Dear Editor, Re the opinion article on rethinking of the national flag, by Thomas Wynne on 13.7.24.

It amazes me how opinion writer Thomas Wynne finds time to write politically motivated, pro CIP Government articles offering nothing but division and disunity amongst our people in the Cook Islands, while he sits cosily in his armchair in Wellington. Who is paying his salary? He must be close to the Turnbull Library at Parliament House in Wellington, in order to have access to snippets of information. He tried to create controversy over the actions of our late Chief Justice Sir Gaven Donne a few months ago until some of us shot him down with real hard facts that he was unable to refute. 

Now he suggests after nearly 60 years that it is time to review our national flag, with implied preference of the green and gold CIP political flag to be brought back.

Does Thomas know the difference between a neutral national flag that all citizens are proud and comfortable with or the one-sided political flag that enshrines one political party colours against the rest of the population?

Study the flags of much larger and mature nations like the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, their national flags are hundreds of years old. The UK, Australia and New Zealand have the union jack at the top of their flag, like ours. So Thomas you are wanting our flag reviewed with the faint dream of having our proud union jack ripped off and changed to a meaningless green and gold CIP political flag?

Thomas Wynne, do you have a hit list of mischief agenda to pick and release provocative opinionated articles to unsettle the peace and security of Cook Islanders at home? Do you enjoy splitting and dividing our people? No, it is not an intellectual challenge! Put simply it is just a fool’s errand! 

May I suggest that you consider real serious subjects like our failing education system, our health disaster system and our non-existing export economy. How about following up on market research, cost benefit analysis for export opportunities, education and health angles. If you can do a little of this, you will be recognised as true warrior like your ancestors.

It is our sacred duty to keep our nation protected, united and peaceful. Petulant disingenuous interventions that your last article spat out are totally unhelpful. God bless you.

Yours sincerely,

Norman George

Patriot Cook Islander

Reply – Firstly, I have the greatest respect for the service and energy of our Atiu Warrior, Uncle Papa Norman George and what he has given to our country in service and legal precedence. He still defends the often indefensible with a poetry and legal prose that can be very persuasive.

His response to my suggestion that were to imagine, reconsider or simply to ask the question about our flag need not be met with character assassination when prose and poetry is clearly the korare of choice for our proud and valiant Atiu Warrior. Though it does signal to me, we are heading in the right direction when the wind of adversity and opposition blows behind you, from those on whose shoulders we stand on. What a view it is up here, over the reef of the possibilities for us as a country. I would rather die dreaming, then die without a vision or voice of what the future could look like and hold for our people ... even if that reimagines our flag. Something Papa George, you have taught me well.

From one Atiu Warrior and patriot to another.

Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.