Smoke Signals
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.
Is it a footpath or cycle lane?
Saturday 11 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller texts to 188 in response to yesterday’s letter to the editor ‘Safe cycling on Raro’ which gave thanks for the lanes marked in solid white on the sides of the new airport road “which allow us to walk and cycle in safety”.
Short line in a big sea for tourism
Thursday 9 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Kia orana, and congrats to all the ‘new’ and ‘old’ Cook Islands Tourism Corporation board members!” writes a smoke signaller in response to yesterday’s p7 article ‘Tourism board members appointed’.
Who is the mimi man?
Wednesday 8 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Your statement in Tuesday’s paper is a bit far fetched,” a smoke signaller writes in response to yesterday’s smokie ‘Supporting gay rights’.
Who gave students drugs?
Tuesday 7 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Thanks to New Zealand Maori school teacher Nicky Kerr for her letter to the editor of Monday (Punished for the rest of their lives).
There and back again
Saturday 4 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Bingo!” shouts a smoke signaller.
Government should refund meds
Friday 3 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “I think Lavi Rokoika [Tuesday’s letter to the editor ‘Comments ‘erroneous and reckless’’] and others have missed the point that Wilkie Rasmussen was making in the article ‘Opposition critical of health services’.
Yes, we are a Christian nation
Wednesday 1 May 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “I noticed that one of your ignorant Signallers makes reference to the Cook Islands not being a “Christian nation”.
Sanctity of marriage: Yeah right
Tuesday 30 April 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “On the front page of the CI News last Friday is the heading ‘PM says no to gay marriage’.
Baron Archer links to Cook Islands
Saturday 27 April 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Jeffrey Howard Archer, Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare, is an English author and former politician.
'None of us was near his backpack'
Wednesday 24 April 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
Responding to yesterday’s smokie ‘A few can ‘spoil it’,’ [“$400 was taken from a friend’s wallet at a popular tourist attraction at Muri Beach”] a smoke signaller writes: “I was with the person who claimed his money was stolen.