Editorials
Ruta Mave: The reality of women’s leadership in the Cook Islands
Monday 12 August 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
We have come a long way from a women’s place being barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne: Embracing protest and disagreement
Saturday 10 August 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
In our ever-connected world, it’s easy to find ourselves nestled within the warm embrace of those who share our views, beliefs and convictions. This comfort, while reassuring, can also become a prison — a self-imposed echo chamber where dissenting voices are drowned out, shunned, even publicly ridiculed, and the richness of diverse perspectives is lost, Thomas Tarurongo Wynne writes.
Ruta Mave: A costly leak in government trust
Tuesday 6 August 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Government’s inadequacy to collect and store water is costing shareholders millions in lost returns, but these costs are now being passed on to them as water tax. Are we paying for infrastructure or directors $100,000 plus salaries? Ruta Mave writes.
Thomas Wynne: Celebrating our heritage
Saturday 3 August 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Nothing is more important to identity and a sense of who one is than being able to celebrate who you are, what you are, and your special place in the world, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: Is banning vapes and raising smoking age enough?
Monday 29 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Is the imminent total ban on vaping for locals in the Cook Islands on the first of August a little like our health ministry jumping out of the pot and into the fire? Ruta Mave writes.
Thomas Wynne: The hidden scars of our community
Saturday 27 July 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Just over 30 per cent of all those who identified as Pacific islanders to the Royal Commission into Abuse in State Care in Aotearoa identified as Cook Islanders, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: Can you trust your government?
Monday 22 July 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Constant lying by governments is not aimed at making the people believe a lie, but at ensuring that no one believes anything anymore. When the people can no longer distinguish between truth and a lie they then cannot distinguish between right and wrong. With such people, you can do whatever you want. It is how you sell it – ‘Water will be Free.’
Thomas Wynne: Who is a patriot?
Saturday 20 July 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
What is a patriot? Is it simply a green, red, blue, or gold flag waved, anthems sung, or a political position or party held high like the only hope of a country being great or even great again? Thomas Tarurongo Wynne writes.
Michael Tavioni: Proposed water charges: A betrayal of the people?
Tuesday 16 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Water is one of the most essential resources we have, required by everyone in order to stay alive. This present Cook Islands Coalition Government thinks that it is their right to charge for water to those who elected them into office, writes Michael Tavioni BEM.
Ruta Mave: Water tariff public consultations a tick-box exercise?
Monday 15 July 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
The Rarotongan public has short memories because they are once again attending these meetings as with other government led consultations with a false expectation of being listened to, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne: Rethinking the national flag for the future
Saturday 13 July 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
As our 60th anniversary approaches next year as a self-governing country, flags serve as powerful emblems of nationalism and identity. They represent a nation’s values, history and aspirations, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: ‘When we don’t receive, we feel deceived’
Monday 8 July 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
We believe that after they are voted in, we will receive. When we don’t receive, we feel deceived, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne: Tu Tangata: Our identity
Saturday 6 July 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
As a country, and as Iti Tangata, this week is significant as it heralds two very important events. These events capture the essence and Tu tangata of who we are as a people, who we were, who we want to maintain, and who we hope to become in the future, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: Power outages: Where are the experts?
Monday 1 July 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Did TAU (Te Aponga Uira) have to wait until the expert caught a plane to Rarotonga to assess the situation? Ruta Mave writes.
Thomas Wynne: Why Matariki makes more sense than Santa Claus
Saturday 29 June 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
As Aotearoa celebrates Matariki, the Māori New Year, it gives us time to reflect on how we too could add a day to our year that celebrates our Māori worldview, those of our tūpuna, and the vast expanse of ocean they navigated and the knowledge they carried with them, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Thomas Wynne: Punching well above our weight?
Saturday 22 June 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
I often think, when I have said, and when we say of ourselves that we are ‘punching well above our weight’, what is the measure of that success and why is it us who sing our own song about ourselves? Thomas Tarurongo Wynne writes.
Ruta Mave: Embracing moments before they’re gone
Monday 17 June 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Time is money tick tock. We spend time, take time, give time, time and time again. If we invest time, do we get more time back later than invested? Ruta Mave writes.
Tapu versus Noa: Finding balance between tradition and progress
Saturday 15 June 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
What is Tapu, sacred or restricted in use and by whom, and what is Noa or free to be utilised by anyone, be they male or female? How do we make something Tapu and then lift that Tapu to make it Noa or free again? Thomas Tarurongo Wynne writes.
Opinion: Time to rethink fisheries management for local benefit
Thursday 13 June 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Last week, former lawyer and columnist Reuben Tylor analysed catch figures for purse seining and longline fishing to investigate the low yellowfin catch in the South. In his concluding article of the three-part series, he examines Vaine Wichman’s 2012 report and argues for increased government support to develop the local fishing industry, following the model of Tahiti (French Polynesia).
Ruta Mave: ‘We need checks and balances made regularly’
Tuesday 4 June 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
The definition of stress is doing the same thing year after year but expecting a different result, writes Ruta Mave.