Articles by Utopia Support

Rigorous tests for budding Defence Force

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Local

Two local applicants for the New Zealand Defence Force were put through their paces as part of a rigorous recruitment process on Tuesday.

Budget preparations just 'groundwork'

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Politics

The Secretary of Finance has issued comments clarifying the current budget process, amidst criticism that the caretaker government is overstepping its authority.

Waiting continues for Telecom bidders

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Technology

Three parties vying for a majority stake in Telecom Cook Islands are still waiting for a decision to be made by the seller.

New home for living Manihiki oysters

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Local

Hundreds of Cook Islands black pearls are sold every year but very few people ever get the chance to lay eyes on the actual oysters which grow them.

Kata: Mosquitoes on Aitutaki

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Kata

Thai and UN meetings coincide

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Local

An official at a recent United Nations regional gathering in Thailand described the occasion as opportunity for the Cook Islands to increase its visibility and establish stronger relations with other countries.

About that 'funeral dirge'

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I loved the obituary Lisa wrote on how she saw Bobby Turua.

Kata: Caretaker Government

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Kata

Call to save bigeye tuna now

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Regional

The Pacific tuna industry has joined environmental organisations and scientists calling for serious action to save bigeye tuna.

Refugees have nowhere to go

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Regional

The Refugee Action Coalition says the Australian government’s policies towards asylum seekers have left genuine refugees on Nauru and PNG with nowhere to go.

Women MPs battle to make an impact

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Regional

Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja, says countries like Australia can learn a lot from prospective female parliamentarians in the Pacific.

Closing the Pacific's gender gap

Thursday 14 August 2014 | Published in Regional

A pledge by political leaders two years ago to accelerate efforts toward closing the gender gap in the Pacific Islands has been boosted with the announcement that three women will take the helm of the regional intergovernmental organisation, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, headquartered in Suva, Fiji.

Air Raro not involved in Tourism contract

Wednesday 13 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, You have received a number of letters regarding the aerial photography work undertaken by the Australian film company Brave New World on behalf of Cook Islands Tourism.

Cooks congregations pray for Iraq

Wednesday 13 August 2014 | Published in Local

Recent events in Northern Iraq relating to the persecution of Christian communities, who are fleeing their village because of violence that is wreaking havoc on the entire region, has reached the Catholic Church throughout the world.

Boys Brigade battles invasive plant

Wednesday 13 August 2014 | Published in Environment

Arorangi Boys Brigade has launched a campaign to prevent and manage the rapidly-growing threat from the invasive plant Tiaea.

Junior recyclers to take message home

Wednesday 13 August 2014 | Published in Environment

Parents of students from Imanuela Akatemia should begin bracing themselves for a strong recycling message to enter their homes.

Kwai crew salvages dismasted yacht

Wednesday 13 August 2014 | Published in Local

Crew members from the shipping vessel Kwai – currently in Avatui port – are responsible for salvaging a yacht abandoned by a Swedish couple, which had to be rescued after their boat dismasted.

'Trillions' of mozzies on Aitutaki

Wednesday 13 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The comment in Monday’s CINews by the Ministry of Health that they are "not aware" of mosquito problems on Aitutaki is to be expected.

Pensioners ignored in govt 'lolly scramble'

Wednesday 13 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The CIP caretaker Government’s $49 million ‘holding’ budget article in Saturday’s newspaper rated next year’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, concerts by Cook Islands artists, sports events and work by non-Government organisations as some of the worthy beneficiaries in their generous money hand-out exercise carried out by a Government in limbo.

Minister's budget plans are disturbing

Wednesday 13 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It’s disturbing to read the caretaker Finance Minister Mark Brown is hoping to table a budget in an upcoming session of Parliament scheduled for early October.