Smoke Signals
Ministers need to explain their actions
Friday 18 March 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“There must be something wrong with the perception of Cabinet Ministers, and indeed members of Parliament as to what their role actually is in the Cook Islands Parliament,” a smoke signaller says.
Justice system still failing us
Thursday 17 March 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“It’s worrying to read our justice system again failing to deliver any sensible sentencing,” a smoke signaller says.
Cannery closure a dangerous sign
Wednesday 16 March 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Ben Ponia and the Koru Club prime minister should take note of the latest news from American Samoa,” a smoke signaller says.
Looking good
Monday 14 March 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Congratulations for the work done by public servants during Operation Namu on Friday. The island looks great!
Rain seems a bit choosy as to where it falls
Saturday 5 March 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
What’s was the story with all that rain? Where did it go? The whole of Ruaau is as dry as.
Respect of a leader
Wednesday 2 March 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“When New Zealand prime minister, John Key is seen in out in public, people want to take “selfies” with him and place them on Facebook,” a smoke signaller says.
Leave Muri lagoon to the local people
Tuesday 1 March 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
The decision on what to be done to Muri lagoon should be left to the people of Muri, says a smoke signaler. “We don’t want outsiders making decisions for us. It should be the decision of the people of Muri and we want Captain Tama and the DPM to work together and dredge the area soon so we can have tourists back in Muri. Unemployment is becoming an issue, act now.”
Make people clean Muri lagoon before they swim
Saturday 27 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Regarding the release of the entire force of public servants attend the Operation Namu on Friday (this was later postponed to another day), this initiative imposed by Cabinet is of national importance and just as important as the removal of algae from Muri lagoon. Why didn’t Cabinet think of the same thing and require the public to clean up Muri lagoon before the can go swimming there? The mess has apparently affected our tourism industry.
Thanks Te Tuhi, but no thanks
Wednesday 24 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Thanks for the insight Te Tuhi. Our laws are just fine. We don’t need New Zealand Maori to be instantly recognised as Cook Islanders. The link is too distant, going back too far. Maori have made a mess of their land issues and lost a lot of their land. We’re happy with our lease and occupation right system thank you.
Monday travel diary a blast from the past
Tuesday 23 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Readers who did a double take at yesterday’s Cabinet Diary listings in CI News would have been bemused by the inclusion of Teina Bishop and Tom Marsters – neither of whom have been Cabinet Ministers for a long time. The problem occurred during the production process when an old template for Cabinet Diary was inadvertently used.
Hand-clearing a long-term project
Saturday 20 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller says the idea of clearing algae in Muri lagoon by hand is unpractical. “I worked out the size of the area which has a length of two rugby fields. It will take 2000 years to clear it and 6000 years for the whole of Muri lagoon. This is just unpractical. Why don’t we let the bulldozers just dredge the area? We have done enough talking, let’s get on with the job and bring the tourists back to Muri.”
The mind boggles
Wednesday 17 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Is this the same Ruth Horton who wrote in some months ago suggesting that Motu Tapu be made into a waste facility? The mind boggles.
Internet trickery returns
Monday 15 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Looks like Bluesky is up to Telecom Cook Islands tricks again, with massive unexplained internet usage charges. How do we stop Bluesky stealing our megabytes each month?
Picking on Papa Norm
Wednesday 10 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Really, you are blaming Papa Norm for this as well. Some useless old sod is picking on Papa Norm for a successful mosquito eradication programme which was a last resort to a Dengue epidemic we were facing in early 2000. Sounds like this egg would prefer we walk around the island in a long line from the beach to the hills trying to smack out every mosquito and turn over every stone or used tyre. Stop blaming others and start providing proactive ways to address the issue. Maybe your micro thought process needs a reboot. By the way the Operation Namu Programme was very successful. So thank you Papa Norm.
No proof of depopulation
Monday 8 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Without the departure cards, then there is no proof of depopulation.
Bluesky moaners abuse the system
Thursday 4 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Too much moaning, Bluesky this, Bluesky that, obviously you moaners are the ones abusing the system, hence why a high bill.Cut down on Usage = No High Bills, simple as that.
Why no departure forms?
Wednesday 3 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Can anyone recall the benefit if any, of government abolishing departure forms? In my recent travels, I noted it is still a requirement when departing New Zealand and Australia, so why are we out of step with border control issues? How do we ensure that all tourists have left the island when their holiday is over?
Little control over visitors
Tuesday 2 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Visitors’ raiding our lagoons has become an issue of late. But with hindsight locals now wonder if the Asian visitor who stayed a year in Aitutaki was up to the same tricks as the couple at the Raina units? Over and above the poaching aspect, surely visitors need visas to stay so long? Tourism has become so focused on raising visitor numbers they don’t seem to recognise that those who stay such long periods have set up residency. And there appears to be little control over them. It’s time to shore up our ‘leaky’ borders.
Cuppa on the taxpayer
Monday 1 February 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
I don’t get it. Why is a workshop on corruption being held for the koutu nui? It’s just an excuse for a cuppa tea at tax payers’ expense. The real corruption is in government, that’s where focus should be.