Articles by Utopia Support

Long wait for next coffee harvest

Tuesday 17 November 2015 | Published in Regional

TANNA – Coffee farmers on the Vanuatu island of Tanna – whose crops were destroyed by Cyclone Pam in March – are facing a long wait till their next crop is ready for harvest.

Lawyer steps down to make stand

Tuesday 17 November 2015 | Published in Regional

SUVA – Suva lawyer Richard Naidu has stepped down from a key commission in Fiji after the appointment of a senior military officer as acting police chief.

Prime Minister back on The Rock

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna will be shaking off his sea legs when he arrives back on Rarotonga tomorrow, returning from a voyage around the outer islands.

Minister congratulates health staff

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I want to announce, once again, my most sincere congratulations to all staff of the Ministry of Health for winning, for the second year in a row, the Public Service Excellence Award.

Coffers filled for government 'nest featherers'

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Te Tuhi Kelly has valid points that work in other countries but he is head-butting against two old men – Don Reid and Dennis Tunui – who have proven determinedly stubborn.

It's not the Aitutaki I used to know

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have been an irregular reader of your online paper for years and an expat CI living abroad.

Commitment honoured

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands Government has made good on their commitment to the Miss Pacific Islands pageant by confirming $20,000 in sponsorship for the event.

No gag quite big enough for this media mogul

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Local

It just doesn’t seem to sit right, doesn’t it? What I am talking about is the George Pitt “gagging” order.

Working for a cleaner environment

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Local

The annual Bank of the South Pacific Go Green Campaign was a huge success amongst schools in the Cook Islands on Friday.

Search on for missing kayakers off Vaimaanga

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Local

Two people are missing after a kayaking trip reportedly went wrong in Vaimaanga yesterday afternoon.

Govt shuts down on info release

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Local

Recent events indicate the government is increasingly tightening the release of information to the public – this time information related to travel by the prime minister over the last 12 months.

New protest at fishing deal planned

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Local

With another multi-million dollar fishing deal about to be signed with the EU, the people of the Cook Islands are set to wave their placards and banners against purse seine fishing in another protest march against the government.

The lady arrives late

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Local

Doubt cast on safety of Paris trip

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Local

Plans for Prime Minister Henry Puna and a team of climate change officials to attend a UN conference in Paris are being re-evaluated in the light of the catastrophic terrorist attack on Paris. (Full story on page 10.)

Fraud taskforce fundless

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Regional

PORT MORESBY – With the fight against corruption at its peak in Papua New Guinea, the country’s leading anti-corruption watchdog will not be funded by the national government next year.

Amplifying climate voice

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Regional

SUVA – Two weeks away from the Paris Summit on Climate Change, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) is trying its best to amplify the voices of the Pacific.

Samoa's debt tops a billion dollars

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Regional

APIA – Samoa’s foreign debt has reached $1.1 billion – leaving prominent politicians scared for the nation’s development and the country’s ability to pay back the debt.

Conspiracy charges loom over jailed MPs

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Regional

PORT VILA – The preliminary inquiry into conspiracy charges against 11 Vanuatu MPs has been adjourned until November 27 by the Port Vila Magistrates Court.

French Pacific territories on alert

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Regional

NOUMEA – About 250 people in New Caledonia gathered in central Noumea to express their solidarity with the victims of the attacks in Paris.

Fiji squatters receive titles to land

Monday 16 November 2015 | Published in Regional

LAUTOKA – After recently giving out land titles to 40 squatters in Lautoka, Fiji’s government says it will extend the same status to residents in 16 more squatter settlements over the next two years.