Letters to the Editor
Letter: Prioritise health and education
Thursday 4 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Most infrastructure projects can create significant economic stimulus that can benefit everyone in the economy. But that is not the case in the Cook Islands.
Letter: Sheraton redevelopment saga: The two presents
Thursday 28 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
When Tim Tepaki returned to the Cook Islands, he brought two presents with him. The first was Unit Titles, which was passed by Parliament in 2005 to double the value of property as shown in LAT sales, and the second was Entitlement Titles, yet to be released to the public and expected to rain money when it does.
Letter: $50 Xmas bonus versus MPs’ $5k clothing allowance
Thursday 21 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The front-page story this week reporting on the $50 Christmas ‘Bonus’ for Cook Islands beneficiaries is good news but one wonders just how self-satisfied our Members of Parliament are feeling for this most generous gift?
Letter: Flag change
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
I urge PM Mark Brown to pause and think about the historic qualities of our flag before changing it.
Letter: Leave the flag alone
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Can someone please get the PM Mark Brown to stop globetrotting and get down and do some hard work. Like trying to slow down and manage the cost-of-living increases and limit price increases for fuel, bread and power. Households are struggling. MPs wouldn’t know as they are highly paid.
Letter: Govt should learn to work and live within its means
Thursday 14 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Regarding the Constitutional Amendments Bills presented in Parliament yesterday, all other amendments are fine except increasing the number of Cabinet Ministers from six to eight.
Letter: Cut the red tape, end prohibition
Wednesday 13 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, It’s obvious the Government cannot come up with a plan for the legalisation of medicinal cannabis.
Letter: Motorcycle mayhem returns
Tuesday 12 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Readers will recall Andy Olah reporting from his side of the island and an Avarua reader reporting the same thing - the multiple motor bikes on the main road, day and night, in seemingly endless trips, with no mufflers, making misery for those who, literally, have to stop talking until the deaf riders have gone by.
Letter: Wynne urged to apologise for ‘false allegations’
Tuesday 12 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
I have respect for Thomas Wynne’s writing but I believe he should stop trying to justify his attack on Sir Gaven Donne.
Letter: Opposition MPs must ‘vote down’ Govt’s Cabinet increase proposal
Tuesday 12 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Here we go again. We hear the greedy Members of Parliament from government are trying to push through a constitutional amendment to increase the number of ministers in cabinet from six to eight.
Letter: Depleting population base
Thursday 7 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, This is hard evidence that politicians and statisticians cannot deny – we have a depleted population base, when the Courts cannot muster a jury of 12 unrelated citizens.
Letter: ‘Lack of trust’
Wednesday 6 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Firstly, and importantly the bravery of Ms George to make public a very traumatic experience needs to be acknowledged. I can attest to the commitment of Alana to her goal and love for the people of the Cook Islands. As to the TMO and Mr (Bob) Williams, the lack of proper processes, the lack of trust and possible interference is once again evident.
Letter: Previous Sheraton developer responds
Wednesday 6 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Contrary to popular belief, Tim Tepaki, a previous Sheraton developer and current developer of the private sector $300 million PERCI development, wasn’t broke.
Letter: Sheraton ‘land bank’
Tuesday 5 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The thing most clear about Tim Arnold’s explanation of the historical decisions about the Sheraton is it’s all about the money (‘Pa Ariki acted in good faith, Crown must follow suit’, Cook Islands News, November 18). He didn’t deny she (Pa Ariki) received payments; he is arguing she didn’t receive enough money.
Letter: CISNOC transparency demanded
Tuesday 5 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Will CISNOC (Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee) show us where their policy allows the Secretary General to leave his post and work for someone somewhere else and more to the point when and who made the policy? (CISNOC head’s remote work arrangement questioned, Cook Islands News, December 2).
Letter: Radio ga ga
Friday 1 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Kia Orana, I am just an average PR enjoying my dinner and listening to my local station Cook Islands Radio. It is so frustrating to night after night, listen to the third replay of a music reel during 12 hours.
Letter: Leaders need to pull fingers
Friday 1 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, It is so good to see that we have won medals from the swimming team at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.
Letter: Rarotonga’s Death toll: Is it statistically abnormal?
Thursday 30 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I once again find myself having the blessed good fortune to spend multiple weeks in wonderful Rarotonga.
Letter: Friday Night Christmas dinner and fundraiser
Wednesday 29 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Not everyone goes out at night to boogie and brawl! The smarter ones, the older generation does it all in style! And it is not an all-out boozing party like the excuses some of our friends give not to attend. Most of us don’t drink! Alcohol and non-alcohol drinks are available.
Letter: ‘Keep shaking the tree, Thomas’
Wednesday 29 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I agree with much of what Thomas Wynne has been writing in the Cook Islands News over the last three Saturdays with regard to re-examining the Albert Henry Case of 1978-79