Articles by Utopia Support

'Improve medical checks in Pa Enua before it's too late'

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I write this letter with great admiration for the good services that I have received during my short visit to Rarotonga Hospital. I am from the outer islands and my intention was to see Dr Aung. The receptionist informed me that I need to make an appointment to actually see Dr Aung, but […]

Diwali festival 'blasphemy to the Christian God'

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kia Orana! I am simply expressing the concern of many Christian brethren throughout the Cook Islands who are much disturbed over a ‘Diwali Festival Celebration’ to be held in Rarotonga this Saturday evening. This is an absolute and total blow and blasphemy to the Christian God of this nation, the Lord Jesus Christ. […]

Kata - November 9, 2013

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in Kata

Tivaivai stiches people together

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

The unique Cook Islands craft of tivaivai quilting is being shared with local women, expatriates and passing visitors at the Punanga Nui Markets. The Punanga Nui Vainetini Mamas group set up their sewing kits at the markets in Avatiu up to three times are week and have an open door policy for anyone interested in […]

Venue change for Diwali festivities

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, has had a last-minute venue change in Rarotonga. The event will be hosted at the Avatea school hall in Nikao tonight at 7pm. The guest of honour will be the New Zealand High Commissioner Joanna Kempkers and she will be welcomed with a garland of flowers and a traditional […]

Disco fundraiser at Apii Te Uki Ou

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

Students at Apii Te Uki Ou were moving their dancing feet yesterday to raise funds for Nukutere College. The entire school and teachers took to the dance floor, with disco hits such as gangnam style, we will rock you and the birdy dance proving to be very popular. Students made a $2 donation to take […]

Fun on wheels raised funds

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

Five hundred dollars have been raised by Apii Te Uki Ou as part of an Avatea School fire appeal. Skating, cycling and whizzing around on scooters were all part of the fun activities that Apii Te Uki Ou school children took part in to raise the funds. The school held its first ever wheels day […]

Nukutere honours students' efforts

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

The Nukutere College and Catholic family put aside fire recovery tasks yesterday to celebrate the graduation of the school’s senior year 11 students. It was indeed a joyous day for the Catholic college and family as this year’s student leaders were honoured for their hard work throughout the year in and out of the classroom. […]

Tereora celebrates its top students

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

Cheers from students and the smell of flowers filled the air at Tereora College’s senior prizegiving yesterday. Students from year 10 to 13 received awards for their hard work over the year, with hundreds of students making their way across the stage in front of the proud school community. A table at the front of […]

Te Vaerua visits outer islands

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

Members of Te Vaerua Community Rehabilitation Services have been taking their services to the outer islands over the past month, with Mauke, Mitiaro and Mauke all benefitting from recent visits. Assessments for people with disabilities were provided by two therapists from the centre, with physiotherapist Rebecca Washbourn and occupational therapist Kelly Pick both sharing the […]

Foot work at massage clinic

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

At his clinic under the shade of a Miro tree, Teuvira Upokotea holds a mama’s feet in his hands. For Upokotea, feet can tell the story of a person – how they live, what they do and what condition their body is in. “They keep us grounded on Papatuanuku. They transport us to where we […]

New physio wants to help

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

There is a new face providing physiotherapy services to the Cook Islands. Dave Taylor has been in the country for just six weeks, having moved to Rarotonga from the United States with his wife Louise, and has joined the team at Te Vaerua Community Rehabilitation Services. “I love what I do,” Taylor says of his […]

FADs deployed by MMR around Raro

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

Fishers on Rarotonga will be pleased to know that the fish aggregation devices (FAD) in the Black Rock area and a FAD off the Rarotongan Beach Resort have just been deployed by the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR). Both FADs are approximately 5 kilometres offshore and set at depths of 1200 metres. A FAD committee […]

New vehicle boosts airport security

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

Security staff at Rarotonga International Airport will be patrolling the aerodrome in style after receiving a new vehicle funded by the New Zealand government. Adorned with flowers, the red Honda CRV was handed over to the Cook Islands Aviation Security Unit yesterday by New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner Aimee Jephson. The vehicle will enable the […]

Aged care facility in the spotlight

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

The Ministry of Internal Affairs will soon be launching a study on whether the Cooks needs an aged care facility and what that facility would be like. There is currently no dedicated facility for elderly people in the Cook Islands, although there are a handful of elderly patients residing long-term at Rarotonga Hospital. Social welfare […]

New horizons

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

Local seafood company Ocean Fresh has added a new longliner to its fleet. Company owner Bill Doherty confirmed the new boat, Wairau, arrived into Avatiu port last week, making the journey from Whitianga, New Zealand. Doherty said his boat will be backing up FV Gold Country – the company’s other longliner – and will see […]

One bad apple gives the community a bad name

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

Sister Paddy is a big proponent of forgiveness. She believes that one should forgive the person but not condone the act. This attitude has led her to be calm when anger would be the common emotion. Sister Paddy had her money, iPad, laptop, notebook computer and a flip phone stolen from her accommodation on Friday, […]

Police urge tourists to guard valuables

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in National

Visitors to the Cooks Islands need take heed of warnings about robberies and take care of their valuable possessions, says a police inspector. Earlier this week, Japanese couple Yosuke and Tomoko Takanabe had their scooter compartment broken into and possessions stolen while parked at Muri Beach. A New Zealand family also had their holiday experience […]

'God loves each of us'

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in Church Talk

On behalf of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days, I am honoured to have this opportunity to share this wonderful message with you all: God is Love. No one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. He loves each of us, and we must love him […]

Base line

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in Local

Live drum n’ bass outfit Shapeshifter has landed on the rock in advance of their Friday gig at Rehab nightclub. Yesterday, Shapeshifter’s lead vocalist and Cook Islander PDiggs Paora-Daniel Apera Pori Makea (far left) along with fellow band member Devin Abrams and MC Tiki Taane (far right) made their way to 88FM to chat with […]