Smoke Signals
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.
Energy team needs to get it right
Wednesday 27 January 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I hope the Renewable Energy Team learned a lesson from Te Mato Vai land debacle, as they embark on spending aid money in the southern Pa Enua,” a smoke signaler says. “To ensure lasting security for the projects, the landowners should be well consulted, especially when their majority live overseas.”
Public servants may have loan problems too
Tuesday 26 January 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“In regard to the teacher’s arrest in Auckland over his student loan, if I were the Public Service Commissioner, I would do a simple exercise and check his entire workforce of public servants. I hear that there are people working in top positions within Government who have also failed to pay their loans. They owe the New Zealand taxpayers money and it is about time those affected own up otherwise best not to travel overseas anymore.
Meaning of the word 'loan' seems clear
Monday 25 January 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
You would have thought a teacher and a university graduate would understand the word “loan”, it means it has to be repaid.
Beach rubbished, NES does nothing
Wednesday 20 January 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Sand mining is going on in Arorangi on the foreshore. But before the white foreshore sand is replaced with inland soil which will eventually leach into the lagoon, the massive pits are filled with all manner of rubbish. All this activity has been very noticeable and has been going on for some time. So NES, what are you doing about this? Is this legal? Is anyone going to be fined?
'Park' looks in pretty bad nick
Friday 15 January 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“What is happening with the Constitution Park? It’s starting to look like a real eyesore,” a smoke signaller says. Does the government have a plan for this empty space in town? Or is this yet again another example of government splashing mega dollars for a two-day event? Hey Mr Puna, how about thinking about the youth of the nation, and turning it into a skate park or recreational area for all to enjoy? At least when you’re voted out, we can have one positive thing to remember you by.
Impartiality could be the problem
Thursday 14 January 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“The point about local talent being overlooked is well taken. However, that does not apply to the ousted MP for Penryn.” A smoke signaller says. “Quite why a former leader of a major political party think he would be acceptable to his opponents (the CIP government) as head of Crown Law? A Solicitor General is required to provide impartial legal advice to the executive and a former politician who led post electoral court challenges and appeals against the CIP is hardly likely to be free of bias. So, Wilkie, please stop the self-promotion and give it a rest.”
Dots connected the wrong way
Wednesday 13 January 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Your smoke signaller whose effort in Tuesday’s paper was headlined ‘Peculiar claims from ex-leader,” seems adept at connecting the dots at his convenience.