Opinion

Thanks

Tuesday 14 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, May I extend to you, the staff and management of Cook Islands News a very merry Christmas and happy New Year. Your online edition of Cook Islands News has served us, Cook Islanders living abroad, very well indeed during this year. I wish you all the best in the new year and look […]

Investiture not supported

Tuesday 14 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Kia orana eTama Etita! To the Editor Akataoanga anga o Ngapare Samatua i oti ake nei ite Ruirua. About the Investiture of Ngapare Samatua held last Tuesday Kare au, Potikitaua Taunga Tako Ariki -kauono o TeAriki Taraare Mataiapo Tutara o Koutu Arai-te-tonga i tae ki teia akakoroanga, no taku angaanga. Inara kia tika ia au […]

Kata - December 14, 2010

Tuesday 14 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Uniform of a bygone era

Monday 13 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“I note that air conditioning costs in the very inferior Ministry of Justice building [see Justice secretary Mark Short’s letter in Saturday’s CINews] are around $50,000 a year – disgraceful!” writes a smoke signaller. “While we wait for the honorable gentlemen from Asia to fix the system, why not revert to days gone by? Allow […]

Thanks to campaigners

Monday 13 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I simply want to say a big meitaki maata to our climate change campaigners in Mexico. Diane, Mii, Ulamila, Luana, Mona and Myrah – we are so proud of you. Thank you for not giving up on the Kyoto Protocol. Thank you for asking all countries to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (especially the […]

Confused over George ommission

Monday 13 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have been strongly campaigning for CIP to win and govern our country due to the failures of the past government but now I am confused as to why one of the most vocal members of your party is not a cabinet minister in your cabinet. When you guys were in opposition the […]

Water conservation a priority

Monday 13 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, During the last week of November the island of Rarotonga experienced what was likely one of its heaviest downpours in years, with probably billions of litres of water filling all the streams and flooding the entire island. Three weeks later and Rarotonga is quickly drying up under the sweltering heat, with many water […]

Just have faith in our Lord

Monday 13 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with interest, Tutai Pere’s message in the paper on Friday. It is interesting that he chose Jude 3 as the basis for his message as Jude was specifically written to deal with false teachers. The beginning of verse 3 starts, “while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our […]

Island casinos a gamble

Saturday 11 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“China is building a 40 unit tourist accommodation on our neighbouring island state of Niue,” a smoke signaller writes. “I read in the Cook Islands News that Niue is apparently also building a casino – how dumb is this? Never mind what quality the tourist accommodation will be: Chinese gamblers go to Macau in the […]

CIP ministers a puzzle

Saturday 11 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Reading through the names of the CIP’s first Cabinet ministers for 2010, I was, and still am so puzzled with the composition of Henry’s team. To me, some of these cabinet ministers look like robots that have just come off the assembly line. I cannot foresee any hope for our future, and that’s […]

Kata - December 11, 2010

Saturday 11 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Hot court house explanation

Saturday 11 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The public has a right to know what is happening with the air conditioning that hasn’t been working at the court house so I will respond to hot house (smoke signals) in Thursday’s paper. CIIC has been working closely with us to find a cheaper operating option to reduce the cost of power […]

Kata - December 10, 2010

Friday 10 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Volunteer firefighters an option

Thursday 9 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the house fire in Matavera and suggest that you might consider the possibility of creating voluntary fire services for the communities of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands. As stated on Cook Island News, nearby neighbours were concerned and determined to tackle the blaze to bring it under […]

Commerce commission call

Thursday 9 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Reading Norman George’s defence of himself against attack, you have to recognise the power of the man’s pen and his command of language. He showed the same power during his period in opposition, constantly being the effective opposition and taking the fight up to the Demos, even when it was a lonely experience. […]

Dangling nuts a concern

Thursday 9 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Have you noticed as you drive around the island the number of coconut trees, heavily laden with nuts, leaning on the road?” a smoke signaller asks. “Or the kikau (fronds) ready to drop off. This is a time bomb waiting to fall on an unsuspecting pedestrian, a bike rider or smashing on someone’s windscreen and […]

South coast speedsters

Tuesday 7 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Surely the police must be aware of the speed track across the island from the Saltwater Caf right through to the Vaima Restaurant where consistently motorbikes exceed 60 km per hour and more?” an annoyed smoke signaller writes. “It’s outrageous. Some of these bikes have very high powered engines and make an awful racket. Sunday […]

Police need to tackle DVD piracy issue

Monday 6 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Why has the DVD piracy business grown here in the Cook Islands and yet a law had been passed to ban these piracy stores, and instant fines implemented to stop businesses from making money off these hardworking directors who make these movies? Do we have some sort of scheme set up to pay […]

Sitting on the back benches

Monday 6 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“The supporters of Norman George, Kiriau Turepu and John Henry must be gutted when their MPs didn’t get ministerial posts,” a smoke signaller writes. “George, arguably the most qualified and experienced politician in the nation, appears to be back-benched for good. Henry and Turepu were touted as ministers during the election campaign. Turepu even told […]

Kata - December 4, 2010

Saturday 4 December 2010 | Published in Kata