Letters to the Editor
Letter: Vaimaanga road closure
Monday 12 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Residents of Vaimaanga should not be complacent, and ignore what is happening in their village. The development at the old Sheraton Hotel site is moving along at pace, most people would and indeed should applaud the developer for his bravery, investment and achievements on this once derelict property.
Letter: Prime Minister’s ‘review’ questioned
Monday 12 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The country was fortunate that One News Reporter, Barbara Dreaver asked PM Mark Brown, what was happening with the complaints by two women against Police Commissioner James Keenan?
Letter: More Ministers, more costs, less value?
Friday 9 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Last week I wrote a Letter to the Editor giving reasons why the Constitutional Amendment No. 30 (allowing for an increase in the number of Ministers) should be opposed. This letter is to set the record straight. I made a grave mistake in my letter of last week. I now wish to correct my mistake.
Letter: The Constitution and marijuana
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
The Constitution forms the basis of law within the Cook Islands and defines the principles of which the government, including the justice system must operate.
Letter: Medicinal cannabis
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Over a year and a half ago, Prime Minister Mark Brown said he would “act very quickly” to legalise medicinal cannabis after he was given an overwhelming mandate to do so by the voters in the last general election.
Letter: Dual roles
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Owen Lewis is in the news again (Sporting body questions Lewis’ dual roles, February 3, 2024). It is good to hear sports federations speak up. If one thinks it, guarantee the others think it too.
Letter: CISNOC Retreat
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
CISNOC had all last year to review their constitution; they did not need to go to Aitutaki to do it. If they had reviewed the constitution in full it would have taken longer than two days and they were discussing Owen Lewis resignation which they only got a couple of days before announcing their retreat.
Letter: ‘PM’s principled and ethical stance’
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, We read in the article ‘Cook Islands deputy PM out of parliament’ (RNZ/ The Fiji Times 6/2/24) that after being convicted on the charge of “taking public funds”, Robert Tapaitau “has been removed from parliament”.
Letter: Checks and balances
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
In his first statement since the result of the court case in which Robert Tapaitau, Nga Puna and Puna’s wife, Diane Charlie-Puna, the former secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands, were found guilty of fraud, Prime Minister Mark Brown said “no person is above the law”.
Letter: Looking for a slim waistline
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Ministry of Health Secretary Bob Williams comes out swinging, downgrading the world health report to being the same trend as previous years, meaning nothing has changed and they have not improved matters.
Letter: More questions for Immigration
Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Kia Orana Editor, During the Covid lockdowns we lost 15 foreign workers to New Zealand poachers as soon as we opened our borders to New Zealand.
Letter: Game of knives and nooses
Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, We finally hear and read that the High Court has found DPM Robert Tapaitau and his companions (Nga Puna and Diane Charlie-Puna) guilty of the crimes of fraud. I assure you that the Penrhyn MP is devastated as would be his family and supporters.
Letter: Are the taxpayers getting value for money?
Thursday 1 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The Prime Minister and his government are proposing to increase the number of Ministers from six to eight.
Letter: Fainted children?
Wednesday 31 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Can someone tell me if it is true that hundreds of kids had to stand in the hot searing sun on Friday rehearsing cultural dances while being yelled at and not allowed to drink any water?
Letter: Too many snouts in the trough
Wednesday 31 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Last week I heard the Prime Minister (Mark Brown) and Pukapuka MP Tingika Elikana justify the need to increase the number of Ministers from six to eight. The increase could be Ministers elected from the CIP MPs.
Letter: Prosecuting bars for over-serving
Tuesday 30 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The CI News Saturday edition page 2 under “Court News”, your paper reported on the conviction of Agnes Rameka by Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning of drink driving while more than four times over the legal alcohol limit.
Letter: The height of arrogance
Friday 26 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Now it is announced Owen Lewis is “going to continue to provide support” with sports while doing “the most crucial position in the public service ... directly impact the lives of our young people” in Education.
Letter: ‘Make it fair for everyone’
Friday 26 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, We have been coming to the Cook Islands for 20 years for holidays. I retired five years ago and we decided we would like to live in the Cook Islands for an extended period.
Letter: Proxy votes ‘will not fix the problem’
Thursday 25 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The new Standing Orders for Parliament (SO) came into force on the 1st July 2022. There were some major changes in the new SO. One of the changes was that the Business Committee at the last sitting of Parliament for the year must recommend a sitting programme for the following year. There must be at least 14 sitting days per calendar year.
Letter: WHO results
Wednesday 24 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Kia Orana Editor, The results as reported by WHO is the same trend from previous years. However, when we talk about universal health coverage the reality is that healthcare services are easily accessible to everyone in the Cook Islands, and are free to everyone residing in the Pa Enua.