Opinion

Walk talk

Thursday 19 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The other afternoon I took a walk along the back road from Tupapa to Avana. I cannot recall the last time I saw the back road in such a terrible state. Here we are, after almost 47 years of self-government, and in the very peak of the country’s tourist season all we have […]

Ban shark finning

Thursday 19 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I think everyone should protect our sharks. I heard there was a boat in the Cook Island waters, with a lot of shark fins on it. As part of their licence to fish in CI waters, no fishing boats are allowed to take sharks fins. I found out about shark fin soup, too. […]

Grateful thanks

Thursday 19 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, My husband John was on the ‘Tangaroa – Jillymae’ on its tragic final voyage. John and I would like to express our grateful thanks to all concerned on the day. Thanks to Skipper Blair (Wilson) for your support and quiet, calm manner while all on board clung to the boat in the sea […]

Mixed messages from MMR

Thursday 19 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It has been an interesting few weeks in the fisheries world, since my letter raising my concerns at shark finning. The good news first! The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) has finally released Vaine Wichman’s report on the game fishing industry and status of fisheries in the southern group. (It says that the […]

Cost control?

Wednesday 18 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I never heard of such a thing until I had a chat with my mate in Manihiki, who stated the ship Kwai came in on July 15 from Hawaii and that’s where that 2kg chicken for $40 came from. Bloody hell, this is a daylight robbery or an attack from the pirates in […]

Two issues

Wednesday 18 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor I have two issues to address 1. The process of recruitment, selection and appointment concerning the Punanga Nui management. What was the process used for the recruitment, selection and appointment of the new chairperson and of the new committee that is involved in the management of the Punanga Nui? The process does not […]

Kata - July 18, 2012

Wednesday 18 July 2012 | Published in Kata

Hawaiian stopover?

Tuesday 17 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

”Hawaiian Airlines have just announced they will fly three times a week from Auckland to Honolulu come March next year,“ a smoke signaller writes. ”Wow! Here is an opportunity that must be taken very seriously by Cook Islands Tourism and could well mean dispensing with the expensive subsidy to Air New Zealand. If Hawaiian Airlines […]

Mistaken identity

Tuesday 17 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Like many avid readers of CINews I was pleased to see the photo of another batch of Permanent Residents being welcomed into the Cook Islands family. However, since then, I’ve had a range of comments either congratulating me on becoming PR, or noting they had always thought I was a local ‘all these […]

Political point scoring from situation

Tuesday 17 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I just wanted to respond to Wilkie Rasmussen’s comments regarding Kiki Matenga’s electoral petition. Wilkie of all people should know that the electoral process doesn’t end when the by-election results are confirmed. The electoral act outlines a process for an appeal if a candidate standing in an election is satisfied that further clarification […]

Windage and 'crabbing' a particular port problem

Tuesday 17 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Not being an importer of any consequence, I am not overly concerned as to who gets the second shipping licence or what the political ramifications are. Of more concern are the specifications of the ships that are to be used by the operators of these licences. As a former harbourmaster and pilot for […]

Kata - July 17, 2012

Tuesday 17 July 2012 | Published in Kata

Minister's response 'petty and weak'

Monday 16 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

”The response from the deputy prime minister is both petty and weak,“ a smoke signaller writes following Friday’s page 7 article ‘DPM rejects independent shippers’ plea’ which quoted Transport Minister Tom Marsters’ strongly-worded email to Pacific Forum Line chief Henning Hanson, berating him for what Marsters viewed as his ”offhand, arrogant and disrespectful treatment“ of […]

Be assured

Monday 16 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As I read Alex Olah’s description of what transpired at the Pacific Festival I could feel their disappointment and tears of how they must have experienced the ‘let down’ of what should have been a joyous occasion. The MOCD should have known in advance and organised the welcoming contingent appropriately, properly allocated the […]

Kata - July 16, 2012

Monday 16 July 2012 | Published in Kata

Stop carnage

Monday 16 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Helmets. Bottom line, they do save lives. However, despite all that is being said, I agree with both sides on certain issues as to the wearing of them or not. What really is the issue is ”police presence“. As I have said before in these letters, when deaths are prevalent on our roads […]

Barking dogs annoying

Monday 16 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, My husband and I have just returned home from staying for 26 days at the Sunset Resort. We had lovely and enjoyable holidays which were spoiled only by being woken nearly every night by barking dogs. Those dogs do not appear to belong to anyone and they certainly are not controlled by anyone. […]

Try bicycle helmets

Monday 16 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Regarding helmets, I’m a life-long motorcyclist, helmet advocate (with good reason – I’ve seen what happens without one) and have visited Rarotonga five times. I’ve tried to wear a full helmet there but the heat and humidity do spoil the fun. Last time out my wife and I tried good quality bicycle helmets […]

Government should be 'deeply ashamed'

Saturday 14 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The decision by government to not send a cultural delegation to participate and represent the Cook Islands in this year’s Pacific Festival of Arts in the Solomon Islands is disgraceful to say the least and reeks of arrogance and snobbery on the part of the Henry Puna-led government. The no-show to what is […]

National pride takes a hit

Saturday 14 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As a company in Rarotonga whose primary focus is to establish creative music, festival, and film and TV opportunities, the recent coverage and responses from the community regarding the lack of planning by the Ministry of Culture to have the Cook Islands represented at the 11th South Pacific Arts Festival in Honiara, has […]