Smoke Signals
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!
Opposition MP best job around
Friday 4 December 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
What’s the best job in the world? Being a member of the Opposition party in the Cook Islands. You get paid a salary for doing absolutely nothing.
Where are the locals?
Monday 30 November 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
The Esther Honey Centre has been training vets and nurses at the Nikao premises for many years. Why haven’t they trained some locals up to do the work? It’s not as if they haven’t had the time to do it? The island definitely needs a centre for animal care and it would be good if locals could be involved.
Fewer pageants New Year wish
Thursday 26 November 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
The countdown to Christmas has begun, and soon after that it will be the countdown to a New Year. One smoke signaller says his main wish for 2016 is that we won’t see all the bickering about beauty pageants which has confused and exhausted Rarotonga residents this year.
Threat just silly
Wednesday 25 November 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Does anyone think the Esther Honey row is getting a bit…petty? They’re doing a great job and a civil servant’s threat to inform the US Embassy about their alleged wrongdoings is not only heavy-handed, it’s downright stupid!
Watch that speed please
Saturday 21 November 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
When tourists rent scooters, it seems they’re not being told about speed limits on the island. Combine speed with inexperience and the awful state of our roads, and it’s a dangerous combination.
Investigation starts at home
Thursday 19 November 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Can we suggest to top anti-corruption Minister Nandi Glassie that he should investigate a tested truthful proven case of corrupt use of a government vehicle.
Figure slightly out
Tuesday 17 November 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Why is the figure of 9.6 million for the EU Fishing deal continuing to be bandied about? The arrangement is for “up to” EUR 5.3 million for four years, which at today’s rate is NZ$8.7 million (around 2.2 million per year). Has the MMR HOM got his facts wrong here? If so, he is only out by about $900,000!