Letters to the Editor
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.
Teresa Manarangi-Trott: 'Atea' as a new name alongside Cook Islands
Tuesday 18 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, A simple google search of the word “Atea” suggests this word is already used by others and confusion with regard to translation and copyright might be an issue.
Brian Coker: Speed, alcohol and the helmet law
Monday 17 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, It is very sad that every time there is a serious bike accident, the “everyone must wear a helmet” brigade come screaming out of the woodwork, demanding the government impose more laws and restrictions on all motorcycle users.
Jacki Brown: Concerns over Muri's wastewater scheme
Saturday 15 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Mei Te Vai Ki Te Vai held a courtesy information evening at Turangi Meeting House for landholders and interested people. They presented options for “Centralised, reticulated wastewater scheme for Muri area”. This is prior to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Paul Raui Allsworth: Pay parity versus high income
Friday 14 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Sad to see another qualified and professional teacher leaving our shores due to pay disparity. Another one joining the ongoing outward drift of depopulation.
John Uri: 'Let the people decide'
Thursday 13 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
History repeats itself. So many ups and downs in our history comes from the fundamental errors made by the Ui Ariki and Mataiapo since 1888, just before the establishment of a ‘government’ in 1891.
Trézanah Monga-MacCauley: The debate over new Maori name
Wednesday 12 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
The points arguing to keep the name are insignificant. “Too much time and money” is an insignificant expense for a long-term gain.
Lynnsay Rongokea Francis: Let's not stifle freedom of expression
Tuesday 11 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor I attended a play last Friday evening at the Rehab written by Teherenui Koteka. A clever blend of social and political satire to address current social issues in which she dared to write about the unthinkable subject of sex, sexuality and the gendered roles of men and women and sexual identity. Everyone performed exceptionally well and they were all very entertaining and funny. During the evening I was told some of our political leaders had met during the week in an attempt to stop the performance because they considered it might be offensive and disrespectful. I commend Teherenui Koteka and her team of young performers aged between 16 and 22 for having the courage of their convictions to perform the play in the face of opposition. With the support of her parents, sponsors, Rehab and group of supporters she was able to put on this performance. Teherenui’s play touches on subjects we don’t openly speak about. She uses wit, humour and ridicule to take sexual behavior out of its normal context to critique the dominant ideology that sexual domination are natural to men, the phallic model of masculinity, the myths and stereotypes of male and female relations, the objectification of women and women’s perception of themselves. Satire enables us to see the ridiculousness, absurdity and irony of a situation. The play uses physical humour and statements to point out the absurdity of the call on women to not have sex with all men so that the political leaders would be forced to be respectful of women’s brains instead of their bodies to include them in the decision-making process of the Seabed Mining Bill. Teherenui intended the play to be thought provoking, to open up the conversation and to get people out of their comfort zone and to reflect on our own attitudes, prejudices and responses to moral issues. To attempt to stop an artistic performance because of its social, political and moral content is censorship. We live in a democracy and a healthy democracy enables its citizen’s freedom of expression and participation in bringing issues in society to the fore. Let’s not stifle that freedom. Lynnsay Rongokea Francis
Jacki Brown: Mana vaine
Tuesday 11 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Mana vaine Mother Nature reminded us of her presence and power when she sent rain on Friday evening. Rehab was the venue for a new play, Mana vaine’ by Teherenui Koteka.
Ruta Tangiiau: More police needed on roads
Monday 10 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, Tougher laws are not going to stop law-breakers from dying on our roads. The fatal accidents are due to people not obeying the existing laws that are there to protect them.
Papa Williams: Cyclone would wipe out new waterfront
Saturday 8 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, Last week’s front page headline, “Future Vision: The Monaco of the Pacific” was interesting, considering the state of our planet’s climate change and environmental impact dynamics, caused by a warming planet.
Solia-Petero: School flouts law, demands haircut
Friday 7 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
You stand up for your son! Our 6-year-old boy has the Cook Island traditional long hair to his knees.
Tania Lucas: How dare they force haircut on boy?
Thursday 6 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
I tautoko your stand for your son 100 per cent. Kura is to provide an education.
Ian Calhaem: Chemicals in water
Thursday 6 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
In response to Papa Williams (Letters), what is often overlooked is that even with the “best practice” management of chemical processes, the streams are ultra-sensitive to changes in pH and temperature.
RAT Mavé: What's good for the goose
Thursday 6 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, It is amazing how things get done when it affects government members personally. Police, teachers, nurses asking for a wage rise, are told it will happen over the next three years, but MPs get a 45 per cent wage raise immediately.
Angie Samuela: The two Es: Education and enforcement
Wednesday 5 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, It’s good to hear Cook Islands government will introduce legislation attempting to curb drink-driving tragedies.
Nigel Toa: Our 'bush mechanic'
Wednesday 5 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
I had the pleasure of meeting this young man, Nathan Matata (“I don’t want to be known as some bush mechanic,” Feb 3).
George Ngaei: Fixing road trauma crisis a worthy legacy
Tuesday 4 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear editor, Relating to the most recent tragic deaths on Rarotonga’s roads, I am reminded of the Bob Dylan’s soul searching lyrics from “Blowing in the Wind”: “Yes, an’ how many ears must ONE man have, before he can hear people cry? Yes, an’ how many deaths will it take until he knows that too many people have died?”
Andrew Robb : Waitangi Day
Monday 3 February 2020 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Tena koe, Many years ago, I marched in support of Maori rights (in response to Derek Fox, “What would Treaty fathers think?” Jan 29).