to harvest Cook Islands waters of tuna, amongst them monster ship Albatun Tres.

'Safe haven' not coping

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Regional

HONIARA – A safe haven for victims of domestic violence in Solomon Islands is struggling to cope with the number of victims turning up at their doorstep.

Coal casts shadow over climate talks

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Regional

OPINION By Ian Verrender ABC Business Editor PARIS – Coal is the elephant in the room at the Paris climate summit starting today, as economics, energy poverty and the mining lobby all combine to ensure the meeting will be both a triumph and a disappointment, writes Ian Verrender.

Australian police look north

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Regional

Saibai Island – The Queensland government has asked the Commonwealth to help it build Australia’s northernmost police station on a site just four kilometres from the Papua New Guinea coastline.

Samoa take a battering

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Regional

APIA – Cyclone Tuni moved towards Niue after battering Samoa and nearby American Samoa with torrential rain that caused flash flooding and landslips, and strong winds forced inter-island ferries to be cancelled until at least Monday.

Niue on alert as cyclone nears

Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Regional

ALOFI – Niue issued an alert on Sunday advising residents to board up their homes and stock up on supplies as tropical Cyclone Tuni moved towards the island – a day after it caused flooding and landslips in Samoa and American Samoa.