Opinion

Norman George: A tribute to those who leave giant impact on their nation

Tuesday 11 February 2020 | Published in Editorials

Columnist Norman George pays a tribute to the police officers in the country.

Editorials

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

Letters to the Editor

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.

Letters to the Editor

Kata: Dogs in school

Tuesday 11 February 2020 | Published in Kata

Kata

Ruth Mave: Look out for the young ones

Monday 10 February 2020 | Published in Opinion

A village raises a child, because parents can’t be everywhere, but where is the village when we need them most?

Opinion

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.

Letters to the Editor

Thomas Tarurongo Wynne: 1000 reasons to pay teachers more

Saturday 8 February 2020 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion

OPINION: MPs deserve their pay rise – and by the same measure, so do the teachers who hold our future in their hands.

Opinion

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.

Letters to the Editor

Forgive us, as we forgive others

Saturday 8 February 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Editorials

Mistakes of the past will always catch up with you.

Editorials

Kata: Police Cell meals

Saturday 8 February 2020 | Published in Kata

Kata

What Waitangi Day means to me here in Cook Islands

Friday 7 February 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Editorials

On Waitangi Day, February 6, I find my thoughts are automatically occupied by my tupuna rangatira.

Editorials

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.

Letters to the Editor

Kata: Hair culture

Friday 7 February 2020 | Published in Kata

Kata

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.

Letters to the Editor

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.

Letters to the Editor

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.

Letters to the Editor