Articles by Utopia Support

'Lack of co-ordination' on northern group flights

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am aghast at the incompetence and wastefulness by this government of our public funds. Just last week PM Henry Puna chartered a flight to take him, his wife, niece, and some government staff to Manihiki and they stayed there from Wednesday until Saturday. Although he said that the purpose was for solar, […]

Kata - November 23, 2013

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in Kata

It takes a village to raise a child

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in National

It is easy for a child to fall through the cracks but with the proper processes in place, these children can be pulled out. This was a message delivered by acting inspector Kevin Kneebone of the New Zealand police at a youth justice workshop held on Tuesday. Policing, community and family intervention, education and spirituality […]

Students encouraged to enrol for school next year

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in National

As the end of the school year rolls around, it is a time when many students are thinking about where they will be continuing their education next year. Inclusive education and assistive technology advisor at the Ministry of Education Ngaria Stephenson has been working over the past few weeks to ensure that all students in […]

700kgs of rubbish collected in Manihiki

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in National

Manihiki residents hauled in 733.5kgs of rubbish during a recent clean-up day, with plastic bottles contributing a hefty 150kgs to the collection. The National Environment Service (NES) co-ordinated a clean-up programme for half a day on the island of Manihiki on November 14, as part of their ‘Clean Up the World’ campaign. The arrival of […]

Arorangi School visits fire service

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in National

Students from Arorangi School had a hands-on science class last week, when they made a visit to the nearby Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade. The year three and four students are studying heat for science this term, with their teacher Luisa Tongatama deciding to use local resources to assist in teaching the topic. The class visited […]

Arorangi School hosts NZ students

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in National

Students from New Zealand were welcomed at Arorangi School recently, for a day of fun and cultural activities. Twenty-seven staff and students from Hawera Intermediate School in Taranaki made the trip to the Cook Islands, and immersed themselves in Cook Islands culture for the day. The guests were welcomed with a special assembly and kaikai, […]

Tinomana Tokerau Ariki always ready to help

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in National

At 76, newly invested Puaikura Paramount Chief Tinomana Tokerau Ariki (Tokerau Munro) has faced many challenges in her life. On Thursday, she stood strong through the traditional Ariki investiture process while her rights to the title were criticized. The highly anticipated investiture was attended by hundreds of local supporters from across the island plus curious […]

Pay rise is possible for minimum wage earners

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in National

The Cook Islands’ minimum wage will come up for review early next year after sitting at the same rate for the past seven years. Minister of Internal Affairs Nandi Glassie announced yesterday that a panel is currently being formed to consider lifting the $5 minimum wage. Under legislation passed last year – the Employment Relations […]

Stars guide travel writers on rough seas

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in National

Despite most of them getting sick, five foreign journalists say being at sea guided only by traditional navigation methods was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Traditional master navigator Teuatakiri (Tua) Pittman will next year begin offering four-day return voyages from Rarotonga to Aitutaki on the traditional vaka Marumaru Atua. Pittman sails without modern instruments […]

Raro water likely to be UV treated

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in National

Rarotonga’s drinking water will probably be treated by ultraviolet light rather than chemicals in the future, says an official from the Ministry of Finance.

The long, winding and bumpy road of Big Norm

Saturday 23 November 2013 | Published in National

Love him or hate him, Norman George or Big Norm is a political survivor.

Does faith in Jesus Christ matter?

Friday 22 November 2013 | Published in Church Talk

Does faith in the Lord Jesus Christ really matter anyway? Let me pose another question that may bring a better focal point: “What makes Jesus Christ the most unique figure in history?” Was it because of his teachings, his miracles, the devotion of his followers, his sacrifice and the outrageous claims that baffled his listeners? Certainly, he was not the first to have disciples of His own, nor was He the first teacher to use parables or to die an ignominious death such as death on the cross, or to make many startling claims either! Emperors were worshipped as gods, heroes were called sons of god, Alexander the great claimed to be the son of Zeus, and Julius Caesar had similar sentiments of being divine.

Superannuation case begins

Friday 22 November 2013 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands High Court will begin hearing the highly anticipated Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund case today. Legal observers are describing the case as one of the most important cases currently before the courts. In 2011, The Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund (CINSF) filed a notice of application, seeking a declaratory judgement which asks […]

E Ariki vaine!

Friday 22 November 2013 | Published in Local

A regal Tokerau Munro takes in the scene in front of her after being invested as Tinomana Tokerau Ariki – paramount chief of Vaka Puaikura. The investiture was an intense process as protestors from the Ngati Isaia line breached the Au Maru palace grounds to protest against the investiture. Related article(s):

'Leave Norman alone'

Friday 22 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Doesn’t the Prime Minister himself have any more pressing issues to tackle from the country’s point of view other than hassling the Teenui Mapumai MP Norman George? Why not leave Norman alone with your article in the paper recently? If we go with what you are suggesting for Norman to come clean and […]

'PM, explain your concept of morals'

Friday 22 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To the Prime Minister, in response to his statements that a fresh mandate is needed for Atiu (CINews November 19). You state that Norman George should do what is “morally right”. Firstly, where do you get the idea of “morally right” from? Given recent comments made in court, please explain your concept of […]

Stop condemning us – we are not here to evangelise!

Friday 22 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

In response to Tutai Pere’s comments in recent articles about the Diwali celebration, I would just like to know why he is still wasting his time condemning Hindu religion. Why can’t he just mind his own business and leave our fellow Hindus and our culture alone. I am Indian and married to a beautiful Cook […]

Still no response from MFEM

Friday 22 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Question 4 in my letter of October 10, 2013 referred to breeding, stock replacement and planting programmes committed to production well past MFEM’s January 1, 2014 proposed execution date. Six weeks have now passed since then and there is still no response or acknowledgment that these commitments needed to be addressed. Scotts Farm […]

Kata - November 22, 2013

Friday 22 November 2013 | Published in Kata

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