Articles by Utopia Support

CI cyclone doco to screen in Fiji

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Environment

A Cook Islands documentary named ‘Surviving a Cyclone’ will be screened at the University of the South Pacific headquarters in Fiji this week. Produced by David Ngatae, it has been entered into this year European Consortium for Pacific Studies (ECOPAS) First Conference film festival evening at USP in Suva. The ECOPAS conference will focus on […]

CI 'eco-warriors' receive international recognition

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Environment

Two Cook Islands ‘eco-warriors’ have been honoured on the international stage for their tireless efforts to protect the ocean and environment. Ian Karika has been awarded the inaugural Pacific Islands Environmental Leadership Award for excellence in national leadership in environmental sustainability and conservation. Meanwhile, Dr Takiora Ingram was one of eight women from Oceania to […]

Climate change policy launched by OPM

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Environment

A policy aiming to address climate change issues has been launched in the Cooks. ‘Kaveinga Tapapa: Climate and disaster compatible development policy 2013-2016’ was officially announced last week by the climate change division of the Office of the Prime Minister. At a workshop in Tupapa on Friday, around 30 government officials, members of the Koutu […]

Debate winner meets EU Ambassador

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Local

A Titikaveka College student who claimed victory in a youth debate on deep sea minerals has been congratulated in person by the European Union’s Ambassador for the Pacific. Fifteen-year-old Titikaveka College student Teherenui Koteka has been in Fiji this week after winning the Cook Islands debate in October. EU Ambassador Andrew Jacobs met Koteka in […]

Parliament's 'false start' a false alarm

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Local

Parliament was nearly brought to a standstill yesterday after the opposition questioned the constitutionality of the current sitting. At the beginning of question period, leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen questioned the legality of the sitting by referring to a letter published in CINews yesterday. The letter, written by Rarotonga resident and businessman John Scott, […]

Aitutaki water woes addressed

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Local

Emergency measures are being taken to provide Aitutaki residents with clean drinking water as they stare down the barrel of another six months without rain. Most people living on the island rely on rainwater tanks for their drinking supply but the skies have not opened since July. Otheniel Tangianau, director of the Pa Enua division […]

Creative tiling at Tilemate

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Features

It is a love for his trade that brings a special touch of creativity to the tiling work of Nooroa Moekore of Tilemate. “I find tiling very interesting,” said Moekore. “It’s like art – creating things, the colour, the shapes.” Tilemate offers services in anything kitchens, bathrooms, floorings, swimming pools and grave sites. Moekore says […]

Kata - December 5, 2013

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Kata

Netters return to court for Netball in Paradise

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Netball

Netball fans and supporters can expect energetic netball games at the Telecom Sports Arena today when teams return to the court for the third day of the Netball in Paradise tournament. Today’s matches will be crucial for all teams as they jostle for top positions in their various divisions, from the budding stars in the […]

Queen's Baton here

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in National

An intimate turou ceremony was held for the arrival of the Queen’s Baton early this morning at the Rarotonga International Airport and will begin its Cook Islands leg of the baton relay today. The Queen’s Baton is on a global relay across the 70 Commonwealth nations as part of the build up to the 2014 […]

CI marine park is looking for a name

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in National

A competition is underway to provide the Cook Islands Marine Park with a unique name with some local flavour. Launched by Prime Minister Henry Puna, $250 is up for grabs in the contest and is open to everyone currently residing in the Cook Islands and all Cook Islanders living abroad. At the current stage of […]

Tetautua 'mini wharf' project complete

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in National

Residents along the shores of Tetautua village on the island of Penrhyn are now protected against the forces of nature after the village’s crumbling foreshore safety barriers have been rebuilt. Tetautua island council member Rio Teika instigated the project earlier this year but with no luck in funding from government agencies – he turned to […]

Xmas tree competition extended

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in National

A competition to light up a tree for Christmas has been extended. The ‘Light up your community’ competition, sponsored by CITC and Wattyl Paint, has been running since November 25. The judging for the competition was due to take place today, but a lack of entries has meant the judging night has moved to Wednesday […]

Aitutaki faces worst day of fires

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in National

Aitutaki residents armed themselves with everything from banana leaves to coconut fronds as they battled to contain a fire which threatened homes in Arutanga on Tuesday. It was the worst day of fires since a massive blaze consumed hectares of scrubland in the hills of Amuri on Saturday night. Miimetua Blenkarn, head of the Airport […]

Parliament nearly shut down

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in National

The opposition Democratic Party threatened to walk out of parliament yesterday. Question period for the day got off to a raucous start with opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen making comments on the constitutionality of the current sitting of parliament. The opposition leader’s comments related to an editor’s letter by Rarotonga businessman John Scott, who questioned the […]

Sulphur content 'of higher quality' - Toa

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in National

Dear Editor, I don’t want to enter into a debate with Chris Vaile over his open letter published yesterday, however I want to clarify two points so that your readers are not misled. Sulphur content of 500 parts per million (ppm) in diesel is supplied to the Pacific Islands by the major refineries from Singapore. […]

Reclaimed land remains an 'eyesore'

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in National

A barren area of reclaimed land running north of Punanga Nui Market looks set to remain “an eyesore” for some time yet, with no immediate plans for its use. The four acres of land was formed last year using material dredged from Avatiu Harbour, with the goal of expanding the popular market. Enlarging Punanga Nui […]

'Sell 4WDs' to cover back tax

Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Government should just sell off one or maybe two of their flash government 4×4 vehicles that they brought with taxpayers’ money to cover the back tax on the pensioners,” a smoke signaller texts to 188. “Do all secretaries need a government owned vehicle when most already own a vehicle themselves? These GA vehicles already have […]

Banner rings in Christmas cheer

Wednesday 4 December 2013 | Published in Local

With 21 days to go until Christmas day, colourful tinsel and bright lights are rapidly growing on local businesses and homes – dressing them up for the festive season. Adding to the growing Christmas buzz, a big bright red banner wishing all a Merry Christmas has been erected at the entrance to the Avarua shopping […]

School students visit parliament

Wednesday 4 December 2013 | Published in Local

A special group of visitors were present for Tuesday’s session of parliament. Yesterday, students from Titikaveka College were present at the Cook Islands parliament building, and observed the nation’s members of parliament at work from inside the chamber as well as outside. In introducing the visitors, speaker Niki Rattle said the students have a desire […]