Smoke Signals
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.
Peculiar claims from ex-leader
Tuesday 12 January 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Hmmmm…regarding the comment by Wilkie Rasmussen that the Demos lost the 2010 elections because they had been in government for too long, a vast majority of the voting public would disagree with that claim. But Rasmussen makes many of these peculiar claims in his letters, including the comment that the “people of Penryhn have been mistreated by the CIP Government.”Even when the Democratic Party was in office for all those “10 years or so” before voters decided to change the government because the “Democratic Party had been in government for too long.” Really,Wilkie?
Police disinterest in picture-poser
Friday 8 January 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I was surprised to see a certain person posing for a picture in the paper recently,” a smoke signaler says. I understood this person was to be arrested by the police as soon as they entered the country again, but it seems the cops just aren’t interested. Maybe crime does pay.”
Price surprises
Thursday 7 January 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller was astonished to see a small electronic item on sale in a local shop recently for $385. The reason for his surprise? He bought exactly the same item in a popular New Zealand electronics chain store for $198. Maybe our retailers could explain why they put such huge profit margins on some goods, and not on others, the smoke signaller says. “I think we are being duped.”
Inquiry a time-waster
Wednesday 6 January 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I hear the police are not going to lay charges against MP for Vaipae-Tautu Mona Ioane,” a smoke signaller says. So why did the investigation take over a year then? I reckon it’s a waste of time and taxpayers’ money.
Adjournments and more adjournments
Thursday 31 December 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
What is it with all the criminal cases that are adjourned, week after week, in the Rarotonga High Court? Something has gone badly wrong with the system here. The fault seems to lie in three directions – the Ministry of Justice (which works at glacial speed), the police and the lawyers, with the latter two always needing more time to consult with their “clients.” Meanwhile these miscreants keep enjoying their freedom and don’t get punished for their crimes. It’s nothing for cases to be delayed for 18 months and even two years or more, making the whole system a complete joke. And it’s the taxpayer who has to pay for this expensive mess.
Who is controlling the party?
Wednesday 30 December 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Can someone please tell us who is organising the New Year’s Eve Party in Takuvaine Valley running from 6pm to 6am?” a smoke signaller asks. “Better still, can someone tell us who is funding it? There are major concerns around the safety of those attending and the inconvenience it will cause the residence of the area. Have the organisers taken into consideration the lack of lighting, noise control to the residence, and how they are going to stop intoxicated people possibly falling into the river?”
Slight hiccup in Neves' departure
Tuesday 29 December 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Former Financial Secretary Richard Neves will be relieved he’s left the country, because I heard he’s been questioned by police about a certain matter,” a smoke signaller say. “I wonder what that could be?”
Get a move on, MPs
Monday 21 December 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Has anyone else been stuck behind one of the Members of Parliament for Rarotonga as they struggle to get to grips with their new Chinese-built quad bikes? I was stuck behind MP for Ngatangiia Tama Tuavera as he drove very slowly through Muri on Saturday. Obviously these new quad bikes are taking a while to get used to!
Hold those texts
Friday 18 December 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Thanks, Bluesky, for offering special deals on mobile data for the festive season. But please, would you quit sending your text messages at 10.30 at night. They are just as annoying as the early morning ones we used to get from Telecom.
Remember, it's not James Beer's petition
Friday 18 December 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Listening to the PM at Monday’s sitting. I wish to remind the PM that it is not James Beer’s purse seining petition. It is 4000 members of the public’s petition and on its presentation this should trigger formation of a Select Committee to look into the matter.
It's all a matter of politicians' priorities
Tuesday 15 December 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Word on the coconut wireless is that parliament will wrap up its second sitting of the year today… It is Aitutaki day tomorrow and the PM and his mates will surely want to get into the festive spirit by Friday. So much for democracy!
Who owns the fish?
Wednesday 9 December 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
There seem to be varying voices from those at the top regarding the fish issue. Ben Ponia says in the media that fish belongs to no-one and if we don’t harvest them, our neighbours will capitalise on the stock. PM Puna says fish belongs to the northern island group. So who is correct? Better make up your mind before releasing such statements; you are confusing us!
That's awesome news, Bluesky!
Saturday 5 December 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
That’s awesome news, Bluesky!