Opinion

Young blood is what we need in politicis

Tuesday 29 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to respond to both Teuira Ka and Maukean Heart regarding their comment on Hugh Graham. As a Maukean residing in Auckland, I am saddened, at the same time appalled, by their senseless comments. Their letters confirmed one thing to us all: we live and breathe in a society full of […]

Being a candidate 'a joke'

Tuesday 29 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller going by the name ‘A Victim’ writes on the Cook Islands Party candidate selection issue: “I can see Peto’s (Albert Nicholas’) point as he does not want to go through what the other CIP punas went through when they had their candidate selection where the CIP executives were misleading, confusing and couldn’t […]

Women called to enter politics

Tuesday 29 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read yesterday’s Cook Islands News with so much interest – from the classified advertisements taken out by the two major political parties for nominations of candidates by their various puna, to the new transparent process in the Cook Islands Party constitution. It is obvious that the voting public are now moving and […]

Bikes not safe storage

Monday 28 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

Visitors to the island must be educated to the fact that a motorcycle seat is not a door to a secure, hidden safe and valuables must not be left there while the bike renter goes snorkeling or tramping. Some thieves can pop a bike seat off in a few seconds and be off with the […]

Open, fair and honest runoffs

Monday 28 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor Like most Cook Islanders, I’ve come to believe we must call for a systematic overhaul of the processes by which political parties nominate electoral candidates and that this overhaul is urgent. I am watching the “nomination and runoff saga” with an odd blend of amusement and concern. I admit it’s mildly entertaining to […]

Add VAT, deduct PAYE

Saturday 26 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

One of our readers pointed out the “silliness” in Andrew and Melinda Ponga’s letter to the editor yesterday where it was suggested it was often necessary to borrow from a bank to pay taxes. “Not so,” says our smoke signaller. “You add the VAT on to the sale price of your goods and you deduct […]

Mama love

Saturday 26 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, First I’d like to congratulate Mama Mau on her receipt of the MBE. This is one recipient who has truly earned this honour. Always putting others first, welcoming those of us who come from overseas. A great ambassador for the Cook Islands. Well done mama; my family will never forget your kindness, love […]

How to get a cash injection

Saturday 26 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, A suggestion for Tav’s and maybe other retail businesses that works well in Waikiki and gives them a cash injection to pay the bills! Have a one day, genuine 50% off ALL stock sale, at the back road shop. Give the local femmes an opportunity to purchase a nice new dress for their […]

Happy tax payer

Saturday 26 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I recently left the Cook Islands and it was made very clear to me by a representative from the Tax Office that I was to ensure all taxes were paid prior to my departure. I happily sorted all my affairs out, and to my surprise, I was entitled to a refund. The cheque […]

Hugh Graham served us well in Manukau

Saturday 26 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The resignation of Hugh Graham – councillor for Manukau City Council – is indeed a very sad loss to the community. I must say that Hugh has been an inspiration to all ages in the community and especially to his own Cook Islands people. Once in a while, a Pacific leader stands tall […]

Snap election a hoax

Saturday 26 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing in regards to last Saturday’s article about the majority of Democrats supporting the PM in order for him to allow for the dissolution of parliament so a snap election can be called. I strongly believe the PM will never call a snap election and will wait until the very last […]

Swift justice is good justice

Saturday 26 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Am I the only person in the Cook Islands embarrassed by the apparent lack of urgency in dispensing justice through our Court system? I refer to the report in the Cook Islands News of June 25.A total of 21 cases are reported of which nine are listed as callovers. In seven of the […]

Tax time thoughts

Friday 25 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “Many a company director signing monthly tax cheques to the government this week must have muttered contemptuous things about needing a tax break, like Tav’s and others, and then got a little angry realising that our precious tax dollars are also going into Brett Porter’s coffers. The one question I can’t […]

Kata - June 25, 2010

Friday 25 June 2010 | Published in Kata

Time to boost netball

Friday 25 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am very disappointed with our national netball association. This is a good time for government to step in and have a netball series in Rarotonga or maybe develop an ANZ champs team from the Cooks. After all my time being a netball fan for the Cooks, it is highly disappointing to not […]

Low-interest loans 'great news'

Friday 25 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Today (Thursday June 24) CI News has an article that suggests that with the help of the New Zealand Government, businesses in the Cook Islands may get access to low interest loans. This is great news and if it actually happens is an answer to the proposal that for some time now has […]

Cheers to Wilkie, it's a start

Friday 25 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Well done Wilkie Rasmussen, your goal to put in policy to help us local businesses is a breath of fresh air and offers a glimmer of hope to business owners. Only those people who develop and run businesses here in the Cooks can understand the massive amount of money, effect and time needed […]

Kata - June 24, 2010

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Kata

Seeing the light

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor In the article on mercury poisoning no mention was made of the money saving new light bulbs being foisted upon the world. One elderly lady broke one here in the States, called the Environmental Protection Agency and it cost her US$2500 to have one broken mercury “good for 2000 hours” light bulb that […]

Crime idea

Thursday 24 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, For a while now there has been evidence that a few opportunist thieves are sabotaging our tourism industry. No lateral thinking on ideas to combat this seem to be apparent. Here’s one idea that could be adapted and might make a significant difference. It’s well known that when experts in a profession have […]