Smoke Signals
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!
How not to behave
Friday 13 November 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
How not to behave “On Wednesday driving home at about 3.30pm I saw a silver Suzuki Swift car, registration number 7556 drive through Titikaveka,” a smoke signaller says. “One of the occupants threw a beer bottle out the car window as well as other rubbish and there were young school children hanging out the window. Way to set a good example for your children!”
Smoke Signals: Dangerous blast
Tuesday 14 July 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
NOT FUNNY AT ALL A headline in CI News tells us tourists have been hurt after being blown off an airport boundary fence buy a jet blast.
SMOKE SIGNALS: A celebration to remember
Tuesday 7 July 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Which government agency recently as part of their gesture to their parting chief executive had a food and beverage bill of well over $3,00000?
SMOKE SIGNALS: Car money should have gone to school
Monday 6 July 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
I read with utter disgust this morning about the purchase of the cars by government that are later to be sold off.
SMOKE SIGNALS: So much to do, so little time
Thursday 2 July 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
This ui ariki Day is great for the people of the Cook Islands, but with 50th anniversary celebrations the CICC uipaanga maata, Matavera Sunday School Hall opening, thousands of visitors to host and cater for, the kaumatua could surely have suspended this annual event for now.
SMOKE SIGNALS Welcome to the plastic islands...
Tuesday 30 June 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
To all the critics of the ‘round’ house under construction on the wharf, the one that will be the first impression of the Cook Islands for the rich folks off the cruise ships with the money going jingle-jangle in the pockets, the last laugh is on you.
SMOKE SIGNALS: So what were they up to?
Friday 12 June 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
What were the CIP government ministers doing consulting with the Queens Representative at Government House before Parliament sat on June 10?
SMOKE SIGNALS: One strike and you're out
Wednesday 10 June 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Ministry of Justice, how much longer do we have to put up with repeat offenders?
Smoke Signals: PM Puna's master plan?
Tuesday 9 June 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
We see in Thursday's front page story that our very own Prime Minister has had improved relations with France on his agenda for the past two years.
SMOKE SIGNALS: Legend more than proves himself
Friday 5 June 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Congratulations to the 2015 premier league champions’ Avatiu and well done in securing the legend Riki Cowan.
Smoke Signals: Budget Statement Delay
Tuesday 2 June 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Budget statement delay March 30 has come and gone and government has not published its Budget Policy Statement and the first quarter financial results.
Smoke Signals: PM's advisor goes too far
Tuesday 2 June 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Regarding the Prime Minister’s advisor Trevor Pitt’s letter on Friday May 29: The PM clearly has gone way too far with his comments on the Cooks becoming independent and Trevor is now in defence mode over so-called “hearsay reporting”.
Smokies
Wednesday 8 April 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Time for MMR to show us scientific evidence How does the Secretary of Marine Resources explain to the low tally of fish caught by local professional fishermen when they venture out for fish?
