Letters to the Editor
Minister replies to challenges
Thursday 4 February 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I would now like to take this opportunity to respond to the questions raised in your newspaper on Friday January 22 by someone who hides behind the name “Get Real” or should I name him “Nit Picker”. It seems to me that “Get Real” is a person who has little knowledge and understanding of the process if one wants to meet a Minister. All he/she had to do is ring my office phone 29030, make an appointment and I would gladly receive him/her and explain Government’s position today regarding agriculture and environmental issues. The huge hole in Arorangi “Get Real” is referring to I presume is the one in Betela. For your information, sir, this hole is outside the 30 metres foreshore area of concern as legislated by the Environment Act 2003. Also the waste material dumped in that hole is carried out by the public and not by the contractor. This issue has been addressed by National Environment Service (NES) staff, and additionally the NES is undergoing a review of its legislation to address gaps, grey-areas and overlaps with it and other legislation. Regarding the Muri lagoon algae issue, I agree that agricultural activities over the years have partly contributed to the problem in Muri Lagoon over the last 40 years. “When people referred to agriculture as the back bone of this country there was excessive use of fertiliser and chemicals during that time. While families benefited from agriculture exports, there was little regard for the damage to the environment. Today Sir, tourism is the back bone of our economy and it is continuing to grow. In recent years, we have seen a shift on tourism philosophy moving towards sustainable tourism models which aim to provide for the industry while maintaining environmental standards. Personally, I believe the Muri area is over developed for tourism. The Muri community should take ownership of what has happened so far, and how they would like to see Muri in ten or maybe 20 years time. Government is there to help them achieve their dream. An Environmental Impact Assessment (ElA) report has been called for to look at the Muri Lagoon problem going right down to Avana passage. Once the report is completed it will be released for public consultation before being considered by the Rarotonga Environment Authority (REA) for approval. Unfortunately, there is a process in place to follow and it’s a long and tedious one. The reticulation system has been talked about and I agree this will perhaps be the best alternative for us to consider for the future. WATSAN and Public Health are doing work in ensuring that the installation of future septic tanks comply with the new safety regulations both domestic and commercial to minimise the nutrient problem in Muri Lagoon. The lack of water flow in the lagoon over these years has also contributed to this problem. The question here is for Get Real is, Do you have any solutions to the problem in Muri? I assume you have. Feel free to comment on the EIA Report when it is completed. So “Get Real” I will not make any more comments until the EIA report is completed. With regards to agriculture, Get Real is saying that he is a Noni grower. Well, all I know is the Noni factory in Titikaveka is crying out for Noni paying at 70 cents per kilogram which to me is a good price. We are encouraging outer island growers to go into Noni production because at least it’s a crop they know how to grow. Get Real should get off his bum and encourage Noni farmers to plant more and increase their production. The market demand for Noni juice in China is unlimited. When Get Real refers to the fact that there is no export, yes, I put a stop to it. The main reason is the inconsistency of supply and the cost of producing these crops is very high. To add to these, the NZ Bio-security requirements are very tough today. It’s just not worth it. The local price of paw-paw and taro is much better than that in New Zealand. Anyway we should be concentrating all our efforts to support our booming tourism industry today. The recently distributed small agriculture machineries from China will definitely help the growers increase their production of Noni and a host of other crops they may wish to grow. Already the response from the growers and grower groups has been very positive as a result of these machineries. As for providing food on the table Mr. Editor, can you recall any case of anyone that died of hunger here? All I know is people are dying here of over-eating - GET REAL. Cabinet Minister KiriauTurepu
A great initiative
Wednesday 3 February 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor Congratulations to Tim Tepaki and company on news of a new airline. What a great initiative on the depopulation issue, and making pa enua travel more affordable.
It was a majority decision
Wednesday 3 February 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I will ignore all the nasty name calling your correspondent Sholan Ivaiti threw at me in your edition of Saturday the 31st of January. This distorts the picture.
No argument
Wednesday 3 February 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, A great problem in debate is non-specific criticism. Mr Porter seems unhappy with my recent letter about the PAC, but doesn’t really say why.
Please turn Rehab speakers around
Wednesday 3 February 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor This letter is a plea to both the Liquor License Authority, which also involves the Police, and to Rehab Night Club.
Disgust and disbelief
Wednesday 3 February 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, It was with absolute disgust and disbelief when I read about Mr Iona’s violent action and his treatment by your justice system. Gob smacking and frankly quite frightening to think that a dangerous and brutal thug can do these horrendous and dangerous acts of violence and allowed off virtually scot free, especially given his court appearance last year.
Leniency
Wednesday 3 February 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, The exposure of family violence and violence of any kind has been well documented throughout the media and public meetings etc as being a huge matter of concern for village leaders/elders/families and so forth.
Shouldn't have been photographed
Monday 1 February 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I was disappointed to see a picture that includes faces of young innocent children in the newspaper with the story ‘Tikioki raui broken again’.
Snakes outnumber apples in the 'Crook Islands'
Monday 1 February 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, The continual “who said what” on the Toagate issue is old news. Once again the taxpaying public was duped into paying out millions of dollars due to incompetence, regardless of who and where they were or represented.
Too many big trucks driving on our roads
Monday 1 February 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I am not the first to notice the increased number of pickup trucks on the island which is puzzling due to the number of people complaining they can’t pay their student loans off because they don’t earn enough money here in the Cook Islands, but it seems many can afford a $30,000-plus truck for xmas.
Trees are breeding grounds for mosquitos
Monday 1 February 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Driving along the seaside in town looking out to the ocean reminds you how you live on a tropical island with great views of the lagoon, and then you can’t see because of the ugly yellow leaves of the imported lily plant that keeps being planted by the Raro beautification committee?
Rugby not the culprit
Saturday 30 January 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Regarding the CI News story on January 29 regarding the live broadcast of the HSBC World Rugby Wellington 7s.
Payback time at church
Saturday 30 January 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, On our most recent trip to the Cook Islands, we were given the opportunity to pay back to the Cook Islands Community Church where the wonderful pastor, Rev Tereora Viniki, entertains the congregation.
Letter 'breathtaking'
Saturday 30 January 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I have just re-read James Beer’s letter in the letters to the editor in Wednesday’s CI News.
Former minister advised to check mirror
Saturday 30 January 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Again clarification needs to be made about Wilkie’s article “Cabinet giveth and Cabinet taketh”.
We need to save our precious trees
Saturday 30 January 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, The Cook Islands is fortunate to have a National Heritage Trust.
Some questions about local government
Friday 29 January 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
“Your story in Thursday’s CI News regarding the outer islands local government election has been long overdue,” a smoke signaller says. “Firstly, according to the reviewed Outer Islands Act for the travelling PM to call the election date is purely political whoever prepared it. However, the point I really want to make here is that I understand the mayor of one of our sister islands of Ngaputoru has lived in Rarotonga all his life. I believe he should be staying on his home island. And I am curious as to whether he would let your newspaper know whether he is being paid travelling allowances or sitting fees. Please explain.
It pays to understand nature of loans
Friday 29 January 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, The recent case of Rarotonga resident Mr Puna being arrested at Auckland Airport for outstanding student loan payments highlights some issues:
'Toagate' saga a matter of give and take
Friday 29 January 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, With due respect to Mr Porter, “Cabinet giveth, and cabinet taketh away.”
Sympathy for loan defaulter's plight
Friday 29 January 2016 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I want to express my strongest sympathy for Ngatokorua Puna’s plight.
« Previous 1 … 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 … 388 Next »