Opinion

People's Forum part of the debate

Tuesday 7 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The whole idea of the People’s Forum and of asking political candidates to speak up publicly is that we all need to discuss and debate political reform. Our Group for Political Change was asked by supporters to regroup, because of our past work in advocating for political reform. We were asked to again […]

Raro's ego speedway

Tuesday 7 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Every so often we have fuel shortages,” a smoke signaller writes. “Our roads are constantly littered with pot holes. Contributing to this are the modern 4 wheel drive vehicles constantly hooning around Rarotonga Speedway. With the size of this island I cannot understand why the importation of these vehicles available for private use continues. Surely […]

There's no quick fix

Monday 6 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Let me take this opportunity to “get it right” as referred to by Serena Hunter of Muri. Reduction in the number of seats in parliament is the one suggestion agreed by GPC, Mou Piri and the Reformers as the referendum topic for this election, a suggestion that took at least two hours worth […]

Let's pressure candidates

Monday 6 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

We want signed commitments on key issues like reducing seats Dear Editor, In front of our eyes on almost a daily basis the political parties are falling apart. It’s time for everyone to seriously question your loyalty to a party because most politicians obviously don’t have any loyalty to YOU in the party, so many […]

Sinking and rising islands

Monday 6 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A big congrats going out to Pacific Resort Aitutaki’s GM Michael Shah for being voted the South Pacific general manager of the year at the 2010 HM Awards for Hotel & Accommodation Excellence in Sydney on Friday night. Shortly after starting the job in Aitutaki he said he has the best job in the world, […]

Dog epidemic out west

Monday 6 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was not surprised recently to hear that a tourist had been bitten by a roving dog in Arorangi. I wrote to the Dog Ranger, via the police, several weeks ago stating that someone would get hurt by these dogs if nothing was done. Well, nothing was done and as far as I […]

Run-off idea ridiculous

Monday 6 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to Sir Terepai’s arrogant suggestion for a ‘national day run off’. Is he crazy? Does he not realise that he will be totally wiped out by the people of Ngatangiia? If only Sir Terepai and his bunch of loud mouth commitee members followed the constitution where it clearly states the proper […]

I'm a warrior, not an old man!

Saturday 4 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In response to your letter published on Thursday September 2 titled ‘Questions over Titikaveka contract’ by Papa Chief, I believe, Papa Chief, you already know the answers to your “question”. First of all, you are right, it is not surprising that the Titikaveka Beautification Contract has once again been awarded to a private […]

We just want change

Saturday 4 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In response to Grassroots Voter, civil and political rights are interconnected. These groups of rights protect individuals from unwarranted action by government, private organisations and individuals to ensure one’s ability to participate in the civil and political life of that country, without discrimination or repression. We are able to live in this country […]

Kata - September 4, 2010

Saturday 4 September 2010 | Published in Kata

Maoate objection

Saturday 4 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As a Ngatangiia Demo supporter, I object to Junior Maoate telling me who I should appoint as my candidate. Does he think we should go to Aitutaki and tell the people in his electorate if they nominate him, our member will walk away from the Demo party? Talk about arrogance, just like the […]

The system is not fair

Saturday 4 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Thank you Tupui Ariki Henry for providing the same argument we are using going back to 1996. Information on how the decisions were made regarding the number of seats in Parliament, back in 1965 and 1984. You stated that at the time it was pointed out to the Self Government Committee (quote): … […]

Hospital 'not up to scratch'

Saturday 4 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am one of the many Cook Islands women living here in Rarotonga and I just want to say free of speech of course that our hospital up at Arorangi is really not up to scratch, equipment and service wise. I don’t mean to be nasty in anyway but I am speaking from […]

Get it right

Friday 3 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Grassroots Voter needs to read the paper properly. If he/she read Monday’s paper he/she would have seen that GPC is not suggesting the PM be elected by everyone. Clearly from Monday’s article the only thing GPC is calling for is for a reduction in the number of seats and a binding referendum to […]

Getting ugly

Friday 3 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As a demo party supporter in Ngatangiia I resent that my democratic right to choose my representative is being usurped my emotionally coercive petitions, bully tactics, threats and counter threats. Cut the crap and by secret ballot let all the demo supporters of Ngatangiia decide between Terepai and Mann not lawyers, judges or […]

Reform suggestions 'destructive'

Friday 3 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to make some comments on these individuals and groups pressing for some form of so-called process of Parliamentary reform: The election, nationally of the Prime Minister, other Parliament Members, PM to select his Cabinet from anywhere, and to reduce the number of member representatives. These are not reform proposals, but destructive […]

3 KM PER MP

Friday 3 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller looks at a map and asks: “Would there be another country in the world where there is a highly paid Member of Parliament every three kilometres of road on under populated land, which is what we appear to have here on Rarotonga? Unbelievable! And three MP’s for the almost deserted island of […]

Kata - September 3, 2010

Friday 3 September 2010 | Published in Kata

'Repetitive diatribe'

Thursday 2 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Smart politicians should look at life after reform Dear Editor, I find it incredible that Norman George continues to take up valuable space in your newspaper by persisting with insulting our intelligence in the way that he has. Regarding political reform, there can be little doubt that on Rarotonga at least, most people are in […]

Reform talks just 'window dressing'

Thursday 2 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The PM’s invitation to GPC and Mou Piri for a round table discussion on political reform is nothing more than just a window dressing exercise to give the impression that Government is serious about reforms. We are still run by a minority Democratic Party government so how does the PM expect the reform […]