Opinion

'Letter mine'

Saturday 12 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor In response to your article ‘Cut the crap says George’, I am more than capable of writing my own letters thank you Norman. Most often I find myself disagreeing with what Norman says, on this occasion I agree on one thing, it is time for less chat and more work. At the Demo […]

The Good Ol' days

Saturday 12 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to correct your Smoke Signal in Friday’s 11 June issue that I, Tupui Ariki Henry challenged Sir Geoffrey Henry for the CIP Leadership and failed and caused the crisis of 1983, ending with another election in November. I challenged Sir Geoffrey in our cabinet meeting because he stripped me of my […]

Chopper pad questions

Friday 11 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am a little concerned about the location of the new helicopter pad over the road from CITC Liquor. Firstly, what safety measures are needed for preparing a landing pad? There is nothing but a piece of rope stopping people from walking up to a potential dangerous situation. Also, if you are within […]

Why not dock at Papua?

Friday 11 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Why would someone put a cruise dock in a very small lagoon like the Arorangi passage? Can the ship even fit inside that area? Why not make a passage in the lagoon from Papua to Rutaki, resting in Papua that way the guests aren’t stranded in the middle of nowhere. Stores can be […]

CI democracy RIP

Friday 11 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Democracy is dead in the Cook Islands. It died when Jim Marurai formed a government with four members of parliament, later one, making a total of 25 per cent of our members of parliament representing the nation, putting an end to our democratic system. Nowhere else in the democratic world does such a […]

JPs, get tough!

Friday 11 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“There appears to be some inconsistencies with the way that driving with excess breath/blood alcohol is being treated by the courts (CI news May 9 front page),” a smoke signaller writes. “If the Police, as they claim, say that they are serious in stopping this, then the courts have to start backing them up. Just […]

Kata - June 11, 2010

Friday 11 June 2010 | Published in Kata

Solutions offered to Demos

Thursday 10 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Even after the recent party conference of the Democratic Party, the party split still exists and still widening. The former leader and minister, Sir Terepai Maoate tried to make a deal with the PM and it was rejected, as unreasonable. A news brief item in the recent Cook Islands Times by Iaveta Short, […]

Lessened by Ingram loss

Thursday 10 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor On behalf of my wife and the extended Kelly family here, I would be most grateful if we may convey, through you, our deepest sympathy to Jenny and all the family of the late Vincent Ingram, our cousin, uncle, great-uncle, in-law and dear friend. May I also add a wholly personal tribute to […]

Avoiding the big issue

Thursday 10 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “The iti tangata of the Cook Islands could be forgiven for wondering whether they live under a democratic, representative system of government. Not one comment of party leader Robert Wigmore in his rejection of Sir Terepai’s demands, actually refers to the needs, will, demands or future well being of the citizens […]

Laughing stock

Thursday 10 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read the Cook Islands news weekly online and after reading all about Cook Islands politics I would like to advise the politicians that they are becoming the laughing stock of the Pacific. Monkeys in a zoo can do a better job. It’s getting to the stage that I am glad I live […]

Kata - June 10, 2010

Thursday 10 June 2010 | Published in Kata

Happy, happy

Wednesday 9 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Kia Orana te Iti tangata. Joy, joy, joy, happy, happy, happy, what a surprise! In fact, more surprised there were any votes against the change, should’ve been 48-nil. Just goes to show. In spite of all the dumb stuff that happened, there are still idiots out there who will vote for them. The […]

Canoes pay for airport

Wednesday 9 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“If the Cook Islands’ vaka leaves Avatiu wharf and goes to Samoa, will they be taxed $55 per crew member departure in tax?” a reader asks. “The Fijian vaka crew was billed $990 departure tax as I guess was the crew of the other departing vaka. Why was I under the impression that this tax […]

Licence renewal idea

Wednesday 9 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, An idea: In order to cut down on the long lines and waiting times to get a Cook Islands driver’s licence, how about having the capability for those of us with prior Cook Islands licences to renew them over the internet and have a new one mailed to our home address? We could […]

How green are eco-bikes?

Wednesday 9 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor Think about this statement I read last week in the esteemed but often maligned CI News “The electric bike is faster and less physically demanding than a pushbike, but cheaper to run and creates less pollution than a motorbike. It’s a happy medium.” I sat there thinking Rarotonga must have secretly been working […]

Kata - June 9, 2010

Wednesday 9 June 2010 | Published in Kata

Kata - June 4, 2010

Friday 4 June 2010 | Published in Kata

Unavailable

Friday 4 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I noticed with surprise that my name was printed in the Cook Islands News dated 3 June 2010 as the Assistant Treasurer for the Democratic Party. As I advised the conference organisers prior to the conference, I was not available to attend the conference and take up any post as I am obligated […]

Govt should ignore court decision

Friday 4 June 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor What’s going on in paradise? Not another court fiasco? The effect of the Toa saga should have been uppermost in the court’s mind and the people are already squirming at the thought of giving away millions of dollars over the next 10 years for nothing. The next government of the Cook Islands should […]