Articles by Utopia Support

Grey Power to march on parliament Monday

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in Local

Pensioner activist group Grey Power is planning to march on parliament on Monday for the first day of the house’s final sitting of 2013. Grey Power vice-president Dennis Tunui made the announcement yesterday, and said the group will be chanting slogans and waving placards as part of the march, which is scheduled for 2.30pm. The […]

Team effort!

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in Local

Jesse Rihari, Kingi Herewini, Tom Robinson and Ruamano Herewini from vaka team Fluffy Slippers, enjoyed a morning of celebration at Nikao Maori School yesterday. The paddling team ‘adopted’ the school last year, and visited the excited young students for a morning of celebration, including exchanging gifts and enjoying dance and haka performances. Related article(s):

Possible release next week for 'Colagate' report

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in Local

A second report looking into the practise of invoice splitting by the Cook Islands Audit Office could become a public document next week. Yesterday, director Allen Parker with the Cook Islands Audit Office confirmed the existence of a subsequent report on the practise, which was first dealt with by the audit office in 2011 under […]

The New Rarotonga

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in Features

Zach Humphrey (The Vagrants Photo) is an Auckland-born musician and amateur photojournalist currently based in Coolangatta on Australia’s Gold Coast.

Pa Enua tax consultations not 'in their language'

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Vaine Wichman has worked throughout the Pacific as a development economist. She began writing these columns at the request of women and men asking her to explain the working of their economy. I had the good fortune of being on a Pa Enua again, work relating to the Mitiaro mama’s and their maire, the Nukuroa […]

Out of the sunrise

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

If you know anything about the migratory history of the Maori people you shouldn’t be surprised to find that even today, Maori are still traveling around the globe and turning up in strange places. They’re really just – figuratively – following in the footsteps of our ancient tipuna, the Austronesians, who originated in China and […]

Muri market keeps businesses 'on their toes'

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I completely understand the reasons behind the business owners’ concerns about the night market in Muri. It is always hard having a business in a small area where there is such stiff competition, especially in such a popular tourist spot like Muri – but that’s what keeps owners on their toes. Hospitality is […]

Kata - November 30, 2013

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in Kata

Belles and Tahiti Nui crowned champs

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in National

Australian womens oe vaka crew Crown Beach Belles and French Polynesia mens team Tahiti Nui were crowned the ultimate Vaka Eiva paddling teams yesterday when they took out the pinnacle race of the paddling festival – the 36km round Raro Relay Race. The Crown Beach Belles gunned it home in a time of 3.25.53 to […]

Vaka team welcomed to Nikao Maori

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in National

Nikao Maori School opened their arms wide in welcome on Friday morning for their adopted vaka team. It was the second visit to the school for vaka team Fluffy Slippers, whom they also adopted last year. The morning was a time of giving from both sides, with the vaka team donating 37 boxes of school […]

Chinese Ambassador visits QR

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in National

Chinese Ambassador designate to the Cook Islands Wang Lutong presented his credentials to Queen’s Representative Tom Marsters on Wednesday during a morning ceremony at Government House. During the event, which was attended by various local dignitaries, government officials, and members of the local Chinese community, Ambassador Wang made an address, saying, “… the Chinese government […]

Inventor's dream one step closer

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in National

After an informative meeting earlier this week, Rarotonga inventor Ken Kingsbury thinks he’s one step closer to achieving his dream of seeing a wave-powered vessel plough the seas of the South Pacific. The inventor of the popular ‘Treddlecat’ vessels – which can be seen zipping across the lagoon in Muri – held the meeting to […]

Tax changes 'in favour' of outer islands – economist

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in National

A series of changes being proposed to the Cook Islands tax system will be “very much in favour” of people living in the outer islands, says a government economist. Officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) have been in the northern group this week speaking about the tax review, which includes plans […]

Bin thief strikes fishing club

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in National

Anyone trying to steal wheelie bins from the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club will have a hard time getting away with it from now on. The club had two of its bins, both only a few months old, stolen from their premises on Monday night. Bar worker Sharon William was busy yesterday engraving the fishing […]

Not just a mama and papa market

Saturday 30 November 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

“I have to share the concerns of the Muri businesses that are affected by the Thursday night Muri markets,” a smoke signaller writes in response to Thursday’s page 7 article. “When you see the Muri Night Markets advertising on national television, they move from the realm of ‘mama and papa just selling food to make […]

'The love of God is revealed on the cross'

Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Church Talk

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in […]

Kora brings 'alien funk'

Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Local

Rarotonga music lovers can expect to have an out of this world experience tonight when New Zealand five-piece band Kora drop a fresh set at the Vaka Eiva ‘paddles up’ party tonight at Avarua harbour. On Rarotonga for the first time, band members (from left) Stu Kora, Richie Allan, Joe Brownless and tour manager Ben […]

BTIB to consider arson loan query

Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Local

A retrospective loan query from a victim of arson, who saw his business burn to the ground a year ago, will be considered by the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) following its loan offer to a more recent arson victim. Eric Short, the former owner of Avatiu’s Eric Short Automotive Limited which was razed to […]

Public invited to attend graduation ceremony

Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

The first graduating class of the youth leadership course invites members of the public to their graduation day today at 10am at the police headquarters. Thirty one young men aged 13 to 20 will be celebrating the successful completion of a three-week rigorous military-style programme aimed to develop their leadership and organisational skills. The graduation […]

No response from govt on installation of septic tanks

Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Editor, Just to follow up on my earlier letter expressing grave concern in that certain vacant properties in the Muri beach tapere have had septic tanks installed that are funded through the WATSAN project. Can the appropriate authorities please explain how and why vacant properties are getting special treatment for new septic tanks to be […]