Opinion

Please explain tourism situation

Monday 3 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor A few days ago you had the ‘golden goose’ of tourism being strangled in your newspaper cartoon. I think that is such a good image of what’s happening in this country. What I am worried about is that it is being allowed to happen with no one really doing anything about it. There […]

Kata - May 1, 2010

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Kata

Meitaki maata CI from the UK

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I just want to send out a big thank you to the people of the Cook Islands. I made my first trip to your beautiful country last month with my wife and children. It has always been a dream of mine to visit, ever since I can remember. Well finally in my 47th […]

Thank you 60+ women

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to thank and acknowledge the women of the sixty plus club for their work in the community. I had the privilege of being a guest speaker as a representative of Punanga Tauturu Inc at their monthly meeting and have walked away renewed in my conviction of the resilience and perseverance […]

A ridiculous situation

Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I just happened to pick up the newspaper about 10 minutes ago and to my amusement, there was a reta re Health System Unfair. I am saddened to read that Tuao Messine’s son and daughter-in-law is facing what we came through and I applaud them for voicing their disappointment. I can only hope […]

That's democracy!

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, As I have a lot of friends on Rarotonga I regularly dip into your online publication to catch up on local news and views. This week I was pleased to see a most erudite communication from The Bard and as today, April 23, is Shakespeare’s birthday I thought it fitting to congratulate the […]

Plates just the number

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with interest the article on Cook Islands number plates. I live in Michigan, USA and have new Cook Islands plates on four cars. My Toyota with the CI plate on the front of the car in the snow appeared in the CI News last year. We only need a rear plate […]

Kata - April 30, 2010

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Kata

What about the others?

Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“I was just reading through the Cook Islands News this morning (Thursday) regarding the sentencing of Danny Cook,” writes a smoke signaller. “My points are: There are other offenders who are facing the same sentencing but have not taken place yet. How quickly Danny’s case has been dealt with. His sentence is two years in […]

A bit of poetry

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This is a response to the letter signed ‘Two senesene worth’ letter in your newspaper yesterday: Two Senesene, the moon is green. Yes! Minister Wilkie, the moon is green. Two Senesene, the sun is purple. Yes! Minister Wilkie, the sun is purple. Two Senesene, I command you to follow my instructions. Yes! Minister […]

Kata - April 29, 2010

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Kata

Coco Putt deserves a licence

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing in regards to the issuing of a new liquor licence. People who set up the new business called Coco Putt put a lot of money and dreams into their new venture, and then are denied a restaurant liquor licence, which is needed by the business to succeed. I know Tokerau […]

Health system unfair

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to voice my disappointment at our national health system in regards to an issue when my son and daughter in-law were blessed with a beautiful baby girl in March this year at the Rarotonga hospital. They were told to pay $1000 for their week’s stay in hospital, added to that they […]

Local bums on empty seats?

Thursday 29 April 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A suggestion has been made that if taxpayers have to underwrite the new Sydney flights, surely taxpayers could expect first dibs on any empty seats. It would help keep the planes (looking) full and leave a sweeter taste in our mouths… of course we’d be hoping we don’t leave anyone behind permanently in Australia! It […]

Kata - April 28, 2010

Wednesday 28 April 2010 | Published in Kata

New jetty questioned

Wednesday 28 April 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“How can it be justified for $2 million to be spent on a new jetty for cruise ship tender boats that will only be used a couple of times a year?” a smoke signaller asks “What about spending that money on roads and sewerage and other more immediate needs? It’s like a man whose house […]

Give board a fair go

Wednesday 28 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, There has been a lot of recent criticism of the Tourist Authority Board and its chairman but the persons on this board are undoubtedly the most capable and experienced we have available on the island. Some of the criticism is coming from people with a vested interest in seeing change or other people […]

Reciprocal friendship for New Zealanders

Wednesday 28 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, No country in the whole world welcomes and financially assists the Cook Islands more than New Zealand. So what about some special reciprocation for our Kiwi friends and relations? Give New Zealanders your thanks and encouragement by helping their citizens exclusively, because of who they are, as they do for you. Invite all […]

We're in a 'perilous position'

Wednesday 28 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The Cook Islands has been put in a perilous position by the Tourism Board, as it moved to reprimand Unique Tourism Collection (UTC) over Christopher de Doby’s letter to the industry. The board has acted hastily and incorrectly on many counts. The letter was not anonymous, as claimed. It was directed at Tata […]

A bit bogged out

Wednesday 28 April 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing in response to “Man with a ‘beef’ lets rip”.Yes, Steve Boggs let rip alright. A big fat smelly one. And I’m a bit bogged out by it. Can he please just get over himself and let the Minister of Finance do his job. Does he not appreciate that there is […]