Opinion

Netball effort embarrassing, disappointing

Monday 2 July 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This year’s Pacific Netball Competition was so embarrassing and very disappointing. I am sure that 80% of the people involved in our inter-village netball season would agree that we have seen better netball being played here on our little island with our talented local players than the ridiculous mix-up they had representing us […]

Kata - July 2, 2012

Monday 2 July 2012 | Published in Kata

Our fish: what's going on?

Saturday 30 June 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

In response to yesterday’s page 12 media release from the Ministry of Marine resources ‘Fisheries net $3.7m in revenues’ a smoke signaller writes: ”Why is it that two people with very little knowledge of the tuna fishery in the Cook Islands, i.e. the Secretary and the Minister for Marine Resources, are able to sell off […]

Amazed by police comments on accidents

Saturday 30 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Referring to your article on page 7 of the CINews of June 28, I was amazed to read Inspector Tere Patia’s generalisation when he states: ”They (the tourists) think they can please themselves.“ Such comments are sure to alienate and frighten away our visitors, many of whom go to Aitutaki and provide extra […]

Chainsaw massacre carried away

Saturday 30 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I couldn’t help but notice the number of trees that has been chopped down along the back Avatiu/Ruatonga road and I’m sure many have experience this in their own village as well. We all agree that these trees are a hazard and must be trimmed back or be chopped right down for the […]

Make crash helmets compulsory

Saturday 30 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, OK, confession time. I once wrote on the pros and cons of riding motorbikes. The case against wearing crash helmets was being cool and free, etc. The reality is, there are too many of our own, young and old, locals and even tourists, checking out and leaving our shores permanently, in coffins! No […]

Kata - June 30, 2012

Saturday 30 June 2012 | Published in Kata

What do we get for $28m wharf upgrade?

Friday 29 June 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

”A couple of years ago,“ a smoke signaller writes, ”the owners of the shipping company that services Raro and Aitutaki said words to the effect, ‘Extend Avatiu wharf to cater for a larger ship and we will reduce freight rates by at least 20 percent’. Yeah right, the same shipping company is now saying only […]

Questions must be asked

Friday 29 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Dealings with Asian or Chinese businesses are always clouded in some secrecy. Our officials at MMR and the minister’s office should at all times be fully transparent about their official and unofficial dealings with these business people. This includes paid private overseas trips, if any, and any payments, direct or indirect that may […]

Kata - June 29, 2012

Friday 29 June 2012 | Published in Kata

Mauke water is pure, fresh

Friday 29 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Referring to the article ‘Barge back for Mauke, Mitiaro projects’ on June 14, I just want to correct the false information given by Noel McManaway about our Pure 101% Fresh Water. In the article it states that ‘He says that because the water on Mauke has salt in it, they have to use […]

Emergency glitch prompts citizen rescue

Thursday 28 June 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A regular visitor to the island phoned in a smoke signal yesterday as follows: ”Two Americans had trouble while kayaking over the reef this week. People on the beach phoned the emergency service number 999 to relay the problem. It took 4 minutes to answer the phone; the call was transferred but it got disconnected. […]

Kata - June 28, 2012

Thursday 28 June 2012 | Published in Kata

Independence and impartiality essential

Thursday 28 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Choosing the ”right“ Speaker and Deputy Speaker are crucial to the efficient, quality and credible functioning of Parliament. Their impartiality and independence from their choosers or tutoring mentors is paramount. It is within this principle that the Speaker must not only be an experienced MP seasoned in the ”dispositions, idiosyncrasies and foibles“ of […]

Ned gets nod

Wednesday 27 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

After reading yesterday’s front page article ‘3 new HOMs in appointments’ a smoke signaller texts to 188: ”Isn’t it four, not three new heads of ministry, as Ned Howard is new too?“ SS: You are right, and others have pointed this out. We apologise to Ned for this. Ned Howard is the new head of […]

Let's stay hush-hush

Wednesday 27 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I heard that Luen Thai fishing company is going into business with another company, taking our fish right before our very eyes. We do not agree with this agreement between the company and marine resources. I second what opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen said to Teina Bishop last week that the shark fin saga […]

Long weekend

Tuesday 26 June 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

At the end of next week it will be a long weekend break in respect of the new annual public holiday, Ra o te Ui Ariki, which falls on Friday July 6. In earlier classified advertisements last week the Prime Minister’s Office stated the holiday would be on Wednesday July 6, but this should have […]

Leave winning formula

Tuesday 26 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, There is some talk that the Punanga Nui Market will go back to the Ministry of Agriculture. If this is true then I am disgusted in this government. As a market vendor I have never seen the market improve until the BTIB took over its management. For many years the market has gone […]

Kata - June 26, 2012

Tuesday 26 June 2012 | Published in Kata

Stop the road toll 'nightmare'

Tuesday 26 June 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is indeed a very sad moment for the loss of another young life on our road. Yes, our road has yet again claimed another young life and this time a young sailor from the visiting NZ navy boat. I am a mother of children around the same age as the young sailor […]