Opinion

Investigate the Public Service Commissioner

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Sir, It’s amazing to read that the Public Service Commissioner appeared before a Ministry of the Crown to make submission on behalf of a private fishing company. Given the position he holds in government, doesn’t he feel an obligation to stay out of these private sector involvements. If other fishing companies require similar support […]

We're always asking for it

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

A smoke signaller writes: “The policy advisor for the government urges the nation to push for more aid money to combat economic downturns, recessions, global warming, etc (CINews 9 Feb). Workshops and meetings held all over the Pacific, to see where funds can be sourced. Why? There is nothing intrinsically wrong with this economy that […]

Censorship suggestions

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I note with interest significant paid advertising in the weekend paper advising details of banned movies, etc. I suggest the new Minister and HOM for Internal Affairs have the censor get his act together and actually pursue these pirates who we all know have been smuggling/illegally downloading these movies for at least 10 […]

Concern at school subject restrictions

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Allow me to raise some of my concerns through your column. Before the start of the school year, I was very happy as a parent that my daughter had passed her level one NZEA exams that she set last year. I encouraged her to do well again in the level 2 programme this […]

Kata - February 15, 2010

Monday 15 February 2010 | Published in Kata

Next time send workers

Saturday 13 February 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

Mamas wandering around crying, not knowing what to do…A New Zealand businessman staying at Pacific Resort Aitutaki had that in his mind when he was stumbling over fallen trees on resort paths on Thursday, until he noticed a group of about 12 Cook Islands politicians and bigwigs having lunch, which resort staff had stopped (clearing […]

Kata - February 13, 2010

Saturday 13 February 2010 | Published in Kata

Incorrect warning causes major panic

Friday 12 February 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

While Aitutaki started picking up the pieces from the tragic battering of cyclone Pat on Wednesday morning, over in Rarotonga a single e-mail was causing a huge amount of panic among locals and visitors when it incorrectly stated that Rarotonga was going to be hit by the cyclone at 2pm. At 10.22am an e-mail from […]

Commitment still there

Friday 12 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I want to clarify to 1Drop2Many (1D2M) and your reporter Helen Greig, on a couple of issues that have gone print. I requested the meeting with the minister and asked Navy Epati to sit in because of his past experience in marine regulations. There was a lengthy debate between Josh Mitchell from marine […]

Kata - February 11, 2010

Thursday 11 February 2010 | Published in Kata

'No' for a nationally elected PM

Wednesday 10 February 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

On the subject of political reform, one signaller says in 2006 when prime minister Jim Marurai knew that he did not have the support, he called a snap election. “In 2010 he knows he doesn’t have the support of the MPs in the house but is willing to hold on as long as it takes […]

Rotten egg

Wednesday 10 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am concerned for the country’s future in regards to the proposed manganese mining. Has anyone done any research on the environmental and health effects? From what I have researched so far, if you let the mining in you will not be sitting on a golden egg but a rotten one. Rob Thurnham

It's about open dialogue

Wednesday 10 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The comments by Makiuti Tongia in his letter to the editor on Monday is distasteful and dangerously misleading. In other words his comments show the state of mind of a bitter disturbed person wilfully exploiting the courage of the current government and hoping to spin it into dead-end conclusions. In my view he […]

Tap calling Nemo

Wednesday 10 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, May I try one more time to respond to the ever persistent writer, “Finding Nemo”? Nemo seems to think that somehow I am both the chief scientist and chief engineer of a company that seeks to obtain a seabed exploration license under the new legislation. I am neither. I am a member of […]

Fishing promises come to nothing

Wednesday 10 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I read with interest but also with great concern that ‘pressure’ is put on the minister to bend, in many ways, under the thumb of some unscrupulous businessmen who have no regards for what others feel or think about their ways and strategies. The last time the fishing licences were granted, despite the […]

Kata - February 10, 2010

Wednesday 10 February 2010 | Published in Kata

Maori only

Monday 8 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Since moving to Aotearoa eight years ago, I have noted that the tangata whenua (NZ Maori) have become the manuhiri (strangers) in their own land. I do not want this ever to happen back home. Therefore I am suggesting that our Constitution be amended so that no one can ever become a member […]

Service, lies, police

Monday 8 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Hi, I am writing in regards to a few things. Customer service, lies and the police. I have witnessed how our people treat their visitors. People are no longer friendly and there are hardly any smiles, when making purchases in shops. At the check out ready to pay, the attendant didn’t even smile […]

Wrong to silence the minority

Monday 8 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It is wrong for this ‘government of five’ to merge the seats of Manihiki and Rakahanga, and Mitiaro and Mauke into one seat each in parliament. The initiative is based on roughly 500 voters to one seat that the islands do not yet meet and is therefore disqualified on this basis alone. However […]

Let the people decide

Monday 8 February 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I agree with letter writer, Very Concerned Voter in Thursday’s paper. If cabinet, which by the way includes the PM and his four ministers, can’t see that Tata Crocombe has a clear and direct conflict of interest as chairman of the Cook Islands Tourism board and the owner of two major hotels, then […]