Articles by Utopia Support

Caring for our elders vitally important

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Opinion

While we are traveling outside the Cook Islands, I rely on friends emailing or messaging me with news from home.

Te Uki Ou students show skills at writing about their experiences

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Local

Oliver Dearlove What I am looking forward to next year

Another view on lagoon pollution

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Now that concerns about the poor health of Muri Lagoon have come to a head once again, I’d like to point out that just about everyone seems to be shying away from the fact that it is the resorts that are creating most of the pollution in the lagoon, and not local residents.

What needs to be done at Muri lagoon

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Local

Dear Sir, I am a little bit sensitive to allegations that my family’s businesses are responsible for polluting Muri Lagoon.

Natasha's Cupcakes

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Local

Natasha’s first cupcake recipe which she still uses today, came from the ever-popular Edmonds Cookery Book which has been produced in New Zealand for over 130 years.

Pair's creations take the cake...

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Hot on the Rock

Delicious, rich, moist, colourful, tasteful and yummy are just a few words that come to mind when you try a tasty masterpiece by Jay and Natasha Aereora, owners of newly-established cake business, Iced in Paradise.

Schools go all out for Mire Tiare

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Local

With only two weeks left of classroom work for most of the primary schools on the island, the enthusiasm and energy projected through their flower displays in Wednesday’s Mire Tiare decorated properties category was nothing short of powerful. Nine schools participated in this year’s judged event and all produced work of a very high standard.

The module mining environment

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Local

Figure 3 on this page presents some of the key aspects of the environment related to nodule mining in the South Penrhyn Basin (SPB).

Tinomana to host contestants

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Local

Tinomana Tokerau Ariki, the paramount traditional chief of Puaikura, will host contestants in the Bluesky Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2015 for the event’s opening. On Sunday December 6 contestants from around the region, and their delegations will gather at the Arorangi Cook Islands Christian Church at 10am for a church service to officially open the Bluesky Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2015. Following the dedication and church service, the contestants will be hosted by Tinomana Ariki and the people of Vaka Puaikura to a Sunday feast at Au Maru Palace grounds next door to the church.

Cannabis aquittal

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Local

Douglas Tau, 24 has been acquitted on two charges of cultivating cannabis and possession of a utensil (bong) for smoking cannabis, after a trial lasting two days.

Atiu crusher brings new era for island

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Outer Islands

People of Atiu have now access to a new crusher that will pave the way for producing aggregates to seal the airport runway and the roads.

Ace netballer supports a great cause

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Local

Te Kai festival set to inspire

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Local

Bringing life back into traditional Cook Islands cuisine is the aim of a competition hoping to capture four fantastic dishes in the inaugural Te Kai Maori festival.

Lagoon meeting

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Local

The Muri community will hear the government’s plan for fixing their lagoon at a public meeting on Tuesday at the Ngatangiia meeting house.

Challenging role for new police recruits

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Local

Officer's comments deride anti-violence moves

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Regional

APIA – A domestic violence activist in Samoa says a police officer telling women to “think carefully before they waste paper making a statement”, shows the need for a change in attitude and mindset within the police force.

Whistleblower stands firm on abuse claims

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Regional

BRISBANE – An Australian police officer – who has detailed violence and other abuses within the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary – has dismissed criticism from that country’s police chief and is standing firm on his allegations. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) whistleblower told the ABC during his time working in Papua New Guinea he witnessed killings and other crimes committed by the local police – and he said the Australian government is “turning a blind eye” to the situation. Federal officer Brad Turner is currently on leave from the AFP in Brisbane with post traumatic stress disorder, after serving in PNG from late 2013 for a year. It hasn’t stopped him from speaking out about what he claims he saw corrupt PNG police doing, backed with Australian taxpayer funds. He said he saw local police commit horrific crimes but his reports were essentially ignored by his superiors. Turner – who had been stationed in the provincial city of Lae – alleged the PNG police force committed murder, rape and a host of other crimes. He told the ABC his reports of the crimes were ignored by the Australian government for fear of jeopardising the Manus Island asylum seeker deal. PNG police commander Gary Baki said Turner’s claims are “a pack of lies” while the AFP management said it has no concerns. But Turner said he has the photographic evidence to support what he is saying.

Potential cyclone heading Samoa's way

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Regional

APIA – The Samoa Meteorological Service said yesterday morning a tropical depression off Samoa is expected to develop into a category one tropical cyclone within the day.

Tribal clashes must be addressed

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Regional

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s Housing Minister has called on provincial leaders to come up with a decision to stop ongoing ethnic clashes in Lae city, the capital of Morobe Province.

Two killed in fighting in Lae

Saturday 28 November 2015 | Published in Regional

LAE – Police in Papua New Guinea are trying to contain violence in a Lae suburb, which has claimed two lives in the past three days.