Letters to the Editor
'Changing the mentality of our justice system starts at the top'
Wednesday 3 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
I want to comment on a story you ran on your front page, Friday September 29 2014, titled, “Lemon Thief Given Community Service.”I was the one who spotted the thief leaving my family property with the sack of lemons and personally followed him on my motor bike to discover he had sold the lemons to the Anchorage Restaurant in Arorangi. I reported the crime to Puaikura Community Police Department and laid charges against the intruder. By the way, for everyone’s information the thief is in his mid to late 20’s, not 17 as reported in the article.I printed and emailed the police a detailed signed statement of what exactly happened. A day after a police officer came by and had the cheek to ask me not to lay charges, saying he was a young man who deserved another chance to turn his life around. I’m all for giving our youth the benefit of the doubt, but I knew and the Police knew this was not the first time he had been caught stealing. The staff at the Anchorage Restaurant even confirmed that this individual has been supplying them with produce for sometime and were not aware that they are stolen goods. The Police Prosecutor at the High Court knew he was a repeat offender and still recommended community service instead of a jail sentence.Incredibly Justice of the Peace, Pae Tuteru went along with this slap on the wrist. After going through this whole process of doing all of the Police work, investigating the theft and preparing a signed statement, I’m totally disgusted and frustrated with the Police and the whole Justice system of caring more for the criminals than their victims.We the public are doing a lot to try and cut crime, by investing into organising neighbourhood watches, as in Puaikura Neighbourhood Watch Inc., and in the Takitumu Neighbourhood Watch Group, we install bars on our homes and businesses, install security cameras, employ private security firms and still the thieves are a major problem for our community. There a lot of fine and dedicated people working for the Police and the Justice System but it is far too obvious that some of them are not doing their job, they are lazy and incompetent. The lemon thief case is a good example of this, from the police, to the prosecution, to the Justice of the Peace; they all failed to show that they are serious and tough on crime and won’t tolerate repeat offenders to escape jail time.We are all fed up with working our butts off, only to be ripped off by scum-bag criminals who would rather steal from the community instead of work for a living, while the police try and justify not punishing their criminal behaviour.Finally, I have a message for the Police Commissioner, Maara Tetava, Minister of Police, Hon. Teariki Heather, Minister of Justice Hon. Moana Ioane, you better start changing the mentality of our Justice system, it starts at the top, if you can’t get tough on crime and protect and serve our people, then don’t expect much support from the public.Doreen BoggsArorangi
Severity of tax and penalty reaches the northern group
Wednesday 3 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,While there is no Grey Power movement in the sister Islands, the tax of the NZ pension has a great effect here as well. My Mama Lui in Pukapuka just had her NZ pension cut in half from $1500 a month to $750. This money is entirely spent in the Cook Islands on food and provisions for the whole extended family. She spent some twenty years working in factories in Hellensville, for her hard-earned pension. She returned to Pukapuka to live out her last years in peace with her family but the severity of the tax and penalty makes her, and other Cook Islanders, less likely to return. While I understand that some tax on the pension is needed, having her pension halved is a huge tax especially given that the money stays in the Cook Islands through spending anyhow. I thought we wanted to keep our elderly in the Cook Islands and especially in the Pa Enua? Concerned northerner (Name and address supplied)
“Teach our children that every little piece of non-biodegradable tita is a threat to our sustainability”
Wednesday 3 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, In Monday's (01/09/14) paper you have the front page headline 'It’s in our DNA to conserve the ocean: Puna'. I would like to believe this, but think that it’s more important in this industrial day and age to remember that it’s what practical life skills we teach our children about living here on our Pacific islands that will really matter to our environment.Turning a couple of pages is the very sweet story about the Titikaveka Girl Guides' loom band fundraiser - and then on the next page, a story about the tragic state of our oceans - a marine scientist's report about toxic floating plastic islands which are poisoning & choking fish, birds, sea life. These stories may not seem it - but they are related. We all need to be better at dealing with the waste that is imported daily in packaging and products that can harm this island we live on and its surrounding eco system. This is an environmental issue that should be talked about at every opportunity with children who are using and making loom band jewellery - the new imported craft craze that uses little rubber bands to make fun plastic bracelets.In a nutshell, little bits of plastic and silicone rubber do not bio-degrade completely - and our sea life and ocean environment will suffer directly with every loom band that is discarded carelessly, accidently or otherwise. Some may think picking on the loom band craze is petty stuff - but the proof is there that fish, birds and sea life are consuming our plastic waste and the flow on to us and our own future is threatened. Everything is connected, the same goes with all plastic that is not recycled, and disposed of thoughtfully. It starts at the' micro' level and relates to our own actions and what we teach our children. Please - teach our children that every little piece of non-biodegradable tita is a threat to our sustainability - and ultimately our own future health. We are all linked in a great environmental chain - and need to protect the future of our planet and people we love! So kids - keep making stuff and being creative - but look after our oceans too! Ani O'Neill Ngatangiia
“The song is unfinished and the fat lady has yet to sing”
