Opinion

Kata - March 31, 2012

Saturday 31 March 2012 | Published in Kata

Banks should be more careful

Friday 30 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It pleases me to see that the Minister of Finance has brought in an expert to look into the trading banks in the Cook Island though it would have been of far more public relations impact if the banks had volunteered some relief to clients in these tough economic times. When most if […]

Is this bank loan propaganda?

Friday 30 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Is this bank loan propaganda? I used to consider that I was good at maths, but a statement in the article ‘Banking to be reviewed has me at a loss: “The average loan yield in the Cook Islands was 7.3 percent, the lowest in the Pacific”. Now in very rough terms there should […]

Look to NZ for comparisons

Friday 30 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In yesterday’s paper the headline reads ‘Banking to be reviewed’, then the article sets out governments plans for how this will happen and the very well respected person to carry out this review. As the owner of a small business, living and working in the outer island of Aitutaki, this is great news […]

Reef's new ship is bigger and faster

Friday 30 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We wish to respond to the concerns expressed by the Opposition leader, Hon. Wilkie Rasmussen, as reported in the Cook islands News (Wednesday March 28), and to give some context which we believe should allay those concerns. Firstly, and irrespective of how many ships are engaged in the Cook Islands trades, or indeed […]

Kata - March 30, 2012

Friday 30 March 2012 | Published in Kata

Flight subsidy 'a liability, not asset'

Friday 30 March 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaler writes in response to the government’s $12.5 million subsidy of Air New Zealand’s direct flights to Rarotonga from Los Angeles and Sydney, which Cook Islands Tourism officials say should be viewed as a national strategic asset. “It strikes this reader as a poor business decision to fund flights that are not turning […]

Skipjack numbers and MMR challenged

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Our ability to assess pelagic fish stocks in recent years has certainly improved. In the Dr Lehodey report mentioned by MMR in your March 24 paper, this was aided by satellite technology. However, I would be hesitant to use this report, unless it has gone through a peer-reviewed process and published in a […]

Kata - March 29, 2012

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in Kata

4x4 flood from road fix

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

The road leading to the top of hospital hill should be left as it is,” a smoke signaler writes in response to yesterday’s front page article ‘Tour operator wants hill road upgraded’. “If they were to make improvements [to the dirt road], you will find that every man and his 4×4 will try and drive […]

Pension portability was deceptively introduced

Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In 1996, I wrote a piece on this subject (pension portability) in the Pacific Island Monthly (magazine) soon after the New Zealand government introduced it in parliament. At the time, one could hear Pacific Island governments praising the special provision and did so because of the potential benefits that retirees will bring to […]

Keep them honest

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The one indispensable ethic for all non-state regional media and their professional bodies is to ensure their journalism aspires to tell it like it is to the people so that the people are properly informed and can form well informed opinions about prevailing situations – including political situations – themselves. It is a […]

Jesus more known as a swear word

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to say thank you for the times you have allowed me to put across the truth regarding the reality of Christ and Christianity in your paper over the years. As some may know, my time on the island is nearing an end and I am moving overseas with my family. […]

Cooks Islands tourism already well served

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Interesting to read the debate around proposals to launch a new compendium publication here in the Cooks. As someone publishing a tourism publication here, I should declare my self-interest. But also, because I work in the industry, I have a close understanding of it. The Cooks is already served by two publications that […]

Weeds 'needed removing'

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

In response to Friday’s Smoke Signal complaining about the clean up of the Takuvaine Stream, another smoke signaller writes: “Well, about time they cleaned it up before the growth of this noxious weed overtakes the river completely and does more damage. We had this problem further inland where our bridge was blocked by this Lucerne […]

Kata - March 28, 2012

Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Kata

Food survey fails

Tuesday 27 March 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller sent in this tongue-in-cheek ‘news’ snippet: Last month a world-wide survey was conducted by the UN. The only question asked was: “Could you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the world food shortages?” The survey was a massive failure because of the following: In Eastern Europe they didn’t know what […]

A message to our politicians

Tuesday 27 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It always seemed to me to that contempt of court proceedings for debt collection seemed improper and I decided to actually look up the Judicature Act 1980-81 as it stands right now. So what a relief to see that section 36 (a) says that contempt of court applies when a judgment or order […]

Kata - March 27, 2012

Tuesday 27 March 2012 | Published in Kata

Congratulations on the marine park process

Tuesday 27 March 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Government must be congratulated for its efforts in getting all stakeholders together to draft the proposed Marine Park framework and guiding principles. The key to the Marine Park and seabed mining is sustainable development, working with our traditional leaders and community so that we have a voice in this area of potential development. […]