Letters to the Editor
Letter: Medicinal cannabis
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Over a year and a half ago, Prime Minister Mark Brown said he would “act very quickly” to legalise medicinal cannabis after he was given an overwhelming mandate to do so by the voters in the last general election.
Letter: Dual roles
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Owen Lewis is in the news again (Sporting body questions Lewis’ dual roles, February 3, 2024). It is good to hear sports federations speak up. If one thinks it, guarantee the others think it too.
Letter: CISNOC Retreat
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
CISNOC had all last year to review their constitution; they did not need to go to Aitutaki to do it. If they had reviewed the constitution in full it would have taken longer than two days and they were discussing Owen Lewis resignation which they only got a couple of days before announcing their retreat.
Letter: ‘PM’s principled and ethical stance’
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, We read in the article ‘Cook Islands deputy PM out of parliament’ (RNZ/ The Fiji Times 6/2/24) that after being convicted on the charge of “taking public funds”, Robert Tapaitau “has been removed from parliament”.
Letter: Checks and balances
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
In his first statement since the result of the court case in which Robert Tapaitau, Nga Puna and Puna’s wife, Diane Charlie-Puna, the former secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands, were found guilty of fraud, Prime Minister Mark Brown said “no person is above the law”.
Letter: Looking for a slim waistline
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Ministry of Health Secretary Bob Williams comes out swinging, downgrading the world health report to being the same trend as previous years, meaning nothing has changed and they have not improved matters.
Letter: More questions for Immigration
Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Kia Orana Editor, During the Covid lockdowns we lost 15 foreign workers to New Zealand poachers as soon as we opened our borders to New Zealand.
Letter: Game of knives and nooses
Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, We finally hear and read that the High Court has found DPM Robert Tapaitau and his companions (Nga Puna and Diane Charlie-Puna) guilty of the crimes of fraud. I assure you that the Penrhyn MP is devastated as would be his family and supporters.
Letter: Are the taxpayers getting value for money?
Thursday 1 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The Prime Minister and his government are proposing to increase the number of Ministers from six to eight.
Letter: Fainted children?
Wednesday 31 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Can someone tell me if it is true that hundreds of kids had to stand in the hot searing sun on Friday rehearsing cultural dances while being yelled at and not allowed to drink any water?
Letter: Too many snouts in the trough
Wednesday 31 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Last week I heard the Prime Minister (Mark Brown) and Pukapuka MP Tingika Elikana justify the need to increase the number of Ministers from six to eight. The increase could be Ministers elected from the CIP MPs.
Letter: Prosecuting bars for over-serving
Tuesday 30 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The CI News Saturday edition page 2 under “Court News”, your paper reported on the conviction of Agnes Rameka by Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning of drink driving while more than four times over the legal alcohol limit.
Letter: The height of arrogance
Friday 26 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Now it is announced Owen Lewis is “going to continue to provide support” with sports while doing “the most crucial position in the public service ... directly impact the lives of our young people” in Education.
Letter: ‘Make it fair for everyone’
Friday 26 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, We have been coming to the Cook Islands for 20 years for holidays. I retired five years ago and we decided we would like to live in the Cook Islands for an extended period.
Letter: Proxy votes ‘will not fix the problem’
Thursday 25 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The new Standing Orders for Parliament (SO) came into force on the 1st July 2022. There were some major changes in the new SO. One of the changes was that the Business Committee at the last sitting of Parliament for the year must recommend a sitting programme for the following year. There must be at least 14 sitting days per calendar year.
Letter: WHO results
Wednesday 24 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Kia Orana Editor, The results as reported by WHO is the same trend from previous years. However, when we talk about universal health coverage the reality is that healthcare services are easily accessible to everyone in the Cook Islands, and are free to everyone residing in the Pa Enua.
Letter: How’s ya health?
Wednesday 24 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The World Health Organization has recently released its ‘Tracking Universal Health Coverage 2023 Global Monitoring Report’ and the results are not good for the Cook Islands. In fact, we are third to bottom in the Pacific - just above Niue and Papua New Guinea.
Letter: Education head
Tuesday 23 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Kia Orana, Te akaroa Earlier Letters to the Editor in regards to the appointment of Owen Lewis as Secretary of Education are to be applauded for the valid points raised.
Letter: Smoke and mirrors
Tuesday 23 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
The way this government is running parts of this country is just a very bad joke! Why go through all that cost, time consumption and pretence of inviting applications for a job (Head of Education), doing the interviews, and then totally disregarding the recommendation of the very professional committee.
Letters: Investing in quality education
Tuesday 23 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I would have thought that it is simple common sense that we have only one government owned secondary school on Rarotonga.