Opinion

Tell Toa to 'find another spot'

Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes in response to yesterday’s page 7 CINews article ‘Toa scheme faces 5 objections: Company claims none form a legal basis for challenge’. ”Mr Porter’s assuring words aside that placing yet another fuel depot on the foreshore is going to be all hunky dory and we the public should leave it all […]

Kata - May 18, 2012

Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Needing ticket departure tax answers

Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: ”As a regular traveller it would be a help to know if I have to pay $65 for departure tax in the future or $75 if the finance minister can clear it up, or are they going to hide it in the purchasing of tickets? Surely we Cook Islands people are […]

Why the secrecy on fishing facts?

Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have been staying with my 89-year-old mum in NZ for the last three months, so don’t have much to report on fishing in Raro. However, snapper fishing in the Waitemata Harbour is really impressive. The Waitemata was closed to commercial fishing some five years ago and now you can nearly always catch […]

Kata - May 17, 2012

Thursday 17 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Pa Ariki's nu in schools idea 'a winner'

Thursday 17 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

”Pa Ariki is to be congratulated for her continuing education on local foods,“ a smoke signaller writes in response to her recent CI News articles. ”The idea that every school child would have a drink of nu [young coconut] every day has to be one of the best ‘go local’ concepts ever. One would hope […]

An old cure

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I noticed the BBC health article ”Cancer cure in curry“ in the CINews of May 8. Thank you for this article, although the first paragraph is stating wrongly that a chemical in curry is to be tested for its ability to kill bowel cancer. What the paragraph should say is: a chemical in […]

Kata - May 15, 2012

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Super penalties

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

After receiving an emailed letter yesterday from the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund in respect of penalty fees to late payments, a smoke signaller quipped: ”These people are more efficient than MFEM!“ The letter advised all employers that as of May21 any overdue contribution payments may incur penalty fees, as provided in the CINSF Act […]

Condolences

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It was with great sorrow I received an email from Michelle Wigmore advising of the recent passing away of her father Robert. Along with my family we have been travelling to Rarotonga for well over 35 years. My work being in Agriculture meant I first meet Robert on one of my very early […]

Yes or no?

Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In respond to DeJeffries (NZ) concerning the implication of the departure tax which is too expensive, yes you are dead right, you are not the only one. We in the Cook Islands are complaining too, especially the elderly. Quite honestly I have visited the PM and am still waiting for his answer. How […]

Kata - May 14, 2012

Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in Kata

We all need a chuckle even if it hits a nerve

Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

Responding to last week’s Smoke Signal Govt has to ‘go up’, a smoke signaller writes: ”Kata has a satirical role rather than to critique. In the process this may come across as a criticism and satire usually exaggerates a story or event. Politicians are not immune to this and generally set themselves up rather well. […]

Lacks balance

Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to your story heading ‘60 seeking 10 HOM positions’. Is it appropriate that the Chair of the Selection Panel is the Public Service Commissioner? He is ultimately the employer. It has been the practice for many years that the position of chairman of the selection committee is an independent one, one […]

A serviceman is mourned

Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Last week, we buried one of our ex RNZAF servicemen in Hamilton, NZ, and one of our guys recited the following poem that really hit me. Having served 20 years in the RNZAF and comparing what we lost with the recent state funeral, I thought it appropriate to forward and share this with […]

Call to greet and show love to vaka fleet

Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I think you should call upon our paddling fraternity (some of the best in the world) to paddle out and give the traditional vaka fleet a welcome worthy of the Cook Islands when they arrive this week. I think the schools should consider a mass greeting if it could be arranged. I realise […]

He left a wealth of teachings

Saturday 12 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, It is with great sadness that I have received the news for the passing away for Sir Geoffrey Henry, long lasting political leader of the Cook Islands and recently Speaker of the House for the Cook Islands Parliament. As the country and the Pacific prepare to farewell one of its most outstanding leaders, […]

Kata - May 12, 2012

Saturday 12 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Outrage at $20

Saturday 12 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As one of the supporters of the International dancing competition 2012, I find it embarrassing to read in the newspaper on Thursday May 10 that the cover charges for the event was $5 and $10 only to be told at the door that $20 is the cover charge and not what has been […]

'Keep alcohol out of schools'

Saturday 12 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I saw in the paper a Liquor Licence request by fundraisers on behalf of a prestigious school. I thought no way, have they exhausted all other means of fund raising they had to resort to alcohol inclusion. What kind of message are we conveying to our children – alcohol is good because it […]