Opinion

Kata - September 13, 2011

Tuesday 13 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Muri party concerns

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: Sad to see the organising committee for the Vaka Eiva has moved from their traditional party central at Avarua to Muri. They claim the festival atmosphere will be similar to the New Years Eve parties I avoid the New Years Eve party there because of all the drunken fights that occur […]

Diagnostic clarification

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Eric Shorts claim to be the only local provider of automotive diagnostic and air conditioning services (as reported on September 3) has been challenged. Short says he is the sole Cook Islands member of the Automotive Diagnostic Network. Cook Islands Motor Centre service manager Andrew Leeburn says the company has an up-to-date generic diagnostic system […]

Take care with our fish

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I had the privilege of staying in Tongareva for one month, four years ago. I am concerned about the foreign fishing deals that have been made. We need to look at what has happened in other Pacific Nations. Where are the fish? gone (for good). Some fish species (tuna) are under pressure from […]

Favouritism not founded

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In the Cook Islands News of Saturday September 10 there was a headline to the effect that I had alleged Police favouritism in a customs case. The article itself was in materially different from and to the effect that there was an indication of Police favouritism. The correct position is this.The charges against […]

Secrecy over travel costs not legal

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I write regarding travel costs, allowances and expenses of parliamentarians. To assist you in your quest for more transparency and accountability, I once again draw the attention of MFEM to S.22 of the Civil List Act 2005 (at that earlier time S.26 of the old 1984 Act was the reference) which requires full […]

Kata - September 12, 2011

Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Recycled prescription danger

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

If the Prime Minister returns to the Cook Islands this weekend, when do you think hell be winging his way on his next overseas junket, ooops, work trip? Will it be in (a) 1-3 days (b) 4-6 days (c) 7-9 days, or (d) not for six months as theres plenty of work to do here […]

New Muri market going ahead despite conflict

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

The Kia Orana Beach Market organising committee has decided to run its market on September 28 despite resistance from organisers of the conflicting Akaoa night market. The Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) and the Muri community last week announced their intention to stage the Muri market on a Wednesday. While it is driven by the […]

No apology was necessary from Filipino community

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am fully supporting Shonas view that the Filipino community should never have apologised in the first instance. Wake up people! This earth belongs to God almighty and thats that. Is this how we treat our neighbouring countries? To you who have openly criticised the Filipino community, shame on you. You make out […]

Prayer shows sport can be an idol

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was extremely disappointed and disturbed to see a rendition of the Lords Prayer on page 11 of the paper today. I know some people will answer, it is only a bit of fun. But that is not just a bit of fun. Can we imagine what would have happened if we warped […]

Kata - September 10, 2011

Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Short-term gain for long-term pain

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It seems unbelievable that despite recent fish shortages in Rarotonga the current government headed by MP Teina Bishop has allowed exploratory fishing by the Chinese or any foreign entity for that matter. Bigeye tuna for one is overfished and the species is in danger of collapsing altogether. $800,000 in licenses is just more […]

Te Aponga Uira explains net-metering

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This is a clarification of some points raised in your smoke signals Green wires crossed. Firstly, Te Aponga Uira does not in any way limit households or businesses renewable energy production at all. Customers are more than welcome to produce 100% of their energy needs if they would like to or can afford […]

Dont be surprised if history repeats itself

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In response to Takitumus letter in last Saturdays newspaper, the MPs travel to New Zealand with the delegation of 20 and all the expenses used for the overseas trips by government has got nothing to do with Toagate. These trips are a waste of taxpayers money. Secondly CISNOC is mismanaged big-time by Rosie […]

Kata - September 9, 2011

Friday 9 September 2011 | Published in Kata

No need to apologise

Thursday 8 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Filipino picnic and games on Sunday afternoons do not offend all Cook Islanders. I am saddened that one angry, offended viewpoint, on what they think is permitted on a Sunday afternoon, should be used to condemn and control what happens in our village. I am a local, Christian living in and from Ngatangiia. […]

Kata - September 8, 2011

Thursday 8 September 2011 | Published in Kata

Air NZ doing Cooks a favour

Thursday 8 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

The perception that the government is doing Air New Zealand a service by underwriting flights is an incorrect one, a smoke signaller writes. Air NZ is doing the Cook Islands government a favour by being prepared to fly unprofitable routes as long as they are underwritten. If Cook Islands Tourism is able to promote effectively […]

Sabbath obsession

Tuesday 6 September 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, While I dont object to the Filipinos celebrating on a Sunday as many of them work every other day I do object to SDA in yesterdays newspaper asking Sunday Observer if selling liquor on Sunday desecrates his Sabbath. Where in Sunday Observers letter does he call Sunday his Sabbath? Where in his letter […]