Opinion

Empty can makes most noise

Wednesday 11 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I had a feeling a person of high calibre that lives in Matavera wrote the article about the tree butchering. Judging by your comments, you are a person that doesn’t do much for your oire or even take part in any community initiative and, why not just come out of your nutshell and […]

Compendium advertising is a no brainer!

Wednesday 11 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As a marketing person with no affiliation to any publication I want to point out the marketing options available to large and small tour operators here in the Cook Islands. Spend $8100 per year for a full page in the new John Batman compendium in 40 hotels – 853 actual rooms Versus: Spend […]

Women encouraged to be in control of their health

Wednesday 11 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I understand the doctor’s response to my letter, and I do understand what he explained in his letter. However, my concerns stem from my personal experiences, and that of my extended family and friends. I find it hard to comprehend how receiving a Pap Smear can potentially cause a person harm. I was […]

What's BTIB doing about closing 'trade gap'?

Wednesday 11 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, How ironic is it for CINews to highlight on Tuesday’s front page WIDEST TRADE GAP IN REGION and then at the bottom of the page shows BTIB in assisting with fundraising for outer island youth activities. Here we have a government state-owned enterprise (BTIB) whose focus should be on strengthening trade sectors and […]

Ripping off the little people

Tuesday 10 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The ongoing saga of this boat from Samoa has in fact turned out to be just another money-making venture by some ‘wanna-be, make-a-name-for-himself’ so-called public servant, who in partnership with the goons in the present Cook Islands government has once again succeeded in a scheme to ‘screw’ and ‘rip-off’ the little people of […]

'Butchering' beyond belief

Tuesday 10 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It’s a pity that the folks of Matavera who have been undertaking the tree demolition don’t understand the word “beautification”. This proud village won the best village of the year some time ago, and while some tree trimming is necessary, the complete “butchering” by those who just love to have an excuse to […]

Kata - April 7, 2012

Saturday 7 April 2012 | Published in Kata

Teach te reo

Thursday 5 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Teia au tei Australia nei, te kite nei au te taravake a to tatou metua ki runga i ta tatou tamariki, e tika te meitaki ua ara te apii i te reo papaa, eaa ra e ngaro to tatou reo tupuna, akamaroiroi eiaa e akama, apii ia ta tatou tamariki te reo tupuna […]

Examine all possibilities

Thursday 5 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In reference to freight rates being tightly regulated by the Cook Islands Government. A long time architect friend of mine is fond of saying that a building code is simply the minimum standard beneath which a building will probably not be safe. Similarly, a regulated price in a single-supplier, nationally-critical service is probably […]

Digital dictionary a 'wasted effort'

Thursday 5 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Mangaia Language has been digital for at least five years! A comprehensive dictionary was compiled by Marsa Dodson with support from Otago University and in cooperation with the local people. Marsa resided on Mangaia with her husband for two years and thanks to her tireless effort the final version of the dictionary […]

Kata - April 5, 2012

Thursday 5 April 2012 | Published in Kata

Freight rates 'remarkably stable'

Wednesday 4 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to my previous correspondence to Cook Islands News on the subject of Cook islands shipping services, which you kindly published in your March 30 edition. I have since read a lengthy letter from James Beer on the same topic, and published in your April 3 edition. With great respect to Mr […]

Personal ownership is a deadly spirit

Wednesday 4 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, May I submit a comment regarding MP Wilkie Rasmussen’s and Charles Little’s letters to the editor on the subject of Judicare Bill Laws of late. Their views are what they are, just views. It is impossible to believe that they and the government including the Law Society will solve the people’s problem for […]

Kata - April 4, 2012

Wednesday 4 April 2012 | Published in Kata

Shipping monopoly adds to woes

Tuesday 3 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, When your reporter called for comment on the shipping announcements, I had to hold my breath to stop myself saying too much over the phone on such a complex situation. After some thought, I can say that the Cook Islands just became less attractive as a place to do business for both investors […]

Govt should be innovative, inspiring

Tuesday 3 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I hear of seabed mining, and other airy initiatives the government is processing supposedly to benefit our people. Mining and the image of pristine Pacific Islands doesn’t exactly present a harmonious picture. Rather than look too far into the future for this development, shouldn’t the government be looking at the immediate problems facing […]

Kata - April 3, 2012

Tuesday 3 April 2012 | Published in Kata

If NZ don't want us, then who does?

Monday 2 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would strongly suspect that if New Zealand were to relinquish her association with the Cook Islands there would be a number of other countries out there that would jump to the chance of taking us on board as one of their prime territories situated as we are in the South Pacific, NOT […]

Banks need to prove their case and not run to govt

Monday 2 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read the article quoting Chief Justice Weston and agree with much of what he said especially that “generally speaking judges will have a concern with that as a criminalisation of civil obligations and probably not an appropriate response”. I also agree with his view the Bill as being at ‘stage one’ of […]

Bring your own chair

Monday 2 April 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A reader had a good chuckle over a classic Hawaiian poster advertising a Polynesian show and meal that asks those attending to BYOC Bring Your Own Chair! The Friday night Bash, Papa Ole’s Kitchen and Hui Kupono at the Hauula Shopping Centre bills itself as featuring free entertainment including a live band, a Polynesian show […]