Articles by Utopia Support

Christmas comes alive with candy

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National

Santa’s little helper Grainne Patterson (right) had no trouble handing out hundreds of free lollies to help kick-start Christmas in Rarotonga. Santa’s little helpers were spotted handing out bags of chocolates and candy to all those passing by the Knickers in a Twist women’s lingerie store in Tupapa a few days ago. If you were […]

'The canoe is the people' - workshop

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National

‘The canoe is the people’ was the theme of workshops that brought educators from across the Pacific together last week in Rarotonga. Educators from Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Nuie and New Zealand took part in the week long series of workshops, which was an initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). “‘The […]

MP's wives host gathering

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National

Are Pa Metua, Te Kainga and Creative Centre members gathered at Te Atukura Grounds on November 28 for a kaikai hosted by MP’s wives. Prime Minister’s wife Akaiti Puna says each year the group of ladies usually visits the organisations during the festive season to hand out gifts and to share in a kaikai. "It’s […]

Prayer to address world hunger crisis

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National

The Cook Islands Catholic diocese will today join a global wave prayer initiated by Carita International to bring urgent awareness to the worldwide crisis of hunger. Catholic Bishop Paul Donoghue, local priests and Sisters of the Diocese of Rarotonga (Cook Islands) and Niue are honoured to support the global hunger awareness campaign. A ‘wave of […]

Hospital bed donated to school

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National

Sick students at Nukutere College were deprived of a bed when an act of arson destroyed a block of rooms at the school. The Rotary Club of Tauranga Te Papa decided to pitch in and help out and the school is very grateful for all the donations it has received to date, including the bed. […]

French Ambassador visits Cook Islands

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National

French ambassador designate Laurent Contini arrives today as part of an official visit to the Cook Islands. His schedule, which will run from today until December 19, will include presentation of his credentials to the Queen’s Representative as the Ambassador for the Republic of France to the Cook Islands. The Ambassador is based in Wellington […]

Te Mato Vai water daily demand over 11m litres

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National

An official involved in the development of the master plan for the Te Mato Vai water project says planners are estimating daily water demand in Rarotonga to be 11.2 million litres. The number was confirmed by Latu Kupa from KEW Consult Limited, the company selected by the government to manage the project from start to […]

Aitutaki welcomes rain and water filter

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National

Aitutaki residents are hoping for a worry-free Christmas after receiving a new water treatment system and half a day’s worth of rain. Fires ravaged hectares of scrubland on the island last week, leaving the fire service and local volunteers run off their feet. At the same time, residents were facing a drinking water crisis after […]

Beachfront 'annihilation' leaves locals fuming

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in National

A woman from Vaimaanga is furious about more than a dozen trees being cut down on a nearby beachfront property without any public consultation. Diane Holford said she came home from work on Friday night to find the section had been “annihilated”. “I cried. I stood on the beach and I cried. I’m just in […]

Parliamentary staff get first aid training

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Local

Speaker of parliament Niki Rattle announced on Friday that Cook Islands parliamentary staff have received first aid training. Rattle, herself a former secretary general for the Red Cross, said the training provided to staff included “cardio pulmonary resuscitation”. To further add to parliament’s first aid initiatives, Rattle told MPs that they should think about getting […]

Santa goes tropo!

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Local

Santa Claus went tropo on Saturday spreading Christmas cheer in a Pacific inspired suit. He is pictured here cheering up two young shoppers at Foodland in Avarua before zooming off on his brightly decorated cart to the Punanga Nui Markets where he encouraged Rarotonga children to be good little boys and girls. Santa’s walkabout through […]

Govt to nominate leader for bad loan taskforce

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Local

A taskforce being set up to tackle the problem of bad loans in the Cook Islands should soon have its leader appointed. Former Kiwi Bank chief executive Sam Knowles carried out a review of the country’s banking system last year and found non-performing loans (NPLs) were the biggest roadblock to the sector’s growth. A non-performing […]

Govt to pay Air NZ return on LA flights

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Local

A new contract being negotiated between the government and Air New Zealand will see the airline guaranteed a profit on its Los Angeles to Rarotonga service. This is a change from the current arrangement where the government pays only the costs and promises no return. Air New Zealand recently won the tender to continue providing […]

Miss South Pacific winner

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Features

Miss Cook Islands Teuira Napa is Miss South Pacific 2013. Napa won the Pageant ahead of nine other contenders in Honiara, Solomon Islands over the weekend. Miss Tonga was crowned the first runner up while Miss Samoa came second and the third spot was taken up by Miss Solomon Islands. Miss American Samoa came fourth […]

Thanks from honorary PRs

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, On behalf of Shaun and myself, I would like to express our extreme gratitude in receiving the award of Honorary Cook Islands Permanent Resident. We are particularly appreciative and touched by this as we understand that it is ’the people’ who have nominated us. To all those involved, both at the ceremony and […]

Stoddard 'should be stood down'

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I agree with the all of the contentions and recommendations contained in recent letters from concerned taxpayers and Mr Beer concerning the conduct of Geoff Stoddard. You can’t have someone on PERC (Public Review and Expenditure Committee) who the court has indicated has had inappropriate communication with a private businessman concerning the tax […]

Kata - December 9, 2013

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Kata

Nursing school enrolment open

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in National

The Cook Islands Nursing School is calling for applications for potential students. The school will be opening in February 2014, and applications are sought from students (NCEA Level 2 and 3), Pa Enua applicants, and mature adults – either male or female – to pursue a career in nursing. “The nursing curriculum covers theory and […]

The LIMA approach to understanding mental illness

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in National

‘LIMA’ – an Austronesian word for ‘five’ representing five groups of mental illnesses – formed a main topic of discussion at a mental health training workshop for front-line staff at the Sinai Hall from November 3 to 6. In mental illnesses, the LIMA key represents anxiety illnesses and somatic symptoms with no physical illnesses, depressive […]

Private Screening of 'The Island Night'

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in National

Te Iti Vaine Productions, a filmmaking arm of the Cook Islands National Council of Women, is hosting a private screening of their film ‘The Island Night’. With kind support from Highland Paradise management, the private screening will be held at the Highland Paradise premises in Puaikura on December 10. What began as an interest in […]