Opinion
'Hole' lotta trouble on Rarotonga roads
Wednesday 21 February 2018 | Published in Smoke Signals
Could Infrastructure Cook Islands or whoever is responsible please fix the dreadful potholes around the island?
If you don't like it then go back home
Wednesday 21 February 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
It’s just my opinion, freedom of thought and expression, says ‘The Unionist’. Man, you must have plenty of time on your hands to write these long articles to the paper. I trust your boss is aware of your stance on various issues.
Lose the booze and free the weed
Wednesday 21 February 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
While our politicians are not known for seeing the handwriting on the wall – except maybe when they refuse to call Parliament to sit when they suspect a vote of no-confidence – nevertheless, we seemingly powerless citizens should point out the obvious. We’ve had another booze-fuelled stabbing here on Rarotonga, while many of the states in the USA have legalised ‘the weed’ and seen alcohol consumption (and attendant violence) go down while tax revenues go up. Oh no, our leaders, both political and religious, will say, we can’t have drugs! We’ve been on the booze for so long as a society, so used to the traffic stops, the politicians getting away with drink-driving while the common folks go to court, so desensitised to the booze-fuelled domestic violence and sexual assault, that we don’t even think of alcohol as a drug. Well it is, and so much worse than the weed that has as many legitimate uses as does the coconut tree that we brag about. No, New Zealand will beat the Cook Islands to making this miracle plant legal, and capturing the tax revenue and the decrease in alcohol violence. We’ll be followers instead of leaders, but that’s just the way it is. Legalise It (Name and address supplied)
Happy tax day
Tuesday 20 February 2018 | Published in Smoke Signals
It’s the 20th today. So happy to be paying about $30,000 in VAT and PAYE to RMD, knowing the politicians will spend it wisely on their travel, and that other businesses who should be paying their share are not. Real happy, NOT.
Alarm bells ringing for Koutu Nui
Tuesday 20 February 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
I note that the Koutu Nui are concerned about the increasing numbers of foreign workers coming into the country who aspire to permanent residency.
Not ready for developed nation status
Tuesday 20 February 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Friday night’s CITV news segment, featuring Murienua Demo MP and Shadow Finance spokesman James Beer’s comments on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) position that the Cook Islands is ready for ‘developed nation status’, is a major concern for all of us.
Why can't I leave my abusive employer?
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
It used to be said of women who were in abusive relationships: “Well, it’s their own fault and they should leave.” The same people would say, “If I was in such a relationship, I would just get out”. Yes, many have said these very words and they have been strong personalities in their own right, as well as being financially and emotionally secure.
The Weet-Bix school of accounting
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Our Minister of Finance has once again displayed the certificate of accounting he got from a Weet-Bix packet.
Mind that child!
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Smoke Signals
An awful sight at the roundabout in front of the courthouse last week – just as a car was rounding the curve to head out of town, the front passenger door flew open and out tumbled a young girl of no more than four or five.
The road to the tax 'amnesty'
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Opinion
Mike Carr is a well-known public accountant in the Cook Islands, who has been preparing accounts and helping businesses and individuals meet their tax obligations for over 30 years. As principal of KPMG Cook Islands, he was a member of the Government Tax Review Committee in 2013. He has probably the most practicable knowledge of our tax system outside RMD.
Take time to feed your soul every day
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Opinion
At a recent Women’s Gathering on Aitutaki, we shared the theme of ‘Prayer and Meditation’. One woman said, “Prayer is my daily food. Without it, I really can’t function”.
A question of dignity
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Opinion
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s speech at Waitangi has gained global attention – and as one who voted for Ardern in the last election and comes from a family that have been longtime Labour supporters, I guess this comes as no surprise to some.
Mouldy Ministry
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Smoke Signals
Well, while we wait for the same sad Chinese crew that built the sad courthouse to come and ‘fix’ the place up at the cost of millions, the same sad administration of the Ministry of Justice can’t find the time to clean the nice, fresh mould and slime off the brand-new tile steps that replaced the mouldy and slime-infested old steps. Asleep at the wheel.
Time for a name change
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
For someone that hides behind the name Observer, you may need to change it to Obnoxious, because that’s closer to the truth when I read your letter in Friday’s paper.
Let's celebrate the new diversity
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
As the Cook Islands continues to develop, with tourism growth projected to be at around seven per cent for this coming year, and with the consistent departure of Cook Islanders from our shores, there continues to be a growth in demand for immigrant labour, which will lead to more foreigners migrating.
Something stinks
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
It was great to see a representative of the health department on TV on Wednesday night advising us all that we have to comply with the sewage regulations and provide them with a plan.
Political appointees – assets or liabilities?
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
One of the things that has concerned myself and many like-minded people in the private and public sector is the practice of politicians influencing or directing the appointment of political appointees into mainly high-level public sector roles and some SOEs.
Mental health debate 'tokenism and lip service'
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Please excuse my cynical response regarding a February 5 CINews article entitled ‘Psychologist needed for Arorangi Prison’.
PM please come clean – are you calling a snap election?
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Opinion
As an observer and listener from outside of Parliament I have to say that the conduct of the government in Parliament this week was peculiar.
Stealth traffic stops do the job
Thursday 15 February 2018 | Published in Smoke Signals
Good on our police women and men for recent ‘stealth’ traffic stops.
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