Opinion

Kata - February 4, 2012

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Kata

One suicide is one too many

Saturday 4 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have been a volunteer at Te Kainga Mental Health and Wellbeing Clinic for the past eight years, since its inception in 2004. Over this period I have supported Mereana Taikoko, the founder and chairperson of the clinic, in presentations to three successive ministers of health to try to obtain formal funding for […]

Good luck to our 7s boys

Friday 3 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the SS (Smoke Signal) in yesterday’s paper. A comprehensive process took place to select our National 7s team who are currently participating in Wellington. This included the National 7s coach Ramsey Tomokino being present at the Sevens In Heaven tournament 3-5 November last year to […]

Kata - February 3, 2012

Friday 3 February 2012 | Published in Kata

What we need right now are open minds

Friday 3 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am dismayed and saddened, as we all are no doubt, by the rash of recent suicides in the Cook Islands, and I applaud all efforts to find a solution to this catastrophe. Our prayers and thoughts are with those involved. However, and in fear of contradicting myself, I note with some trepidation […]

Education can make a difference

Friday 3 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with interest the concerns and comments from the different sectors with regards to the recent tragedies that have hit our community. I too share those concerns and would like to offer some food for thought. Firstly, to the families and friends, I offer my sincere condolences for your tragic loss and […]

Local sevens players 'snubbed'

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

“It‘s poor management from Cook Islands Rugby Union to allow all players and officials for the Wellington sevens tournament to come from overseas,” a signaller texts. “Our local players have been snubbed. They are better than the overseas players. Time for a change at the next AGM.” Commenting on the Scott’s Farm odour issue, a […]

No one objected to Rupe Raea's recital

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I’ve read with great interest of an aggressive and anti Makea letter to the editor blaming the Makea families for the failures of the Takitumu people choices for selecting the Pa Ariki ki runga ite Paepae Ariki. The writer goes on to say that there are records in the registrar where people can […]

Roundtable discussions just PR

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Your reporter Eric Parnis said in the lead story in yesterday’s paper that some of the participants at the Roundtable Discussions between the government and development partners disagreed with my comments. I did not hear such disagreement from those that spoke after my intervention. My experience in fact was quite the opposite. Many […]

Kata - February 2, 2012

Thursday 2 February 2012 | Published in Kata

We must talk about it

Wednesday 1 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

We learned today of a sadness back home that is startling every time you hear it, and that is our youngest member of our crew Peia Junior lost his best mate to suicide. This hits us all hard here to think about what we are out here sailing and fighting for, our future which is […]

Fairy tales manipulated

Wednesday 1 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to your Cook Islands News of the 21 January 2012 regarding the letter More wrongs to correct. Yes! I totally agree that these wrongs in our court records should be corrected. I personally think this cannot be achieved because everyone believes they have the more correct genealogies over the others. The […]

Its an example of a crazy out there on the internet

Wednesday 1 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I write about the email crank story in your Saturday edition. Some years ago when I published what was then my seventh book, I found a scathing review of it on Amazon.com. Problem was, the book had not actually been published yet so no one had a copy to do such a review. […]

Toxic email a wake up call

Wednesday 1 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I can see that no one is taking this guy seriously enough about his threatening emails vowed to ruin our tourism industry. Maybe he does have a point here. There is a big problem on our island and we seem to camouflage it by painting nice and attractive images of the Cook Islands […]

Thanks for a great day of tennis

Wednesday 1 February 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor Just wanted to say a big thank you to Malcolm Kajer, the tennis committee members and also senior tennis players who were involved with putting together a fantastic tennis carnival for the kids last Wednesday. There was a large number of children present but it all appeared to be very well organised. My […]

Chook poop sham

Wednesday 1 February 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals

What an absolute sham this survey of the Muri chook poop smell problem has become, a smoke signaller writes. The whole thing is corrupt and ridiculous. The idea of the survey was to test and investigate public complaints about the chicken farm and in particular the smell coming from the farm property. Obviously this survey […]

Kata - January 31, 2012

Tuesday 31 January 2012 | Published in Kata

Suicide must NEVER be an option

Tuesday 31 January 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Our names are Lara and Elin and we have been best friends since starting school at Tereora College many years ago. We and many of our other friends are saddened at hearing of the passing of so many young people due to suicide. Although we are two people raised in different religious backgrounds, […]

Kata - January 30, 2012

Monday 30 January 2012 | Published in Kata

Kata - January 28, 2012

Saturday 28 January 2012 | Published in Kata