Letters to the Editor
Keen to learn but
Thursday 12 November 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I agree with Sir Terepai Maoate and the language issue associated with applying for permanent residency in the Cook Islands. To be eligible for PR, applicants must now be able to speak conversational Cook Islands Maori. As a New Zealand papa’a privileged enough to be living in the Cook Islands, I feel the […]
Criticism a catalyst?
Thursday 12 November 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I am responding from a personal viewpoint to the letter printed on Friday October 30 about Tereora’s new principal. I am also responding as a concerned educationalist and future parent. Even though the letter may have been portrayed as a personal attack by some, it does not divert from the fact that applicants, […]
Land Court reform is critical
Thursday 12 November 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
It’s more important than parliamentary reform, says lawyer Norman George Dear Editor, My friend Joseph Ka’s letter to the editor yesterday dated November 11 prompts me to write this response. 1. After practising in the Land Court for the past 20 years, I have on many occasions walked out of court gutted and disappointed with […]
Consult the north first
Thursday 12 November 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, It is quite disappointing to read that the government is going ahead and passing a bill without consulting with the people of the Northern Group, as the majority of the seabed resources are found in the northern parts of the Cook Islands. Terepai Maoate Junior had a consultation meeting with the people of […]
Learning Maori isn't easy
Thursday 12 November 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I was one of the lucky people getting my PR last time, and I’m grateful for that. I’ve been trying to learn Maori for many years and think it’s a great idea that you now have to learn Maori to get your PR, but…where do you learn it? It’s easy to say mingle […]
Report thefts
Thursday 12 November 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, We have to agree with the points made by the Kiwi couple regarding thefts. After being robbed of a large sum of money, passports, credit cards, licences etc while we slept in a locked apartment, we too would never return to your beautiful island for a holiday. The crime level is ridiculous with […]
Fond farewell to Karen Galvan
Thursday 12 November 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I wish to acknowledge the great work of Karen Galvin (pictured) in her time on Rarotonga as the Clinic Manager for the Esther Honey Foundation. Karen has worked tirelessly, with huge amounts of energy to achieve a level of success not previously possible. Karen has made her passion of animal welfare her occupation. […]
'Honest Jim' in danger of drowning
Thursday 12 November 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, The growing public outcry in relation to the country’s increasing dysfunctional political system is screaming testament of the very poor leadership that this country has had to endure under the Marurai Government. At a time when the economy is slowing down, Cook Islanders (our most valuable asset) continue to flock overseas to seek […]
Use skype and skip toll costs
Thursday 12 November 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, In response to the letter about exorbitant broadband charges, here is some advice. www.skype.com is available completely free of charge for all computer users to download. Once you have this program loaded, paying premiums for international toll calls is but a memory. Although not entirely free (because of megabytes used), it helps to […]
Wednesday 26: Road death stats table invalid
Wednesday 26 August 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, The inclusion of the Cook Islands road death statistic in the WHO table is a classic example of using statistics in the manner of a drunk using a lamppost – for support rather than illumination. We should not even be in that table because we cannot supply a figure of deaths per 100,000. […]
Monday 24: It's admirable, but
Wednesday 26 August 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, It’s admirable what Gordon Sawtell is doing to advocate better conditions for prisoners. It’s hard to do things at the prison if there are no resou-rces and the political will is not there. But I think it is a bit low of him to criticise the appointment of past superintendents, most of whom […]
Thursday 20: DPM must prioritise funds for prison
Wednesday 26 August 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, There is an awareness among the general public of the need to upgrade the Arorangi Prison. Many people are asking when this can be achieved. Some people are interested from a moral point of view and others because of the threat it poses during an escape such as the wild rumour of the […]
Monday 17: Dreadful advice
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Minister Ngamau Munokoa’s speech at the under 21 netball opening ceremony was awful. Her grammar and tenses were so badly arranged that one could barely understand what she was saying. Worst of all she turned on Cook Islanders who were sharing a proud moment of realising the dream of hosting the netball games. […]
Thursday 13: Dear Editor,
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Cook Islands citizens choose and elect officials during local and central government elections, which is our democratic right. It is hoped that the best person gets elected to govern with good governance, accountability, responsibility and total transparency in decision making in any and all fiscal expenditures. Sometimes we get it right, and the elected official […]
Monday 17: It's a fib, I didn't resign
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Either there is an error in information which I doubt or the office of the Deputy Prime Minister is telling fibs. In a press statement from the DPM’s office it said I have resigned from the Pacific Mini Games Board. I have not and nor have I been asked to. But Minister Ngamau […]
Thursday 13: Any dummy can see what's happening
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
The Editor, The question I’d like to ask is – how did cabinet elect the new HoMs? From my own knowledge, the first criteria I would evaluate are experience, performance and accountability. Again, do all these new appointees possess the above expertise? I doubt it very much. As far as I am concerned some of […]
Monday 17: Act like a rangatira!
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, What is customary lore and what are the duties of a leader under those customary lores? In principle do we elect under a democratic policy or do we elect those who have been groomed by the older generation guaranteed to walk beside the people and listen to their needs and have a willingness […]
Monday 17: HoMs fiasco raises discontent, distrust
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I make reference to the letter in Saturday’s publication titled ‘PSC answers criticism’. In my view the PSC Commissioner Navy Epati has failed miserably to address the growing public outcry in regards to the recent appointment of some HOMs, in particular, the three who were appointed to Justice, Agriculture and Culture. Therefore, in […]
Monday 17: 'Soft touch' buys a sob story
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, What on earth are our leaders doing? Since when do our country’s leaders cater to the demands of rapists and murderers! I think a response from Mark Short justifying his actions would be appropriate now. How can he condone the actions of the prisoners who escaped after they put the island on high […]
Monday 17: Govt cruel, inhumane to old HoMs
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Now we all know what this Demo government had in mind when they brought in the ‘new’ Public Service Act. And it is not very nice at all. Six Cook Islanders – Terry Hagan, Nga Mataio, Russell Thomas, Tamarii Pierre, Makiuti Tongia and John Herrmann – have now been consigned to the scrap […]
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