Opinion

Kata - November 25, 2011

Friday 25 November 2011 | Published in Kata

Moving on

Friday 25 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Mr Jeff Gunter is entitled to his views. He may be a police officer in the US, in a jurisdiction with different cultural values, systems and processes but even in that jurisdiction there is a process for members of the public to make complaints against police which is investigated by a special unit […]

Comments did not add value

Friday 25 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I really dont know why the Idaho Police Chief Mr Gunter thought he could add value to the public discussion on the Zac Guildford incident and in particular the local police performance. Its an unwritten rule amongst the police fraternity, that a copper on another coppers patch shows respect. If he has some […]

MOIPs road gang repairs a disgrace

Thursday 24 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The recent road repair work undertaken around Rarotonga by MOIPs road gang is a disgrace to say the least and just not acceptable. Firstly, why is the repair of the potholes around Rarotonga now being undertaken in the middle of the Vaka Eiva tournament when there are an extra 1000 visiting paddlers on […]

Spare ribs fine in Samoa

Thursday 24 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

The Australian media has picked up on the variety of justice (or lack of) in the Pacific when it comes to disciplining rugby players. Aussie website brisbanetimes.com.au has contrasted and compared the plight of two rugby bad boys from Samoa and New Zealand in an online column this week, highlighting the dissimilarities. "Zac Guildford received […]

Police need encouragement, not criticism

Thursday 24 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Cook Islands Police for many years have been expected to perform to the highest standard expected of a force that has a large budget, specialist training, highly qualified university graduates, access to equipment and computer savvy technicians. It is time that people realise that the Cook Islands Police are hugely underpaid in […]

Kata - November 24, 2011

Thursday 24 November 2011 | Published in Kata

Give Punanga Nui a board of trustees

Thursday 24 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to make a very small comment on the Punanga Nui Market as an interested party to our only cultural market on the island of Rarotonga, Cook islands, and the way it has been administered and controlled by the previous government and now, the current government. It made me very sad […]

Fight Night cancellation a disappointment

Wednesday 23 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to express my disappointment in Cook Islands Amateur Boxing Associations cancellation of the Fight Night tournament that was scheduled to take place on the 17th of November at 7pm at the Tupapa/Maraerenga Youth Centre. I had been advised by my coach that I would be having my first bout on that […]

Kata - November 23, 2011

Wednesday 23 November 2011 | Published in Kata

Workshop on violence

Monday 21 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller said they were appalled with Ellena Tavionis letter to the editor last week, in which she criticised a triathletes training gear as a near naked eyesore. Perhaps TAV could start making exercise Berkas for attractive athletes to wear? And maybe Cook Islands dancers should cover up more too? NO THANKS! Its a […]

Trade days are booming

Monday 21 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Since July 2011 (four months), the BTIB have been involved in 16 trade and market events targeting micro and grass roots enterprises. Each of these events has been made possible because of partnerships formed with community organisations, youth groups, government ministries, businesses, banks, schools and village committees. The Cook Islands Trade Days event […]

How the 450 free texts deal works

Monday 21 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I bought a new sim card valued at $25 plus a $10 top up on Thursday 03 Nov 11. Come Saturday 05 Nov, I received a text from Telecom stating that I have $1.80 credit left. I thought this cant be right, what happened to the free 450 free text message. About 5 […]

The ugly reality of off-the-field criminal activity

Monday 21 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The soaring interest in the criminal behaviour of All Black Zac Guildford to phenomenal levels is not so much because he is an All Black, but rather because the sordid antics of his anti-social behaviour appealed to the nations voyeuristic tendencies. For many decades, professional sports have played an important role, especially in […]

Solar power debacle needs answers

Monday 21 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with some dismay the announcement by Te Aponga that the net metering scheme is going to be cancelled in the near future. I pity the people who I know have already ordered solar panels for their households and now have to consider the proposition of having to purchase additional batteries, effectively […]

Clothing police will be very busy

Saturday 19 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have read with interest the recent letters to the editor from our newly appointed clothing police. It seems that inappropriate clothing (in whose opinion?) is now a defence for hassling young ladies. I just went to the bank and there was a stunning young Cook Islands lady wearing a muscle t-shirt and […]

I support police

Saturday 19 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Like many others I have formed certain opinions around the Zac Guildford situation based on what I have read in the media and I am concerned that there appears to be some uninformed members of the public taking a swipe at how the police handled this affair. Having worked with Superintendent Matapo and […]

How sad

Saturday 19 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to the letter Who are we to Judge? Wow, that is shocking. Sexual harassment is something that should be taken seriously. I totally agree with Jeff Gunter. Whether Zac Guildford is an All Blacks player, a king or celebrity, doesnt give him the right to harrass Kelly, assault two men and […]

Who opened the gates?

Saturday 19 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, So the government is happy with police actions in the Guildford matter. In recent events concerning Zac the man the police said that there was no formal complaint lodged in regards to the first callout from Trader Jacks to the police. My question is: When a person is in a public place and […]

Lets have an athletic muumuu from Tavs!

Saturday 19 November 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with interest Ms Tavionis letter titled We all have a closet full of regrettable moments. In her letter she makes unfair adverse comments about Ms Picks attire. It is of course a side show. The bigger issue I would have thought was that women are not able to go about their […]