Smoke Signals
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?
Smoke siganls
Friday 27 February 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
CIP executives in bit of a spin What a lot of spin doctors the CIP executives have turned out to be.
smoke signals More tractors could be nice
Saturday 21 February 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
The dazzling yellow colour of the spanking new Chinese machines lined up military style on the reclaimed Avarua waterfront land last month was impressive, a Smoke Signaller says.
Smoke signals: Simply a case of dodgy parking
Sunday 15 February 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
AN ALL-ROUND WINNER If Norman George succeeds in getting $4 million out of the government, it could provide a huge boost to the local economy, a Smoke Signaller says. “Anyone who then takes it into their heads to sue Norman will be greatly encouraged as to their prospects of a win. The lawyers could do well out of it too.” CONTROL THE GAME REF The referee couldn’t event control the game between the Panthers and the Eels last Saturday. It was an ill disciplined game and out of control with too many dangerous tackles around the head area. One player from Avatiu punched on opponent, kicked another and dangerously tackled another player and the referee allowed the high tackles to happen and had no control! OIL ADVERT I watched with interest a paid advertisement on television about an environmental issue that to me has no relevance to us at all. We haven’t had disasters such as an oil leak that could damage our eco system. However, having sighted the advert again last night I have come to realise that this must be someone’s campaign to stimulate discussion on a proposed over-the-reef fuel discharge facility, paid for by one of the suppliers. Do we really need another supplier of fuel, let alone one who wants to discharge it through a pipe over the reef? NEVER HAPPY Regarding petrol prices, it seems we are never happy! When petrol was $2.59, we were moaning and now its $2.19 and we are still moaning just like the two people who wrote letters about it this week. And that’s why we never get anywhere!
Smoke Signals: Indication of carelessness?
Tuesday 10 February 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Making a sudden turn to the right without indicating isn’t a good idea. But it’s even less of a good idea when you’re a uniformed policeman driving a Government vehicle.
Smoke signals: Pass that by us once again please
Monday 9 February 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
An oxymoron is when two words are put together when they mean the opposite of each other.
Smoke Signals Setting an example?
Sunday 8 February 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
In this time of economic uncertainty, with no money available to save the environment, there’s an article telling us to “refuse, reuse, reduce and recycle’.
Smoke Signals: Quit the spin and give us the facts
Friday 6 February 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
The questions in relation to the China grant of heavy machinery are good to see. Our government needs to stop the spin and give us the facts!
Smoke signals: An unconventional way to plan
Saturday 31 January 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
Tourism Corporation plans for a revamped or new purpose-built convention centre reveal several issues that are incompatible with good governance.
Smoke Signals: Strung out about line up of gift machinery
Friday 30 January 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
The Chinese tractors all in a row down the wharf only need to have a nice rope stringing them all together to remind us that the invading English talked the people of North America out of Manhattan Island for a string of glass beads.
Smoke Signals: Weighty questions for the health department
Saturday 24 January 2015 | Published in Smoke Signals
With the Cook Islands number three on the list of countries with the highest percentage of obese people, maybe the health department don’t understand that muscle is heavier than fat so encouraging people to exercise isn’t going to work.