Opinion

Kata - May 19, 2010

Wednesday 19 May 2010 | Published in Kata

Religion and politics

Tuesday 18 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing about Bishop Tutai Pere’s rambling rhetoric in last Friday’s Churchtalk column. There is a rather pervasive religious element in our society, but we are still a secular country, and merging religion with politics can create a volatile mix, as is evident in the deadly insurgencies and wars motivated by this […]

Give minority a taste of their own medicine

Tuesday 18 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, A few months ago, a group of 19 MPs from the Demos and CIP, claiming to have a majority, called on the Prime Minister to call Parliament to resolve any leadership and administration issues within the country. Marurai, Wilkie and Wigmore and their minority group refused and hid behind the country’s constitution even […]

Telecom answers Framheim's allegations

Tuesday 18 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor Telecom would like to make a public statement about the ongoing allegations from Mr Franheim on behalf of Mervin Communications. WiFi pricing First, in relation to Telecom’s ISP network services, I can confirm that Telecom sells a variety of broadband connection plans to businesses and residential customers. Telecom also provides WiFi and cybercafe […]

Kata - May 18, 2010

Tuesday 18 May 2010 | Published in Kata

Our very own Gilligan's Island

Tuesday 18 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

The safe return of the four from Manuae is fantastic news, but attention now must be given to the investigation into what really happened to ensure there isn’t a repeat of what must have been a costly rescue mission. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that all four men should not have […]

Mervin asks if Telco networks are legal

Monday 17 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Local company Mervin Communications is questioning the legality of foreign telecommunications networks operating in the country. Director William Framhein says it is probable that the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) and cabinet have not given their consent for the foreign enterprises to carry on business in the Cook Islands. He says it is possible that […]

Spider's did it first

Monday 17 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I refer to page 6 in CI News of May 14 and would like to correct the headline ‘Let’s all follow CITC’s example’. This should have read: ‘Let’s all follow Spider’s Aitutaki example’. It was Spider’s Supermarket here in Aitutaki, owned by Savage Lockington, who together with his very able CEO James Wearing […]

Questions and answers

Monday 17 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read the questions that Pastor Tutai Pere is asking of our leadership, and I read the questions that Sean Willis is asking of Pastor John Tangi. When I consider the notion that politics and religion don’t mix, I get to understand just how flawed some of our thinking is. Should pastors only […]

Cruise ships bring 'clean' tourism

Monday 17 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was intrigued with the misreporting that has been occasioned by the intention to construct landing areas around Rarotonga, so that cruise ships may have the opportunity to land more of their passengers. The following is my take on the idea to enable more passengers to be landed and the benefits that will […]

'Intense heat' at airport

Monday 17 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, What is Des Eggleton talking about? What is the positive feedback that he is speaking of? I haven’t heard any positive feedback, I have heard however a multitude of complaints from customs and immigration officials about the intense heat in the building. Most comments I have heard from tourists is why did we […]

Forever belittling...

Monday 17 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kia orana i te aroa maata o to tatou Atua. I toku tatau marie anga i te leta a Doreen Kavana Boggs kite koe, te kite nakiri uatu ra au i tona tokorua i muri i tona mokotua. As I read Doreen’s letter I have a feeling her husband was just behind her […]

Who got the seat?

Monday 17 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “Interesting to read in your paper that a Manihiki woman with a torn Achilles tendon gave up her seat for an emergency case from Pukapuka. I wonder who the Manihiki patient gave up her seat for? Obviously not for the Pukapuka patient. Among the passengers who hopped off the plane when […]

That's real democracy

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I salute and raise my hat to Mr Gordon Brown who after some years as the Prime Minister of Great Britain, once he realised that he no longer commanded the two-thirds majority of seats after the recent general election, humbly conceded defeat, moved out of the government house and graciously bowed out to […]

Mozzie spraying plan of attack

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor Before a shoot from the hip attempt at spraying the Culex night time mosquito has everyone up in arms, can Public Health please tell us how spraying would have any effect whatsoever. Can’t spray the buggers during the day as they are asleep under leaves and under buildings. Drive down the road at […]

Kata - May 15, 2010

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Kata

Dogs bring joy

Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I’m having a great holiday here in Rarotonga. A large part of my enjoyment has been the people I’ve met and watching, talking to and cuddling the friendly dogs on Muri Beach. I’ve observed many other tourists doing the same and see the dogs as a huge attraction as you don’t experience this […]

Party first, people second

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is very disappointing to see what the minority government and their supporters are focusing on, which is to call a conference to resolve a party matter at the same time overlook the needs of the people of Aitutaki and the Northern Group islands that suffered damage from the cyclones. This is the […]

'Rebels' are pretending

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kia orana e tama, there is no doubt in my mind that the six ministers under the leadership of Jim Marurai and Robert Wigmore are all sacked from the Democratic Party. Those supporters who follow them are also automatically sacked by associating and supporting them. They are no longer members of the Democratic […]

Telecom challenged to court fight

Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I write to you on behalf of Mervin Communications in respect of two letters by Telecom Cook Islands CEO Jules Maher addressed to your publication. Our response to the first letter published on May 22 titled ‘Telecom one of the cheapest’ is that this was totally misleading. Telecom is the only supplier of […]