Articles by Utopia Support

Award winning wine maker to speak at awards

Thursday 14 November 2013 | Published in National

Guests of the prestigious 2013 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards are in for a treat on Friday evening in more ways than one. Theo Giesen from Giesen Wines will be in attendance as a guest speaker. Giesen is the official wine of the 2013 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards and together […]

Public ignoring fire safety messages

Thursday 14 November 2013 | Published in National

A bush fire that got out of hand near the Turangi rubbish dump yesterday is one of many that are cause for concern for the Rescue Fire Service. The fire, reported at 10.51am, was due to rubbish being carelessly discarded. Luckily no property was damaged. “The fire could have easily enveloped my house but the […]

First role models for the younger generation

Thursday 14 November 2013 | Published in National

Thirty-two young men are learning how to be great leaders and role models during three weeks in a military-style programme. The Mitiaro Hostel is the setting for the youth leadership programme that commenced on November 11, which aims to provide the young men with the skills and direction needed to successfully achieve their goals while […]

Protecting your sight for a lifetime

Thursday 14 November 2013 | Published in National

Taking good care of your eyes is the first step to protecting your sight for a lifetime, and caring for your eyes is what Annie Mason at The Eye Place does best. The Eye Place, located at Cooks Corner, specialises in full eye care and speciality sunglasses. Mason has all the equipment you would expect […]

Constitutional amendment to erase Toagate debt - Triad

Thursday 14 November 2013 | Published in National

Triad expects the ‘Toagate saga’ to be legislated out of existence in the next session of parliament via a constitutional amendment, said lawyer Tim Arnold. Toagate refers to a court decision ordering the government to pay Toa a $1.75 million lump sum and guarantee the company an annual profit of $1.2 million from 2010 to […]

MMR hopes for weekly offloads by Huanan

Thursday 14 November 2013 | Published in National

The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) hopes to expand a programme that allows a foreign fishing company to offload bycatch in Rarotonga. Since July, Huanan Fisheries Ltd – a subsidiary of Luen Thai Fishing Venture – has been approved to offload and sell by-catch to two local retailers as part of a trial programme. Initially […]

Water rates 'won't go down well'

Thursday 14 November 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Government officials are being coy about the water rates they intend to impose on all households and businesses in Rarotonga,” a smoke signaller writes. “That is not going to go down well with the community – also known as the electorate – if the government uses their own stats on water usage, said to be […]

PM's company struck off twice

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna and his wife Akaiti have had their business struck off the companies register for failing to pay their annual fee – and this is not the first time. Last week, the Ministry of Justice issued a public notice which named nearly 80 domestic companies being dissolved with immediate effect. Among them […]

Fire destroys Titikaveka home

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in Local

Early yesterday morning, Esther and Gavin Schroder were woken to the sound of wood burning. In roughly one hour, their Titikaveka home was destroyed in a blaze described by police as ‘suspicious’. Authorities were alerted when a call came in to the Rescue Fire Service at 12:53am yesterday, and by 1:17am two fire vehicles from […]

Avatea run-a-thon raises $12,100

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in Features

The community joined together to raise $12,100 for Avatea School at the weekend. The money was raised on Saturday via a run-a-thon float fundraiser full of children of Avatea School, the community, balloons and banners. The funds will aid the rebuilding of the school after the October 20 fire that destroyed buildings and resources at […]

Plea to arsonist

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am told that an arsonist enjoys the chaos created by fire. They crave attention and are excited by the idea that everyone is talking about and looking for them. Some arsonists stay near the scene once the fire has started to mingle with the crowd who have gathered to watch the fire. […]

The risks of purse seine fishing

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Purse seine fishing can be very attractive to governments. It is a very efficient way of catching fish and can produce large amounts of revenue in a short period of time. The problem with purse seine fishing, however, is that it can also do a lot of damage in a very short time. […]

Kata - November 13, 2013

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in Kata

Masters of rugby league to host mini tournament

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in League

After winning all their games at the New Zealand rugby league masters tournament last month, the Cook Islands masters are now focused on their own mini-tournament to be held in Rarotonga and Aitutaki in April next year. The masters commissioner Tony Macquarie believes that the first step is to get the old bones off the […]

Smooth start to end of year exams

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

Cook Islands college students are in exam mode this week with senior students at Tereora College on study leave for final prep ahead of their exams. Last week the national college celebrated the academic and sporting achievements of its students through their annual prize giving. Last week CINews printed the national college’s list of high […]

Sharing skills for a better future

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

It is a love of teaching her people that has led Rebekah Daniel to volunteer at the prison in Arorangi. Once a week during the evenings, Daniel takes one-on-one sessions teaching computer graphics at the prison. She is one of only a few local people who volunteer, sharing her time and skills with inmates as […]

Air NZ CEO to speak at awards

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

On Friday night the Cook Islands Tourism Industry will celebrate an evening recognising excellence in the tourism industry, with the highlight being the 2013 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards. The awards’ major sponsor, Air New Zealand’s chief executive officer Christopher Luxon, will be the VIP speaker on the night. It will be Luxon’s […]

Aviation and the need for focused strategy

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

A USA-based aviation specialist is providing advice on strategy to the tourism corporation. The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation recently contracted aviation specialist John Petersen to provide strategic advice on air service development strategy, route development, airline commercial negotiations, and the management of airline underwrite agreement performance. Peterson has many years of executive management experience in […]

Win electronics this festive season

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

Over $20,000 worth of the latest Samsung smart televisions, notebooks and Galaxy GS4 smartphones are all up for grabs in the latest Christmas promotion by CITC and Fonterra. To enter the promotion and be in to win these fabulous prizes, customers simply need to purchase three Anchor, Chesdale or Tip Top products (on the same […]

Crazy hair day for Turoa Bakery

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

If your hair looks like you have been dragged through a bush, you will fit right in at the Apii Te Uki Ou School this Friday. The school will be holding a crazy hair day and home baking fundraiser for Titikaveka’s Turoa Bakery during their lunch break. The Turoa bakery was ravaged by fire during […]