Opinion

Evolving from servants to celebrities

Tuesday 25 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, In our self-serving culture with its ‘me first mentality’, acting like a servant is not a wise concept. Bishop Tutai Pere of the Apostolic Church of the Cook Islands, in my personal opinion, he should keep his nose where it belongs, focus on his church members. Let our politicians govern our country. We […]

Where did Apex money come from?

Tuesday 25 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “Brett Porter’s explanation of the Apex deal with Mobil Oil in 2006 is that Apex borrowed some millions of dollars and put up ‘its own’ $750,000 to make a $3.25 million dollar deal. On August 11, 2006 the LAT approved a deed of mortgage from Apex to ANZ Bank of 5.7 […]

Kata - May 25, 2010

Tuesday 25 May 2010 | Published in Kata

Two short is one third

Monday 24 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor How arrogant and incomprehensible it is that the Cook Islands Netball Association is quite happy to pat itself on the back while proceeding with the season minus one third of its potential playing members. Hello! You are missing two whole clubs! Irrespective of how difficult negotiations are, you as elected administrators have a […]

Marine park commendable

Monday 24 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am delighted to see that the Cook Islands Cabinet has approved a proposal to pursue the establishment of a national marine park. The designation of a significant part of our territorial waters in the southern group as a marine protected area is commendable. This will undoubtedly strengthen the existing Cook Islands Whale […]

Make them pay

Monday 24 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Alfred Morris & co. have apologised to all the people who were involved in his rescue from Manuae. And so they should, as well as repaying all the costs involved to get him and the others back to Rarotonga. I have yet to see an apology to the people of Aitutaki who own […]

Thanks for a clear picture

Monday 24 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to voice my concern concerning government’s behavior. It’s very astonishing watching the Cook Islands government act like little children. They are setting a very bad example for us upcoming leaders. This is pretty clear evidence of how the future of this island will be run. They don’t realise that they […]

Thinking of leaving

Monday 24 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have been working for government for 30 years and paying my tax to pay for other necessary things that are required by government. I am also a vendor at the Punanga Nui Market selling goods and paying $15 per week to government. I expect good return for my hard working dollars. What […]

Here we go again

Saturday 22 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller sent us this fax: The outrage shown by a number of our citizens in regards to the Toagate financial disaster is justified. The utter arrogance and cheek of these so-called leaders is unbelievable, but you get what you deserve when you give them the mandate to govern in the first place. Now […]

Message to Sir

Saturday 22 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Sir Terepai, you already have a title, live up to it and continue to grow old gracefully, stay home and be with your family, your wife and grandchildren. You’re too old and have lost your wisdom for politics,you’ve made too many mistakes, yes, believe it the finger is pointing at you. This country […]

Kata - May 22, 2010

Saturday 22 May 2010 | Published in Kata

Take rebels to court

Saturday 22 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I want to make it clear to our supporters not to be confused by this conference at the end of this month, organised by Sean Willis and the minority government of Jim, Wilkie, Wigmore, Apii, Smiley and Cassey. I am calling all supporters not to go to this conference as officialy this is […]

I am sickened

Saturday 22 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am a Cook Islander, a citizen, a tax payer, a land owner, a mortgage payer, a mother, a grandmother, amongst many others, sweating day by day to make ends meet. Of course there are many other Cook Islanders in the same boat like myself. I am most sickened by the outcome of […]

Trying to do a man's job

Friday 21 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

An irate smoke signaller writes in to TXT188: “Well we can thank the arrogance of Terepai Maoate and the nodders or yes men in cabinet at the time: Tangata Vavia, Ngamau Munokoa, Kete Ioane and Jim Marurai. All girls and boys trying to do a man’s job but just costing the country millions over Toagate. […]

Kata - May 21, 2010

Friday 21 May 2010 | Published in Kata

Stupid, greedy old men

Friday 21 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have just read this morning’s newpaper. No words can adequately describe how absolutely sickened and gutted I feel at this moment. How can Brett Porter and Tereapii Maoate look in the mirror each morning. You stupid, greedy old men. How dare you put us into more debt, and please, please just shut […]

It's totally unfair say Avatea kids

Friday 21 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am a student at Avatea School, Form 2. My class at present is studying about the government. We read the newspaper of today, Thursday 20th May 2010, and were dismayed at the current issues on the government of today. My class and I feel that this is totally unfair! The Cook Islands […]

You meet the nicest islanders when someone steals your bag!

Friday 21 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Since 1988 we have been regular and happy visitors to Rarotonga. Right up until today that is. On the beach, opposite Raina Lodges, just down from Fruits of Rarotonga, we had just entered the water for a swim when a young fella sprang from the bushes, grabbed my wife’s beach bag and took […]

Now it's a question of morals and ethics

Friday 21 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Regarding ‘Porter’s response to Toa judgement’ (CI News February 20). Perhaps there is a parallel here. The Government’s fuel policy scheme involved not only the purchase of the Toa facility but the Juhi depot as well, which it saw as the only way to achieve its stated policy of “consolidating the country’s fuel […]

Standing naked before us

Thursday 20 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor The article by Bishop Tutai Pere last weekend on the political situation here gave me some hope that not everyone is blinded or dazzled by the PM’s finery. You may recall the story of the emperor who wore no clothes. He was conned by a couple of very smart guys who convinced him […]