Articles by Utopia Support

Opposition wants Cooks-EU deal scrapped

Friday 1 November 2013 | Published in National

The Democratic Party is saying the proposed Cook Islands- European Union fisheries partnership agreement is lacking support in some areas of the European government and hopes to see the deal scrapped. Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen, who also acts as the demo party spokesperson on marine resources, said the European Commission (EC) does not necessarily support […]

'Not so fast' on intake land

Friday 1 November 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

“The government is ready to start the upgrade of our water system which will be distributed on a user-pay system,” a smoke signaller notes. “There are a few stumbling blocks to their grandiose plans. One is the little matter that landowners of the 12 water intakes have not been consulted. There is no guarantee the […]

Water shortage on Mauke enua

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in Local

Mauke has been rationing water after five months of little rain. The island’s water supply is from a ‘reticulated’ system where water that has been pumped from underground reserves into a large communal tank which then runs out to households using gravity. Island Council executive officer Taukea Raui said there was a major upgrade of […]

Creative support for Stallions

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in Local

Defending Sevens in Heaven champions the Teimurimotia Stallions are putting their muscle to work in support of the Creative Centre. The star studded sevens team visited the Creative Centre this week to show their support for the work being done at the centre for adult students. The team was treated to a dance performance by […]

MMR consults PM on fishing deal

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in Local

Ministry of Marine Resources secretary Ben Ponia met with Prime Minister Henry Puna yesterday to discuss the proposed fisheries partnership between the Cook Islands and the European Union. The meeting comes after the proposed deal hit a snag this week, when it was revealed the government has decided to put the deal on hold. The […]

'It's all here in the Cook Islands'

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Again, thank you Tepaki for your comments and support. You must be related to Kata who is having a field day with his cartoons. FYI Kata, Little Polynesian is going five-star 2014 so don’t think I will be riding in your three-star car with the others! Let’s go back and see where we […]

Kata - October 31, 2013

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in Kata

Mou Piri to screen at Melbourne festival

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in National

FilmRaro documentary ‘Mou Piri: A Rarotongan Love Song’ will be screened at the inaugural Aperture Asia Pacific International Ethnographic Documentary Festival held in Melbourne, Australia from November 21 to 23. ‘Mou Piri,’ is a short film based on the Cook Islands song by the same name directed by NZ-based Karin Williams. The documentary explores the […]

USP exchange students go to Japan

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in National

Four Cook Islands ambassadors went to Japan as part of a Japanese economy revitalisation project recently. The Jenesys 2.0 Project 5- Mie, from September 26 to October 5 introduced Japanese attractions to foreign tourists and consumers in a bid to reinvigorate the economy. The ambassadors from the Cook Islands were Marjorie Boaza, Maxine Nubono, Matangaro […]

Hula Mania arrives this December

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in National

Hula Mania – a duo dance competition is just around the corner. The event – held over two nights Friday December 20 and Saturday December 21 – is to crown the greatest duo hula dancers, known as the King and Queen of Hula. The dance style of competition is unique to the of Cook Islands […]

40 years of service commemorated

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in National

The extended fire fighting community of Rarotonga gathered yesterday to celebrate four decades of service contributed by two standout fire officers. The careers of John Wigmore and Joseph Manuel were put to the forefront yesterday in a commemorative ceremony at Rarotonga International Airport. After introductory prayers by Reverend Papa Aratangi, speeches were made by Rescue […]

Nikao students learn to grow

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in National

Feeding fish and learning about plants was a good distraction from the recent school fires for Nikao Maori School students on Thursday last week. As the school is located next to Apii Avatea – which lost six classrooms and the library to one of two school fires on October 20 –Nikao Maori School was closed […]

Pa Enua to supply coconut oil to Raro

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in National

Mauke will be trialling a coconut cold press, as part of a programme to improve resilience to climate change. The Strengthening the Resilience of our Islands and our Communities to Climate Change (SRIC CC) programme co-ordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister, is funding $5 million worth of development projects in the outer islands […]

Govt stats released on energy, climate

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in National

Building approvals continue to drop, energy consumption remains stable, and Rarotonga is seeing more sunshine, according to recently-released government statistics. The data was compiled and released by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management’s (MFEM) Statistics office. Building approvals continue to follow a downward trend over a year horizon. The total number of buildings approved […]

Parliament likely sit in early December

Thursday 31 October 2013 | Published in National

The Cook Islands government is currently eyeing an early December start date for the next session of parliament. Yesterday, parliamentary speaker Niki Rattle said on-going discussions within government are working towards setting up a firm date. “We are actually waiting for a confirmation from the Prime Minister’s office,” she said. Parliamentary clerk John Tangi – […]

EU fisheries deal on hold

Wednesday 30 October 2013 | Published in Local

The proposed fisheries partnership agreement between the Cook Islands and the European Union has been put on hold.

Youth raise funds for Nukutere

Wednesday 30 October 2013 | Published in Local

Youth hit the streets on Saturday to raise $7000 for Nukutere College, which lost a block of classrooms to a recent act of arson.

'Generating even more questions'

Wednesday 30 October 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is two weeks now since the Financial Secretary assured your readers that he would respond in separate letters to the several issues I raised on October 10 (Explain proposed tax reforms).

Front up to the local fishers

Wednesday 30 October 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Last week the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) scheduled a meeting with representatives of the fishing clubs to discuss purse seine fishing.

Kata - October 30, 2013

Wednesday 30 October 2013 | Published in Kata