Letters to the Editor
Ministry of Finance and Economic Management responds
Wednesday 22 February 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Kia Orana, Further to the letter to the editor published on the 20 February, 2023 under the heading “MFEM’s ‘sheer arrogance’” , I would like to respond to some of the comments made by the writer as follows: The decision to release details of any costs does not rest with the Financial Secretary, the Director of Revenue Management or anybody else in MFEM. The decision rests with the Court and until the court makes the documents public, which can only be done at the instruction of the judge who heard the matter, any release of information contained in the judgement can result in prosecution against the person who released the information.
Bank burn-off . . . unhappy in the valley
Tuesday 21 February 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, This weekend past a local bank had a burn-off in a residential area in Takuvaine. This is where the bank burn off sensitive printed documents and paper waste, among other things. Without consulting the neighbours, this burn-off went ahead resulting in plumes of acrid smoke hanging over the whole neighbourhood.
LETTER TO EDITOR: MFEM’s ‘sheer arrogance’
Monday 20 February 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The sheer arrogance that MFEM (Ministry of Finance and Economic Management) is displaying with regard to the Air New Zealand tax refund debacle, and subsequent legal fees Cook Islands as a country has incurred trying to fight this issue, is quite ridiculous and mind boggling (Cook Islands News, 13 February, 2023).
‘Partition’ of Nukupure Park
Friday 17 February 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, This is sad for all the people of Ngati Tangiia and Rangiatea (Court application to determine the future of Nukupure Park, Cook Islands News, February 14, 2023). The biggest issues here is greed for dollars. There’s a lot of people that came through that club and they left their legacy behind in that […]
LETTER TO EDITOR: Partition ‘will not affect’ Nukupure Park
Wednesday 15 February 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The landowners wish to correct the statements in Tuesday’s paper regarding the Ngatangiia Matavera Sports Club (Court application to determine the future of Nukupure Park, Cook Islands News, February 14). This land has not been “gifted” to anyone. It remains the landowners’ land, and the landowners are the ones who get to decide what happens to our land.
LETTER TO EDITOR: Medicinal cannabis industry
Tuesday 14 February 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The new Minister for CIIC (Cook Islands Investment Corporation) Albert Nicholas has already got a lot of good work done as was reported in your paper on 11-2-23 when he announced the appointment of the new CIIC Board members after meeting with Cabinet at the end of last month. Rose Brown, the Minister of Health, needs to show the same work ethic and start the process to get our medicinal cannabis industry jump started in the Cook Islands.
LETTER TO EDITOR: History and tradition: The ‘truth’ from the belief
Saturday 11 February 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The challenge of tradition and or the interpretation of history associated with tradition is that like beauty – it is in the eyes of the beholder (Vaka Paikea to get whale art as tribute to legendary Maori ancestor and his journey, February 9, 2023). All it takes is a misinterpretation of the original message and it soon becomes Chinese whispers which then takes on a life of its own to such an extent that the truth is not really the truth.
Starlink set to enter Cooks market
Thursday 9 February 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Regarding Starlink access into the Cook Islands, what is not confirmed in this article is who will be a local partner and it would be silly not to (Starlink set to enter Cook Islands broadband market, Cook Islands News, February 6).
When will we ever learn?
Tuesday 7 February 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, You may ask what has the installation of that ugly new Papa’a style fence at Takitumu School got to do with culture and heritage? Here in the Cook Islands we are experiencing a cultural revival … especially in Te Reo and dance.
Letter: The ‘truth’ of Australia Day
Thursday 26 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, This is information that all Australians need to know. Especially those that believe it has to do with how anybody was treated. People should learn the true facts before opening their mouth to spew falsehood.
Letter: Australia’s ‘Invasion Day’ debate
Tuesday 24 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, January 26th is a date that polarises opinion in Australia.
Letter: Food quality standards
Monday 23 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I would like to highlight two recent instances of concern.
Letter: Looking for ‘female’ Tiare Māori
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust is doing some research on the local types of Tiare Māori and Tiare Taina. At present, it looks likely that we have about 10 of each.
Letter: Olympic funding decisions questioned
Thursday 19 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
The contentious decisions made by CISNOC is insisting two average paddlers should be funded before two Olympians.
Letter: Milestone or millstone?
Thursday 19 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Monday’s newspaper reported on the call for MFEM to come clean on the questions surrounding the 17km of Te Mato Vai pipes that were dug up and replaced.
Letter: Rarotonga’s biggest problem
Thursday 19 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I have been visiting family in Rarotonga for the last month, fortunate to be able to enjoy the natural beauty of the island.
Letter: Where are the welcome signs?
Wednesday 18 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
When is Aviation Security Services going to do something about the sloppy appearance and behaviour of their staff at the airport?
Letter: Allocations of Olympic funding
Tuesday 17 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
I write in support of other families who are still waiting for promised funding from Tokyo Olympics and are questioning the allocations of Olympic Solidarity Funding.
LETTER: Questionable funding allocations
Thursday 12 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I write as a solo mother unhappy with our national sports committee CISNOC’s decisions with respect to funding allocations.
LETTER: Where is the customer service?
Wednesday 11 January 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I’m a local of many years. My partner is a Cook Islander.
