Letters to the Editor
Letter: More storage
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
One of the justifications of the water upgrade was that 60-70 per cent of the water collected via the intakes was lost to leaks in the ring main. Can anyone on the island recall great fountains gushing out?
Letter: TTV ‘pleading corporate poverty’
Friday 16 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, As chair of the To Tatou Vai Board of Directors, Brian Mason is in the habit of justifying water charges by pleading corporate poverty: “The implementation of the tariff will not be delayed because to do so would compromise the supply of water essential to all who live, reside and visit Rarotonga.” (Cook Islands News, 12 August 2024)
Letter: Ancient custom vs. western law
Thursday 15 August 2024 | Written by Te Tuhi Kelly | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The recent court case that declared Tangaroa was the rightful Tamatoa Ariki in Aitutaki has implications for the people (Tangaroa declared rightful Tamatoa Ariki after three-year legal battle, August 7,2024).
Letter: ‘Focus on local issues, PM’
Wednesday 14 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, PM Mark Brown has decided to visit New Caledonia to try and bring peace to the warring factions. Well, how about staying home and meet the petitioners for the soon to be introduced water tax and tariff charges.
Letter: Atiu Harbour Project 1974-75
Monday 12 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the completion and opening of the Atiu Harbour by Sir Albert and Lady Henry in July 1975.
Letter: Costume controversy
Saturday 10 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, It was interesting that Ministry of Cultural Development (MOCD) confirmed on CITV that Tupapa won first place for the drum dance costume as per the rules.
Letter: ‘You’re missing the point, PM’
Friday 9 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
So the Prime Minister is now comparing the petition of 3400 signatures to tell his Government that his people are not happy with the water situation. How to belittle your own people.
Letter: Democracy in action!
Friday 9 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Kia Orana. Once upon a time, democratic principles meant that the people told their elected Members of Parliament what they wanted and this actually worked. Recently the “people” presented a petition to Parliament, signed by many individuals, telling the Government that they do not wish to see the imposition of water meters and charges … Simple! Democracy in action!
Letter: Bring back real competition!
Thursday 8 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Re: Aug 7th 2024 article, pg 3, Te Maeva Nui prize awards night.
Letter: Anyone in the office?
Tuesday 6 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Has anyone tried to get hold of Internal Affairs lately? The office is there to serve the public but I think they have forgotten that.
Tourism joins prestigious global sustainable council
Tuesday 6 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (CIT) had announced its new membership in the prestigious Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
Letter: ‘Holes’ in water tariff report
Friday 26 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Regarding proposed water tariffs: the subject of Ruta Mave’s article (15 July); and the subsequent response from the Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Letters, 19 July).
Letter: Mistreatment of cattle
Thursday 25 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
For years I’ve been concerned about the mistreatment of cattle kept around the town end of the runway. A lot of them are kept in areas where there is no grass but mimosa pudica plants that are toxic to cattle.
Letter: Shipping company’s ‘reckless’ record
Thursday 25 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I am shocked by the continued dangerous operations of Taio Shipping.
Letter: Election gimmick or real progress?
Wednesday 24 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The Sovereign Wealth Fund meetings by Government is a real farce. There is no harvesting, no transportation of minerals to markets, no pricing, no sales, nothing!
Letter: Toa trees
Tuesday 23 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
You have reported that construction company T&M Heather Ltd appears to admit to an ‘offence’ under the Environment Act 2003 by cutting mature trees on the foreshore at Tikioki, not only without consent, but after being told by National Environment Service (NES) that the cutting was not allowed. Perhaps a legal type can correct the writer, but is ‘offence’ just a nicer word, at law, for ‘crime’?
Letter: The ‘butchering’ of Toa trees
Tuesday 23 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Kia Orana. Reading about the major destruction of Toa trees in the Akapuao/Fruits of Raro area, and NES’ comments in the Cook Islands News (20 July, 2024).
Letter: Paris trip: Junket or necessary expense?
Monday 22 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, This Olympics thing from CISNOC (Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee) is the biggest junket ever and historically always has been.
Letter: Appointment process
Friday 19 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
How interesting that the PSC keeps saying that the Mr Lewis was one of the top three candidates for the role of Secretary for Education - when he was the first of the five interviewed to receive an email saying he was not successful in his application to become the Secretary.
Letter: ‘Equity’ in water tariffs
Friday 19 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I write to you in response to your contributor Ruta Mave in her column in the Monday, July 15th edition titled ‘Water tariff public consultations a tick-box exercise?’.