Opinion

Is $2m jetty needed?

Thursday 30 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, If the soon-to-be constructed $30 million wharf development at Avatiu harbour is expected to be large enough to cater for visiting cruise ships, as mentioned by the Ports authority spokesperson in a recent newspaper article, why on earth is government committing a further $2 million towards the construction of a jetty in Arorangi? […]

Looking for a Christmas message

Thursday 30 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“I was interested in your Christmas and New Year messages [see CI News Friday, December 24] from what I personally considered too many personalities,” a smoke signaller writes. “I wonder how many readers ploughed their way through all of them?” SmokeSignals: Many would have done so – reading other people’s thoughts and wishes is always […]

Kata - December 30, 2010

Thursday 30 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Fish traps should go

Thursday 30 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, If reputable international scientists, who have conducted appropriate research, are now advising that the removal of the man-made fish traps and sediment build up in Aroko would greatly enhance the circulation of lagoon water in Ngatangiia, which in turn will significantly improve the quality of sea water in Muri lagoon, I struggle to […]

Sensing the real Xmas message

Thursday 30 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was recently asked if our church didn’t agree with nativity scenes. What a funny question I thought, of course they would be happy to see an artistic portrayal of Jesus’ birth. But then I realised where this conclusion may have come from when sitting in church Christmas morning, eyes drawn to a […]

Remove nuts, not trees

Wednesday 29 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“A new broom certainly sweeps clean, or should that be chain saw gang?” asks a smoke signaller. “The trouble with the area adjacent to the Golf Club this ‘broom’ swept is that there are NO coconut trees left! What sort of idiot would have authorised this clean-up? If there was a problem with tita, Aunty […]

Kata - December 24, 2010

Friday 24 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Kata - December 23, 2010

Thursday 23 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Fight for rights

Thursday 23 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In response to Harry Napa fighting for his rights, we the real local people say good on you to Papa Harry Napa and his granddaughter Ashley Wichman – fight for your rights, we can tell you now you have the support from the people. Don’t listen to these negative uneducated people who don’t […]

Floor crossing explained

Thursday 23 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is amazing how a number of CIP MPs and supporters have found where I am on the island, to not only know more about certain parts of my letter to you yesterday, but also to bad-mouth Norman George to me. I was not surprised however that all of them readily admitted to […]

Reo Maori knowledge is here

Thursday 23 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“I can see from your article on ‘Funding boost for Reo Maori’ [see yesterday’s CINews], why the previous commission failed,” a smoke signaller writes. “It simply did not engage the appropriate cross-section of the community. Where are the Kai Korero taunga, teachers of Te Reo, culture and performing arts, outer island reps etc? A non-Maori […]

Pirates of the Pacific

Wednesday 22 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“I don’t hire pirate DVDs because not only is it wrong, but the quality sucks and I feel I have been ripped off,” a smoke signaller writes to TXT188. “I agree with Movie Lover’s letter ‘Bring back originals’ [see Monday’s CINews, p6]. Anyway, what’s the point having a huge high definition flat screen TV with […]

Kata - December 22, 2010

Wednesday 22 December 2010 | Published in Kata

No excuse for DVD piracy

Wednesday 22 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kia orana to Mr/Mrs Anonymous.If you’re cheap, good on you, you’ll never get any better than being cheap. As for the unlucky one man cheering squad, who are behind fighting for their rights – maybe you should understand we are a massive family so we stick together as a family, which means we […]

Is the CIP government safe?

Wednesday 22 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, When one does some strict analytical assessment of the current political situation, it will jolt the present government away from their series of celebrations since election-day. Picture these scenarios – the Demos win all four of their electoral petition and with Vai Peua allied to the Demos. That gives the Demos 11 parliamentary […]

Copying local stuff ok?

Tuesday 21 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“The advocates of pirate DVD’s, please answer one question,” asks a smoke signaller. “Is it all right for a local to go to town and buy up legal copies of Cook Islands music CDs and DVDs of cultural events, and make pirate copies of those and sell/rent them out?” AIRLINE COOKILEAKS Prime Minister Henry Puna […]

Kata - December 21, 2010

Tuesday 21 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Monument Builder strikes again

Monday 20 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Olympic House? You’ve got to be kidding!” exclaims a smoke signaller in reference to the proposed new building that would primarily house the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee. “The Monument Builder is at it again, and will most likely name it after himself if given a chance (after a naming competition has been […]

Norm's the scapegoat

Monday 20 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Regardless of the flamboyant perfomances by the fearless, self-motivated, generous at heart, approachabile, dedicated worker and academically well placed Norman George, the anti-Norman clowns are always negative and like running him down, even though they have no direct dealing with the ATIU WARRIOR, but love to speculate provided they write or say bad […]

Don't be fooled

Monday 20 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Your smoke signallers might very well be the only two people on Raro who do not watch pirate films. That’s because they are either blind or very close-minded. They should get it in perspective. How is watching a pirate film encouraging criminality on Raro exactly? When you are seated while absorbed in a […]