Articles by Utopia Support

Bakery fire suspicious

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

The Vaimaanga fire that recently destroyed two businesses is being treated as suspicious. The fire destroyed Turoa Bakery and the adjoining Saltwater Caf on the morning of November 2. Investigations have now concluded, and the fire is being treated as suspicious. Reports from the Rescue Fire service will be given to the police in a […]

Turoa Bakery fire not confirmed as arson - police

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

The fire responsible for destroying the Turoa Bakery and the adjoining Saltwater Caf on November 2 is yet to be confirmed as arson. Though the fire is being treated as suspicious by investigators, police commissioner Maara Tetava says the police and the rescue fire service are still working on the investigation report and the cause […]

Bush fires concern police

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

Two bush fires were a major cause of concern for police over the weekend. “The public should be careful when burning rubbish. We received two calls about small bush fires over the weekend but the fire trucks were quick to put the fires out,” says inspector Arama Tera. “Be vigilant when burning rubbish. The fire […]

Australian student raises money for Raro schools

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

An Australian student who recently visited the Cook Islands has launched an online fundraising campaign to help two Rarotongan schools hit by arson last month. Belinda Smith, from Melbourne, was in the Cook Islands on a teaching placement during September as part of her degree with Monash University – joining her fellow trainee teachers in […]

Cost of fire damage 'several million dollars'

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

The cost of fire damage to homes, businesses and schools in Rarotonga over the past year has been valued at several million dollars. A spate of fires on the island recently has left the local community reeling and police on the hunt for an arsonist – with rewards offered up by the government and Tower […]

New management at Te Vara Nui Village

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

Kiwi couple Alan Chrastecky and Vicki Candish are the new arrivals on Cook Islands hospitality and tourism shores. They will form the management team at the Te Vara Nui village and both of them come with a wealth of experience. “Chrastecky along with his partner Candish have recently joined us from New Zealand where they […]

Love your coast, to tatou pirianga tai

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

Raising awareness about the damage being done to the coastal areas by planting trees is part of the tree planting programme revitalised by The National Environment Service (NES) Education Unit. The programme, which is part of the NES theme ‘love your coast, to tatou pirianga tai,’ was revived last week and seven Rakei Toa students […]

Tereora College student wins media studies excellence award

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

Year 13 Tereora College student Alovi Pickering won the prize for excellence in level three media studies. Pickering says that it was her documentary that most likely won her the first prize of a trophy, vouchers and a certificate sponsored by Cook Islands News. “I focused on the issues and reasons of why Cook Islands […]

Fuel tender digs up Toagate concerns

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

Tenders are being invited for the government’s controversial fuel hosting contract, which is set to open up old wounds from the ‘Toagate saga’. Te Aponga Uira has issued the call for tenders, where the winning bidder will store and manage TAU’s fuel from February. The fuel hosting contract, which includes transporting fuel from the ship […]

Demos harder on Purse Seining than NGO's

Wednesday 13 November 2013 | Published in National

The Democratic Party does not want to see any purse seining in Cook Islands waters. Leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen, who also acts as the Democratic Party spokesperson on marine resources, made the comments late last week, affirming his camp’s position on the issue. “It’s the sheer amount of catch that affects the cycle […]

We want your books!

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Local

Avatea School teacher Teina Napa wipes ash from reading books that survived the school fire on November 20 that destroyed a wing of classrooms at the school, including its library. Napa says the books survived the fire as they were in a cupboard in the library, waiting to be catalogued after the school holidays. Some […]

New reward for arsonist

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Local

Another $10,000 reward has been placed on the table to help catch those responsible for two devastating fires in Rarotonga recently. Just days after Prime Minister Henry Puna put up a reward worth the same amount, Tower Insurance has now thrown its weight behind the cause. The insurance company announced yesterday that it is offering […]

Norman George resigns from CIP

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Local

Teenui-Mapumai member of parliament Norman George has resigned from the Cook Islands Party and is saying he is now an official member of the Democratic Party caucus. “I’m out and finished with them, and they should worry about staying in government,” said George, adding his letter of resignation was received by the secretary of the […]

Australian writer holds poetry night in Raro

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Features

This is the last trip that poet and writer Dudley Haydock will be making to Rarotonga. At the age of 70, the regular visitor to the Cooks has been diagnosed with stage two inoperable, moderately aggressive prostate cancer. Haydock, who lives in Adelaide, Australia, has been a regular visitor to the Cooks since 1992. He […]

Grey Power targets don't show at protest

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Thursday November 7’s PR exercise by the Grey Power in a public arena right in front of the police station in Avarua did not attract those targeted by us. You know who you are. You did not turn up to well advertised meeting placed. So, from now on, please, no more of your […]

Thanks to organisers of the Diwali festival

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Thank you to those who organised the Diwali festival on Saturday evening. It was a delightful sharing of culture. As many people commented during the evening, events such as these foster tolerance and understanding between nations, cultures and individuals. For the work and organisation that went into Saturday’s function – thank you – and also […]

'Standing up for the King of kings'

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read all those letters coming against Bishop Pere for speaking the truth, and you can see who doesn’t read their Bible. We are so partial not to offend human beings because they have a right to their own religion and so on, and we fight for their rights adamantly. But what about […]

Urgency needed to end thefts

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The stealing from tourists is continuing unchecked and if a solution is not found quickly it will pose a serious problem to our only real income earner to the country – tourism. This stealing epidemic has only become a major problem over the past five years but is increasing as the years pass […]

Justice 'skewed against visitors'

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, My husband and I previously lived in Rarotonga for three years (2006-2009). Since then we have made a number of return visits as tourists. Our latest visit, however, was marred by what can be regarded as either a bizarre or ridiculous event. On the evening of Tuesday November 5 when we were driving […]

Kata - November 12, 2013

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Kata