Opinion
Determination can keep you going
Saturday 6 September 2014 | Published in Virtues in Paradise
Have you ever had a dream and wished it could come true?
Muri night market traffic issues more of a concern
Saturday 6 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,‘Traffic Watch’ needs to look more carefully before putting pen to paper to criticise local restaurant owners re parking.
Our Nation deserves better
Saturday 6 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,I am so thankful that the MP of Murienua is choosing not to publish in your paper his views which contain garbage, full of air about nothing and find so disgusting, hypocritical, promoting propaganda and terror in the minds of those who have come very far to work hard, dedicated to the course for the better good of our country, well educated and highly qualified true Cook Islanders.
Kata: Funding for schools?
Saturday 6 September 2014 | Published in Kata
'People are hurting out there...some have been pushed to breaking poin
Saturday 6 September 2014 | Published in Foxshots
‘People are hurting out there, and such is their desperation some have been pushed to breaking point’. The New Zealand election is approaching.
Who pays for spouse travel cost?
Friday 5 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, We all know that the Cook Islands Party is the caretaker government of the country at this point in time with Henry Puna acting in the capacity of the caretaker Prime Minister. What I would like to obtain clarification from the FINSEC is whether as caretaker PM Henry Puna is entitled to get his wife's travel costs for her to accompany him on his many travel jaunts covered under the civil list? I have a strong feeling that spouses of caretaker PM or caretaker Cabinet ministers do not qualify for funding under the civil list for spouses travel costs when there is a caretaker government in place. sad but classic example of what Ms Olivia Heather highlighted in her recent letter to the editor relating to continual wasteful spending by CIP government on specific items which add zero value to the long term betterment of this small country of ours. Toke toke enua (Name and address supplied)
CIP ship more like Noah's Ark?
Friday 5 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,I refer to Dennis Tunui’s letter of September 2 headed “Grey Power only terrorise the CIP government”,
How can you quote being Christian-minded?
Friday 5 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,Tim, Tim, Tim Tepaki, I do believe you have gone coo - coo, or you are seriously desperate in your attempt to support your beloved CIP government, to go so far off-track as to incite racial hatred and disharmony by calling the aged mama and papas of Grey Power terrorists and then to hint they should be removed or protected against like those 'homegrown Muslim Terrorists' in Australia. How you can quote being Christian-minded later in your letter after such a severe statement in the beginning? This only shows up your symptoms of unstable disillusionment. Have a look in the dictionary Tim. Under ‘terrorism’, it is the 'use of violence' or 'threatening with violence' which is the key component here that completely disqualifies your claim against Grey Power. In the larger world outside of the Cook Islands, many terrorists have used ambushes or secretive hubs to surprise and shock, hurt, maim and kill government authorities and members of the innocent public in their 'claims to be heard and obeyed'. Grey Power have done nothing remotely sinister, they have always advertised when, where, and who they will peacefully march towards, talk to, demand an audience, armed only with their cardboard placards, and sheet banners, the closest thing to a weapon is their walking sticks. In fact, in 2013, they waited and waited from March when Parliament were meant to sit, until December before they finally sat so they could march and use their right of freedom to speak before they could be heard. You call Grey Power leaders terrorists, you call them un-Christian, and you set your CIP government up on a pedestal of having done no wrong. A law exists that gives the Government the right to tax the NZ pensioners, however, only your CIP chose to enforce it. Instead of announcing the introduction of this new law to come into effect at a pre-established time in the future, as was done with the VAT increase with TV adverts, newspaper adverts and radio adverts, the pensioners were told they were to be taxed, but it was not disclosed they would be back taxed two years, this was kept in the dark from them.The pensioners were misled, some would say they were lied to. Then the letters came, threatening to take them to court if they did not pay up. Not everyone got the letters, the weak and the infirmed got their letters first. One old papa in his 80's received several letters while he was in hospital, no one here to look after him, so while he wasn't looking they took the money from him. All the letters threatened to take the pensioners to court. They were given a warning letter that the next time will be a court date, yet none came, instead the CIP government stole the money out of their bank account. The pensioners were lied to, they were