Articles by Utopia Support

Wanted: Arsonist, cash reward

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in Local

Prime Minister Henry Puna has announced a $10,000 reward for the capture of the person or persons responsible for the recent string of fires on the island. “A reward of $10,000 will be put up by the government,” said Puna, who is currently in Guangzhou, China for the 2nd China Pacific Island Countries Economic Development […]

Kata - November 8, 2013

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in Kata

Cooks netball ready for Singapore series

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in Netball

Improving Netball Cook Island’s world ranking is one of the top goals of the national netball team preparing to take on Singapore in a three-match test series starting November 18. The Singapore national team, coached by former Silver Fern coach Ruth Aitken, will arrive Saturday November 16 for the three-test series against the Cooks on […]

'If you see something, say something'

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind

The news of each fresh fire on Rarotonga is piercing, activating emotions like anger and fear and despair, and raising unanswerable questions: Why would a person intentionally burn down a business or a school? Why hasn’t the perpetrator been caught, arrested, punished? When will the destruction end? It’s true that authorities have yet to determine […]

Charity begins at home

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National

Pink was the theme of the day for Cook Islands News staff on October 31. News, administrative and reception staff all came together to support and raise awareness of breast cancer by wearing pink. October is breast cancer awareness month and the idea came about so that the staff could contribute to the cause. The […]

Diwali celebrations on in Rarotonga tomorrow

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National

Diwali, a Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, is being celebrated in Rarotonga tomorrow at the Akaoa Hall in Arorangi. The programme starts at 7.30pm and members of the public are welcome to join in the festivities. To welcome the guests there will be a speech by president of the Indian […]

Raise the tax threshold, say NZ-paid pensioners

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National

Increasing the amount any individual can earn without paying taxes in the Cook Islands will solve the current dispute between Grey Power and revenue collectors with the government, said a couple earning the NZ-paid pension. Ray and Vaine Robinson said raising the personal tax threshold from the current $10,000 to at least $16,000 will help […]

Tereora students awarded for year's work

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National

The community joined the celebrations at Tereora College yesterday, as the school recognised the hard work of its senior students over the year. “It’s a really important occasion where we come together as a community and celebrate excellence,” said principal Bali Haque, adding that this could be academic, cultural or sporting excellence. Students proudly walked […]

Turoa Bakery fire under investigation

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National

Two fire investigators from New Zealand are helping police with the recent Turoa Bakery and Saltwater Caf fire that destroyed the businesses last Saturday morning. They are also here to investigate the Nukutere College and Avatea School fires that took place on October 20. “We are investigating the fires at the bakery and caf and […]

Companies struck off for unpaid fees

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National

Nearly 80 Cook Islands businesses have been struck off the companies register for failing to pay their annual fee. However, several of those businesses contacted by the Cook Islands News on Wednesday still had their doors open. The Ministry of Justice issued a public notice on Tuesday with a long list of domestic companies being […]

Grey Power goes on PR offensive

Friday 8 November 2013 | Published in National

Members of pensioner activist group Grey Power gathered yesterday in Avarua to step up their public relations efforts. Group members gathered across the road from the headquarters of Cook Islands Police, where they took turns with a microphone to voice their grievances with government efforts to tax their pensions. Roughly 35 members of the group […]

National issues at climate change forum

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Environment

Climate change financing and adaption will be a key focus of the Cooks at a United Nations Convention. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held in Warsaw, Poland from November 11-22. The climate change conference will be attended by 195 parties and this will be the 19th session of the […]

TIS 'okay' with purse seining, blasts FADs

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Environment

It’s a method of fishing capable of taking massive amounts of fish out of the water at a single time – but purse seining itself doesn’t necessarily fall on the hit list of environmental conservation groups. “It’s not a great method of fishing, but I can live with it,” says Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) technical […]

Tourists robbed while snorkelling

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Local

A Japanese couple who had their scooter compartment broken into and possessions stolen earlier this week had been in the country less than 24 hours when the incident occurred. Despite being robbed of cash, a camera and other belongings, the married couple said the saddest part was losing photos of their dog that passed away […]

Foreign by-catch sale extended

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Local

The extension of a trial fishing programme will allow a foreign company to sell its by-catch to local retailers until next year. In July, the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) approved a three-month licence variation as part of a trial programme for Huanan Fisheries Ltd – a subsidiary of Luen Thai Fishing Venture – allowing […]

Do you know what to do in an emergency?

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Being the first port of call in emergency situations is one of the reasons why getting first aid training is important. Today is the last day that the Cook Islands Red Cross Society is offering a certified comprehensive first aid training course at the society headquarters. The course starts at 8.30am and is open to […]

Frustrated by government travel

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am very frustrated and angry at the way this government is spending public funds without any consideration for the poor financial situation that our country is in now. The Prime Minister’s delegation of about five or six that left for China on Sunday would have cost the country a lot of money. […]

When our lagoon was full of life

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I will start my letter with memories of my childhood in Aitutaki in the late 70s and early 80s. My grandfather was a planter and an excellent fisherman. He used to take me fishing in the lagoon catching mu, tangau, paoa, and many other fish that were abundant in Aitutaki back in those […]

Is secrecy in our best interests?

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Apparently juicy details of the Prime Minister’s private activities were revealed in a recent court case; however the JP ruled that they should not be published. Is this in the best interests of the community and upon what authority? We read, see and hear in the media of revelations overseas about high-profile people […]

'Some things are still free'

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Apii Avarua Early Childhood Centre completed their biodiversity study about the marine life in Rarotonga, by taking a glass bottom boat ride at Muri with Captain Tama’s. It was such a great experience for most of our local students who have never been on this trip before. We were given the scenic route. […]