Opinion

Sort out departure tax

Thursday 19 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Okay, here’s the proof (see left). $89 departure taxes from Australia, with at today’s exchange rate, that’s approx NZ$115. Why then do all our visitors complain about $55? It’s not the amount so much, it’s about peoples purchasing habits. Have $55 included with the ticket purchase upfront (usually on a credit card) and […]

Festschrift for Crocombe praised

Thursday 19 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Not having had the privilege of meeting the late Papa Ron in person, last week’s Festschrift for Ron Crocombe conference certainly provided me with a strong feeling of meeting him in spirit, a thriving and alive spirit, and getting a glimpse of a very wise heart. As a social anthropologist and a ‘fresh […]

Kata - August 19, 2010

Thursday 19 August 2010 | Published in Kata

Horse complaints a worry

Thursday 19 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have just read the letter to you posted Saturday, August 7 entitled ‘Horse lover’s plea’ regarding the Aroa Horse Riding. Have you had other complaints? I have read a few reviews on Trip Advisor with similar complaints, last time I was in Rarotonga I did try to have a trek, I was […]

Real reform debate needed

Thursday 19 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It has been encouraging to see the growing discussion, debate and consensus in the community regarding the fundamental need for political reform in the Cook Islands. The key concern is that since self government over 90 per cent of Cook Islanders have voted with their feet and left the Cook Islands and yet […]

Kata - August 18, 2010

Wednesday 18 August 2010 | Published in Kata

Private sector growth

Wednesday 18 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“I see the Prime Minister has made two new appointments on the Telecom Cook Islands board with representatives from the private sector,” a smoke signaller writes. “It is ‘to allow TCI to assume a more private sector ‘face’ in moving forward with its initiatives’. How about TCI and the PM – the current Telecommunications Minister […]

Election date too late

Wednesday 18 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing this letter with great frustration and concern as to when we are heading into the next general election. I believe the best thing for the people is to hold the election sometime in September or early October at the latest, well before the holiday season is upon us. Every year […]

Judging candidate suitability

Wednesday 18 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The suitability of a candidate to represent his/her people should not be measured by how well they wield a grass cutter or how often they are seen at church or how much food they provide at funerals. While these are good characteristics to have in a person, they should not be used as […]

Time to step down with dignity

Wednesday 18 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I agree with the growing number of disenchanted voters in Ngatangiia that the time has come for Sir Terepai to step down as the MP. This is exactly what Sir Terepai promised the voters of his constituency many times in the past. Unfortunately Sir Terepai has again failed to live up to his […]

Kata - August 17, 2010

Tuesday 17 August 2010 | Published in Kata

The Ngatangiia showdown

Tuesday 17 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

The big GE is still 92 days away but it’s hand-to-hand fighting in the trenches at Ngatangiia over the selection of the constituency’s Democratic Party candidate, almost a very miniature version of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton slogging it out in the US for the Democratic presidential nomination two years ago. There’s a few smokies […]

Appalled by arrogance

Tuesday 17 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Watching the television the other night I was so much appalled by the arrogance of Tata Crocombe, and to a lesser degree Iaveta Short, attacking the system and worst still our politicians. While they were attacking the system, they all failed to look at themselves being ‘ultimately systematised’, and they are systems in […]

Titikaveka run-off call

Tuesday 17 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing in regards to a run off for the Democratic Party supporters for the Titikaveka Village. The Democratic supporters in the village of Titikaveka have not had the chance to have a run off for nominations for the seat holder for the Democratic Party for Titikaveka. This is undemocratic and highly […]

CIP leadership a concern

Saturday 14 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The leadership of the CIP in the next general election is a big problem and a cause for great concern. Henry Puna’s election as CIP Leader at their conference back in September 2009 has led many to doubt that the election was fair and the best person was elected to lead the party […]

In defence of soft loans

Saturday 14 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, There has been much said and written in recent days in regard to Jnr Maoate unfairly receiving a soft loan for his business. For the record people of the Cook Islands should understand these very important points. The BSL fund is a “loan” over five years which has all normal securities applied and […]

Kata - August 14, 2010

Saturday 14 August 2010 | Published in Kata

PM Jim's had enough

Saturday 14 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

Prime Minister Jim Marurai says he’s had enough of leading the country. In the latest issue of the Fiji-based magazine Islands Business, he’s quoted as saying that come the next general elections in November, he’ll stand for his Ivirua seat on Mangaia and reconnect with his constituents if he wins. “I can’t even trust my […]

Allsworth replies to Maoates

Friday 13 August 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, There has been a barrage of attacks in Parliament, with some very erroneous, and highly emotional comments and personal remarks directed at me, from both Sir Terepai and Junior Maoate, arising from the Toagate Report and the BTIB, business stimulus loans. Constructive comments and public debate is encouraged and supported in our small […]

Kata - August 13, 2010

Friday 13 August 2010 | Published in Kata