Letters to the Editor
Wilkie Rasmussen: Shipping to the Northern Group
Sunday 5 July 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, I have listened with dismay at the reckless speeches made by the MP for Tongareva Robert Tapaitau and would like to correct him.
Jacki Brown-Crummer: 'Contractors stole my Mama's dream'
Wednesday 1 July 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, A year ago our world was devastated when CM Contracting (run by Sam Capper and Teau McKenzie) failed to build my Mama’s house in Turangi, beyond foundations and wall frames.
Wilkie Rasmussen: MPs should allow free media
Tuesday 30 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, The reaction by MPs to the Cook Islands News article is petty and dismissive of an integral part of our community and democracy.
Justine Flanagan; Parliament is like our utu tree
Saturday 27 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, Outside Takitumu school stands a grand utu tree. For generations this tree has acted as signpost, shelter, gathering point, and climbing frame.
Cecile Marten: Vaka is safe
Friday 26 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Kia orana, On behalf of the Cook Islands Voyaging Society I would like to express our disappointment at the Kata Cartoon on Saturday 20th June 2020, depicting the Prime Minister Henry Puna “abandoning ship”.
Ruth Tangiiau Mavé: Allowances debate hits sore spot
Friday 26 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Yes, the Spouse Allowance was discussed in Parliament, and understandably the Members of Parliament are upset with the reporting, because now the public know it exists and will continue to exist in the 2021 Budget, despite the financial destitution taxpayers are facing, and they’re not happy.
Daphne Marsters: Journalist banned
Thursday 25 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Kia Orana and thank you Cook Islands News. A great boss once said to me, “you may not like the person, but always respect their title whilst they are in their working position. Because they are elected to be the best person for the job at the time.”
Terry Rangi: Parliamentary audit inquiry into conflict
Thursday 25 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
I refer to your article (“Killer in political conflict probe”, June 20) regarding a possible conflict of interest in my hiring inmate Ngaa Taria last year.
Bruno Salvatore Briante: Helmets for pedestrians too?
Thursday 25 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
When a law is finalised, don’t you think it should cover all aspects of why this is created and implemented?
Thomas Tarurongo Wynne: The responsibility of free speech
Wednesday 24 June 2020 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Letters to the Editor
It’s a responsibility to write, and to have those words published; in fact it is a privilege. Opinion pieces, don’t need always allow for academic scrutiny, though one would expect that opinion is measured, thoughtful, reflective, and pointed, addressing the issue rather than the person or persons.
Samuel Samuel : Cook Islander debate
Wednesday 24 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
I was born in the 1940s in Rarotonga. I came to school in New Zealand when I was 17 and for several reasons and my health I am still here.
Kevin Barr: Open borders or risk exodus
Saturday 20 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, Both Niue and Cook Islands have New Zealand passports and extensive links with that warrant some form of exemption to allow travel from New Zealand.
Bishop Tutai Pere: PM to resign
Friday 19 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
It’s no laughing matter at all Kata, when our dear Honourable Prime Minister Henry Puna together with his humble and beautiful wife Akaiti Puna announced he would step out of being Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, to try to apply for another more challenging regional position as Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Don Carlaw: Time to open borders with NZ
Friday 19 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, I appreciate and understand the concerns of some people regarding the risks of us getting the coronavirus here in the Cook Islands if we open our borders to New Zealanders – however this decision should be based on known facts.
John M Scott: Reopen borders – but carefully
Sunday 14 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, I think it is timely to remind ourselves that our relationship with New Zealand is a two way street.
Nana Taruia: Three important points
Friday 12 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, I believe John Makuru is at fault (“Who Polices the Police,” June 6), causing the motor vehicle accident he was involved in outside Charlie’s café in Titikaveka.
Moana Moeka'a: Opposing helmets is about choice
Friday 12 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Kia orana, I thought the articles on the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, and the Democratic Party's Titikaveka MP in your paper last week, re their respective positions on the motorcycle helmet law, were great.
Mark Brown: Cook Islands imports close to $200 million worth of goods from New Zealand
Wednesday 10 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Kia orana editor, I happened to read the letter from Alan Richardson in yesterday’s paper on the need to reopen borders at both ends. I certainly agree with him on that.
Tuakana Faireka: Meitaki from a returned mama
Wednesday 10 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, With the repatriation of stranded Cook Islanders having been completed successfully, and as a member of the first cohort, I take great pleasure in expressing my sincere gratitude to the following groups of people and organisations that have made it possible for this to happen.
Wilkie Rasmussen: Failure to diversify
Wednesday 10 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, I have said it before several times that this government has failed the Cook Islands people miserably on a number of economic fronts.