Opinion

NCEA exams all completed

Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Senior students across the country will be breathing a sigh of relief this week, with the completion of NCEA examinations. The last annual examinations to take place were Horticultural Science Level Three on Sunday afternoon, ending three weeks of study and assessment for year 11-13 students. “It went very well,” said Bali Haque, principal of […]

Smooth journeys ahead

Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Teurihei Kainuku stands proudly with son Hiro Kainuku and daughter-in-law Lynnette Karati after receiving her New Zealand citizenship yesterday. “I’m so happy today. I’ve been waiting for a long time. My children are New Zealand citizens and now I’m there with my kids,” she said. Kainuku moved to the Cook Islands from Tahiti in 1974 […]

Grey Power Xmas wish

Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We, the Grey Power groups, are having a Christmas break BBQ at 4pm on Saturday December 14. One of the Grey Power group, staunch mama, came up with a brilliant idea: how about all Grey Power members buy a $5 Christmas gift and put it into a basket, in order to exchange gifts […]

By-election laws 'not worthless' - Beer

Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The standard of evidence required by our courts is quite high. In other words, you can’t make frivolous claims … but any schoolboy can stand on a coconut stump and shout. Claims of legality and validity made before a sitting judge who has read sworn affidavits and considered the evidence; those mean something. […]

Kata - December 10, 2013

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in Kata

Not the BTIB letter writer

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In response to Terry Rangi (“‘Conflict of interest’: An open letter to BTIB minister”), I firmly deny being the writer of the letter published in the Cook Islands Herald on December 4 and in CINews on Saturday December 7. Paolo F. Cattania Editor’s note: The letter was signed with the writer’s name, and […]

Tree cutting 'destroys' beach area

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, People the world over appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the Cook Islands; they come to admire the people, the culture, the mountains, forest, beaches, and the fabulous lagoon areas. Most would give anything to be part of this beauty. I have been using a beach in Vaimaanga for more than 30 years; […]

'Grave concerns' about water project

Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have some grave concerns about the $60 million dollar water upgrade. I know I’m not the only one with these concerns. I have spoken to numerous people who reflect the same concerns. The Te Mato Vai tender document forecasts we in Rarotonga will use 11.2 million litres daily. Divide daily consumption (11.2 […]

Kata - December 9, 2013

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Kata

Thanks from honorary PRs

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, On behalf of Shaun and myself, I would like to express our extreme gratitude in receiving the award of Honorary Cook Islands Permanent Resident. We are particularly appreciative and touched by this as we understand that it is ’the people’ who have nominated us. To all those involved, both at the ceremony and […]

Stoddard 'should be stood down'

Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I agree with the all of the contentions and recommendations contained in recent letters from concerned taxpayers and Mr Beer concerning the conduct of Geoff Stoddard. You can’t have someone on PERC (Public Review and Expenditure Committee) who the court has indicated has had inappropriate communication with a private businessman concerning the tax […]

World Cup challenge a game to remember

Saturday 7 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Now that the dust has settled somewhat, and the teams are all firmly entrenched back in their boxes, can I just add my comment on what has been a fantastic, well organised, well supported 2013 World Cup over here in the United Kingdom. The levels of rugby have been second to none; the […]

'Conflict of interest': an open letter to BTIB minister

Saturday 7 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This is an open letter to the Minister of BTIB – I would very much appreciate your thoughts on the following. In November 2013, Mr Terry Rangi, chief executive officer of the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) registered ‘Ngapuhi Filmworks Ltd’ with the Ministry of Justice, here in Rarotonga. Mr Rangi holds a […]

A running track but no athletes in Cook Islands

Saturday 7 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor Congratulations to Malcolm Kajer for attending the world workshop of tennis coaching. This is one man who has consistently performed in his art as a tennis coach in the Cook Islands for going on to nearly 30 or more years. We have given him little or no support or accolade for what he […]

193 disadvantaged children: why?

Saturday 7 December 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “The 193 tags hanging on the Westpac Christmas tree representing 193 disadvantaged young Cook Islanders is a wonderful gesture, but does it not raise the question of how such a small community of people can have 193 disadvantaged children? At say five persons average family size, that must represent almost 2000 […]

Kata - December 7, 2013

Saturday 7 December 2013 | Published in Kata

Fish huggers

Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Is there no limit to the irresponsibility of the Cook Islands News? Week after week you run these scare headlines about our collapsing tuna fishery. Tuesday this week being a perfect example – ’Too many boats, too few tuna’. How on earth can Ben Ponia ignore the facts if you keep printing the […]

Kata - December 6, 2013

Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in Kata

WATSAN response to Muri septic tank query

Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Thank you to “Very Concerned” for your letter to the editor (22/11/13) and (29/11/13) regarding the installation of a septic tank in Avana under the WATSAN project. We welcome your interest in this matter and provide the following in response. Under the Waste Management and Sanitation Improvement (WMI) programme, WATSAN has worked closely […]

Summons issue 'more than a procedural error'

Friday 6 December 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I listened with interest, and some amusement, to the damage control emanating from the Speaker and the government side of the house on my innocent observations published in your paper. It is perfectly correct that I was down at parliament, as I frequently am and as any member of the public is entitled […]