Saturday 15 January 2022 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
Our society is one where we see people through the lens of what we believe they deserve and what we also believe they do not, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Saturday 8 January 2022 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
The content of our character is a choice, and day by day we make choices some good some not so good, because choice is the core of what it is to be human, but let us also be clear our choices will always have an effect on others.
Friday 24 December 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
As commercialism and commerce have taken over Christmas, we have seen it commodified and churned out like so many other aspects of Western culture, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Saturday 11 December 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Nothing brings out more emotion and reaction than the argument for and against the criminalisation and use of marijuana, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Saturday 20 November 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
Wisdom and foolishness are often found at the end of one’s tongue, and often though not always found in the actions that follow these words.
Saturday 13 November 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
Vaccination will mean less chance of hospitalisation and this is clear from statistics here in New Zealand and globally but in the end, we must be prepared for the reality that we will face when we open up on January 13.
Saturday 6 November 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Its not often Tata Crocombe (resort owner) and I have agreed but I found his latest opinion piece in the Cook Islands News sobering and thoughtful with some clear statements on where our country is at and what we need to do now, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Saturday 23 October 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
As the arrival of John Williams and Papehia on Aitutaki in 1821 launches the 200 years celebrations of the Gospel arriving to the Cook Islands, is it a good time to look at the change that this Gospel brought not just to the spiritual lives of those who were confronted by its message but also the political, social and cultural upheaval it left in its wake and continues to do up until this day.
Saturday 16 October 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
Greed is as much a problem as is absentee landowners and those that have profited much from turning their kainga into a cash register. If we want to address absentee landowners, and we should, we should also address this issue of land banking and greed at the same time.
Saturday 9 October 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
We must learn to live with this virus, like we do with the hurricane season, and equip and prepare our health response and our bodies, but more our hearts and minds because it is there we will truly win this battle, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Saturday 2 October 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
The pa’ata is a powerful, modern and traditional Cook Islands symbol for us all and clearly demonstrates that power is actually in our hands, and sits on our shoulders.
Saturday 18 September 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
Be it Covid-19 or the need to vaccinate, or the exploration of our seabed and the minerals on its floor as announced by the government this week – it’s not a question of good science or quality research, this is instead a question of trust.
Saturday 11 September 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Nothing at the moment can be more emotionally charged than our personal decisions and feelings around Covid-19, vaccination, vax passports, and our faith and trust in government and institutions, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Saturday 4 September 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Anyone involved with politics in the Cook Islands knows how critical that first role is because anyone wanting to form a government in the Cook Islands has to have met with the Queen’s Representative first with a list of names and show a clear majority, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Saturday 28 August 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
Simply put, be it our church and state, or mataiapo and ariki, the separation between the two needs careful examination and understood not just by what we see today but also by what time has recorded for us to examine, critique and to reason. writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Saturday 21 August 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
The strength of our three pillars – our government, our Church and our traditional leaders – and how they interact with our lives affects everyone who calls themselves a Cook Islands Maori, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Saturday 14 August 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
We are asking our teachers to give from the very little they have left, and simply, they deserve better wages and working conditions because our children deserve better, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Saturday 7 August 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
As we celebrate our journey to statehood, let us be clear on the journey brave Cook Islanders took, and the resistance they faced, as well as the role of Maori and trade unions who supported us to where we are today, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Saturday 31 July 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
It saddens me that we are forced to look to foreign workers to fill our current labour shortage when maybe we could fill that with our own people, even if it were for three or six month contracts.
Friday 23 July 2021 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
The fruit of purpose is a fruit we can all eat from, unlike the fruit of self service and self-promotion which is bitter and rotten to the core, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.