Opinion
Electoral reform: Time to 'walk the talk'
Thursday 22 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Mata-Atua’s letter in CI News on March 20 headlined, “Talk of electoral reform hits a nerve”, has certainly hit a nerve with me.
To incorporate or not to incorporate...
Wednesday 21 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Recently I found myself in the situation of having to represent and protect my mother’s interest in the family lands when a group of 12 landowners from the extended family decided that they should incorporate five pieces of land belonging to more than 300 landowners, and effectively take control of them.
Working in partnership with NZ the better option
Wednesday 21 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, As they are our partners, I think it is most important that we engage New Zealand and outline any concerns we have and ways we can collectively deal with audit, political reform, law and order and competition law.
Talk of electoral reform hits a nerve
Tuesday 20 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Wilkie Rasmussen’s column (CI News Monday March 19). shows above all else that my comments last week, and previously, about electoral reform have struck a nerve, or several nerves.
Action on Akaoa roads no thanks to government
Tuesday 20 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Watching the CITV the other night I was impressed by Nooroa Baker telling the people about the roads in Akaoa, and how he met with two ministers and both said they would do something about it.
Reo Kuki Airani kia akamatutu ia
Tuesday 20 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Kia Orana! Irinaki au e ko teia karere kua ta’a mai te reira na roto i te mareva, mei te manu e kimi i tona tauranga! Oki mai!
Considering past and current follies
Monday 19 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Like the letter from ‘Political Observer’ on Friday, March 9, I too would like to acknowledge Opposition Office CEO Wilkie Rasmussen and Team Demo, for courageously raising the issue of the need for political reform, which we all know is well overdue.
Encouraging kindness and respect for all of us
Monday 19 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, In light of recent comments published in the Cook Islands News about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, may I encourage kindness and respect in all of our communications.
Demos not just paying lip service
Monday 19 March 2018 | Published in Tropical Chronicles
There are two things I would like to deal with in this column. The first is the notion that the Democratic Party is just paying lip service to the idea of political reform. This was raised by a letter writer to criticise the notion of an independent electoral commission being set up to look into and then carve a way forward. It was obvious that the problem the letter writer sees is that ultimately the decisions and recommendations by such an electoral commission will die a natural death when they are put to parliament to implement. Parliamentarians will simply not, for example, implement cutting the number of parliamentary seats in our country. The writer presumes that with a political party such as the Democratic Party, where two of its leaders (one being the party leader and the other a former party leader) are vying to be elected in constituencies (one with less than 100 electors and the other just over), the likelihood of them voting to cut seats are remote. That of course is a presumption, a discouraging one when for once the Cook Islands might have some traction when it comes to political or parliamentary reform. The writer of course does not propose an alternative and therefore her views are self-defeating and properly driven purely by the political position she has taken, where once she did a stint in the Democratic Party camp with the sole purpose to get elected under that banner, but lost out in the selection process by the constituency she was keen to get elected in. Now that is not to say that she cannot have an opinion to make public, but that discolours how genuine her views are and points more to her being motivated by an agenda to discredit the Democratic Party. I can certainly point to a dossier of anti-Democratic Party views and opinions since her self-removal from the Democratic Party. But let me add this to the fray. This letter writer was the one that provided the vote needed to eliminate the overseas seat that was then held by the Auckland-based Dr Joseph Williams. That’s my record of courage, when after all the huff and puff to have it eliminated there was a change of heart by one political party who had promised the public that it would do the deed. Who knows? Perhaps there was a deal at the time between the Democratic Party and the Cook Islands Party to bluff the people, knowing full well that the government would not have the numbers and the opposition would not support. But on the day the vote was called I told my leader at the time that I could not renege on what was told to the public and I would vote in favour of cutting the seat. I won’t tell more about what happened to me afterwards. I was only a year and a bit as an MP but I was proud of it. That incident shaped my political outlook and it is possible to do such a deed if the best interest of the people is first and foremost. Unfortunately, what the writer is suggesting is like killing the goose before it lays its egg. That’s a defeatist attitude. Of course, as it stands now, incumbent MPs – particularly those with reduced numbers below 100 – will be nervous about committing hara-kiri and they will argue that they want to retain their constituencies in the spirit of being represented. But that is the challenge and it would be better for an independent commission to decide on the configuration of parliament. The notion of doing away with seats was one proposed several decades ago by the then Political Reform Commission headed by Iaveta Short, and since then there has been the adoption of MMP in New Zealand – and Niue’s structure seems to work, where