Articles by Utopia Support

'What does Vaile want?'

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, What does Chris Vaile want? When the government was going to take over Toa he led a campaign against government interference in the fuel industry. Now when a private business, Pacific Islands Energy, has found a way to provide cheaper fuel he wants government interference in the fuel industry so that fuel will […]

Protests will continue – Grey Power

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Cook Islands Grey Power has been advocating against the damaging tax proposal by today’s Cook Islands Party government, who is inconsiderately trying to initiate a bullying taxing process onto the NZ-paid pensions; an avenue that many former Prime Ministers before Henry Puna have purposefully ignored. Without a doubt, these former PMs have […]

Kata - November 7, 2013

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Kata

Netball says thanks to volunteers

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Netball

Volunteers are the backbone of any successful event and this week Netball Cook Islands is saying meitaki maata to volunteers that have helped develop the game in the country. Yesterday, netball development officers Luciana Matenga and Tupe Tamatoa showed their appreciation to netball ambassadors who gave up their time to coach netball in Rarotonga schools. […]

Theft leaves tourist family broke

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National

A family from New Zealand was recently robbed on their second night in Rarotonga. The incident took place on October 29 in the early hours of the morning while the family from Muriwai beach – a coastal community on the west coast of Auckland – was still asleep in their beds. “The people who stole […]

Festival of lights in Rarotonga

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National

Lights, candles and Bollywood performances will all be part of this year’s Diwali celebrations. Taking place at the Akaoa Hall in Arorangi on November 9, the celebrations will begin at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy a little bit of Indian culture. There will be a welcome speech by president of the […]

No cabinet endorsement for fuel tanker – Ports Authority

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National

The general manager of the Ports Authority has apologised to Triad following a letter issued from his office that incorrectly stated there is cabinet endorsement for an offshore fuel tanker project. The statement follows a letter to the editor from Triad Pacific Petroleum director Chris Vaile in CINews on November 6, which raised concerns that […]

Cooks joins cyclone risk insurance scheme

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National

The Cook Islands has signed on for a disaster risk insurance scheme. The Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Pilot was recently renewed for its second season, with the Cooks newly joining five other participating Pacific island countries – Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu – to gain insurance coverage against earthquake, tsunami and tropical […]

December start date for parliament proposed

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National

An official with the Cook Islands parliament is proposing December 9 as a start date for the house’s next sitting. Recently-hired parliament clerk John Tangi – who began the job in September – announced the proposed date this week. “Given the nature of the bills, we are looking at perhaps five days,” he said. “That […]

Te Mato Vai work continues despite BTIB warning

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National

The company tasked with managing the $60 million Te Mato Vai water infrastructure project is continuing with its work despite a warning from a government agency to cease operations. KEW Consult Limited – the company selected through government tender to manage Te Mato Vai – is continuing with ‘planning’ work, despite being warned last week […]

Hospital runs short on water

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National

Rarotonga Hospital ran low on water this week and three tank-loads had to be trucked in to avoid sending patients home. Hospital staff noticed water pressure weakening late Monday night and alerted management the next morning. Director of hospital services Dr Henry Tikaka Henry said low pressure in the mains system meant water was not […]

Water drainage jobs in the pipeline

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National

Work is being planned to tackle the problem of drainage water flowing out of streams and onto nearby property in some parts of Rarotonga. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP) is currently inviting contractors to tender for four separate jobs. Joseph Akaruru, acting director of policy planning and asset management services, said the ministry […]

Airline selected as possible long haul flights candidate

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in National

An airline has been selected by a government group as a possible candidate to provide long haul aviation services between the Cook Islands and destinations in the United States and Australia. A total of eight commercial airlines were approached to provide aviation services from the Cook Islands to the United States and Australia. Four responses […]

Schools 'before sports'

Thursday 7 November 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “Top government leaders were quick to travel to watch and donate $60,000 to the Cook Islands’ losing rugby league team, which is not a priority. That money should have been given to our two schools that got smoked up. Thank you to the chiropractor who donated thousands of dollars to the […]

Proposal for fuel tanker raises alarm from Triad

Wednesday 6 November 2013 | Published in Local

Concerns have been raised about a proposal to have a large fuel tanker moor off the reef to pump fuel to shore – which could mean a monopoly in the fuel industry. In a letter to the editor on page 6, Triad Pacific Petroleum director Chris Vaile said the proposal by Pacific Island Energy – […]

Grey Power want no tax on pension

Wednesday 6 November 2013 | Published in Local

Members of pensioner activist group Grey Power do not want to pay any tax on their pensions. At a meeting held yesterday morning at the Returned and Services Association (RSA) club in Nikao, the group held a vote to deal with an internal division within its membership: to fight the “back tax” on their New […]

No place like home

Wednesday 6 November 2013 | Published in Local

Sarah Healy is one of 10 volunteers currently at the Esther Honey clinic, helping to care for a recent influx of animals who are in need of a home. With ‘kitten season’ in full swing, there are 17 kittens looking for a place to call home, as well as seven older cats and four adult […]

Answers needed on Te Mato Vai

Wednesday 6 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Good on you George Pitt. You are not the only one in the community who has so many questions to put to whoever is responsible for this massive water works undertaking. But you are the only one prepared to confront the Cook Islands Party boxing kangaroo head on. Neves seems to be the […]

Te maata uatu nei te kino

Wednesday 6 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Ki te Etita, I teia mataiti 2013 ite marama Me, tei roto au ite Aremaki i Auckland, kua moe au i tetai moemoea. Teia tei akaari ia mai kiaku i roto i teia moe. Kua aere mai te arataki i kapua ia mai ei te Kavamani Cook Islands Party koia oki a Sir Albert Henry […]

Reward needed to find arsonist

Wednesday 6 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is about time government took some responsibility for these fires. I agree with Wilkie Rasmussen when he said he is "Bitterly disappointed that the prime minister has again left the country when there are grief-stricken families”. The police are requesting the support of the public to come forward with any information. Rarotonga […]