Opinion

The biggest concern

Friday 22 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, With regards to all aspiring politicians CIP, Demo and Independents making policy statements, promise with regards to political reform, water tanks, pension increases, baby bonuses, health, environment etc. They have all missed the main if not the biggest concern – economic reform. What are they going to do about it? How are they […]

Unequal representation a major issue

Friday 22 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, ‘Concerned’s’ letter in Wednesday’s paper suggests one of my ‘chicken carton’ ads is offensive to Outer Islanders. That was not my intention. I apologise to him/her and to any other reader who may have taken offence. I assure readers that before running my ads I have been careful to have others review them […]

Kata - October 22, 2010

Friday 22 October 2010 | Published in Kata

Please leave it to the private sector

Thursday 21 October 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “The Cook Islands Investment Corporation was set up during the reform years to monitor the performance of state-owned enterprises and report their results to Cabinet and eventually the Parliament. One of the principles of the reform was to leave commercial activities to the private sector where they can best do the […]

Thankful for great support

Thursday 21 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am overwhelmed and thankful at the support and gratitude extended to me in your letters to the editor column on Monday, October 18 entitled ‘A great youth venture’ by Jinz George from Auckland. I for one would like to convey and acknowledge firstly, the honour and glory to our heavenly father the […]

Attacks on past governments unfair

Thursday 21 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to Tim Arnold’s letter of Thursday, October 14. I take my hat off to Tim for having the courage to stand politically and fight for his beliefs. It says a lot for the man as he is not of this land and must know he has an uphill battle. I too […]

Kata - October 21, 2010

Thursday 21 October 2010 | Published in Kata

Message to a pig thief

Tuesday 19 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, What’s happening to our slice of paradise when people feel the need to not only steal from our visitors but from each other? Just this weekend, I heard some strange noises coming from our little piggery across from our home. I thought to myself this is weird as the pigs are screaming like […]

Why 'tama aito'?

Tuesday 19 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

E te tama Etita, Dear Editor, Tama Aito? Eaa te kino i to tatou uaorai reo? These words “Tama aito” (meant “Young warrior”)? What’s wrong with our own language? Te inangaro nei au, na roto i taau nuti pepa, i te ui atu i tetai uianga ki te au aronga marama o te Minitiri o […]

'Mischievous' letter worse than scaremongering

Tuesday 19 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Robin Bullen writes a good letter but he can be selective as he is being on this occasion so please indulge this letter’s length as I try to restore some balance and the reality. The establishment of our egg farming was with the full support and encouragement of the CIP and Democratic Party […]

On a roll online

Tuesday 19 October 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

With the general elections less than a month away, those who want to check their name on the main electoral rolls for the country’s 24 constituencies have another option to view the rolls, thanks to the Cook Islands Statistics Office’s website. Go to www.stats.gov.ck and scroll down the left hand index column to the heading […]

Silence from all but 7 says it all

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Your Saturday edition says it all. Seventy candidates to stand in the forthcoming general election – only seven chose to respond to your ‘on the issues’ poll. Of these seven note only two are current members, five will be standing as independents and neither of the major party leaders took the time to […]

Call for house numbers

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In response to the Ivor Nicholas letter re the taxi driver unable to find the tourists accommodation …. what is so new? Recently an ambulance driver had trouble finding our place at 2 o’clock one morning. Tradesmen and electricity and telecom have trouble finding places for service calls. Goodness knows what problems police […]

Focus on health education

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “Good luck to Teariki Matenga wanting to focus on health education in his political campaign [as an independent candidate for Titikaveka]. Let’s hope that if he gets in he can change the kinds of things that are currently happening in education such as a college HOD Physical Education and Health teacher […]

Kata - October 18, 2010

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Kata

So proud

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It’s great to read the Cook Islands News weekly online, so proud of our Cook Islands Team that went to Delhi, to have my son-in-law represent the Cook Islands in boxing, Mathew Titoa, a true Samoan at heart, he was very proud to represent the Cook Islands, we farewelled him back to Raro […]

A great youth venture

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kia Orana! I love what the CICC are doing for the youth, by hosting a youth convention. Mr Henry is doing a great job. I believe that the church hold the answers of hope, but the answers will never come out if the church stay inside their four walls. Great stuff for moving […]

Letter to a criminal

Monday 18 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To the criminal who broke into my house last night: You saw my car. You saw the lights on. You KNEW I was home. And you decided to break into my house anyway. Your arrogance and fearlessness could be put to better use. You found nothing of value in the lounge so you […]

Cheap scaremongering

Saturday 16 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, John Scott (letters, October 5) claims that Government’s policy on import substitution is nothing but a joke. But there is a strong case that John’s claims concerning Scotts Farm eggs are the real joke. Ponder this: Imported birds produce his eggs; imported building materials house his birds; imported cages incarcerate his birds; imported […]

Chaos all round

Saturday 16 October 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We need decent Cook Islanders to run our own country! The current political drama in the Cook Islands is now escalating to its lowest point in history. And the current minority led government should be ashamed of themselves with their ignorant attitude towards the welfare of our people. This Democratic government has done […]