Letters to the Editor
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.
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.
