Opinion

An alternative water supply system

Tuesday 19 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Is there an alternative to the $60m Rarotonga water project? The answer to this question is a definite yes! In the Cook Islands Party manifesto of the last election it has a proposal to improve the water supply on Rarotonga by encouraging and optimising the use of water tanks for households.

Pukapuka soccer comp wraps up

Tuesday 19 March 2013 | Published in Return to Pukapuka

The soccer tournament in Pukapuka finished last week after two weeks of non-stop adrenaline, prayer and passion.

Storm drain an afterthought?

Tuesday 19 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Perhaps someone in charge of the reclamation work in Avarua can explain why, moments after the job was ’done’, a good portion was dug up again so that a quite massive storm drain could be installed? Can it be as simple as the designers just did not have the slightest idea what they were doing and no one noticed they had forgotten to deal with the storm drain? Bigger questions: what is this costing and who is paying?” A smoke signaller writes: “I have been reading in the paper about those claiming to be the only kopu ariki of Ngati Makea, which is the Rangi Makea, Upokotokoa, Mere, and Sadaraka, and all these are descendants of Makea Tinirau.

Kata - March 19, 2013

Tuesday 19 March 2013 | Published in Kata

Head in the sand

Monday 18 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The letter of condemnation by the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands against Fiji regime brutality comes way too late.

'Who do you see?'

Monday 18 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I just want to respond to a smoke signaller’s comment in Cook Islands News that George Maggie has not done anything since he became an MP for Tupapa-Maraerenga.

Kata - March 18, 2013

Monday 18 March 2013 | Published in Kata

'A God given quality'

Saturday 16 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As a Member of Parliament and a public figure, I accept the criticisms that have been directed at me in the past but felt that there really wasn’t any need for me to respond.

A milestone for CI women

Saturday 16 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, On Friday last week I was privileged to witness the announcement Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard made come to fruitition in regards to International Women’s Day Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum (March 8).

'Over the top'

Saturday 16 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The letters of praise for John Carter are over the top.

Youth initiative impressive

Saturday 16 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It’s with great pleasure that I have been reading in CI News about all the work of NZ High Commissioner John Carter and the Future for Youth initiative.

Penalty pot shot

Saturday 16 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “Justice Williams in the High Court on Friday refrained from jailing a young Cook Islander who submitted that cannabis was used by his grandparent as a traditional herbal treatment.

Kata - March 16, 2013

Saturday 16 March 2013 | Published in Kata

Bank lifting its game on services

Friday 15 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In reply to the letter ‘Lift your game’ (March 12) from ‘Frustrated Vehicle Owner’ I am sorry that the vehicle owner reached such a point of frustration and thus felt the need to vent via a letter to the editor.

'Tourism is not the answer'

Friday 15 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with great dismay in CI News that the NZ Aid Programme will focus its donor aid on tourism and tourism-supported infrastructure projects in the Cook Islands.

'An amazing character'

Friday 15 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Yet again and very unconciously, NZ’s High Commissioner John Carter has taken the public limelight by showing our tax-funded politicians how to perform their job of providing assistance in the community where it is needed most.

Cook Islanders evicted from state homes

Friday 15 March 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

A Cook Islands family in New Zealand have been given orders to evacuate their state home.

Old plants, new puffs

Friday 15 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

After reading Wednesday’s front page article ‘Switch off for Earth Hour’ next week, a smoke signaller quipped: “We probably won’t have to switch off at all – Te Aponga seems to be doing that for us in recent days!”

Kata - March 15, 2013

Friday 15 March 2013 | Published in Kata