threatened, and then left with no money in their accounts the week before Christmas. Is this the act of a Christian government, Tim? What did our Grey Power terrorists do? They announced they would walk in the hot sun and protest at this very unfair, cloak and dagger action against them. Which they did, they sang and prayed and spoke and listened and they were promised in public announcement by Prime Minister Henry Puna and Minister of Finance Mark Brown, their hat in their hands, they would have their money returned and, still they wait. The Judas kiss from Puna and Brown gave way to more money being 'stolen' from the pensioners, and none returned, as you so rightly pointed out the bank can not give our money away, and if it is the banks’ money why are the pensioners bank accounts still empty?Tim, you once ruled the world as a successful businessman and rode back to the island on your great white horse, throwing money at the resurrection of the Sheraton project, where are you now? Take care with your accusations, as things are not all as they seem. Standing up for one's rights does not mean an act of terrorism and holding positions of power does not automatically mean they have the right to do what they like, nor does it mean they deserve respect. Some things don't come easy. Respect, has to be earned, and the leaders of Grey Power deserve your respect because as God-loving, law-abiding Christian citizens, they have stood as David against Goliath and continue to do so despite their age or circumstances. The adverts were right. CIP are a cruel government. C.I.A. Cook Island Aging (Name and address supplied)
Kata: Police and their flash new sign...
Friday 5 September 2014 | Published in Kata
Rising from the ashes but still no car parks?
Friday 5 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Mr Editor,Turoa Bakery is rising from the ashes, to include the burned out cafe that was so good at packing in the tourists.
'Get rid of digital sign!'
Friday 5 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Another reason to get rid of the digital sign: our police officers cannot spell. Somebody lend the police at Arorangi an English dictionary so we don't have to look like uneducated fools to our overseas visitors. Yesterday, there in giant digital letters in front of the Arorangi police station: "Beware of thiefs and burglars. Lock up".Can someone please tell the police the plural of thief is thieves. And so near a primary school too.Maybe they should ask one of the 6 year olds next door how to spell the word. Stop Visual Pollution (Name and address supplied)
'Government fully aware that no such liability obligation ever existed'
Thursday 4 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear EditorI briefly zipped through Dennis Tunui and Tim Tepaki’s articles dated Monday 1st September 2014, and I was insulted by Tepaki’s labelling our Grey Power metuas as home grown terrorism, that’s a very poor analogy of the organisation if you ask me.It seems to me, that the guy has got a lot of time to waste in a day.I rather comment on facts about this fiasco. The withdrawal of funds out of some Grey Power members’ account was unlawful theft. It is also unlawful persuasion of a private bank to, without the customers approval, or, without a court order from the high court, to remit from these pensioners savings, monies assumedly equivalent to tax alleged to be owing on amounts received as NZ pension payments, those pensions being paid to Cook Islands pensioners, formerly residents in NZ. The disappointing part as far as I am concerned, is with the CIP government, for being at all times fully aware of the terms and conditions of its own taxation legislation, they are knowingly aware that pensions derived from any source, including NZ were until January 2014, were well documented, clearly worded, easy to understand are absolutely non-taxable in the Cook Islands. You cannot get it any clearer than that, maramarama ua te akamaramaanga no runga i teia tuanga o te ture o to tatou basileia. I akapeea ake tetai tangata i manako ei e kia uri mai i ta tatou ture kia tau ki tana uaorai urianga? This is a deliberate act of blatant arrogance, kare atu e autara tau i te akaaite atu i teia tutu apaianga manako?Nonetheless, an instruction was relayed by the Cook islands government’s Tax Collector to the Westpac bank, to illegally remove from certain pensioners’ bank accounts, amounts determined by our government, as money owed on unpaid tax on NZ pensions, received by resident of the Cook Islands. And yet, our Cook Islands government at all times has been fully aware that no such liability obligation ever existed. I am guessing that they are fully aware of our country’s taxation legislation. Therefore in partial compensation for this, was illegal and was an unconscionable act, this was a very poor judgement on our government’s behalf. If so, our government should immediately, together with interest lost, refund all money stolen. And in addition to any other penalties, which might be imposed during a court hearing, pay to each of the affected persons compensation for deprivation of funds, personal suffering and inconvenience.In my view, there should be a full investigation by the government Auditor, Ombudsman