Articles by Utopia Support

Petition decision today

Tuesday 16 September 2014 | Published in Politics

A decision on the petition for the constituency of Vaipae-Tautu in Aitutaki will be delivered in court today.

Parliamentarians attend women's rights conference

Tuesday 16 September 2014 | Published in Politics

Two female Parliamentarians from the Cook Islands recently attended an overseas conference aimed to progress women’s rights and promote sexual and reproductive health.

Digital economy focus for conference

Monday 15 September 2014 | Published in Technology

Internet cost is a major issue in the Cook Islands, as it is also for other countries in the Pacific. Understanding how the internet works, its importance to our economy and how we might reduce its costs are the purpose of a series of information workshops, technical training and a mini conference which will be held during the week of September 22-26 at the Pukapuka Hall opposite the National Auditorium. The Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC) will be holding its annual i-NET conference here on Rarotonga (PacINET2014). The conference is being hosted by the Government of the Cook Islands and is being coordinated on their behalf for PICISOC by the Cook Islands Internet Action Group (CIIAG).The Chair of the PICISOC Board, Maureen Hilyard, would like to invite members of technical support teams from government and private sector organisations, as well as the general public to attend both the workshops and the conference. It is hoped that employers will consider this a unique and free information and training opportunity for their IT staff.The activities offered have been specifically designed to provide the local IT community and the general public with an information package about internet development within the Pacific region and its impacts on the growth of the internet in the Cook Islands. PICISOC would like to acknowledge the sponsorship of Telecom Cook Islands, not only to cater for the internet needs of presenters and participants at the conference and workshops, but also to support the delivery of this conference to remote participants across the Pacific and beyond who are unable to attend in person. There is strong interest in PICISOC activities by the ISOC and ICANN communities internationally. ISOC is the Internet Society of which PICISOC is one of over 100 chapters worldwide which focuses on creating change through partnerships and expertise in policy, technology and communications. ISOC works in close collaboration with ICANN - the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers – without which the internet could not operate. It provides the means by which computers communicate with each other on the internet – IP addresses. More information on this will be available at the conference.The purpose of PICISOC within the region is to support Pacific economies to gain an understanding of the many ways in which the internet can benefit communities and can contribute to economic development. It also offers technical and policy advice and support that will encourage development and, at the same time, contribute to responsible internet governance.Registration before 22 Sept is essential. Simply send an email to pacinetparticipants@gmail.com with your (1) name (2) organisation and (3) indicating which days or sessions you would like to attend. Monday and Tuesday are when the Training workshops will be held (technical training in the afternoon). A Disability Workshop will be held over the two days. The conference will open on Wednesday and keynote speakers from overseas will present. Thursday is for regional updates and local showcases and Friday will involve panel discussions on ISOC and ICANN issues. This is where you can learn more about both of these organisations.More detailed information about the training and conference programmes for September 22-26 can be found @ http://www.picisoc.org/pacinet/pacinet2014-programme.

Who are the guardians of the rule of law?

Monday 15 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,Tim Arnold's assumption (13.09.14) that we all knew the theme of the conference he attended recently in Queenstown was the role of advocates as the protectors of the rule of law had me wondering where I had missed that announcement. Never mind, I found his report while fascinating and revealing also potentially an indictment of his professional colleagues who are demonstrably reticent when it comes to speaking out to defend or support the high ideals he was reporting when faced by executive or legislature action which threaten them.He reports speakers' examples of appalling breaches of the rule of law in distant places like Zimbabwe but also closer neighbouring Fiji and those of us familiar with the developments in either of these countries would not be surprised.What he was alerting us to for those who missed it is this: when governments or Parliament abuse the rule of law and those in the most knowledgeable and best position to expose and challenge such activities remain silent, or compromised, they are further empowering those institutions to continue that abuse, to undermine the principles of democracy to which we subscribe and erode the very foundations of our society.And who are those people? They are the Barristers and Solicitors working within our community and while I don't have an accurate number of the actual practitioners out there I believe they number something over fifty.These people are engaged with our laws on a daily basis. Some, but definitely not all, understand the workings of the Constitution and Parliament but abuse is not limited to those. It can and does occur at all levels. Certainly some are constrained by their employment but there are many who unconstrained have much to say in private but little or nothing to say publicly. True, where their clients' interests are challenged they resort to the Courts but where society's interests are challenged, and no prospect of a fee, they are dangerously, and selfishly, quiet.If the legal fraternity will not speak out against abuse who will? Individuals who do seldom receive support from that quarter. Only one newspaper ventures into any serious investigative journalism. So when Parliamentary opposition is weak who are the guardians of the rule of law? This is the insidious erosion Tim speaks of and as a frequent contributor on contentious matter I feel entitled to make these observations and agree that we in the Cook Islands expect more from the Bench and the Bar.On the question of the MMR secret deal making two further thoughts occurred to me. If a Member of Parliament gave notice of a question in the House asking for the very information Mr Ponia is withholding is he going to be refused an answer or if answered and reported would the question of privilege not trump litigious consequences? Further, how would MFEM treat the rogue Flag State settlement if it were monetary? Would it attempt to disguise or hide it in the Estimates and accompanying Appropriation Bill and could it even contemplate such action with impunity? John M ScottMuri

