Letters to the Editor
Ellena Tavioni: Panic doesn't help, healthy living does
Saturday 7 March 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Letters to the Editor
Kia orana editor, I’m surprised how everyone is panicking about the coronavirus. One way or another it will most likely hit the Cook Islands.
Gerry Mitten: Make Cook Islands a Garden of Eden
Friday 6 March 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, I recently read an opinion piece by Ruth Tangiiau Mavé in the Cook Island News, this struck me as a brilliant no-brainer.
Richard Denny: 'The whole world has gone mad'
Thursday 5 March 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, It surprises me how the world has gone mad over coronavirus.
Norman George: 'Mistreatment' in police cells
Wednesday 4 March 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, On Thursday in the High Court, not for the first time and with increasing frequency, I made submissions on two guilty plea traffic cases.
Kevin Cook: Travel ban is for our own safety
Tuesday 3 March 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, Reading your editorial this morning (“Sweat equity counts for little”, Feb 29) my opinion is, it seems that you are mischief-making.
RAT Mave: Spend MP's salary on road works
Tuesday 3 March 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, Can Prime Minister Puna remind us taxpayers why he insists we pay MP Albert Nicholas $72,000 a year, when it is widely known he is a fugitive from the New Zealand courts for allegedly taking a $40,000 rental car? Voters, don’t say it’s because he cuts your lawn and hedge. Government could hire more machines and labourers for less.
Ku Mak: Calls for consistency in travel bans
Monday 2 March 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Letters to the Editor
One Filipino was turned back because the Philippines was added to the list of banned countries. There was no evidence to suggest he was a carrier of the virus.
Papa Williams: Mismanagement by successive governments
Friday 28 February 2020 | Written by Kata | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, I applaud Richard Thomson (“Seabed salvation a pipedream”, Letters, Feb 20) because unequivocally, he is absolutely correct, in his criticism of the management of the economy by successive Cook Islands governments.
Rota T Williams: Cooks' wartime coastwatchers honoured
Friday 28 February 2020 | Written by Kata | Published in Letters to the Editor
Kia orana. If you are so informed about the 17 New Zealand coastwatchers why not write their story? (Michael Field, Letters, Jan 30).
Te Tuhi Kelly: 'We are treated like a buzzing namu'
Wednesday 26 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, You may recall that in October 2019 I announced my intentions to start a new political party, the Progressive Party of the Cook Islands, to address once and for all the political appointments, the treating, bribing of voters and other irregularities at voting time and favouritism of public service appointments rampant in our society.
Papa Williams: Who is responsible for 14yo's death?
Tuesday 25 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Following your editorial “Let those parents bury their sons,” you spoke of known and controversial social media comments from contributors about 14 year old Mona Ioane Jr’s motorbike crash and death. Many had a lot to say whilst also posting revealing comments including attributing blame for Mona’s unfortunate passing. “RIP, e Haere Ra.”
Papa Williams: Without fear or favour
Monday 24 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Your report, "Police arrested 'wrong assailant'" (Feb 2) raises some searching questions.
Peter Etches: Schools: Teach teens to ride motorbikes
Monday 24 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, With legislation in the pipeline with respect to improving road safety and reducing the number of motorcycle fatalities, and the ongoing debate regarding the wearing or not of crash helmets, I would like to suggest a way forward.
Andy Olah: Attitude on the roads
Saturday 22 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, Much has been written and said about the carnage on our roads, mainly caused by speed and driving while under the influence.
Dora John Cecil: Cooks dancer supports J-Lo
Saturday 22 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
What a great inspiration you will be to many; I love reading stories like this as I’m a proud Cookie (“Michael Metuakore dancing with the stars”, Feb 8). I am so proud of you as will be many. I think any Cook Islander who goes outside the box is very inspiring – who would have thought? You, that’s who. You made it through – congratulations. I’m sure somewhere along the way we will be related, especially on our Marsters side. William Marsters is my three greats grandfather on my dad’s side, aue! You are so right about the Cook Islands capital of New Zealand, TOKZ, Love and light to you, God bless. Shine on all the way from Mangere, Akarana. Kia orana e kia manuia, Dora John Cecil --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I always believed you could do it, and I hoped for nothing but the best for you, as you are a beautiful soul both inside and out. So happy and proud of your achievements. Good luck for your future accomplishments. Not sure if you remember me, teacher aide in your maths class, when you came to Forest View High School. Always following what is happening and where you going, so proud and pleased for you. Arohanui, Lorraine (Lucky) Stowers
Paul Raui Allsworth: Put our name to the vote
Saturday 22 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Kia orana editor, On behalf of the Koutu Nui and in support of the Ui Ariki through the Kaumaiti, we did not and will not support any name change such as Atea as described by Danny Mataroa. We will only support a national referendum in the future due to the high financial and economic costs associated with a name change. Te Atua te Aroa Terea Mataiapo Paul Raui Allsworth President, Koutu Nui
Jaewynn McKay: Helmet column
Friday 21 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, I didn’t appreciate the heading you gave my most recent column. For the record I’ve never used the word “headache” when talking about this serious issue.
TM Kapi: 'To hell with helmets!'
Friday 21 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, To hell with helmets! We’ve been there before, And it didn’t work. Already we have a very sound law in place, for the compulsory wearing of helmets, targeting our young people between the age of 16-30 years and those who travel over 40kph.
Lee Maoate-Cox: Helmets save lives, young or old, fast or slow, drunk or sober
Thursday 20 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, Helmets should be compulsory (Jaewynn McKay, “Helmet law scope gives me headache,” Feb 19). You're driving a vehicle at a speed that can cause damage not only to you but to others. 40kmh or 50kmh, accidents can happen beyond your control.
Richard Thomson: Seabed salvation a pipe-dream
Thursday 20 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, I have lived on Aitutaki for 30 years and my wife is from Aitutaki. I previously worked for the New Zealand government, and this experience causes me to have mounting concerns about the management of the economy here in Cook Islands.