Opinion

The case for reform

Thursday 2 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Reducing the number of MPs – it should be the people’s vote I think it’s great that Norman George, as a politician, is engaging the media to get his views across on political reform. I find it interesting that as a politician he is neither open, nor receptive to political reform and believes that it […]

GPC represent no one

Thursday 2 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Looking at that old photo you published on August 30 of the G.P.C. Group for Political Change (or is it G.S.R? “Group for Seat Reductions!”). They were protesting with the placard, “Norman George, Law Maker or Law Breaker” in 2003. What I find most amusing now is that the protest was not about […]

Questions over Titikaveka contract

Thursday 2 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is disappointing, but not surprising, that the Titikaveka Beautification Contract has once again been awarded to a private contractor rather than a community group. A proposal was submitted by the sports and community group from Titikaveka for the beautification contract on the understanding that community groups get first preference for beautification contracts. […]

Convenient transparency

Thursday 2 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

Referring to the smokie about Bim Tou calling the media to be present next week during the Ports Authority bid opening for the Avatiu Harbour Development, a smoke signaller writes: “What happened to the tender for the 15T forklift which is now broken down, and the crane purchased for Aitutaki recently? Transparency all right – […]

Kata - September 2, 2010

Thursday 2 September 2010 | Published in Kata

Where does the money go?

Wednesday 1 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read your article on the departure tax and a great appreciation goes out to the people voicing their opinions on the $55 departure tax charged to every departing adult. I myself visited the islands and was quite disgusted with your terminal after the huge amount of money spent on it and correct […]

Kata - September 1, 2010

Wednesday 1 September 2010 | Published in Kata

Road works are 'political'

Wednesday 1 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Tama Tuavera’s claim that road works currently being carried out around the island especially in Matavera is not linked to politics is a joke given that the elections is only three months away. Does he think that we, the voters are nave and stupid? It is so obvious that the road works has […]

'Unfounded'

Wednesday 1 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have just returned from an eight-day holiday in Rarotonga and had the pleasure of doing three days of diving with Pacific Divers. I was on the dive trip which received allegations that the dive boat skipper was harassing whales. These allegations are absolutely unfounded. I make the following comments in support of […]

Poor leadership is the problem

Wednesday 1 September 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Tere Carr’s comment about GPC’s efforts and comparing it to Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela fighting for civil rights is no comparison. Firstly, GPC is fighting for political change, not civil rights. Secondly, Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela had the support of the people, GPC doesn’t have people support. Thirdly, the GPC reform […]

Where's the commonsense?

Tuesday 31 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Recently, Uncle Bob alluded to the airport security people in Rarotonga as having no commonsense. Sir Geoff was right on the money when he mentioned that commonsense had gone missing in NZ as well. It was not that long ago, the equally non commonsense airport security people in Aus, subjected Sir Michael Somare […]

Eaa ta korua I rave?

Tuesday 31 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Ki Te Editor, Inangaro au i te ui atu kia Teuira Ka, e Piri Nicholls e, koai raua e akariro nei e, na raua e akaapa atu i ta Akatokamanava ikianga ia Hugh Graham ei candidate no te Demo i Mauke? Eaa ta korua i rave ana no teia Enua? Te karanga nei te autara […]

Chuffed with Japanese offer

Tuesday 31 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We were chuffed to see in the newspaper that Japan is offering aid for solar systems to be set up in the Cook Islands. Reading Garth Henderson’s comment that Japan is a world leader in this area confirms our own experience that we thought might be worth sharing with those looking into alternative […]

Harbouring no secrets

Tuesday 31 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A big congrats goes out to Bim Tou and the Ports Authority for being at the forefront of a new era of transparency in our small country. They’ve invited the media to attend the bid opening for the Avatiu Harbour Development at 2.30pm next Monday, with the deadline for bids being half an hour beforehand […]

Kata - August 31, 2010

Tuesday 31 August 2010 | Published in Kata

Ngatangiia numbers game

Monday 30 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, “Johnny come too late” did not complete their mathematical exercise in their letter because combined, Mann Short, Iaveta Short and Stephen Peyroux have 20 per cent of the voters who cast their vote – despite the intimidation by the Maoate committee who pressured many voters not to attend the voting. How many voted […]

Thanks for petition support

Monday 30 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I’d like to acknowledge Mr Ka’s letter (‘Support for Rule’s call’, Aug 19), in which he mentions support of a much needed reciprocal child support agreement between the Cook Islands and New Zealand. Indeed, there are many aspects of our community where positive contributions can be made to help our people, and our […]

Why the young leave

Monday 30 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I agree with Norman George’s comments that you can’t deny the right of young people to leave for an overseas experience, and who will be stupid enough to get in the way of our youth. Okay, that said, let’s try and look at some of the reasons for leaving. First of all they […]

Research helps protection

Monday 30 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As a Cook Islands resident living in Rarotonga, I am currently involved with the Cook Islands Whale Research Project. It is a pleasure working alongside Nan Hauser. Up until now, I didn’t know anything about whales and working with Nan on the project has taught me about migration, behaviour patterns, genetics, whale song […]

Uncle's balancing act

Monday 30 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Would the anonymous smoke signaller whinging about Uncle Bob in last Wednesday’s paper, at least have a pen name,” suggests ‘Uncle Bob’. “Maybe that signaller had a point to make and the reason for not putting a name to paper is to ensure that it is not misunderstood to be a personal attack. If the […]