Mr Editor, the writer resides in the electorate of The Action Man, George Maggie.

Minister Maggie has taken a lot of heat over the years for allowing convicted, violent criminals out of prison grounds.

If Papa Maggie wants this writer’s vote this year, then he needs to promise, in writing, in this newspaper, that convicted child rapist Clark In-Charge Tau never, during his sentence, steps outside the prison grounds unless there is an actual medical emergency.

Not to plant flowers at the market, not to be a business partner of Terry Rangi or anyone else.

Clark In-Charge Tau's victim, who must be just about the bravest young Cook Islands woman that ever walked this island, needs that promise from you Minister. We all need that promise.

Don’t delay, your promise can be published in the newspaper.

No excuses.

Details supplied 

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Minister of Corrective Services George Maggie Angene responds

There is also a law for people like that in prison who are not allowed to go outside of prison for a certain amount of years, according to the crime they have been convicted for.

I follow what the law says in the Act of the prison. 

The responsibility of controlling the person in prison is under The Secretary of Prisons and Superintendent.

I can also release prisoners and stop the release of prisoners, once a release order has been completed so they can go and work.

This is according to the law.

Not everybody is going out to work, according to the crime they committed.

For me to promise, I can’t promise anything when God told me not to promise, but let your yes be yes, andyour no beno.

I am telling you and the Cook Islands News readers that no convicted rapist is allowed to go out and work.  

 Let us stay in peace and be surrounded by the love of God. Amen.

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Our health services

Dear Editor,

Data indicates that effective and essential health services have slowly decreased by four percent annually between 2010 to 2019, with no sign of improvement.

In 2019, a survey of our school children in the Cook Islands was alarming with overweight and obesity rates increasing from 31 per cent in 2017 to 46 per cent in 2019.

According to data given from the Cook Islands government, there has been a decline in NCDs.

The government proposed a 2.5 per cent annual decrease in NCDs between 2016 and 2020 which should have seen a 10 per cent decrease, however, within a span of two years, obesity in children climbed by 15 per cent.

With the increase in underlying health issues, where are the incentives and initiatives to help bring the current high level of NCDs under control.

It's been known globally that underlying health issues, along with Covid-19 poses a threat and in some situations, leads to death.

With the high volume of NCDs in our country, I find it hard to believe that our zero hospitalisation status is entirely true, however, is this due to the new policy currently in place that I am yet to receive a copy of.

As advised from TMO staff, the new protocol for patients suffering from underlying health issues, who have contracted Covid is: they are to remain in their home, call 999 or the Puna, and a mobile medical team will come to them.

With the shortage of healthcare workers, you’d be lucky to get the mobile medical team at your door within the first 24 hours.

Recently, a Mama needing medical assistance after midnight on a Saturday had no choice but to call 999 and request for help.

The ambulance arrived, but she was denied medical attention as the Mama was in isolation.

The system has failed to protect the health and wellbeing of all our people, people need to be held accountable.

With a health service that is slowly failing and becoming more reliant on New Zealand, it is vital that the right professionals be put in place and restructure the entire department.

Please know that this letter is not aimed at the ground staff of TMO, you all deserve better and higher salaries. 

Sammy Mataroa