Opinion

Why do drains now?

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Really great to see the road drainage work being done in Tupapa but why did it take until just before the elections to get this job carried out? Does that mean the next major road works on Rarotonga will take place in four years time a few weeks before the next general elections? […]

Sad news

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, What a sad day for Rarotonga! I am referring to the article below of the “once again” approved ring road about the “new” proposed Mirage (formerly Sheraton, Hilton etc.) development in Vaimaanga. As multiple visitors to Rarotonga since the early 1990’s, we have always enjoyed driving around or running along the road or […]

Stop farm pollution

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Despite what John Scott blabbers on about when it comes to the so-called benefits of producing local eggs over those that are imported, to save Rarotonga’s fragile and vulnerable lagoons from further environmental damage as a result of commercial farm pollution, I would much rather spend extra money on imported eggs rather than […]

JP court a circus

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Cook Islands News report from the High Court proceedings of October 28 once again highlights the shortcomings in the process of many cases heard by JPs, and the circus it has become. In earlier reports we have read of serious charges where the defendants receive name suppression due ‘to having to inform […]

Bike seats not safe storage

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

Almost every time you read the Police crime report in the newspaper there’s at least one case involving visitors losing many hundreds of dollars and cameras (usually with irreplaceable holiday snaps) ‘locked’ under their motorbike seats when they park and go snorkeling or hiking. Many visitors obviously don’t realise that the storage compartment under a […]

Kata - October 30, 2010

Saturday 30 October 2010 | Published in Kata

Resort's ring road riles

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

A smoke signaller writes: “With regards to the new ring road to go around the Sheraton/Mirage site in Vaimaanga just announced by Cabinet, this might be a great opportunity for the new Cook Islands Party candidate for Titikaveka, as well as the free-thinking independents standing for that constituency, to question whether they would want to […]

Arnold's madness is scary Dear Editor,

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Mr Arnold is now suggesting that locals only be able to purchase businesses here and that locals should no longer be able to sell their businesses for the ‘Best price you can get in a world wide market. Scary stuff! If this populist rhetoric from Mr Arnold is an attempt to become more in tune […]

Let's stop combative politics

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Smoke Signal that suggests that CIP candidate Tom Marsters and Demo candidate Tapi Taio are conspiring with each other to unseat their respective opposition candidates in Murienua and Akaoa is nothing more than a smoke screen. I happen to find Tom and Tapi and their families as good people. I have a […]

Why we should use cloth nappies

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I’m all for giving new parents a hand up whilst they re-evaluate their budget, but it upsets me to hear a young mum say she needs the extra money because disposable nappies cost so much. Should taxpayer money fund toxic landfill that is killing our environment? It is so upsetting to see even […]

It isn't rocket science

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am responding to the letter signed ‘Pro Police’. I appreciate the fact you support your police department, that is in fact admirable. I personally do not have a beef with Cook Islands Police Department. But I would like to know where you get your numbers to back up your claims. I read […]

Theft at 'crisis point'

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We keep reading with dismay the ever increasing and alarming rate of theft and burglaries within our communities on Rarotonga. I sympathise with those homeowners whose homes have been broken into. We have also experienced these unfortunate incidents, not once, not twice, but three times over the past 18-24 months. We have had […]

Kata - October 29, 2010

Friday 29 October 2010 | Published in Kata

Consumers are the egg debate losers

Thursday 28 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to add my thoughts on The Great Egg Debate. I have no connection with or great affection for the CITC conglomerate and its domineering position in the local market, but neither do I support John Scott’s attitude on what the government should do about the situation regarding egg prices. A […]

Cracking the egg question

Thursday 28 October 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller who says he’s a former Scotts Farm egg eater reckons he knows why the government shied away from John Scott’s demand for protection of his egg production business. “Scott’s eggs are painted in CIP colours but one must salute John Scott for probably being a good practitioner of reverse psychology and therefore […]

It's appalling, self-mockery

Thursday 28 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Isn’t it appalling for the CIP media team of George Turia, William Numanga and Henry Puna to say that the children of Omoka in Tongareva do not deserve a school? In their very public display of self-mockery, they actually let loose a disgusting biased policy of the CIP. They asked, “Is there any […]

Our police officers do their best

Thursday 28 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am responding to your news article on Saturday headed ‘Victim disappointed with police response’. I am surprised some victims of burglaries are criticising police officers failing to perform their duties. The reality is our officers are doing the best they can beyond anyone’s capacity professionally to capture these unfortunate children who are […]

Kata - October 28, 2010

Thursday 28 October 2010 | Published in Kata

How about helping the elderly?

Thursday 28 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Now that the country is in full election mode with all political parties and candidates out to gain as many votes as possible to secure their rightful place in the Cook Islands Government, may I be so bold as to ask them the following. What is the government, and for that matter the […]

Tongareva criticism 'silly'

Thursday 28 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, What’s going on here? Are the CIP really supporting an all out attack on our member of parliament AND criticising our home island of Tongareva? Or have they just made a silly mistake by hiring a low life writer? What the heck is that all about? It was with much disappointment and hurt […]