and the Banking Ombudsman, into this matter, and all collective outcomes must also be published, accessibly available for public information. Censure of all government and bank officials should likewise be considered a matter of public interest.Considering the gravity of the imposition instigated and approved by the government, and given the effect too by the bank, a public apology published in the local paper should also be consciously considered as an appropriate mirror in this circumstance. This is a classic example of the old axiom “Justice delayed is justice denied”. For in order to be liable for back taxes the tax department must first issue “amended assessment” for each year. But it cannot legally do so as the monies in issue, while taxable in NZ, but by Cook Islands legislation, tax is exempted in the hands of resident Cook Islanders. This then is, but a further example of our government’s unfair treatment of its vulnerable local pensioner residents.Meanwhile, while all this posturing is going on, the question obviously must be asked “where are these funds being held, and what is their ultimate destination? Was it to form a Cook Islands slush fund, or perhaps, a windfall income for the NZ government?In addressing the level of the pensions determined for eligible recipients of the NZ pension, the NZ government made it clear that in setting rates at a reasonable level, it must have wished too at the same time that some of that pension would flow back to NZ in the form of a tax to be imposed on recipients. And while the reasoning behind this decision may appear to some to be strange, it was, it seems nonetheless acceptable by those NZ recipients at the time of processing.Expatriate Cook Islanders formally resident in NZ, and subject to NZ taxation continued to receive the same pension as before, with no tax being deducted, presumably by the NZ government not exercising its right to withhold tax prior to transmission and the fact that in any case pensions, until January 2014, were not taxable in the Cook Islands. With the passing of time, the NZ government eventually complained that it was losing revenue from pension payments being made to former residents who had returned to the Cook Islands, and in doing so, continued to receive their full pension payments with no tax deducted. There must have been an assumption that the NZ government was, and still is mindful of its desire to “get something back” from its pensioners’ payments. It is assumed that after some years of this repetitive activity, in respect of those former expatriates now living in their own country of residence, finally come to realise that it was not in fact getting anything back from these pension payments, as they had not, and still not appear to be exercising their right to deduct withholding tax from each payment.And it is because of that, supposedly “sweetheart deal” of some sort entered into with the Cook Islands government to placate NZ by returning tax otherwise payable under the NZ Tax act to their NZ friends, hence, this deal was hatched. Certainly, Cook Islands had no right at all times to this tax as it was specifically excluded by legislation enacted by their own parliament. So, the only logical conclusion to be drawn from these facts is that the Cook islands government agreed to act as some kind of “procurer” of tax lost by NZ notwithstanding withholding tax rights extant to cover the situation of taxable funds going off shore. It is then in fact persuaded the Westpac Bank to betray its customers by accessing, at the behest of the Cook Islands government, these personal savings and paying predetermined amounts to the government without the owners consents. Clearly, there seems to be a transparency of arrangement missing here, it’s obvious, well I cannot categorise this otherwise.It seems obvious that in order to satisfy the obvious doubt surrounding what appears to be the appalling, despotic act of three bodies, namely the NZ government, the Cook Islands government, and the Westpac Bank, something else needs to be done. Certainly, the legality and probity of the activities of all three needs to be thoroughly tested by; (a) the government auditor, (b) the appropriate Ombudsman of the government of the Cook Islands, and, most importantly, (c) the Banking Ombudsman. This is necessary in order to put to rest the obvious disquiet and lack of trust resulting from this sad and unfortunate occurrence. It will be very interesting, and in the best interest of all concerned, it will be credibly necessary to access comments from the Banking Ombudsman of both, NZ and Australia on this particular case.To my knowledge, the Manager of the Westpac Bank here in Rarotonga hasn’t been very co-operative with the Grey Power’s own investigation, maybe his/her superiors in NZ and Australia may be more approachable, and more accommodating.Taku patianga ua ki a Dennis Tunui, and to our Grey Power members, eiaa e ma’iti’iti ua, e maara rai kotou e, e ta’vaa kua nati’ia ki to koutou kaki, aaere marie e tama ma, tiaki mai, kia papu mai e koai te kavamani, i reira koutou ka akaeta akaou ei i to koutou au tavaa, if you need too? Te akaroa, te akaroa, te akaroa. Teuira Ka Ngatangiia
Kata: A rose bloomms in Atiu....
