Opinion

Kata - May 11, 2012

Friday 11 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Where are stakeholders in HOM choices?

Friday 11 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writing about the selection panel for heads of ministry positions asks: ”If the economy is being driven by the private sector, why does the selection have all ex public servants on it? Where is the Chamber of Commerce? Where are the stakeholders? Or is this just the continuation of the downward spiral […]

Kata - May 10, 2012

Thursday 10 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Apology for polluting air

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am replying to yesterday’s Smoke Signal showing a photo of one of our buses and referring to it as a ‘smoking bus’. You do say at the bottom of your Smoke Signals for readers to Smokies rolling in! One way of doing it with real smoke: The driver of bus #10, Eddie […]

Pork loin painting 'a disgrace'

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing on behalf of many Cook Islanders who feel that the publishing of the supposed art piece depicting Mr Bergman in his entirety a disgrace to our heritage, culture and people. To the point, it is rather sad that this is considered art and is endorsed by the people who consider […]

Kata - May 9, 2012

Wednesday 9 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Practise what you preach?

Tuesday 8 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A choked signaller writes: “I couldn’t believe my eyes – after the plumes of diesel smoke cleared – that the smoking bus was carrying an environment message! Ok, I know it says recycling, but it’s an environmental message none the less which includes air pollution. At one point when the bus was increasing in speed […]

Privy Council may not be the right avenue

Tuesday 8 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am fascinated with the issues raised in the land cases that were heard by the Privy Council Judicial Committee in London. The fascination is not only with the land cases themselves which are concerned with very important issues of land and rights to title of land but also whether in fact the […]

Appalled

Tuesday 8 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As a regular visitor to Rarotonga for the past nine years, I am appalled that the government is contemplating an increase in the departure tax. I have done some investigation and it is apparent that Rarotonga is the highest in the South Pacific. Refer the following from the cheapest to the most expensive […]

Kata - May 8, 2012

Tuesday 8 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Disappointed

Tuesday 8 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I’m writing this letter to show my concern and disappointment with the attitude of the leaders within the Tupapa Maraerenga village towards the Tupapa Maraerenga soccer team. This team is currently overseas representing the Cook Islands and carrying the name of Tupapa Maraerenga but with no acknowledgement not even a small kaikai before […]

Kata is tamer

Tuesday 8 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It would be interesting to know which society “Goose” belongs to, as it obviously isn’t one which allows freedom of speech and to express one’s ideas, a right we enjoy in the Cook Islands including Kata. Goose doesn’t have to look too far to see politicians – MPs, PMs and Presidents – being […]

Let's see Govt travel reports

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

“There have been many complaints about how the present government, its ministers, public servants, etc, are not performing,” a smoke signaller writes. “Far too many trips overseas, far too many public servants who do nothing, far too many overpaid consultants, too little REAL action, but lots of tuatua [talk]. Whatever happened to reports of trips […]

Not amused

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, KATA’S constant mockery of Cook Islands Prime Minister Hon. Henry Puna via his cartoon column is no longer amusing to me. There was a time when we had a giggle and shrugged it off but this continuous badgering of our nation’s leader is insulting, degrading and demeaning. In another corner of the world […]

Wonderful

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Isn’t it wonderful that the climate change people are working on the Mangaia harbour. (reference many adverts on radio and TV). This is clearly an overseas funded project. So we can pull our workers, overseers, and engineers off the job and leave them to it. The sky is the limit when you think […]

Thanks, George

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to offer my acknowledgement to our member of parliament George Maggie for the wonderful activities he has done so far in our village of Tupapa and Maraerenga. Now we have a new water system installed and everyone is more than happy to utilise it. Thank you also to the NZ High […]

Kata - May 7, 2012

Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Kata

Leaders travel while country struggles

Saturday 5 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

“More overseas travel for ministers and the prime minister is planned,” laments a smoke signaller. “This shows they have got all their priorities in the wrong places. Pet projects such as renewable energy and marine parks will not help struggling families put food on the table. Most schools are now doing their own fundraising, so […]

Enforce contracts

Saturday 5 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read in yesterday’s paper of the situation at Titikaveka College and my heart really ‘bleeds’ for them as they have to deal with a teacher shortage. I think we do suffer a skills shortage across the board in most professions here in the Cook Islands and feel that there is an easy […]

Long live press freedom!

Saturday 5 May 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Congratulations to your reporters Eric Parnis and Rachel Reeves for their insightful World Press Freedom Day articles highlighting the fact that press freedom is every citizen’s right. However, it’s disturbing to read that the flow of information is not so free in the Cook Islands as we are entitled to expect. I must […]