Smoke Signals
Northern group solar tenders
Tuesday 13 August 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes on the northern group solar project: “Word in top public service corridors from the renewable energy division was that all tenders were way above the funds provided.
Leaving on a jet plane
Friday 9 August 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“It’s a real worry when a local FM radio station starts a text poll asking for opinions on why people are leaving the Cook Islands,” a smoke signaller writes.
Supporting the next generation
Thursday 8 August 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Since when has it been the case that we can’t even question a policy?” a smoke signaller texts to 188 in response to yesterday’s smokie ‘Food First’ which said the Ministry of Culture had to adhere to its policy after Island Booth was unable to operate its photo booth during Te Maeva Nui night markets last week.
Manihiki's 'joyful celebration'
Wednesday 7 August 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“What a wonderful time the people of Manihiki seem to have had during their own island Maeva Nui festival,” a smoke signaller texts to 188.
Back home and away again
Tuesday 6 August 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Where is Finance Minister Mark Brown?” a smoke signaller asks.
ANZ CEO visits Cooks
Tuesday 6 August 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
ANZ’s chief executive officer is visiting the Cook Islands and other nations in the Pacific.
Kiriau Turepu 'walks the talk'
Thursday 1 August 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller responds to the writer of yesterday’s letter to the editor ‘Based on loyalty rather than merit’ who argued that Avatiu MP John Henry would have been a better choice for promotion to Cabinet: “Get off your high horse and grow up.
MP celebration jaunts 'wasteful'
Tuesday 30 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Further to Constitution Celebrations budget cuts, Prime Minister Henry Puna, Nandi Glassie, Teina Bishop, outer islands CIP government MPs, with their wives and entourage of hangers-on are all heading away for a one week holiday courtesy of the Raro tax payers, and the Ministry of Culture’s budget which was cut by $60,000.
Grey Power 'never sleeps'
Saturday 27 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “The vice president of Grey Power was approached on Lagoon Day at the Punanga Nui by a couple who asked that their names be added to the ever-growing list of members for the organisation.
Marine park funding not fair
Friday 26 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“The formation of the Marine Park was a great idea, but now we hear that overseas funding for the Marine Park is all going to Te Ipukarea Society,” a smoke signaller writes.
Call for sentencing consistency
Tuesday 23 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes in response to yesterday’s front page article ‘Punanga Tauturu: sentence not right’: “A man pleads guilty to assaulting his partner and the Justice of the Peace discharges him without conviction – I’m flummoxed.
Shape up or ship out
Tuesday 23 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
Dear Editor, Your paper of Monday July 16 carried the announcement by the leader of the Opposition, Mr Wilkie Rasmussen, that there will be ‘No coalition for Demos’.
Budget cut for culture
Monday 22 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Ok, so the Ministry of Culture budget has been cut back again thanks to Henry Puna,” a smoke signaller texts to 188.
Lost in translation
Tuesday 16 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Are we going to have Chinese teachers here too?” a smoke signaller asks in a text to 188.
Call for new fisheries minister
Saturday 13 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “With the complete loss of faith in the Ministry of Marine Resources and minister as evidenced by the reams of documents being passed around the island depicting everything from alleged treating to conflicts of interest, and as there has to be a portfolio shuffle soon, could we ask our Prime Minister to begin the process right away by changing the minister of fisheries, thus defusing the whole issue.
You can't ban everything
Friday 12 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Not long ago there was a call for a ban on large 4x4 vehicles because they were too big for our roads,” a smoke signaller notes.
Checkpoints and seatbelts needed
Wednesday 10 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“This is regarding the accident that happened at Nikao in the weekend,” a smoke signaller texts: “It’s sad to hear the boys lost their lives at such a young age.
Mangaia's 'dangerous slipway'
Tuesday 9 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I refer to comments made last week about ‘Mangaia prepares for climate change’, taken from Island Business magazine,” a smoke signaller writes.
BTIB 'back scratching'
Monday 8 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “The controversial political appointment by this Cook Islands Party government of George Pitt as chairman of the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) I believe is a clever way of shutting him up from his continuous barrage of attacks via his independent newspaper.
Govt kaiou $6200 per person
Saturday 6 July 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Government debt reached over $93 million during 2012 and that was a year ago.