Smoke Signals
Storm drain an afterthought?
Tuesday 19 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Perhaps someone in charge of the reclamation work in Avarua can explain why, moments after the job was ’done’, a good portion was dug up again so that a quite massive storm drain could be installed? Can it be as simple as the designers just did not have the slightest idea what they were doing and no one noticed they had forgotten to deal with the storm drain? Bigger questions: what is this costing and who is paying?” A smoke signaller writes: “I have been reading in the paper about those claiming to be the only kopu ariki of Ngati Makea, which is the Rangi Makea, Upokotokoa, Mere, and Sadaraka, and all these are descendants of Makea Tinirau.
Penalty pot shot
Saturday 16 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Justice Williams in the High Court on Friday refrained from jailing a young Cook Islander who submitted that cannabis was used by his grandparent as a traditional herbal treatment.
Old plants, new puffs
Friday 15 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
After reading Wednesday’s front page article ‘Switch off for Earth Hour’ next week, a smoke signaller quipped: “We probably won’t have to switch off at all – Te Aponga seems to be doing that for us in recent days!”
JC's a walking 'miracle man'
Thursday 14 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Our John Carter [New Zealand’s High Commissioner] is a walking miracle man,” a smoke signaller writes.
'Limit food' in luggage
Tuesday 12 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “There’s lots of talk about the tourist numbers and how they spend money while on holiday.
Our form of govt 'is wrong'
Saturday 9 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
Responding to yesterday’s opinion piece ‘The government is imploding’ by Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen, a smoke signaller writes: “Wilkie is right, the present government seems to be in disarray, traveling around the world, fantasising about billions of dollars in income from selling little rocks from the bottom of the sea when it can’t even hire a dogcatcher for Rarotonga.
Drilling into the seabed board
Friday 8 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Temu Okotai has got it right about the selection of members on the advisory board of the Seabed Minerals Authority,” a smoke signaller writes in response to Okotai’s letter to the editor ‘North on seabed board?’ on Monday.
How prepared are we?
Thursday 7 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I found it quite incredible that during the power outage in Rarotonga on Monday, the national radio service (630am) was not on air,” a smoke signaller writes.
Cut travel, fix the country
Wednesday 6 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Oh my gosh, the Prime Minister goes golfing in New Zealand after his meeting while his country is struggling with many social and economic problems,” a smoke signaller writes.
Travel honesty needed
Saturday 2 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Big Norm [George] is always saying that government has blown its travel budget, but Minister Brown won’t come clean.
Where are the fire hydrants?
Friday 1 March 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Government has done well with their planning and execution with Land Holdings in the laying of the new water line,” a smoke signaller writes.
Treating Cook Islanders 'badly'
Thursday 28 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I think this government has been the worse ever in sacking top qualified Cook Islanders in senior positions,” a smoke signaller writes.
In the news
Wednesday 27 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller wrote last week: “Very unusual to note Norman is not on the front page of CI News of this week as he always does after every trip to Atiu, in this instance last week.
Customers 'expect more'
Saturday 23 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller who read a business article on the BBC’s website feels there are some good lessons to learn from a tax issue that has been making headlines in the United Kingdom.
House gets to the point
Thursday 21 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
Matariki FM breakfast show host William ‘The Don’ Framhein had an interesting question for Finance Minister Mark Brown yesterday.
Punu puakaoa
Tuesday 19 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “While government is running for cover and denying any plans at all for a major fish processing plant to be built on the reclaimed land in Avarua, perhaps government instead could announce plans for a canine processing plant on the same site? The madly-copulating dog population, in spite of the heroic and much appreciated kindness of the Esther Honey Foundation, continues to grow.
Aiming high
Friday 15 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
In response to a couple of unsolicited mobile messages, or text spam, from TCI yesterday morning and afternoon to advertise a Valentine’s Day special top up bonus, a smoke signaller writes: “Dear Telecom, Valentine’s gifts should not come with conditions! We know you are on TOP; it is very easy to be, when you are a monopoly.”
BLACKROCK CRASH LOOK WITHIN
Thursday 14 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller texts to 188: “I think it’s time to review the law relating to motor vehicle licensing.
RUBBER STAMPS READY?
Wednesday 13 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “I have just received my child’s bank statement from the Bank of the Cook Islands and note a strange looking debit, the description for which reads SAVINGS ADMIN FEE or ADMIN FEE of $5.
It's a dripping waste
Tuesday 12 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “I conducted an experiment at the weekend by placing a 10 litre bucket under a tap with what appeared to be a small yet constant drip.