Opinion

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 […]

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 […]

Kata - December 11, 2010

Saturday 11 December 2010 | Published in Kata

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Kata - December 10, 2010

Friday 10 December 2010 | Published in Kata

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Good team wins

Saturday 4 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kia Orana te iti tangata. The elections are done, a good team has won. The people have spoken, much more to be done, the players, all assembled, selections to come. I’m no poet, just mortals the team. Give them a chance, things are never as they seem. Yes, te iti tangata, you have […]

Great to see balanced cabinet

Saturday 4 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Firstly I would like to offer my sincere acknowledgement to the Prime Minister for the manner in which he carefully selected his cabinet ministers. One of the most balanced cabinets I have experienced for a long time. Why, they have the theoretical and the practical experience amongst them e.g. Teariki Heather (the action […]

In support of George

Saturday 4 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I write this letter with a very sad and heavy heart. I write in support of my father-in-law and my children’s papa Norman George. I am very disappointed at the CIP for what they have done. I recall the by election in Mangaia where there was a fund raiser at the punanga nui […]

Kata - December 4, 2010

Saturday 4 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Good choice

Saturday 4 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, CIP is back. Congratulations to the people of the Cooks, we’ve got a new government – good to see young blood Mark Brown in to steer the young ones in. Cheers to the main man Mr Teariki Heather. Henry/Masters, you’ve got a choice team there. Good Luck! AJ Taripo

Referee replies

Saturday 4 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to the letter by ‘Staunch soccer supporter’, under the heading ‘Disgraceful supporter’ to clarify the issue: 1. The two captains were consulted. 2. The two players involved were dealt with by being sent off. 3. The Match was ended because it was full time therefore no re-match was required. In regards […]

Disgraceful supporters

Friday 3 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to express my opinion and humiliation about a soccer match that was held on November 27 between Takuvaine and Nikao Premier Men. This was a main match to end the second round of the game, but then this was stopped by the referee due to some players fighting. From the […]