Wednesday 3 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,In response to Mr Ka’s article in Saturday’s CI News editorial, I acknowledge his sincerity and “soul searching comments” with regards to the Demo party’s demise.However like most first time aspiring politicians, defeat is very hard to accept especially at times when you think you have beaten your adversary and victory is at hand only to find the battle has been won elsewhere. I do not intend to comment at large regarding One Cook Islands potential relationship with the Demos nor any other political party for that matter as “the song is unfinished and the fat lady has yet to sing” but I do wish to clarify and correct his assumption that One Cook Island’s is a “tired and fractured component.”On the contrary, One Cook Island’s is indeed a lively, active and real political movement with a clear sense of political direction and conscience supported and complemented by a team of dedicated, loyal and enthusiastic people wanting to make a difference where people can actually contribute, make choices and be heard. Our performance at the snap election in July proved that and our increasing popularity and overwhelming support, is further evidence that we are here to stay. His comment is totally out of context and assumes some personal agenda against the leader of One Cook Islands rather than against the movement per se. Experience, depth, political cunningness and astute understanding of the issues were the winner on the day not so called smart, intelligent, waffly, media pschyco, economic armchair wannabe political analysts who ended up creating mistrust, uncertainty and eventually a huge public divide resulting in a last minute turnaround in what should have been seen as a “clear victory for the Demos.” Mr Ka as an “experienced journalist” and others may well learn from this experience to improve his chances in 2018 should he wish to stand again.I suggest from his editorial insinuations that any issues he may have with the leader of One Cook Islands as the eventual successful candidate for Are Nikau in Aitutaki is quickly forgotten and that he should move on and prepare for 2018 just as we’re doing. Better still, it might pay to refrain from making any such assertions publicly in future “lest the hand that feeds you may come back to bite you!” Good luck on his continued soul searching and aspirations to join the future political gravy train. George Turia President One Cook Islands Movement Inc
'Grey Power only terrorise the CIP government'
Tuesday 2 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,250 Grey Power members were left high and dry when the CIP Government’s scuttled ship ran aground on the reef which brought about the dissolution of Parliament and an unnecessary snap election. Look at the expensive mess we are in. We, respected, law-biding non-terrorist Grey Power members strongly wish that the CIP Governments grounded ship remain where it is with Tim Tepaki on it. Tim’s all of a sudden gone coo-coo and must be isolated.PS. Grey Power only terrorise the CIP Government. Dennis Tunui Turangi
'Bring the road toll down, pledge to not drink and drive'
Tuesday 2 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor ‘Stop Visual Pollution’ please stop the verbal diarrhoea.
$150,000 is nothing in the grand scheme of things to run our National College and hope that they can produce results
Tuesday 2 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Olivia Heather, a local businesswoman, mother and Chartered Account was born and raised in Rarotonga and is a product of our education system.
Greypower home grown terrorism?
Tuesday 2 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
I read in CI News a week ago that Greypower is regrouping and getting ready to march on Parliament when it resumes, but this time to terrorise both CIP and Demo politicians and not just CIP!
Police sign is visual pollution
Monday 1 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, The two enormous digital signs on trailers parked outside the Arorangi police station and in front of the police station in town look ugly and do not suit our island way of life.
Recycle Raro first?
Monday 1 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,Driving the back road I noticed the old junk yard which was a recycling depot at one stage is being cleared.
'Disgusted' with lack of education spending
Saturday 30 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I am really disgusted the way we are not funding education – look at the principal’s letter about the woeful funding to education.
Praise for hospital staff
Friday 29 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, While most letters to the editor are pointing out problems in our country (and usually with some justification), may I take this opportunity to pass on some praise to the staff at the Rarotonga Hospital.
Museum gives thanks for canoe
Friday 29 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, On behalf of our society may I take this opportunity to publicly thank Bill Doherty, a keen supporter of the Library & Museum, for his kind donation of a three-man Pukapukan vaka built in Pukapuka recently, which was transported by ship to Rarotonga.
Why stop a much-needed competitor?
Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I recall a recent list of fuel prices in the Pacific and the fuel price in the Cook Islands is the second highest by a huge margin.
'May your seas be forever sacred'
Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, While on our truly idyllic honeymoon in Rarotonga, we were very lucky to attend Monday’s opening of the Marae Moana information hub.
'You are tucked in our hearts'
Wednesday 27 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, To the people of the Cook Islands – we have spent three months here in your beautiful country, in Rarotonga with visits to Aitutaki and Atiu.
Bank loans 'dished out willy-nilly'
Wednesday 27 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, without pointing the finger at any particular commercial bank in the Cook Islands, it concerns me greatly when I learn that a certain bank is willing to provide a $170,000 housing mortgage to a couple with four very young children when the total annual income of that same family/household would be in the vicinity of $45,000.
'Cavalier attitude' harms sporting success
Tuesday 26 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I cannot believe that the majority of right-minded Cook Islanders agree with the article from the Olympic Committee that our country is proud of the effort of our young golfer Akama, who came last with an appalling set of scores in China.
More feedback needed from sports events
Monday 25 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, It was great to see the Cook Islands flag waved at another venue overseas with our athletes being represented.
Dogs: No real solution reached
Friday 22 August 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, In regard to the savage dog attack on goats in Tupapa, what makes you so confident to print that the police will step up their actions in getting this problem of dogs sorted out?
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