Opinion

Kata - July 8, 2011

Friday 8 July 2011 | Published in Kata

Charge across the board

Friday 8 July 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

Does government have the wrong end of the stick with the tax on interest? a smoke signaller writes. My savings at the bank is a loan to the bank. That loan earns me a whopping 3 percent. Then when I take a loan for my mortgage the bank earns 11 percent. Go ahead Government; take […]

A bad idea

Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Like many pensioners here I rely on the interest on my savings with the bank to supplement my $92.30 a week government pension and now the government is proposing to take 15% of that interest. That means a pretty big paycut for my family. This month my electricity bill will rise by about […]

Quick fix tax will not be good

Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I write to express my view on the proposed 15% tax on peoples savings as reported in your paper dated July 6. I wish to make a humble plea to the CIP Government to do the right thing and the very thing they are proposing as a plan to improve Government revenue by […]

Kata - July 7, 2011

Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in Kata

Just a quick cash grab

Thursday 7 July 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

This new tax on interest is a mad piece of rocket science, a smoke signaller writes in response to yesterdays front page CI News article that detailed governments plans to require banks to deduct a withholding tax amounting to 15 percent of the interest earned in savings and investment accounts held in the Cook Islands. […]

Brussels office cut from budget

Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to respond to the article Beefed up foreign presence planned that appeared in the July 5 issue of Cook Islands News. After detailed consultations with the Minister responsible for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), the Deputy Prime Minister, this Ministry submitted a number of specific initiatives for possible […]

Animal clinic denies stealing dog

Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

A local dog owner is furious that her dog was taken without her knowledge by the Esther Honey animal clinic to be de-sexed. Virginia Wiig claims vets from the clinic stole her dog Lady and spayed the pregnant dog without her consent. In a number of email exchanges with the editor and the Esther Honey […]

Kata - July 6, 2011

Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in Kata

Secret tutaka visits a stupid idea

Wednesday 6 July 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

I was listening to the Radio Cook Islands on Monday evening and I heard Papa Charlie Ave [Public Health protection officer] talk about the tutaka property inspections. In his speech, he mentioned something about homeowners needing to ensure their dogs are tied up when his officers visit the homes. Papa Charlie also warned us that […]

Leader was great to know

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Just reading Cook Islands News online and its a shock to read about Keri Hermans passing away. Belated condolences to his family and friends. I worked with Keri at Tereora College from 1991 – 1994. He certainly was a leader and an intelligent person. Great knowing you. Aere Ra. Mathew Tauia Auckland, New […]

Take action to avert catastrophe

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Last weeks speech from the throne made specific reference to this government working tirelessly to establish the Cook Islands as the cleanest and greenest place in the world. A very ambitious commitment for any government to make but certainly a worthy cause. To prove to the people of this country that the clean […]

Kata - July 5, 2011

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in Kata

Trader Jacks is the best

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to reply to the letter dated June 29 and headed Food poisoning claim answered (if you allow this comment to be printed). I strongly oppose this letter that was posted in your newspaper. How can Michael and Natashia Lucas accuse a premises of food poisoning, where is their proof? Where are […]

Call to reveal travel benefits

Tuesday 5 July 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

As I understand, the Prime Minister has just globe trotted around the world, a smoke signaller writes. Will he present himself on national television, as other world leaders do, and be questioned by the media and local academics as to just what benefits this jaunt has brought to the Cook Islands people? This should also […]

Plea to MPs

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Of late, there has been a noticeable rise in burglaries, thieving, dishonesty and outright disrespect for the laws of our land and in particular targeting the tourism industry and our visitors. It also seems obvious to me that there are certain elements in our society who are preying on the hard work of […]

Kata - July 4, 2011

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Kata

Sad to say

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Its so sad to read letters from non-blood related Yolande Browne so sad, the real Patuakino was murdered killed by papaa and changed their papaa name and used Patuakino. Read Years Of The Poo-Bah as its in this book there is some of the truth. Now you people bring Tangiia and Karika as […]

Ceremony a sad indictment

Monday 4 July 2011 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is an ironic yet sad indictment on the current government that they chose to spend an exorbitant amount of taxpayer money on a lavish and redundant ceremony on the day they also decide to release the CIP government budget to the people of the Cook Islands. Its is also very sad to […]

Slaps on the hand

Saturday 2 July 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

The Police Commissioner says they can do only so much in regards to theft, but they can do more if they want by laying the correct charges against these crooks so they can get a good jail sentence for these thieves, a smoke signaller writes. Half the time, charges that could give a deterrent sentence […]