Smoke Signals
Budget 2013: What about the rest?
Friday 14 June 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Minister Brown’s glossy budget handout is a sign of desperation,” a smoke signaller writes.
Should water be free?
Thursday 13 June 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Regarding the water meters being installed on the sly by the government: by all means charge the hotels and motels in this country that are draining our water supplies, but don’t charge the little people who have little enough as it is.
'Hoodwinked' with water meters?
Tuesday 11 June 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Why doesn’t the government come clean?” a smoke signaller asks.
Cough medicine before catering
Monday 10 June 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“The health conference soon to be held here in Aitutaki next month is a waste of taxpayers’ money,” a smoke signaller writes.
Worried about 'exposing corruption'
Thursday 6 June 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
In response to yesterday’s smokie ‘NZ influence a real worry’, a smoke signaller writes: "The real worry for the smoke signaller denigrating James Beer’s letter is not that New Zealand does anything by stealth; quite the contrary, they are quite open about their offers of assistance.
NZ influence 'a real worry'
Wednesday 5 June 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“James Beer’s tirade published on May 27 is a load of codswallop,” a smoke signaller writes.
Czars better for business, environment
Tuesday 4 June 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Brian Baudinet has some very valid points on cleaning up our national act, including cutting back the public sector,” a smoke signaller writes in response to his page 8 commentary in Saturday’s paper ‘The road to repopulation’.
'No after hours' Govt wheels
Thursday 30 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Isn’t it a policy not to drive government vehicles after hours?” asks a smoke signaller.
'Road rage' in Govt car
Monday 27 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“If you have a small blue car that was parked behind Joe Vak’s Palace on Saturday night and it was damaged, contact GA451,” a smoke signaller writes about an incident they witnessed behind Joseph Vakatini Ariki’s home in Tupapa, where some vehicles were parked while their occupants attended the packed-out premiere of Film Raro at the national auditorium.
Surprised at purse seine support
Saturday 25 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
On the issue of purse seine fishing in Cook Islands waters, a smoke signaller writes: “The purse seine method of fishing is to draw an enormous purse around an entire school of tuna and slowly draw the purse on the ship.
Bulldogs exec 'failed team, fans'
Friday 24 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “The Titikaveka Bulldogs cried foul over their unfair treatment at the hands of the Cook Islands Rugby League executive, of which they have a representative on.
Smoky tip hiding in plain sight
Thursday 23 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “The Environment Service, while worrying about red soil, drives by every day, just like we all do, past the permanent – and in my view – illegal tip across from Edgewater Resort, next to that big pile of soil.
Where is all our money going?
Wednesday 22 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller asks: “In the last financial year the government cut 5 per cent from personnel and 2 per cent from operations, and the same is going to happen again, so where is all the money going to? The Opposition should look under the Official Information Act to see where all the big spending is going to and why the hard-working taxpayers have to put up with this mismanagement.
Becoming the Drunk Islands?
Tuesday 21 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Numerous statements by the police force in Rarotonga claim ZERO TOLERANCE for drink driving,” a smoke signaller writes.
$23K truck overspend: 'Rules broken'
Saturday 18 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“How can one believe chief executive Ben Mose’s explanation when he tried to explain the Ministry of Infrastructure’s overspending of $23,000 for the new truck of minister Teariki Heather?” a smoke signaller asks in response to the purchase last year of the 2012 Ford Ford XLT Ranger at a total cost of $62,835.
Everything but league
Friday 17 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “I want to ask a question about one of the sports in the world: rugby league! I showed up to a rugby league training the other day and found out only three non-Cook Islanders per club are allowed to play.
Carl's paints coloured our islands
Thursday 16 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
If you’re popping in to the CITC Building Centre at Avatiu today or tomorrow, don’t forget to go across to the paint department to farewell the man who has cheerfully dispensed invaluable paint advice to many, many happy customers for the past 10 years.
'Idiots' put lives at risk
Wednesday 15 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Is the colder weather bringing out all the driving idiots?” a smoke signaller writes.
Are we becoming the Crook Islands?
Tuesday 14 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Every day we read in the Cook Island News about thieving – what a shame to this country and maybe we should change our name to the CROOK ISLANDS.
Hacking destroys town's lungs
Monday 13 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Those in the Cook Islands with a chain-saw mentality need to understand that it is possible for large trees to make our country look beautiful and that they are not always a threat.