Opinion

'Colagate needs to be tested in court'

Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This is my reply to the letter by ‘Non-concerned Taxpayer’ of November 28.Talk about shooting the messenger, auditor or whistle-blower. The assertions and allegations by the writer are way off the truth. The facts and information I am about to release are freely available from the Audit Office and the views that I […]

Remembering to practise gratitude

Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Raro on my mind

Yesterday, America celebrated Thanksgiving. The occasion has little bearing on the rest of the world (aside from triggering a spike in commercial activity, which of course has global implications), but the meaning behind it is universally relevant and internationally important. Thanksgiving is a day for reflecting, appreciating, and counting blessings – things that we, all […]

Public invited to attend graduation ceremony

Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

The first graduating class of the youth leadership course invites members of the public to their graduation day today at 10am at the police headquarters. Thirty one young men aged 13 to 20 will be celebrating the successful completion of a three-week rigorous military-style programme aimed to develop their leadership and organisational skills. The graduation […]

Kata - November 29, 2013

Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Kata

No response from govt on installation of septic tanks

Friday 29 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Editor, Just to follow up on my earlier letter expressing grave concern in that certain vacant properties in the Muri beach tapere have had septic tanks installed that are funded through the WATSAN project. Can the appropriate authorities please explain how and why vacant properties are getting special treatment for new septic tanks to be […]

Kata - November 28, 2013

Thursday 28 November 2013 | Published in Kata

'Kudos to Vaka Eiva believers'

Thursday 28 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was reading some of the Vaka Eiva material and thought that some individuals have not been afforded the acknowledgement they are due as they have taken the "back seat" as contributors to this event. When the idea of Vaka Eiva was proposed, many prominent paddlers and other businesses were not supportive of […]

'No two cases are the same' – Pitt

Thursday 28 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It was once the custom of newspapers to ensure that articles are balanced and, prior to publication, to make a reasonable effort to give anyone criticised an opportunity to respond. Unfortunately, with Helen Greig’s precipitous departure, standards of good journalism appear to have gone with her. I am referring to the article in […]

Local input needed on solar project

Thursday 28 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing to respond to the article about the northern group solar project. First of all, this project has been in the pipeline for years with a lot of money wasted on consultation, mucked up tendering and government processes. Only now that the Prime Minister has based a lot of his re-election […]

Colagate report created 'false impression'

Thursday 28 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In recent days there has been further comment and reporting in this newspaper about the so called ‘Colagate’ affair. This matter came to the public’s attention as a result of a report prepared by Paul Allsworth, formerly of the Audit department. The central thesis of that report (and what has caused all the […]

Prime Foods opens new doors

Wednesday 27 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Food shoppers are enjoying a more spacious version of Prime Foods – just in time for Christmas. The business has recently moved into a new, larger space in a different part of the same building – allowing room for a new range of dry goods, and making space for even more chilled and frozen products. […]

MFEM 'bullies' harm pensioners' festive season

Wednesday 27 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The routine, polite letter sending exercise carried out by the revenue management division of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFEM) to Grey Power members to furnish tax return forms has turned nasty all of a sudden. After eight months of pussy footing, the hammer has come down with the ‘final reminder’ […]

Colagate complaint 'ignored' by Audit

Wednesday 27 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to accuse the Minister of Finance Mark Brown of political expediency and putting his own reputation ahead of the interests of the country. I would also like to call for the resignation of the director of audit on the grounds of dereliction of duty. Fourteen months ago I lodged with […]

'Stoddart has to go'

Wednesday 27 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Minister Mark Brown must terminate Geoff Stoddart’s membership from not only PERC (Public Expenditure Review Committee) but also FSC (Financial Services Commission). There is no need for a review by the minister; it has to be instant dismissal. PERC and FSC are important oversight organisations responsible for government’s internal and external audit and banking regulations, […]

Call for inquiry into Colagate

Wednesday 27 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Currently we hear and read about the damages that Geoff Stoddard has done to this country by the “Colagate” scandal and recently Tata Crocombe’s tax assessment. However, the issues here that I am concerned about are the irresponsible action (according to reports) that he did years back in approving the Colagate scandal, which […]

Kata - November 27, 2013

Wednesday 27 November 2013 | Published in Kata

'Get these people out into the community'

Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Recently, I visited Rarotonga from November 18-23 to support a staff member and two of our residents from Auckland. We visited the Creative Centre in Tupapa and were welcomed by Roger, staff and the adults with special abilities. Meitaki maata to you all for having us over the past few days. Moana (staff), […]

Disappointment in demo party leader

Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In order to remove all doubts, I now disclose that I was the one who wrote the letter of acclaim for what I thought was Wilkie Rasmussen’s greatest initiative thus far – that is, admitting Norman George in the Democratic Party caucus. Such was my excitement and delight that I wrote the letter […]

Kata - November 26, 2013

Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in Kata

'No trust' in Stoddardt following Crocombe case

Tuesday 26 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is clear that Geoff Stoddart, former head of the Revenue Management Division (RMD) and comptroller of Customs has a close personal relationship with Trevor Clarke. It has been confirmed that Stoddart used Clarke as his legal advisor during his time in these positions. In doing so, he has shown a complete lack […]