Articles by Utopia Support

'We must build up rather than tear down'

Tuesday 9 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,I was delighted to read the letter from "Enua" in your September 5 issue. For those who don't know the circumstances, I'd written a short piece in the Herald wondering if we might not want to set aside party politics, individual egos, and narrow points of view to work together to tackle the problems our nation faces. A growing number of Cook Islanders believe many of the problems that were critical at our founding are still without satisfactory resolution after 50 years of self-government. The letter in the Herald was a call "to set aside our egos and, through vigorous and honest debate, arrive at a national consensus on a new path". Like many of your readers, I think we can do much, much better. Enua's letter to you was a response to that Herald piece.I confess that when I wrote my Herald letter I had wanted to put examples in it to show how opportunism, illogical attacks, big-man politics, irrational thinking and emotional appeals have impaired all of us. In the end, I decided not to do that: I didn't want the letter to be about any person or party or event, but rather to be a strictly-neutral call for collaboration and new energy. But I needn't have worried whether or not people could find an immediate example.You see, Enua's letter is perfect: a perfect example of the failure to rise above personalities, narrow interests, and political parties, and above all a failure to put the welfare of the people and nation first. If we are to meet to our potential as a people, we must do precisely the opposite of what Enua has written. Each of us must reach within for positive, logical contributions we can make. We must reach for ways to be creative, intelligent, collaborative problem-solvers. We must work together. We must build up rather than tear down. As I said, we owe Enua a debt of thanks. Every time we get all cocky and start to think we have our problems solved, let's ask him to write another letter.Yours with amusement, James Beer

Roundup collects 151.75kg of rubbish

Tuesday 9 September 2014 | Published in Environment

Rubbish Roundup once again kicked off their month of clean ups with a successful first clean up event last Saturday.

Outstanding legislative matters on hold until Parliament sitting

Tuesday 9 September 2014 | Published in Politics

With petitions steadily being dealt with by the High Court, a long awaited sitting of Parliament is looming along with the handling of a number of outstanding legislative matters.

Witnesses wired into Rarotonga for petition hearings

Tuesday 9 September 2014 | Published in Politics

Petition hearings for islands in the Northern Group got underway yesterday in the High Court utilising video conferencing technology – a first in Cook Islands history.Proceedings for a petition lodged by Wilkie Rasmussen began in the morning, where the Democratic Party leader is alleging multiple counts of bribery in Penrhyn during the run up to […]

Road safety campaign begins as motor vehicle crashes rise

Tuesday 9 September 2014 | Published in Politics

Police are concerned with the alarming rise in the number of motor vehicle crashes on Rarotonga roads.

History making Skype session

Tuesday 9 September 2014 | Published in Local

The relative distance between Rarotonga and Penrhyn was shortened yesterday, as the two islands were connected via Skype for a High Court hearing.

Crash victim dies of injury

Tuesday 9 September 2014 | Published in Local

A 22-year old man that was involved in a motorbike accident on August 30 has apparently died from injuries sustained in the crash and laid to rest.

Police get digital on crime prevention

Tuesday 9 September 2014 | Published in Local

'Stop marching on parliament to draw attention'

Tuesday 9 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,Firstly, may I respond to the letter of 5 September by the tupapaku calling himself C.I.A. and headed “How can you quote being Christian-minded?”

Paranoiac leadership issues within government, CIP Caucus?

Tuesday 9 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,The political fiasco and petty squabbling behaviour prevalent within the Cook Islands Government in the months prior to the 2014 General Election, was primarily due to paranoiac leadership issues within not only Government, but also the Cook Islands Party Caucus, as well as Governments relentless and aggressive drive to implement unpopular policies which eventually led to its downfall.

Kata Te Marae Ora (Ministry of health) lauch smoke free homes initiative...

Tuesday 9 September 2014 | Published in Kata

More help for women in business

Monday 8 September 2014 | Published in Local

A government report currently in the process of development aims to play a role in creating new business opportunities for women in the Cook Islands.

'We will never visit again'

Monday 8 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,We have just flown home from our sixth visit to the Cook Islands.

Kata: Oldie but a goodie

Monday 8 September 2014 | Published in Kata

No scheduled start date for Parliament sitting

Monday 8 September 2014 | Published in Politics

Officials with Cook Islands Parliament are currently awaiting the outcomes of eight petitions before dates will be finalised for the House’s first sitting since July’s General Elections.

Red army march over Eels to finals

Monday 8 September 2014 | Published in Rugby Union

Cowboys cause biggest season upset ending Bulls campaignThe devastating Takuvaine Reds senior A rugby team were all class on Saturday when they marched over arch rivals the Avatiu Eels to win 37-25 and book their spot in the grand finals. The Eels came close but through in-decision they were not quite able to deliver the […]

No good with Maori either!

Monday 8 September 2014 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller says that whoever is responsible for putting words on the new digital police sign is no good with English and no good with Maori either. We road users are addressed as “E mea ma”. Also seen the other day: Auraka e akaoro viviki, ka u kia ne? Can someone enlighten us as […]

Tupapa and Puaikura produce stalemate

Monday 8 September 2014 | Published in Football

In the main Premier Men’s soccer match at Victoria Park, Tupapa-Maraerenga and Puaikura went head to head in a tough match that ended in a one all draw.

Fisheries film to air Sunday

Saturday 6 September 2014 | Published in Environment

A new film airing on CITV on Sunday at 8pm will give viewers an inside look at the $5 billion tuna industry and its impacts on Pacific Island livelihoods.

Night-time paddling part of the offerings at new tourism business in Titikaveka

Saturday 6 September 2014 | Published in Local

A new tourism attraction is giving its customers a workout, a feed, and a lesson in lagoon environments and conservation.