Letters to the Editor
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.
John M Scott: Seabed mining v exploration
Wednesday 10 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, Is it not a trifle misleading and disingenuous for the Minister to be placing all the emphasis on the potentially less damaging exploration argument as opposed to mining?
Alan Richardson: Border must go both ways
Tuesday 9 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, As a Kiwi living in the Cooks, I have been watching the situation with border control and opening with interest.
John M Scott: Real cost of big public sector
Saturday 6 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, A couple of observations on recent matters. An interesting story (“Cooks burgeoning public service back where it started,” June 4) again raises the question, what is the size and annual cost of our public service?
Wilkie Rasmussen: Northern self-reliance
Saturday 6 June 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, Self-determination in the Northern Group islands is dead. Let's look at the pearl industry.
Richard Thomson: Flu jabs for all
Friday 5 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, As a permanent taxpaying resident of 44 years, and a long-term New Zealand Aotearoa citizen and Cook Islands family resident, plus taxpaying New Zealand pensioner, here in Aitutaki/Araura Enua, I have the right to comment about the (as yet limited) government-approved health ministry Te Marae Ora Rarotonga-only influenza vaccinations.
Vaine Wichman: Understanding economics
Thursday 4 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, In the current global recession, most responsible Governments’ have initiated or brought forward infrastructure and capital development programs besides social and unemployment programs, for two reasons.
Mark Brown: Seabeds law 'safeguards' our oceans
Thursday 4 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Kia orana editor, I write in response to a number of claims made by Jacqui Evans (Letters, May 30).
Maara Tetava: 'Cop v cop' refuted
Thursday 4 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, In the matter of an article you published May 27 headlined “Cop v cop”, this letter is being forwarded to put the record straight over criticisms aimed at the Police Service.
Wilkie Rasmussen: Hypocrisy of charter flights
Saturday 30 May 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear sir, Even in these gloomy economic and hard financial times, this government continues to raid our country's trough.
