Editorials
Apology
Thursday 7 November 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Under the name Ruth Tangiiau Mave the Cook Islands News published in its issue of 4 November, 2024 an article that referenced the agreement between the Cook Islands and the European Union entered into when Mr Ben Ponia was the Secretary of Marine Resources and Mr Henry Puna was the Prime Minister. That article alleges […]
Michael Tavioni: Water tariff lacks commonsense
Wednesday 6 November 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
For today’s column I was writing about some other issue but two articles in last week’s Cook Islands News kept bothering me. Michael Tavioni writes.
Letter: How hard can it be to get to paradise?
Monday 4 November 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
I live in Brisbane, and after chatting with a friend from the Cook Islands, I thought, why not jet off to a tropical island for a few days before Christmas.
Te Ipukarea Society: Tracking the Ī’oi:
Saturday 2 November 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Since the last update, the Ī’oi Project, led by Te Ipukarea Society, has begun the next phase with the start of radio tracking.
Thomas Wynne: What is the 16th Island of the Cooks?
Saturday 2 November 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
People often refer to Tokoroa as the 16th Island of the country currently called the Cook Islands, though many may not know, that historically, Niue held this distinction. Thomas Wynne writes.
Te Tuhi Kelly: Deflect, defend and denigrate
Thursday 31 October 2024 | Written by Te Tuhi Kelly | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Te Tuhi Kelly, Leader of the Progressive Party states that Te Aponga Uira has employed the three D’s of public relations, defend, deflect and denigrate to deal with fallout from the incident several months ago when four men were seriously injured by the energising of a high voltage cable they were repairing.
Ruta Mave: Call for proper caring for elderly
Tuesday 29 October 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Will anyone address the elephant in the room? asks columnist Ruth Mave. And will government tax pensioners again? Mave writes.
Te Ipukarea Society: Plastics problem impacting our health
Saturday 26 October 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Te Ipukarea Society was recently represented by June Hosking at the 3 day Fiji National Symposium on Plastic Pollution Prevention, hosted by Fiji's Pacific Islands Climate Action Network. The symposium was supported by UN Trade & Development and UNDP. Following are her reflections.
Thomas Wynne: Do we have a healthy democracy?
Saturday 26 October 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
If we were to give our democracy a scorecard out of ten, what would that number be, and what questions would we ask our government to help us determine that score? A healthy democracy is often characterised by robust institutions, active citizen participation, respect for human rights, and accountability. Thomas Wynne writes.
Michael Tavioni: Leave our New Zealand passport alone
Tuesday 22 October 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
There are countries in the world where governments always ask their citizens’ opinion on any major issue before enacting legislation. In these countries, the government will only proceed if the public approves, writes Mitaera Ngatae Teatuakaro Michael Tavioni BEM.
Ruta Mave: Proposed Cook Islands passport and water woes
Monday 21 October 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
My nana used to say people got a brown arm from their elbow down from s#*t stirring, and dangerous expert ones were brown up to their armpits, Ruta Mave writes.
Te Ipukarea Society: Dedicated conservation efforts boost Kākerōri population
Saturday 19 October 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Editorials, Opinion
The Rarotongan Fly-Catcher, locally known as the Kākerōri, has had quite the history. It was once recognised as one of the 10 rarest birds in the world with 29 individuals recorded in 1989. Rats feasting on Kārerōri nests were the number one threat to the Kākerōri.
Thomas Wynne: The debate over Cook Islands passport
Saturday 19 October 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Our identity as Māori is attached to our akapapa and our akapapa is attached to land. Land, that has over time become more fragmented, smaller and occupied by often vacant land owners, but this is not about land tenure and absentee landowners, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: ‘Silent steal’ is eating our country alive
Monday 14 October 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Pink collar crime is small bills, big fraud. The silent steal, and it is eating our country alive, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne: Time for a moratorium on travel?
Saturday 12 October 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
At the stroke of a pen, 50 nautical miles outside of every island that makes up the country we now call the Cook Islands was protected. This also allowed for pockets of commercial activity, managed in balance with the environment and aimed at creating revenue for our country and its people.
Te Ipukarea Society: Pā’ua populations plummet, urgent action needed
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Pā’ua, or Pasua, also known as the giant clam, is a treasured marine species throughout the Cook Islands for its beauty in showcasing an array of underwater colours. It is also being seen as a tasty kai moana treat for the people of the Cook Islands.
Linda Kavelin-Popov: Honouring the spirit
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
I have gone to prison many times – to share The Virtues Project with incarcerated people in New Zealand, Australia, the US, Canada and other countries. I usually say, “Today I’m going to introduce you to someone special who can change your life.”
Michael Tavioni: ‘I refuse to pay for water that comes from my lands’
Tuesday 8 October 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Because of people coming to me and asking about what is happening with our water – plus the story in Cook Islands News last week revealing how much To Tatou Vai estimates it will earn from the water tariff – I feel it is necessary to address this issue again, writes Michael Tavioni.
Ruta Mave: The dangers of unchecked power in leadership
Monday 7 October 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
If you visited a number of businesses around the world and asked who is the biggest jerk in the company? Most will point to a manager, minister, supervisor or head chef.
Thomas Wynne: Addressing concerns and protecting our interests
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
To address potential concerns and further strengthen the protection of the Cook Islands’ interests, I have emailed the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) the following additions or amendments to the draft seabed mining regulations.