Opinion

No apology was necessary from Filipino community

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am fully supporting Shonas view that the Filipino community should never have apologised in the first instance. Wake up people! This earth belongs to God almighty and thats that. Is this how we treat our neighbouring countries? To you who have openly criticised the Filipino community, shame on you. You make out […]

Prayer shows sport can be an idol

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was extremely disappointed and disturbed to see a rendition of the Lords Prayer on page 11 of the paper today. I know some people will answer, it is only a bit of fun. But that is not just a bit of fun. Can we imagine what would have happened if we warped […]

Kata - September 10, 2011

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Recycled prescription danger

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

If the Prime Minister returns to the Cook Islands this weekend, when do you think hell be winging his way on his next overseas junket, ooops, work trip? Will it be in (a) 1-3 days (b) 4-6 days (c) 7-9 days, or (d) not for six months as theres plenty of work to do here […]

New Muri market going ahead despite conflict

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

The Kia Orana Beach Market organising committee has decided to run its market on September 28 despite resistance from organisers of the conflicting Akaoa night market. The Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) and the Muri community last week announced their intention to stage the Muri market on a Wednesday. While it is driven by the […]

Short-term gain for long-term pain

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It seems unbelievable that despite recent fish shortages in Rarotonga the current government headed by MP Teina Bishop has allowed exploratory fishing by the Chinese or any foreign entity for that matter. Bigeye tuna for one is overfished and the species is in danger of collapsing altogether. $800,000 in licenses is just more […]

Te Aponga Uira explains net-metering

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This is a clarification of some points raised in your smoke signals Green wires crossed. Firstly, Te Aponga Uira does not in any way limit households or businesses renewable energy production at all. Customers are more than welcome to produce 100% of their energy needs if they would like to or can afford […]

Dont be surprised if history repeats itself

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In response to Takitumus letter in last Saturdays newspaper, the MPs travel to New Zealand with the delegation of 20 and all the expenses used for the overseas trips by government has got nothing to do with Toagate. These trips are a waste of taxpayers money. Secondly CISNOC is mismanaged big-time by Rosie […]

Kata - September 9, 2011

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Kata

No need to apologise

Thursday 8 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Filipino picnic and games on Sunday afternoons do not offend all Cook Islanders. I am saddened that one angry, offended viewpoint, on what they think is permitted on a Sunday afternoon, should be used to condemn and control what happens in our village. I am a local, Christian living in and from Ngatangiia. […]

Air NZ doing Cooks a favour

Thursday 8 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

The perception that the government is doing Air New Zealand a service by underwriting flights is an incorrect one, a smoke signaller writes. Air NZ is doing the Cook Islands government a favour by being prepared to fly unprofitable routes as long as they are underwritten. If Cook Islands Tourism is able to promote effectively […]

Kata - September 8, 2011

Thursday 8 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Avaiki brand turning into a fiasco

Tuesday 6 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The NZ government has allocated $3 million to assist in the development of the Cook Islands pearl industry. This is very important for the pearl industry and the future of the northern group, and one can only hope that this money will be used wisely and effectively. Unfortunately this has not been the […]

Sabbath obsession

Tuesday 6 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, While I dont object to the Filipinos celebrating on a Sunday as many of them work every other day I do object to SDA in yesterdays newspaper asking Sunday Observer if selling liquor on Sunday desecrates his Sabbath. Where in Sunday Observers letter does he call Sunday his Sabbath? Where in his letter […]

Dont take freedom for granted

Tuesday 6 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, My childhood memories living in Fiji (end of 1969 to 1975) are of attending the first South Pacific Arts Festival, joining USP students protesting the French tests. (If its so safe, do it in your own back yard.) At 11 years old protesting was all a part of the festivities, a fantastic multicultural […]

Whos the minister trying to fool?

Tuesday 6 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

Whos the finance minister trying to fool when he says nobody is losing any money from the Brown Tax? a smoke signaller writes. Im losing money. I was getting 100% of the interest on my savings but from now on Ill only be getting 85% while the government steals the rest to pay for its […]

Kata - September 5, 2011

Monday 5 September 2011 | Published in Kata

What about Saturday Sabbath?

Monday 5 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am wondering if the person complaining about the Filipino community sporting on Sunday knows what he is complaining about. Firstly, there may be Seventh Day Adventists in this group and who is he to complain since he is one who desecrates Gods true Sabbath which is the Saturday? Secondly, Adventists are never […]

Leave Club Philippines Raro alone

Monday 5 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In response to Angry Sunday Observer (Cook Islands News September 3), it infuriates me that someone would give Cook Islands culture, and Cook Islanders, a bad name by saying the abuse of such is affected by the celebration of community. Club Philippines Raro brought together its whanau children, adults and elderly to celebrate […]

Think of the mamas

Monday 5 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

The 20 member rugby rendezvous masquerading as the Forum delegation would be just fine if the chores had been done before the kids go out to play, a smoke signaller writes. For instance, you kids go for your trip after every household in Rarotonga has a 24 hour, seven day a week supply of fresh […]