Articles by Utopia Support

Effluent spill closes nickel plant

Thursday 8 May 2014 | Published in Regional

The president of New Caledonia’s Southern Province Cynthia Ligeard has ordered immediate suspension of operations at the Vale nickel processing plant at Goro after an estimated 100,000 litres of effluent ended up in a creek.

Samoa: Breadfruit beer ready to go global

Thursday 8 May 2014 | Published in Regional

A Samoan beer maker is setting its sights on the international market with a new product made from a fruit native to the Pacific. Samoa Breweries is undertaking a trial to turn locally-grown ulu, or breadfruit, into beer. As an added bonus, the brew is gluten-free, raising the prospect of niche marketing as a boutique beer in the United States and other western countries.

PNG: Games source of national pride

Thursday 8 May 2014 | Published in Regional

Organisers of the Papua New Guinea National Games are hopeful the event will help launch athletes to bigger and better things.

PNG: City not place to bury the dead

Thursday 8 May 2014 | Published in Regional

Residents of Lae in Papua New Guinea have been told they are not allowed to bury their dead in the city’s residential areas.

Fiji: Battle of personalities

Thursday 8 May 2014 | Published in Regional

An observer of Fiji politics says the Fiji election will mostly be a battle of personalities and leadership.

PNG: Police force overhaul a big job

Thursday 8 May 2014 | Published in Regional

Papua New Guinea’s police force is beginning a process to try and regain the trust of the people after a series of allegations of serious police misconduct were revealed.

No Ordinary Family, Cherries lead in soccer

Thursday 8 May 2014 | Published in Football

No Ordinary Family and Cherries are currently leading the annual Rarotonga five-a-side soccer competition in the men’s and women’s division respectively.

Vanuatu: Approval for airport project

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Regional

The Government Ad Hoc Committee for the proposed $35 billion International Airport Project on Efate has welcomed the Vaturisu Council of Chiefs’ confirmation that its 10th conference in Pango Village this week, has officially approved of the project to be built on Efate.

Samoa: Manu'a isolated again

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Regional

Oceanand air transportation to Manu’a are both currently down, and a Department of Public Safety marine patrol boat was recently used to transport a body to Tutuila, as the morgue in Ta’u was not operational.

In Brief: Tonga air review awaited

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Regional

The chief executive of Tonga’s domestic airline says he has not heard from the World Bank regarding the ongoing review of Tonga’s transport industry.

Indonesia wants to mend relations with Australia

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Regional

Indonesia’s president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed a desire to mend a diplomatic rift with Australia within the next few months.

Sanitation costing Kiribati millions

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Regional

Rapid population growth and a density greater than some Asian cities is putting huge pressure on the water and sanitation system in Kiribati.

Kata: Treating and bribery

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Kata

Jekyll and Hyde performances

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It seems we have another Mr Hyde and Dr Jekyll in the Cook Islands Party ranks.

Deport foreign offenders

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Kia Orana Chief, Te iu tikai te kite ete tuatua no teia au tamariki kanga, kiikiia e te tai au kanga ke atu a ratou e rave nei I runga ito tatou enua.

The sign says it all

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Outer Islands

The election campaign has only just started but in the northern group, some people are over it already.

Fewer candidates run in 2014 election

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Politics

Election Briefs: Keep up to date with the latest election developments in the lead-up to the vote on July 9.

Tavioni wants time on Telecom offer

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Technology

Mike Tavioni is demanding that locals be given more time to band together and make an offer on Telecom New Zealand’s majority stake in Telecom Cook Islands.

Raro hosts deep sea minerals workshop

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Local

Dozens of overseas delegates are coming to Rarotonga next week for a deep sea minerals workshop focusing on the financial aspects of mining.

'Dumbstruck' by snap election call

Wednesday 7 May 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was meeting with Grey Power members in Aitutaki last week, filling them in on the good news that Parliament will be sitting as I spoke, to pass a law to: