Articles by Utopia Support

Te Ipukarea Society: Young people throw spotlight on Cook Islands' 'boys club' politics

Saturday 15 February 2020 | Published in Environment

Last Friday night at the Rehab bar, the public of Rarotonga was treated to a rare night of satirical comedy theatre.

School football programme in full swing

Friday 14 February 2020 | Published in Football

Schools around Rarotonga have kicked off their training sessions with the CIFA technical department staff as they prepare for the senior and junior one-day tournament which will be held in early April.

Paul Kauri: The lost and the reckless

Friday 14 February 2020 | Published in Church Talk

The lost and reckless – sounds like a title from an old soap but in fact, this story is older, writes Paul Kauri (Pastor of ArePua – home of Gateway Church)

Paul Raui Allsworth: Pay parity versus high income

Friday 14 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Sad to see another qualified and professional teacher leaving our shores due to pay disparity. Another one joining the ongoing outward drift of depopulation.

John Uri: 'Let the people decide'

Thursday 13 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor

History repeats itself. So many ups and downs in our history comes from the fundamental errors made by the Ui Ariki and Mataiapo since 1888, just before the establishment of a ‘government’ in 1891.

Trézanah Monga-MacCauley: The debate over new Maori name

Wednesday 12 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor

The points arguing to keep the name are insignificant. “Too much time and money” is an insignificant expense for a long-term gain.

The world is her oyster

Tuesday 11 February 2020 | Published in Art

As hot and humid weather continues, Cook Islanders are having to resort to swimming pools and beaches to beat this summer heat. While taking a cooling dip, some have captured their memories for the BCI Summer in Paradise photo contest. The photo contest is now closed and winners of an iPad, an iPhone and other prizes will be announced this Saturday.

Lynnsay Rongokea Francis: Let's not stifle freedom of expression

Tuesday 11 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor I attended a play last Friday evening at the Rehab written by Teherenui Koteka. A clever blend of social and political satire to address current social issues in which she dared to write about the unthinkable subject of sex, sexuality and the gendered roles of men and women and sexual identity. Everyone performed exceptionally well and they were all very entertaining and funny. During the evening I was told some of our political leaders had met during the week in an attempt to stop the performance because they considered it might be offensive and disrespectful. I commend Teherenui Koteka and her team of young performers aged between 16 and 22 for having the courage of their convictions to perform the play in the face of opposition. With the support of her parents, sponsors, Rehab and group of supporters she was able to put on this performance. Teherenui’s play touches on subjects we don’t openly speak about. She uses wit, humour and ridicule to take sexual behavior out of its normal context to critique the dominant ideology that sexual domination are natural to men, the phallic model of masculinity, the myths and stereotypes of male and female relations, the objectification of women and women’s perception of themselves. Satire enables us to see the ridiculousness, absurdity and irony of a situation. The play uses physical humour and statements to point out the absurdity of the call on women to not have sex with all men so that the political leaders would be forced to be respectful of women’s brains instead of their bodies to include them in the decision-making process of the Seabed Mining Bill. Teherenui intended the play to be thought provoking, to open up the conversation and to get people out of their comfort zone and to reflect on our own attitudes, prejudices and responses to moral issues. To attempt to stop an artistic performance because of its social, political and moral content is censorship. We live in a democracy and a healthy democracy enables its citizen’s freedom of expression and participation in bringing issues in society to the fore. Let’s not stifle that freedom. Lynnsay Rongokea Francis

Jacki Brown: Mana vaine

Tuesday 11 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Mana vaine Mother Nature reminded us of her presence and power when she sent rain on Friday evening. Rehab was the venue for a new play, Mana vaine’ by Teherenui Koteka.

'Stand down the player and we will officiate', says the refs

Monday 10 February 2020 | Published in League

Rugby League referees not officiating matches until a player accused of manhandling an official is stood down.

Ruth Mave: Look out for the young ones

Monday 10 February 2020 | Published in Opinion

A village raises a child, because parents can’t be everywhere, but where is the village when we need them most?

Ruta Tangiiau: More police needed on roads

Monday 10 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, Tougher laws are not going to stop law-breakers from dying on our roads. The fatal accidents are due to people not obeying the existing laws that are there to protect them.

Te Ipukarea Society: Wetlands, our giant sponges

Saturday 8 February 2020 | Published in Environment

World Wetlands Day was celebrated this week. This recognises the important habitat wetlands provide for plants and animals that have adapted to these watery environments, including insects, fish and birdlife.

Papa Williams: Cyclone would wipe out new waterfront

Saturday 8 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, Last week’s front page headline, “Future Vision: The Monaco of the Pacific” was interesting, considering the state of our planet’s climate change and environmental impact dynamics, caused by a warming planet.

Solia-Petero: School flouts law, demands haircut

Friday 7 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor

You stand up for your son! Our 6-year-old boy has the Cook Island traditional long hair to his knees.

Rev Vakaroto Ngaro: The infinite became the infant

Friday 7 February 2020 | Published in Church Talk

OPINION: In December we discussed how the nature of Christ gives meaning to his work. Today, in the second part of this series, Rev Vakaroto Ngaro from Cook Islands Christian Church in Avarua looks at Jesus as both divine and human.

Old cricket headline

Thursday 6 February 2020 | Published in Cricket, Sports

Tania Lucas: How dare they force haircut on boy?

Thursday 6 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor

I tautoko your stand for your son 100 per cent. Kura is to provide an education.

Ian Calhaem: Chemicals in water

Thursday 6 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor

In response to Papa Williams (Letters), what is often overlooked is that even with the “best practice” management of chemical processes, the streams are ultra-sensitive to changes in pH and temperature.

RAT Mavé: What's good for the goose

Thursday 6 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, It is amazing how things get done when it affects government members personally. Police, teachers, nurses asking for a wage rise, are told it will happen over the next three years, but MPs get a 45 per cent wage raise immediately.