Opinion

Political staff are blowing it

Tuesday 8 January 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, A recent article concerning “...the growing legions of political staffers has led increasingly to poor policy that hurts the nation economically....” featured prominently in one of Australia’s largest newspapers.

Looking for what's best for the country

Tuesday 8 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “An example of a project by so-called overseas experts was the Asian Development Bank functional review of ministries.

Kata - January 8, 2013

Tuesday 8 January 2013 | Published in Kata

Direct your complaints to the right people

Monday 7 January 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is a concern when the prime minister announces that he “is satisfied with the integrity of due process” (CINews, 29/12/2012) in relation to the termination of my employment.

Taking exception to misguided opinion

Saturday 5 January 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I must take exception to the misguided opinion by smoke signaler ‘Fly in experts’ on January 3 unless you can explain which part of our cultural sensitivity has to do with, engineering, logistics, project design and finance when you are spending someone else’s aid money? Especially when on the opposite page our auditor reports – $45,000 unaccounted for in constituency fund; only one school provided audited statements from the eight schools requested; CIIC did not return $ 79,000 of unspent funds; MFEM over funded the environment fund by $62,000 etc, and we still cannot balance the country’s books from 2009.

A new tax income threshold?

Saturday 5 January 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Most public servants take home pay well below $37,000 and struggle to feed and clothe an average household of three adults and three children.

Kata - January 5, 2013

Saturday 5 January 2013 | Published in Kata

Kata - January 4, 2013

Friday 4 January 2013 | Published in Kata

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.

Carter for PM

Thursday 3 January 2013 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The speed in which New Zealand’s High Commissioner John Carter fixes problems here in this country that seem so difficult for our own politicians to tackle is astounding and a blessing to say the least.

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.

Kata - December 31, 2012

Monday 31 December 2012 | Published in Kata

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.

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.