Letters to the Editor
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
Letter: Quad bike accident
Tuesday 28 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
I am writing to you as a continuing returning tourist whose family have rewardingly participated in most tourist activities the island has to offer over approximately a 20-year period.
Letter: Wynne’s note omits key fact
Tuesday 28 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
I wish to comment briefly on “The Last of the Pooh-Bahs”, by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne, 18 November 2023, although I do not wish to relitigate the “fly-in voters” case.
Letter: ‘Pontificating without knowledge’
Monday 27 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I too have been dismayed and concerned about Thomas Wynne’s scurrilous article “The last of the pooh-bahs” in the Cook Islands News (Saturday, November 18) attacking Sir Gavin Donne and others of the Albert Henry saga.
Letter: Caring is sharing – Taporoporo, Tu’atu’a mamarie
Saturday 25 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Meitaki maata our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Awakened in the early hours of Friday, November 24, to a most extraordinary sound of music so nice, cool, silent and gentle but lo, it was only raindrops falling.
Letter: Quad bike accident
Saturday 25 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
I am writing to you as a continuing returning tourist whose family have rewardingly participated in most tourist activities the island has to offer over approximately a 20-year period.
Letter: A champion of the rule of law
Saturday 25 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I did not witness the earlier years of Albert Henry’s reign so cannot comment on his contribution in that period, but when I returned to Rarotonga to work as a lawyer in 1975, Albert had become a tyrant committed to staying in power. This was at the expense of hundreds of Cook Islands families who stood up against the abuses of government. Most were forced to leave their homeland to survive.