Eels slide home against Cowboys

Monday 15 September 2014 | Published in Rugby Union

In an intense and tough senior A grade rugby semi-final match on Saturday – the Avatiu Eels were able to hold-out a determined Arorangi Cowboys team to win the low-scoring critical match 14-12.

'South Seas Cook Islands' exhibition a walk through history

Monday 15 September 2014 | Published in Local

The landscape and people of the Cook Islands circa 1980 comes to life at the BCA Gallery in Taputapuatea today in the form of 20 coloured photographs by local personality Doctor Wolfgang Losacker.

Aitutaki petition rolls on

Monday 15 September 2014 | Published in Politics

Petition hearings concerning the constituency of Vaipae-Tautu in Aitutaki kept court in session late into the day on Friday.

Power on in Palmerston

Monday 15 September 2014 | Published in Outer Islands

After a false start, Palmerston’s new electricity generator is up and running, providing island residents with a consistent source of power.

Equipment on way to repair Atiu runway

Monday 15 September 2014 | Published in Outer Islands

Work to upgrade Atiu’s airport runway is slated to begin with the shipment of equipment to the island.

Kata: Justice vs Secret Governent deals

Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Kata

Avatiu gear up for Takuvaine in football battle

Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Football

MORE FOOTBALL action is set for today as Avatiu prepare to take on Takuvaine at their home turf in the main premier men’s football match kicking off at 4pm today at Avatiu field.

Arch rivals in semi-final clash

Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Rugby Union

Arch-rivals the Avatiu Eels and Arorangi Cowboys will meet in today’s crucial semi-final in the Senior A grade division.

Massive effort for Clean Up the World day

Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Environment

A MASSIVE effort by the private and public sector was seen yesterday to pick up rubbish on Rarotonga for Clean Up the World Day.The National Environment Service partnered up with CITC for the days clean up and were joined by various government departments as well as members of the private sector.The oe vaka family joined the environmental clean-up efforts picking up rubbish around the Avarua harbour area heading east.Port Authority staff attacked rubbish around their work area at the harbours while staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed to Muri to pick up rubbish in the area.No doubt with the huge effort the island will be looking ship shape and to keep it that way – everyone is asked to practise good rubbish disposal habits.Recycle your rubbish at home, put your sorted rubbish in bins and not in plastic bags on the side of the road where dogs can tear them apart, take your rubbish home after your family day a the beach and whatever you do – do not throw your rubbish out of your cars and trucks!

Cook Island officers gain experience with US Coast Guard

Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Local

Marine Resources Offshore Division Fisheries Officer Roland Maru was one of two Cook Islanders engaged in a US regional support operation for maritime surveillance with the US Coast Guard (USCG) last month.

Locals take part in high profile surveillance operation

Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Local

Two local fisheries officials have taken part in what is described as the largest multi-national maritime exercise and fisheries enforcement operation in the world.

Celebrating pioneering Cook Islanders

Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Local

The COOK ISLANDS community in Aotearoa celebrated the pioneering work and community service of Piripo Elisaia who through the week received her Queens Service Award from Governor General Jerry Mateparae.

Solar impacts in the Pae Tokerau under community discussion

Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Outer Islands

Pukapuka is geared up for the upcoming solar project with three scheduled flights this week and the Tiare Moana already in Manihiki.

Northern solar project construction days away

Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Local

Construction in the $20.5 million solar project in the Northern Group is days away from starting with a shipment of equipment and materials en-route to the islands of Rakahanga and Pukapuka.

'He admits not paying taxes'

Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dennis by his own admission admits that he has never paid taxes in the Cook Islands but further goes on to state that he uses the various facilities provided by the Cook Islands’ Government because he contributed towards them. Well he didn’t!

No offence, just common sense

Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,I apologise to Tangi Kapi and Iva Tau Eitiare if I’ve upset them.