Opinion

Water for life?

Thursday 3 January 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, On New Year’s Eve I was at a bar and asked for a glass of water.

Impressed with your MPs!

Thursday 3 January 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Having arrived here from British Columbia, Canada, on December 10, I was fortunate enough to hear the parliamentary proceedings on our bungalow’s radio.

Year that was...letters to the Editor

Thursday 3 January 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

One of the many pleasures in the Cook Islands is a right to free speech, something shared daily in Cook Islands News’ Letters to the Editor section.

Don't look, they're kissing

Thursday 3 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

“A recent edition of Cook Islands News included a letter from a local parent complaining of television shows portraying nudity and sexuality,” a smoke signaller writes.

The voting public deserves better

Monday 31 December 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The CIP government’s impudent 80 achievements full page ad in their half way term of office cannot be allowed to go unanswered.

Annuity move 'sleight of hand'

Monday 31 December 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Re the article (Cook Islands News 29 December) “Bill’s bitter-sweet annuity”, I’m delighted that at last Bill Framhein has won his case and will soon be receiving his war pension which is rightfully due to him.

For better service in 2013

Monday 31 December 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Thank you, thank you for publishing the letter re Immigration division on 29 December.

Kata - December 31, 2012

Monday 31 December 2012 | Published in Kata

Here's hoping for immigration improvement

Saturday 29 December 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was somewhat surprised but not astonished when mentioning the news of the firing of director of immigration that everyone in the group cheered (10 people).

Kata - December 29, 2012

Saturday 29 December 2012 | Published in Kata

Not suitable for children

Saturday 29 December 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller texts to 188: “What are we trying to promote on Cook Islands TV? Sex scenes? Lesbianism? Prostitution? Vulgar exposure of a woman’s body? My five and two year olds love to watch the Aussie kiddies’ pre-school programmes in the afternoons, but lately I’ve been resorting to turning on a DVD cartoon instead.

Still waiting for the evidence

Friday 28 December 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor I read your article, ‘Immigration head sacked’ (CINews 27/12/2012) with amusement given the buck-passing between Jim Gosselin and the Office of the Public Service Commission’s CEO regarding the termination.

Toagate aftermath penalises taxpayers

Friday 28 December 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The biased favour of only one of two private and competitive petroleum importers and distributors per a withdrawn -- but signed – contract, has for three years cost all taxpayers of an independently self-governing nation several million dollars! The only recourse to government, on behalf of our small and increasingly costly nation now is to give both importers alternate yearly contracts to supply Te Aponga Uira, Rarotonga with diesel fuel at optimum costs, whether or not both agree.

Kata - December 28, 2012

Friday 28 December 2012 | Published in Kata

Voting query

Friday 28 December 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Jonah Tisam has by his own choice disassociated himself from Nikao Sokattak and therefore has no mandate to represent the club on the CIFA executive.

Family first for Akanoa line

Friday 28 December 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Showcasing the genealogy and talents of one line of the Heather family is behind the Maria and Akanoa family reunion that began on Wednesday.

Why not keep it in-house?

Thursday 27 December 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

Responding to last week’s front page article ‘Investigation into alleged infrastructure misconduct’, a smoke signaller asks: “Why on earth would Public Service Commissioner Russell Thomas appoint the former PSC Navy Epati to carry out an investigation into the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning and the reasons behind Donye Numa’s suspension? Surely his own Public Service Commission CEO can do the job, or even the Audit Office? At least by doing that, no extra costs are involved and the PSC budget will be saving unnecessary expenditure.

Unashamed and gutless - MOE

Thursday 27 December 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Please allow me to write to your column about the Rakei Toa programme of which I read earlier, was to be terminated due to as the secretary of education said “shortage of funds”.

The truth about 'weed'

Thursday 27 December 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing to follow up my letter address to parliamentarians asking them to decriminalise marijuana in the Cook Islands.

Hamper lights up Mareko's

Thursday 27 December 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

CITC key brands manager George George (below left)presents Mareko Island Creations general manager Cherrelle Chan and staff members with a $200 hamper after winning the Christmas window competition last week.