Opinion

Road works are atrocious

Monday 20 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have finally succumbed to writing a letter regarding the atrocity of the new-found curb side road changes. I would have thought that a large number of residents would have written in or commented on the fact they have, without any consultation or previous “tests on areas”, lost their lovely green grass curbs […]

Market forces rule

Saturday 18 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Why should 99 percent of Cook Islanders give up their DVDs because one man is losing money at his movie theatre business? Instead of campaigning to put other video outlets out of business, why doesn’t Empire Theatre consider diversification? It doesn’t take an MBA graduate to figure out that the tastes and preferences […]

Tread carefully

Saturday 18 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We all know that the tourism industry is recognised as the largest contributor to the country’s economy, injecting massive financial benefits and prosperity over the years to the economy. However, when considering implementing specific policies and programmes aimed at boosting tourism numbers over the next 5-10 years by up to 50%, it is […]

History of greed repeated

Saturday 18 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“The news that officials of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee plan a $1.5 million office building substantially for themselves does not surprise,” writes a smoke signaller. “This is history being repeated. A number of the people promoting the new building are also the ones who promoted the Telecom Sports Arena at Nikao […]

Kata - December 18, 2010

Saturday 18 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Les Priest could sue for $1.?m

Saturday 18 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This letter is in defence of my friend Les Priest who was depicted in your December 15 edition in Kata’s cartoon as poking a walking stick (which he doesn’t own) into the visceral part of Hon. Murray McCully’s abdomen. Your newspaper cartooned a total misrepresentation of Les’s physyiognamy, demeaning his lack of stature.Furthermore, […]

Aids case surprising

Friday 17 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I remember when we first started visiting Rarotanga, there was a sign that said something like ‘The Cook Islands are Aids free, please help keep it that way’. I remember talking to my wife about how so few countries could display that sign. Then a few years later the sign was gone. I […]

Piracy has benefits

Friday 17 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Piracy has its benefits on an island in the Pacific far away from the world’s major entertainment centres. Pirate movies are a cheap form of entertainment for the whole family; it is accessible to all and the range of movies available is vast. Ever since celluloid was invented, Cook Islanders have always been […]

Kata - December 17, 2010

Friday 17 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Where's my licence?

Thursday 16 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In October I once again visited your beautiful island for what was my third visit in the past four years. As all tourists do, I joined the line to reapply for my Cook Islands drivers licence but this time thought I would have it issued for a five-year period due to the frequency […]

Stop piracy, now!

Thursday 16 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, So we’ve all heard now, that the police are looking into the case regarding DVD piracy in the Cook Islands – finally! Harry Napa, a well respected businessman should not need to wait two years for the police to do something about piracy, what a joke! He has been giving our families, especially […]

Govt vehicles

Thursday 16 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Now that the HOM’s use of a government vehicle is in the news, can the PSC confirm if his vehicle has been in a major accident and if so who was the driver and who is paying for the repairs? All HOMs should not have a government vehicle just to drive. They are […]

Linking to a 'truly Pacific airline'

Thursday 16 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“The government is deciding on three subsidised airline routes into the Cook Islands,” writes a smoke signaller. “This is an important decision as a lot of Cook Islands taxpayer money is involved to fund any airline subsidy. Air Pacific – recently awarded a top airline rating in the aviation world – is where the Cook […]

Kata - December 16, 2010

Thursday 16 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Kata - December 15, 2010

Wednesday 15 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Stand tall my brother

Wednesday 15 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In response to all the negative feedback against Norman George, I would like to convey my congratulations on a job well done Norman, because it goes to show that with your extensive background you won with flying colours. We all knew that you are capable of doing the job right but we know […]

Crackdown needed now

Wednesday 15 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Yay! Now the police commissioner says they will be pushing the case that was handed to them by Mr Morris the chief censor – but when? You have to hurry up because by the time you tie your shoelaces up these crooks will be one step ahead of you and it’s easy – […]

Contribution more than $200M

Wednesday 15 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller calculates that the Cook Islands’ contribution to the New Zealand economy is much higher – by more than a factor of 10 – than the already large amount indicated in yesterday’s Kata cartoon. The cartoon shows NZ Green Party MP Keith Locke ranting about how the country should reconsider aid to Niue, […]

Kata - December 14, 2010

Tuesday 14 December 2010 | Published in Kata

Thanks

Tuesday 14 December 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, May I extend to you, the staff and management of Cook Islands News a very merry Christmas and happy New Year. Your online edition of Cook Islands News has served us, Cook Islanders living abroad, very well indeed during this year. I wish you all the best in the new year and look […]