Articles by Utopia Support

PM played role in shark fin incident

Friday 21 March 2014 | Published in Local

Prime Minister and Marine Resources Minister Henry Puna made an “executive decision” in allowing a boat discovered to have shark fins aboard to proceed through the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) without having charges laid.

Shark sanctuary does not affect locals

Friday 21 March 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Shark Protection Regulations established in 2012 under the Marine Resources Act are not designed to have any effect on the behavior of local coastal fishermen. The regulations are focused on the pelagic fishery where sharks are targeted and exploited for their fins.

Mixing business with pleasure always messy

Friday 21 March 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Mixing private and personal vacations with unplanned sideline official business becomes a very messy affair – but not to Cabinet Minister Mark Brown and Prime Minister Henry Puna it seems.

Treatment not fair, says minister

Friday 21 March 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I note that we did not get the same front page headline statements in my response to Wilkie's statements regarding the half-year fiscal update. I thought it had been forgotten about until someone showed me it was buried in the middle pages.

Govt doing right thing with seats

Friday 21 March 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kudos must go to the current Government for taking the initiative. Reducing the amount of seats in the up-coming election is certainly a step in the right direction.

Give youth jobs on Te Mato Vai

Friday 21 March 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, They sacked George Pitt, but he said what had to be said in my opinion. As a long time Raro visitor, I get concerned that you are selling yourselves to the Chinese, in low bid contracts and too many “free loans”.

Are Pa Metua gets a makeover

Friday 21 March 2014 | Published in Local

Kind members of a New Zealand Rotary club gave Rarotonga’s Are Pa Metua centre a much-needed lick of paint this week, despite the dire weather conditions.

Cyclone Mike

Friday 21 March 2014 | Published in Kata

Tumutoa named BTIB chairman

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Local

Rarotonga-based accountant John Tumutoa has been appointed as Chairman of the Business Trade Investment Board.

Fortnight to league masters tourney

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in League

Inspired by their inaugural league masters tour in 2009 to Auckland for the Rugby League Masters World Tournament, the Cook Islands Rugby League Masters Association will now play host to next month’s mini league masters tournament.

League masters go to Nukupure

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in League

The masters of rugby league played the curtain-raiser to the main match between the Eels and Sharks at the Swamp last Friday.

Quota system answer to overfishing?

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Environment

Implementation of a new fisheries management system in the Cook Islands will aid conservation efforts and address the issue of overfishing, says the Ministry of Marine Resources.

Name salon and win a free cut and colour

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Local

Suggestions for the name of a new training salon are being welcomed, with a free cut and colour up for grabs.

'Local companies first' policy remains

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Local

Local companies will continue to be given preference by the Business Trade and Investment Board for contract work on the Te Mato Vai water infrastructure project.

Proposed reforms are 'calculated cynicism'

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The report (CI News 19 March 2014) that the Cabinet is leading a movement for “political reform” shows calculated cynicism of the highest order at work, even by the standards of this Government.

Phone never off the hook

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Can the Director for the Cook Islands Meteorological Service, Arona Ngari, please explain why the phone at the Met Office (20 603) was very deliberately taken off the hook before the end of the working day yesterday and well into the evening, thus preventing anyone from ringing the office to seek up-to-date information on tropical Cyclone Mike?

Keep your dogs under control

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I walk with a friend and her dog every morning on the back road of Matavera and, without a miss, we get charged at by a couple of vicious looking dogs who were not even tied up at night.

Happy to pay local taxes

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Grey Power was a movement set up in the 1980s in New Zealand for Government to recognise the pool of skills and experience from those who have gone into retirement.

Kiwi company gets big solar contract

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Environment

A Kiwi company has been awarded the contract to build a large solar power system at Rarotonga International Airport, starting next month.

Cyclone Mike leaves little damage

Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Weather

Apart from blowing off part of a roof in Aitutaki, Tropical Cyclone Mike caused little damage as it passed quickly through the Southern Cooks, authorities say.