they have more MPs than we do for a population smaller than ours by several thousands. Let me now turn to issues raised by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne regarding the danger that the Democratic Party is signalling to the public through the letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Arden that was published in the Cook Islands News. He says that no one – certainly not him – wants the Cook Islands to be subservient to New Zealand and to be ruled again by New Zealand. Well, he seems to suggest that. In turn I am just being blunt about it. I have to exclaim in astonishment at this notion. I must also say that after all of this time since he has been press officer for the Prime Minister, Mr Wynne appears to have found his political feet because he for once has a sting in his pen. That was refreshing, purely in terms of journalism, but that does not necessarily mean that a letter of this nature could roll back the huge steps towards self-determination taken by our political forefathers and foremothers. That would be tantamount to ceding our right of self-government. I’m sure Mr Wynne would have read my coverage of the views of academics focusing on the constitutional and political development of the Cook Islands in my column last week about the meaning of the Cook Islands having “self-government in free association with New Zealand”. They see the Cook Islands as being on equal terms with New Zealand in their relationship and the Cook Islands Parliament having the power to even legislate over its foreign affairs direction, even to be a member of the United Nations. New Zealand has no power by way of its parliament to pass legislation to nullify Cook Islands legislation. However, let me point this out though. Mr James Beer, who I assume crafted and signed the letter to Ardern, is not a free agent and not without rebuke or opposition from within the Democratic Party. If there are issues that members of the Democratic Party such as me and others disagree with, then such disagreement will be brought to Mr Beer’s attention. The Democratic Party operates democratically and is open to members to raise issues of concern. Certainly, I can say in no uncertain terms that the Democratic Party will not roll back the years and bring back colonial administration. Those days are long gone.
Internet problems on Palmerston
Monday 19 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Since October last year, internet service on Palmerston Island has been intermittent.
Facing the future with confidence
Monday 19 March 2018 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Opinion
“Miasma”. It’s not a word that’s used often but this week it was penned by the writer of a letter to CINews who lacked the courage to reveal their identity
Brown 'like a crying baby'
Monday 19 March 2018 | Published in Opinion
I read in yesterday’s paper yet another tantrum by the Minister of Finance over the United Nations membership issue. He displayed this childish behaviour on television on Thursday night. As I watched him talk and as I read his statements in CINews, I could not help but think that here is a man desperate for attention. But worse, he is seeking such attention in a very childish way – much like a crying baby pointing the finger at my team in the Democratic Party for spoiling his day. I mean, is this the same minister who was “donged” on the head several times by Wilkie Rasmussen, CEO for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, for saying things that were not true and for having incorrect facts? It is rich isn’t it, that the very person that should check first as to whether he has the integrity to level accusations of lying at others has been caught red-handed by the public for not telling the truth. Remember the Papa Williams accusation he made, and that Papa Williams was then employed by the Office of the Leader of the Opposition? And yet Papa, a private citizen with very critical views of the government, was not. We see with this sort of conduct that the minister’s heart in its rapid and frenzied beat is raising his blood pressure to a dangerously high level. Goodness me, let’s hope he does not faint from the heat of politics. I mean, we can’t have this absolutely integral, top man of the Cook Islands Party and government keel over and succumb to the pressure of accountability in politics. After all, isn’t that what this is all about? What we have is a minister and the Prime Minister being grilled by opposition MP James Beer for allegedly lying that they did not raise the issue of the Cook Islands pursuing a seat on the United Nations with the New Zealand government – and in particular the New Zealand Prime Minister. The minister vehemently denies that this ever took place – and he can deny it if he must, but the precursor behaviour of the minister and Henry Puna is a testament to an agenda about them taking the Cook Islands towards acquiring membership of the UN. But why is the minister of finance asking for an apology from James Beer for making such allegations? Isn’t that what politics is all about? Isn’t it true that Minister Brown is in the glasshouse for all to see and for all to throw stones at? If he insists on an apology, how about he apologise for his undermining comments of the Democratic party in the past, some of which were absolutely unnecessary and inappropriate. But this is the man who often says that this is politics. And whether you get plastered by nasty comments, derogatory remarks, insults and putdowns – tough luck. Well, it’s clear what he must do – toughen up and not be obnoxious about it. I defend my team and we are focused on winning the next election. We don’t want to get tangled up with petty issues like the one Mark is wasting parliamentary time on. Triviality will generate more of the same and it will not be good for a government struggling to maintain composure against the ever-growing and expanding Democratic Party. But if they let the public judge, then I have no doubt it is going be pretty painful. So the more Mark makes these sorts of comments the better.