Thursday 4 September 2014 | Published in Kata
Kata: Lemon thief is sentenced.....
Thursday 4 September 2014 | Published in Kata
Severity of tax and penalty reaches the northern group
Wednesday 3 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,While there is no Grey Power movement in the sister Islands, the tax of the NZ pension has a great effect here as well. My Mama Lui in Pukapuka just had her NZ pension cut in half from $1500 a month to $750. This money is entirely spent in the Cook Islands on food and provisions for the whole extended family. She spent some twenty years working in factories in Hellensville, for her hard-earned pension. She returned to Pukapuka to live out her last years in peace with her family but the severity of the tax and penalty makes her, and other Cook Islanders, less likely to return. While I understand that some tax on the pension is needed, having her pension halved is a huge tax especially given that the money stays in the Cook Islands through spending anyhow. I thought we wanted to keep our elderly in the Cook Islands and especially in the Pa Enua? Concerned northerner (Name and address supplied)
“Teach our children that every little piece of non-biodegradable tita is a threat to our sustainability”
Wednesday 3 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, In Monday's (01/09/14) paper you have the front page headline 'It’s in our DNA to conserve the ocean: Puna'. I would like to believe this, but think that it’s more important in this industrial day and age to remember that it’s what practical life skills we teach our children about living here on our Pacific islands that will really matter to our environment.Turning a couple of pages is the very sweet story about the Titikaveka Girl Guides' loom band fundraiser - and then on the next page, a story about the tragic state of our oceans - a marine scientist's report about toxic floating plastic islands which are poisoning & choking fish, birds, sea life. These stories may not seem it - but they are related. We all need to be better at dealing with the waste that is imported daily in packaging and products that can harm this island we live on and its surrounding eco system. This is an environmental issue that should be talked about at every opportunity with children who are using and making loom band jewellery - the new imported craft craze that uses little rubber bands to make fun plastic bracelets.In a nutshell, little bits of plastic and silicone rubber do not bio-degrade completely - and our sea life and ocean environment will suffer directly with every loom band that is discarded carelessly, accidently or otherwise. Some may think picking on the loom band craze is petty stuff - but the proof is there that fish, birds and sea life are consuming our plastic waste and the flow on to us and our own future is threatened. Everything is connected, the same goes with all plastic that is not recycled, and disposed of thoughtfully. It starts at the' micro' level and relates to our own actions and what we teach our children. Please - teach our children that every little piece of non-biodegradable tita is a threat to our sustainability - and ultimately our own future health. We are all linked in a great environmental chain - and need to protect the future of our planet and people we love! So kids - keep making stuff and being creative - but look after our oceans too! Ani O'Neill Ngatangiia
“The song is unfinished and the fat lady has yet to sing”
Wednesday 3 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,In response to Mr Ka’s article in Saturday’s CI News editorial, I acknowledge his sincerity and “soul searching comments” with regards to the Demo party’s demise.However like most first time aspiring politicians, defeat is very hard to accept especially at times when you think you have beaten your adversary and victory is at hand only to find the battle has been won elsewhere. I do not intend to comment at large regarding One Cook Islands potential relationship with the Demos nor any other political party for that matter as “the song is unfinished and the fat lady has yet to sing” but I do wish to clarify and correct his assumption that One Cook Island’s is a “tired and fractured component.”On the contrary, One Cook Island’s is indeed a lively, active and real political movement with a clear sense of political direction and conscience supported and complemented by a team of dedicated, loyal and enthusiastic people wanting to make a difference where people can actually contribute, make choices and be heard. Our performance at the snap election in July proved that and our increasing popularity