Articles by Utopia Support

Ngatangiia to host golden oldies clash

Friday 29 August 2014 | Published in Rugby Union

Visitors on Rarotonga enjoying the sun and cocktails are invited to be part of today’s golden oldies rugby game, to be held at the picturesque Ngatangiia field in Muri.

PNG: Forest felled for palm plantations

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Regional

Papua New Guinea’s National Forest Board will consider a Malaysian company’s bid to continue to logging virgin rainforest in order to plant palm oil.

Climate refugees not on SIDS agenda

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Regional

There is regret that next week’s conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa will bypass the issue of creating a new category of environmental refugees.

Tonga: Sacked for suggesting co-operation

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Regional

A Tongan MP Sitiveni Halapua says he was dropped from the Democratic Party because he wanted it to work together with other MPs.

PNG: Locals go shopping across border

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Regional

The acting Governor of Papua New Guinea’s West Sepik says many people in his province are turning to Indonesia for goods and services.

NZ: Waste converted to energy

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Regional

A New Zealand energy consultant says a technology which converts any kind of waste to renewable energy could be the way forward in making the Pacific region more sustainable.

Niue: Frustrated over lack of support

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Regional

Niue’s premier Toke Talagi says he is frustrated by a lack of financial support for the Smaller Island States Unit of the Pacific Islands Forum and is considering leaving the sub-group.

Why stop a much-needed competitor?

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I recall a recent list of fuel prices in the Pacific and the fuel price in the Cook Islands is the second highest by a huge margin.

Fuel application still in consultations

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Local

An application by a foreign-based energy firm to gain access into a new market is currently in the consultation stage with no imminent decision to be made, says a government official.

Poor record for Cook Islands ships

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Local

Cook Islands-flagged vessels were the most often detained out of 15 flag states last year, according to a leading ship classification society.

Atiu residents sweep runway

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Outer Islands

Atiu residents of all political affiliations lent a helping hand yesterday to tend to the island’s coral runway, days after an airplane punctured its tyre upon landing.

Official Information fee must be 'reasonable'

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Local

Government ministries should only charge a fee for the release of official information if that charge is “reasonable”, says the Office of the Ombudsman.

'May your seas be forever sacred'

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, While on our truly idyllic honeymoon in Rarotonga, we were very lucky to attend Monday’s opening of the Marae Moana information hub.

Kata: Government budget

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Kata

Nikao Sokattak sets sights on Matavera

Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Football

Nikao Sokattak will host Matavera in today’s football matches at Nikao field kicking off at 4.15pm.

'You are tucked in our hearts'

Wednesday 27 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To the people of the Cook Islands – we have spent three months here in your beautiful country, in Rarotonga with visits to Aitutaki and Atiu.

Bank loans 'dished out willy-nilly'

Wednesday 27 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, without pointing the finger at any particular commercial bank in the Cook Islands, it concerns me greatly when I learn that a certain bank is willing to provide a $170,000 housing mortgage to a couple with four very young children when the total annual income of that same family/household would be in the vicinity of $45,000.

Scientists risk lives tagging whales

Wednesday 27 August 2014 | Published in Environment

Three scientists and an expert shooter are out on the water performing the highly dangerous task of tagging 10 humpback whales off Rarotonga this week.

Final challenge for Powerade trophy

Wednesday 27 August 2014 | Published in Rugby Union

The Under-19 Powerade Trophy challenge has been a ‘hot potato’ in 2014, with four clubs holding the trophy at different times throughout the season.

Kata: Foreign competition

Wednesday 27 August 2014 | Published in Kata