Smoke Signals
E-waste 'shame'
Monday 11 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes on the issue of the dumping of electronic waste in a hole on the beach in front of Apii Te Uki Ou at Turangi: “I believe a hefty fine would be in order, plus its removal [the waste has been removed].
Top players sidelined?
Thursday 7 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller going by the name Disappointed Fan writes: “As a Cookie living in New Zealand I was excited that there was a cricket tournament on with the best players from back home.
Making our roads safer
Friday 1 February 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Does anybody in authority really care about the state of our roads and the increasingly bad driving behaviour?” a smoke signaller asks.
Bowled over with $100K donation
Thursday 31 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “I watched the sports news on Friday night and could not believe that the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is now funding to the tune of $100,000 the new green for the Rarotonga Bowling club and that this will bring in more tourists to the country.
LOOK WITHIN
Tuesday 29 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller texts in response to criticism over the reappointment of the CEO of the National Superannuation Fund: “Perhaps the simple answer is that the reappointed CEO is the best candidate having good experience in banking and management of superannuation in the Cook Islands, not to mention having a lovely smile and personality.
Car misuse a money waster
Saturday 26 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“The continuation and blatant misuse of government vehicles by some senior officials I believe is theft of government property through the misuse of fuel and transport,” a smoke signaller writes.
Be a minister, see the world
Friday 25 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “The prime minister and his Cabinet colleagues must get the Air New Zealand most travelled award for being the most travelled bunch of government officials on the planet.
COLA, it's the real thing
Thursday 24 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
KEEP the smokies rolling in! Smoke Signals and interesting island photos will be accepted by email (smokesignals@cookislandsnews.com), or text to 188 or a phone call to the newsroom on 22-999.
Dig deep for a good cause
Tuesday 22 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “There is a noticeable trend for sports teams and such like to travel around the island on a Saturday morning holding up traffic and begging for a donation, so they can travel to some far off land to play a game or whatever.
Sunday flights: Would Jesus mind?
Monday 21 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
‘Would Jesus Christ Mind If You Flew to Paradise on a Sunday?’ is the provocative heading of a new article in The Atlantic, a well known publication based in Washington and New York.
Chinese boats fined less than US?
Saturday 19 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes in response to yesterday’s p10 article ‘MMR won’t release fishing penalties’: “The only reason why the Marine Resources secretary Ben Ponia will not disclose the settlement amount for the Chinese fishing breaches, I believe, is because the amount is well below MMR’s fines set for foreign fishing breaches.
What were the fishing penalties?
Wednesday 16 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “It’s wonderful and I commend Marine Resources’ minister Teina Bishop on his instruction to the ministry’s secretary Ben Ponia to be open and transparent with the public about the MMR’s activities.
Fish factory on reclaimed land?
Tuesday 15 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A “CIP tangata rikiriki” writes in and asks: “While fishing is currently a hot topic on the beach, can government confirm or deny the rumour that the newly reclaimed land in front of the Punanga Nui Market is earmarked for the new Chinese fish processing factory? I sincerely hope that this is just a joke because I cannot imagine that this beautiful piece of land, which is badly needed for the congested Punanga Nui Market, will have a stinking fish factory for the whole of Avarua to view and smell.
Minister, where's your tuna?
Saturday 12 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A number of eagle eyed smoke signallers called in to point out that minister of the Ministry of Marine Resources, Teina Bishop, needs to bone up on his fish identification and fish facts – referring to the picture and accompanying story of the minister on page 7 of yesterday’s CI News.
Will we ever grow up?
Wednesday 9 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller, responding to yesterday’s smokie ‘Looking for what’s best for the country’, writes: “I was impressed with the writer as I thought all Cook Islanders were nave, often accepting, without questioning, overseas expert advice.
Looking for what's best for the country
Tuesday 8 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “An example of a project by so-called overseas experts was the Asian Development Bank functional review of ministries.
Don't look, they're kissing
Thursday 3 January 2013 | Published in Smoke Signals
“A recent edition of Cook Islands News included a letter from a local parent complaining of television shows portraying nudity and sexuality,” a smoke signaller writes.
Not suitable for children
Saturday 29 December 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller texts to 188: “What are we trying to promote on Cook Islands TV? Sex scenes? Lesbianism? Prostitution? Vulgar exposure of a woman’s body? My five and two year olds love to watch the Aussie kiddies’ pre-school programmes in the afternoons, but lately I’ve been resorting to turning on a DVD cartoon instead.
Why not keep it in-house?
Thursday 27 December 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
Responding to last week’s front page article ‘Investigation into alleged infrastructure misconduct’, a smoke signaller asks: “Why on earth would Public Service Commissioner Russell Thomas appoint the former PSC Navy Epati to carry out an investigation into the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning and the reasons behind Donye Numa’s suspension? Surely his own Public Service Commission CEO can do the job, or even the Audit Office? At least by doing that, no extra costs are involved and the PSC budget will be saving unnecessary expenditure.
Oldest island, first passports
Friday 21 December 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
The island of Mangaia has been around for 18 million years – estimated by geologists to be the oldest in the Pacific – and now they’ve claimed another first: passports online. A smoke signaller from Auau Enua writes: “Mangaians are already getting their passports online – there are four people in Mangaia who have already received theirs. The first passport renewed online was issued on November 20. Eddie Drollett is very correct about the convenience though [see Tuesday’s p6 article ‘Online renewal within 5 days’]. It’s a lot faster. For outer islanders, gone is the hassle of getting the application form and the money to the High Commission in Rarotonga and then finding someone to collect your new passport and bring it back. The passports come by courier all the way. And another plus: it’s cheaper! However, it should be acknowledged that it is only for straightforward renewing of adult passports. If you don’t have a credit card, you probably know someone who does!”