and overwhelming support, is further evidence that we are here to stay. His comment is totally out of context and assumes some personal agenda against the leader of One Cook Islands rather than against the movement per se. Experience, depth, political cunningness and astute understanding of the issues were the winner on the day not so called smart, intelligent, waffly, media pschyco, economic armchair wannabe political analysts who ended up creating mistrust, uncertainty and eventually a huge public divide resulting in a last minute turnaround in what should have been seen as a “clear victory for the Demos.” Mr Ka as an “experienced journalist” and others may well learn from this experience to improve his chances in 2018 should he wish to stand again.I suggest from his editorial insinuations that any issues he may have with the leader of One Cook Islands as the eventual successful candidate for Are Nikau in Aitutaki is quickly forgotten and that he should move on and prepare for 2018 just as we’re doing. Better still, it might pay to refrain from making any such assertions publicly in future “lest the hand that feeds you may come back to bite you!” Good luck on his continued soul searching and aspirations to join the future political gravy train. George Turia President One Cook Islands Movement Inc
'Changing the mentality of our justice system starts at the top'
Wednesday 3 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
I want to comment on a story you ran on your front page, Friday September 29 2014, titled, “Lemon Thief Given Community Service.”I was the one who spotted the thief leaving my family property with the sack of lemons and personally followed him on my motor bike to discover he had sold the lemons to the Anchorage Restaurant in Arorangi. I reported the crime to Puaikura Community Police Department and laid charges against the intruder. By the way, for everyone’s information the thief is in his mid to late 20’s, not 17 as reported in the article.I printed and emailed the police a detailed signed statement of what exactly happened. A day after a police officer came by and had the cheek to ask me not to lay charges, saying he was a young man who deserved another chance to turn his life around. I’m all for giving our youth the benefit of the doubt, but I knew and the Police knew this was not the first time he had been caught stealing. The staff at the Anchorage Restaurant even confirmed that this individual has been supplying them with produce for sometime and were not aware that they are stolen goods. The Police Prosecutor at the High Court knew he was a repeat offender and still recommended community service instead of a jail sentence.Incredibly Justice of the Peace, Pae Tuteru went along with this slap on the wrist. After going through this whole process of doing all of the Police work, investigating the theft and preparing a signed statement, I’m totally disgusted and frustrated with the Police and the whole Justice system of caring more for the criminals than their victims.We the public are doing a lot to try and cut crime, by investing into organising neighbourhood watches, as in Puaikura Neighbourhood Watch Inc., and in the Takitumu Neighbourhood Watch Group, we install bars on our homes and businesses, install security cameras, employ private security firms and still the thieves are a major problem for our community. There a lot of fine and dedicated people working for the Police and the Justice System but it is far too obvious that some of them are not doing their job, they are lazy and incompetent. The lemon thief case is a good example of this, from the police, to the prosecution, to the Justice of the Peace; they all failed to show that they are serious and tough on crime and won’t tolerate repeat offenders to escape jail time.We are all fed up with working our butts off, only to be ripped off by scum-bag criminals who would rather steal from the community instead of work for a living, while the police try and justify not punishing their criminal behaviour.Finally, I have a message for the Police Commissioner, Maara Tetava, Minister of Police, Hon. Teariki Heather, Minister of Justice Hon. Moana Ioane, you better start changing the mentality of our Justice system, it starts at the top, if you can’t get tough on crime and protect and serve our people, then don’t expect much support from the public.Doreen BoggsArorangi
Kata: Election Petitions via Skype to the outer islands...
Wednesday 3 September 2014 | Published in Kata
Kata: Why Pacific Islanders are so big...
Tuesday 2 September 2014 | Published in Kata
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