Opinion

Terrified

Thursday 11 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, A few weeks ago, I wrote to you raising my concerns about the occurrence of break-ins and burglaries on Rarotonga which are being targeted at the tourist accommodations and tourists being the victims. I was recently in Rarotonga with two disabled adults for the Constitution break. They enjoyed the stay but were terrified […]

Kata - August 10, 2011

Wednesday 10 August 2011 | Published in Kata

Kata - August 9, 2011

Tuesday 9 August 2011 | Published in Kata

Well done, BTIB

Tuesday 9 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We take this opportunity to applaud Terry Rangi, Melanie Tuiravakai and the rest of the team with BTIB for the great effort put into ensuring the 2011 Trade Show was a success. We thank you for your professionalism and patience while attending to the numerous queries and requests prior to and throughout the […]

Vaka do us proud

Tuesday 9 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Apart from selling our country as a tourist destination to Californians and Americans, our prime minister would also participate in the welcome ceremony for all six vaka including the Marumaru Atua in America. The six vaka purua/drua/vaa/waka from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Hawaii and New Zealand arrived in America two Saturdays […]

Plea to lend a hand

Tuesday 9 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is very disturbing to see that our own prime minister of the Cook Islands has turned a blind eye to all organisations that have been working very hard to combat all the kikia and all the wrong-doings that he says brings shame and embarrassment to us all. Firstly, prime minister, take your […]

Are we allowing our young people to die?

Tuesday 9 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Recent news over the 15% tax on savings has been given so much attention by the media and brings so many people to their feet to voice their opposition. Yet, the recent tragic death and loss of a very young mans life goes unnoticed by most, or at least no one wants to […]

Kata - August 8, 2011

Monday 8 August 2011 | Published in Kata

Govt travel eating tax

Monday 8 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

Robin Hood was well-known for taking from the rich and giving to the poor, a smoke signaller writes. Its a shame that all we have is a robbing hood who takes from the poor pensioners and gives to the rich Toa and Air New Zealand. The prime ministers journey to San Francisco has nothing to […]

Kata - August 6, 2011

Saturday 6 August 2011 | Published in Kata

Constitution Day car blaze

Saturday 6 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller who sent in the photo taken on Thursday, August 4, of a car on fire writes: The person on the back road in Matavera must think our Constitution Day gives them the independence to burn cars and ruin our environment! A smoke signaller sends a warning to all scooter riders: It seems […]

Forever grateful

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

Dear Editor, Wed like to extend our sincere appreciation to all the wonderful people who provided such quick assistance to the Canadian family who unwittingly got themselves into very serious trouble on the beach at Titikaveka, while we were kayaking too close to the reef. We are especially grateful to Don Beer of Whitesands Beach […]

Kata - August 5, 2011

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Kata

Dont blame Jimmy

Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was interested to read your court report, Alcohol blamed for assault, published Friday, July 22. To quote the article, This is a mother daughter punch-up fuelled by Jim Beam. We all know who the trouble-maker is, its not mother or daughter, its the dreaded Jimmy, JP Kenning said. How can Mr Jimmy […]

Guess whos missing in photos?

Wednesday 3 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: For the past week and this week Ive bought a newspaper every day so I can send them to my family back at home to show whats happening here during the Constitution and to check out the fantastic photos from these events. So far since Saturday, I am disappointed that there […]

Irresponsible louts ruining reputation

Wednesday 3 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The alarming increase in youth crime targeting mainly tourists should not be tolerated. Our economy relies almost exclusively on the revenue which comes from tourism. It has taken years of patient hard work to build up our reputation as a safe and friendly destination but this is rapidly being destroyed by these irresponsible […]

Answers within our people

Wednesday 3 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to add to the story Rarotonga mission with sole, published Tuesday, August 2. I was privileged enough to be allowed to participate in the Enua ola groups activities on the island as a part of my Honours research into Cook Island Health Promotion. I feel that Reverend William Hakaoro, Teina […]

Sirens, lights: show time!

Tuesday 2 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

It also was a nice, peaceful Sunday afternoon until an entourage sped by, a smoke signaller complains. On Sunday afternoon around 12.45pm, two police motorbikes with lights flashing and sirens wailing, and officers waving vehicles off the road, followed by the Queens Representatives flash black car all smoking its way to the National Auditorium, I […]

A different version of the truth

Tuesday 2 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To answer Toi Tu Rahui Tepapa Te Rautea Davids letter, yes you are papaa, the real Patuakino had one living son who left Rarotonga for Tahiti and never came back to Rarotonga. Im not telling you his name as Im still in contact with his descendants, this is whats wrong with your facts […]

Rising seas are a reality

Tuesday 2 August 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Im enclosing a cutting from our local (Cairns) news- paper, featuring global warming. In that news as you can see rising sea level is a reality. Some of the many islands in the Torres Strait between Cape York and Papua New Guinea are slowly being swamped by excess water. Do you people in […]