Articles by Utopia Support

Translating political debates

Friday 14 June 2013 | Published in Politics

Whether you speak Maori or English, the quick thinking of the Cook Islands parliament’s translators allow the nation to listen in on the House’s lively debates.

Duty free allowance to increase

Friday 14 June 2013 | Published in Politics

All arrivals to the Cook Islands will be allowed to bring in $750 worth of personal items duty free beginning January 1 next year.

Budget 2013: What about the rest?

Friday 14 June 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Minister Brown’s glossy budget handout is a sign of desperation,” a smoke signaller writes.

Requests flooding in for subsidy

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Local

More than 500 applications for the government’s water tank subsidy have been received, with 50 approved so far.

Call for larger water intakes

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Local

In the mountains of Tupapa the water intake, like all water catchments on Rarotonga, is critically low.

'Just waiting to be tapped'

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Would someone in authority please answer these questions in the interests of those long suffering people whom we read about having no or little water: 1.

Kata - June 13, 2013

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Kata

More game time and training needed

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Netball

A lack of full team training and tactical training is why the national netball team failed to deliver at what was a winless Pacific Series campaign in Samoa last week.

Picton Castle sails north

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Outer Islands

The Cook Islands-flagged sailing ship Picton Castle has been gracing Avatiu Harbour since May, but she set sail yesterday for the first of two voyages to the northern group.

A servant of my people: DPM

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Politics

Deputy Prime Minister and Murienua MP Tom Marsters delivered his farewell speech to parliament on Tuesday evening, as he prepares to step down and take on the role of Queen’s Representative.

Budget passed by parliament

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Politics

The 2013-14 Budget Bill was passed Tuesday evening, bringing the $195.5 million budget one step closer to becoming law.

Joint consultation underway

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Politics

Week-long consultations between government and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) are underway.

PM to speak at Pacific Day

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Politics

Prime Minister Henry Puna is expected to depart for the United States today, where he is scheduled to deliver a keynote address for Pacific Day 2013.

Should water be free?

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “Regarding the water meters being installed on the sly by the government: by all means charge the hotels and motels in this country that are draining our water supplies, but don’t charge the little people who have little enough as it is.

Standards to be set for appliances

Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Technology

The Cook Islands government will be putting regulations in place for labels on electrical appliances.

Oriental fruit fly causes ban

Wednesday 12 June 2013 | Published in Environment

They may be 8 millimetres in length but the oriental fruit fly is the most destructive fruit fly species.

Health funding aims to lift services

Wednesday 12 June 2013 | Published in Local

The Cook Islands government is planning to spend a total of $12.8 million for health in the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Pacific Island Energy win fuel tender again

Wednesday 12 June 2013 | Published in Local

Pacific Island Energy (PIE) has won the tender for Te Aponga Uira’s (TAU) fuel supply.

Local cook for Picton Castle

Wednesday 12 June 2013 | Published in Local

A new cook has been appointed on the Cook Islands-flagged ship Picton Castle for its two voyages to the northern group islands.

Water shut off when intakes low

Wednesday 12 June 2013 | Published in Local

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP) has confirmed water supply is sometimes shut off to sections of Rarotonga, to allow more water to be directed to other areas.