Joy comes in finding your true calling
Monday 19 March 2018 | Published in Virtues in Paradise
We all want to be happy. Isn’t a happy life the very reason for living? I really love a happy ending when I finish a novel. I told a young woman I’m mentoring as an author that I hope the book she’s writing will have a happy ending. She wisely said, “It doesn’t have to be happy. It has to be meaningful.” Out of the mouths of babes. When you think about it, the greatest source of real happiness is a meaningful life, one that serves a purpose beyond mere pleasure. Some of the happiest people I’ve known were in the last stages of terminal illness. As they looked back on their lives, they focused not on the money they made or the things they had, but how they had served, what they created, and how well they loved. People tend to die the way they live. If they were constantly whingeing and focusing on the negative, they typically complain and criticise, even at the end. Those who are cheerful and have a good sense of humour continue being funny and optimistic as they approach their own death. A dying woman I visited in hospice made up what she considered a hilarious answer to people when they asked her how she was. “Progressing well, thank you.” Then she would break into giggles. Her disease was progressing rapidly and instead of giving in to fear, she found something to laugh about. She had a graceful ending indeed. My brother John could have written a joke book for the terminally ill. Despite aggressive brain cancer, he never lost his wit. He had always been funny, and nothing changed as he faced death. When the nurses came in to inject him, he’d say, “Oh, grab and stab time?” and laugh. He loved telling people who asked him how he was:“Well, I’m way past my ‘sell by’ date.” Why am I speaking about the dying in a column on happiness? Because happiness, contrary to popular belief, is not dependent on circumstances. It is meeting whatever happens with what my brother called “Vitamin T” – trust. The Book of Mormon says: “Ye must press forward, having a perfect brightness of hope.” (2 Nephi: 31:20) So, where do we find meaning and happiness? Joy comes when we find our calling, offer a needed service, do something that matters. It doesn’t have to be big or earth-shattering. Mother Theresa said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” We can invest love into whatever we carve, sing, cook or create. Sufi poet Rumi said, “Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” We serve our purpose by loving others and forgiving their frailties, being a faithful friend, being thoughtful, kind, sincere, and trustworthy. The courage to do the right thing brings a deep sense of inner peace, and creates a wellspring of positive energy. Sometimes we confuse desire and addiction with happiness. But it doesn’t last and it isn’t real. It stirs up discontent and a desire for more and more. That isn’t happiness; it’s enslavement. St Thomas Aquinas said, “Man cannot live without joy; therefore, when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures.” True spiritual joys come when we are fulfilling our unique destiny – the meaning and purpose of our lives. And of course, men need to understand and believe the great laws of the universe: “Happy wife, happy life.” “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” I’ve got the T-shirt to prove it - a gift from my husband. www.lindakavelinpopov.com
Time for report-writers to move on, says Scott
Monday 19 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, There has been much in these last few days to write about and I echo Political Observer’s wish to see the Opposition’s open letter to PM Ardern generate more debate and opinions expressed through your columns.
Development report card
Monday 19 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, The published list of indicators regarding the goals for the National Sustainable Development Plan make interesting reading.
Reo Kuki Airani kia akamatutuia
Monday 19 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Kia Orana koe e te Etita, Te mea mua, inangaro ua au i te akaari atu i toku ngakauparau no te papanunui o te au angaanga tei rave ia no te aka aravei atuanga i te Minita Tutara o Aotearoa mei ki te Kuki Airani.
Beer should apologise: Finance minister
Friday 16 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, James Beer wrote an open letter to the prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern which was published in CINews on Saturday.
Dogs shot for a reason...
Friday 16 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Regarding the letter to the editor of CI News claiming that dogs are “private property”, police do not destroy dogs without reason.
Water intake situation updated
Friday 16 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Wednesday’s report about our national goals was very timely indeed. It reminded me to write an update of Te Mato Vai discussions from the point of view of landowners of certain intakes.
NES director responds to development letter
Friday 16 March 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
National Environment Service (NES) director Joseph Brider has responded to a letter in Thursday’s CINews regarding the development of the Ocean Escape property on the Turangi-Matavera boundary.
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