Opinion

Grey Power targets don't show at protest

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Thursday November 7’s PR exercise by the Grey Power in a public arena right in front of the police station in Avarua did not attract those targeted by us. You know who you are. You did not turn up to well advertised meeting placed. So, from now on, please, no more of your […]

Thanks to organisers of the Diwali festival

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Thank you to those who organised the Diwali festival on Saturday evening. It was a delightful sharing of culture. As many people commented during the evening, events such as these foster tolerance and understanding between nations, cultures and individuals. For the work and organisation that went into Saturday’s function – thank you – and also […]

'Standing up for the King of kings'

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read all those letters coming against Bishop Pere for speaking the truth, and you can see who doesn’t read their Bible. We are so partial not to offend human beings because they have a right to their own religion and so on, and we fight for their rights adamantly. But what about […]

Urgency needed to end thefts

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The stealing from tourists is continuing unchecked and if a solution is not found quickly it will pose a serious problem to our only real income earner to the country – tourism. This stealing epidemic has only become a major problem over the past five years but is increasing as the years pass […]

Justice 'skewed against visitors'

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, My husband and I previously lived in Rarotonga for three years (2006-2009). Since then we have made a number of return visits as tourists. Our latest visit, however, was marred by what can be regarded as either a bizarre or ridiculous event. On the evening of Tuesday November 5 when we were driving […]

Kata - November 12, 2013

Tuesday 12 November 2013 | Published in Kata

Worship and let worship

Monday 11 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Once again Bishop Tutai Pere paints the Cook Islands as a backwater where he and his Christian cult stand for the one true God while all other religions are peopled by the ignorant who will burn in eternal fire for their lack of having let Jesus into their hearts. The Hindu Diwali Festival […]

Kata - November 11, 2013

Monday 11 November 2013 | Published in Kata

Diwali celebrations are 'world-wide'

Monday 11 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Literally hundreds of people turned up to help celebrate Diwali on Saturday evening. A pleasant evening ensued for all with tasty snacks and soft drinks handed out – interesting dances and music and a few short yet meaningful speeches and a huge kaikai for all followed. Around the world over a billion people […]

'We should not hate and persecute'

Monday 11 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing to express my views on the letter by Bishop Tutai Pere titled “Diwali festival ‘blasphemy to the Christian God’”. We should not hate and persecute someone because of his or her faith or ethnicity. We live in a world where our countries are made up of a variety of people, […]

'It is about maintaining and keeping what we have'

Monday 11 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is with great concern that I read the article on the Diwali celebrations. The Cook Islands is very proud of its Christian faith and heritage. It is what under-girths our nation’s culture. To read that an official Hindu event had taken place in our land is a serious affront to the Christian […]

Diwali – a joyful occasion

Monday 11 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to acknowledge the generosity of the Diwali Festival organisers in issuing their open invitation to what was a joyful occasion with dancing, singing, inspiring speeches and delicious food. It was an occasion filled with beauty, grace and love. It was a celebration of life and light. It was an opportunity […]

Freedom of religion 'fundamental'

Monday 11 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Does Bishop Pere need reminding that the Cook Islands is a secular democracy and its people have the right to freely practise their religion whether or not that religion is Christianity? The idea that the Hindu members of our society should be prevented from celebrating one of their religious festivals is an affront […]

'Meitaki maata to the Diwali committee'

Monday 11 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, On Saturday the 200 or so people who attended the Diwali celebration were treated to a taste of what over one billion others around the world have been celebrating this week. From my upbringing in New Zealand I knew the festival was a big deal to a large number of people, and that […]

Whatever happened to 'Go local'?

Monday 11 November 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

“It’s funny how a non-fisherman, Business Trade Investment Board’s Terry Rangi, says foreign by-catch is a win-win,” a smoke signaller writes in response to Thursday’s front page article about BTIB granting an extra three month licence variation to a Luen Thai Fishing Venture subsidiary to allow it to sell fish to two local retailers for […]

'Improve medical checks in Pa Enua before it's too late'

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I write this letter with great admiration for the good services that I have received during my short visit to Rarotonga Hospital. I am from the outer islands and my intention was to see Dr Aung. The receptionist informed me that I need to make an appointment to actually see Dr Aung, but […]

Diwali festival 'blasphemy to the Christian God'

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kia Orana! I am simply expressing the concern of many Christian brethren throughout the Cook Islands who are much disturbed over a ‘Diwali Festival Celebration’ to be held in Rarotonga this Saturday evening. This is an absolute and total blow and blasphemy to the Christian God of this nation, the Lord Jesus Christ. […]

Kata - November 9, 2013

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in Kata

Texting: A technological deathly trap

Saturday 9 November 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

When I was in Tongareva (Penrhyn) last, in the month of July, the buzz thing for almost everyone on the island was texting. Men, women, teenagers and even children bought mobile phones for this newly found pastime. It was quite strange seeing people under the shade of trees, laughing merrily away at the responses from […]