Letters to the Editor
John M Scott: Dismissing spirited people's effort
Friday 9 October 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
PM Mark Brown denounces Ms Flanagan and Mr Kirkwood and their demands that the Speaker resign disgraceful and that they are driven by a political and personal agenda.
Tupuna Rakanui: House of Ariki explains Cabinet submission to abolish Koutu Nui
Friday 9 October 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Government is treading carefully on the submission to abolish Koutu Nui and has determined for the House of Ariki to host further community consultations.
Tupou Faireka : Parliament integrity must be upheld: Demos
Friday 2 October 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
This week’s Parliamentary confidence vote was a prime example of an Opposition reigning-in the government which tried to ignore standing orders that have been created under the country’s supreme law – the Constitution.
Dr Debi Futter-Puati: Food for thought for three more months
Wednesday 30 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
I would like to thank the newspaper for asking John Scott his opinion on the Crimes Bill.
Andy Kirkwood: The many hats of GHD
Tuesday 29 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
To clean the new Te Mato Vai system, a high-dose chlorine solution is used.
Temu Okotai: Time for true leadership
Friday 25 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Today we and the whole world is living through an unprecedented time of turmoil and hardship. The world has seen nothing like this in the past and even the richest country appears to be suffering.
Mataiti Mataiti: Show support and not exclusion
Thursday 24 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
We, the Cook Islands National Disability Council, urge our Members of Parliament to remove any provision in the Crimes Bill that criminalises same sex relations. It is time to recognise the rights of all people of the Cook Islands and show support and not exclusion.
Eva Allsworth: Stand up for the LGBTQ Rainbow Community
Thursday 24 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
We, the Cook Islands Business and Professional Women’s Association, align with UN Women in the urgent call on governments around the world to stand up for the LGBTQ Rainbow Community.
Fletcher Melvin: 'Decriminalise same sex relations'
Thursday 24 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, We call upon our Cook Islands Government to remove any provision that criminalises same sex relations, from our Cook Islands Crime Bill when they go to Parliament this month. This is our Cook Islands opportunity to make our own decisions, and remove archaic laws, for our people.
Dr Debi Futter-Puati: Human rights not up for negotiation
Wednesday 23 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
I write this as I hear the drums signalling that recommendations from the select committee regarding the Crimes Bill will be presented in Parliament today.
Eric Short : Pristine water
Tuesday 22 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
“Our people deserve access to water that is clean and safe to drink” – these are words of the Deputy Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Ranulf Scarbrough: Avaroa Cable CEO responds
Monday 21 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
I read with concern the letter from Tupuna Rakanui (House of Ariki ‘offended’, CIN letter, September 18, 2020). Any offence to the House of Ariki is both regrettable and unintended.
Matariki Wilson: 'Lift your game rugby union officials'
Monday 21 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, I just want to use this platform of free speech to congratulate the Tupapa Panthers and Avatiu Eels on a great club rugby grand final on Saturday.
Richard Fisher: 'Meitaki maata Cook Islands'
Saturday 19 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
I have been retired now for about six months, with my last visit to Raro being back in December last year. Now with Covid, Lord knows when I shall be able to make it back.
Andy Kirkwood: Select committee meetings
Saturday 19 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Referring to Deputy Prime Minister Mark Brown’s comment: “Select committee members cannot run their own meetings separate of other members. It sounds highly unusual. I would be surprised.”
Tupuna Rakanui: House of Ariki 'offended'
Friday 18 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
The House of Ariki is taking offence at the narrow and misleading remarks made by Avaroa Cable Ltd in the CI News issue of September 17. According to Dr Ranulf Scarbrough, “It’s their understanding that a ra’ui was proposed by the House of Ariki conference held on August 11th when they were consulted by Government on the proposed legislation”.
A Wood: 3rd intake Sharing knowledge and experiences
Thursday 17 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
In the last week of August 2020, a group of us embarked on a workplace operations course offered by the Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute – a fees free course under the Government’s ERP Phase II package.
Iriti Maoate: MP Selina Napa
Saturday 12 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
On Thursday Cook Islands News published the Kata cartoon depicting Titikaveka MP Sel Napa to be money-grabbing, lazy and a very selfish Member of Parliament.
Justine Flanagan: Free water allocation 'misunderstood'
Thursday 10 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
The submission to Parliament by Ngati Kainuku illustrates how ‘free allocation’ is widely misunderstood. “Free allocation” does not mean free water for residents.
Teanaroa Worthington : China versus Australia
Thursday 10 September 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
I read your article in Saturday’s (September 5, 2020) paper titled “What does China really want in the Pacific?” The author, a former Australian High Commissioner to PNG, rehashes a lot of points that have already been debated ad infinitum.