Letters to the Editor
Letter: SBMA responds to ‘misinformed criticism’
Monday 27 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
I write in response to the anonymous letter published on May 25 regarding the Police Service, and incorrectly criticising the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) for having major government infrastructure investments and high staff salaries.
Letter: To Tatou Vai in violation of its own Act?
Monday 27 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Re ‘Audit report reveals CIIC overspent budget by $2.7m, Cook Islands News, May 22’, the 2024/25 Budget Estimate has CIIC providing an additional $500,000 to the water authority. This top-up is earmarked for meter installation and user-pays.
Letter: ‘Who stuffed up?’
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Reading about the very many issues raised by Mr. Mike Chase of Te POM, regarding the problems with our mapu yahooing on the roads, doing wheelies, etc. – “showing off to get attention” (Cook Islands News, Tuesday, May 14), he is no doubt correct, and opens up a Pandora’s Box of social issues.
Letter: Te Reo Māori in schools
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, “Schools told to teach Te Reo Māori ECE to Year 6” (CINews 21 May) would really benefit from a strategic plan (or dare I say it, Master Plan).
Letters: Sports Awards disappoint fans
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I have some thoughts on the recent Sports Awards. CISNOC (Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee) doesn’t seem to treasure Cook Islands athletes who have previously represented with pride and helped promote the Cook Islands at international events.
Letter: Police need better leadership
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I am writing to bring attention to the issues plaguing the Cook Islands Police Service as highlighted recently about critical understaffing.
Letter: ‘Decriminalise weed and grow your own’
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Our inflation rate is increasingly high and the economic growth rate is slow for the vast majority of the Cook Islands people.
Letter: CISNOC Sports Awards ‘lacklustre’
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Just some feedback on the Cook Islands National Sports Awards held on Sunday night. Can we please bring back the pizzazz of yesteryears.
Letter: Law and order at risk
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, With 30 to 40 vacancies for new Police officers, what is needed now is new Police staffing infrastructure, not more buildings and non-urgent infrastructure.
Letter: ‘Ugly’ artist impression
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
CI News ran a story on 9 May headlined, ‘Exciting times ahead as market makeover begins’.
Letters: Just a figure?
Friday 17 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Last Saturday, my wife purchased a particular food line which had increased by 40 cents from the last time she bought this product about two months ago. I calculated this increase to be around 3.5 per cent.
Letter: ‘Unfair coverage’
Monday 13 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
It’s absurd how the Cook Islands News can take such a significant milestone, like a female national athlete becoming the secretary general of our National Sports Organisation, and twist it to include irrelevant personal jabs. Kez earned her position on her own merits, regardless of who her father is.
Letter: Nepotism at CISNOC?
Monday 13 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I saw the Cook Islands News article on new CISNOC secretary this morning (Thursday). The appointment seems like an “inside job”. It’s so easy to put unjustified descriptions on a preferred applicant with a “wink wink say no more” approach and “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine”. Owen Lewis’ daughter is […]
Letter: ‘Failure of Govt to be fair to all’
Friday 10 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
The claim by Tupapa MP he has obtained an excavator for his village for those that voted him is a slap against the government that he represents as a Minister. Maggie said “So, I look after those who help me, I have to be fair with them and help them first.” Oh, really.
Letter: OPSC disappointed by misrepresentation
Friday 10 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Having read the Thursday, May 9, Cook Islands News main headline (Lewis takes helm at CISNOC) I can categorically confirm that the Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) was not in any way involved in the recruitment process of the new Secretary General of CISNOC.
Letter: Victims of vaccine injury?
Thursday 9 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Heartbreaking to hear of the sudden unexpected death of 15-year-old Drazei holidaying with his family in Raro. Absolutely heartbreaking to hear, especially as a mother, my heart goes out to the family.
Letter: ‘Back off big money’
Monday 6 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Saturday’s full-page article, “What (on Earth) Under Sea are Polymetallic Nodules”.
Letter: Water crisis in Aitutaki
Friday 3 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I felt for the writer of the Letter to the Editor in yesterday’s CINews.
Letter: Concealing the white elephant
Thursday 2 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, In 2021 the commodification of Rarotonga’s water was made law. At the time, the water infrastructure was the property of the Cook Island Government. To Tatou Vai (TTV) was just the operator.
Letter: Aitutaki water crisis
Thursday 2 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
I am writing to bring urgent attention to the longstanding water crisis that has been plaguing the residents of Aitutaki for over 30 years.