Smoke Signals
Park land or more huts on waterfront?
Tuesday 21 August 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller asks: ”Can someone in government please assure the public that the new land being created at Punanga Nui is not going to be covered with plywood shacks to spoil what is one of the most pleasant waterfront vistas anywhere?“ SS: That’s a very good question. Every town needs safe, open park spaces. […]
What a sorry state we're in
Saturday 18 August 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”Wow, this police corruption saga just gets worse!“ a smoke signaller writes. ”And in my opinion the Crown Law Office and the legal fraternity are accomplices in the cover-up. How on earth do they all justify keeping this a secret? The public has a right to know that systemic corruption and dishonesty are ingrained within […]
Speeding convoy risks lives
Friday 17 August 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”Holly heck – is this damn Pacific leaders’ forum more important than the lives of our Cook Islands people?“ a smoke signaller asks. ”I’m really angry at an unannounced exercise conducted, apparently by Cook Islands police, for drivers of VIP and government vehicles. Without warning on Wednesday a speeding police bike appears out from around […]
Unhappy with extra burden of new taxes
Wednesday 15 August 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”I applaud Aunty June Baudinet’s letter to the editor on Monday about the Minister of Finance Mark Brown putting extra burden and taxes on our people,“ writes a smoke signaller. ”Where does Mark Brown get his financial advice from? This new, green and inexperienced minister thinks by taxing and increasing prices he will find the […]
Was Bainimarama invited?
Tuesday 14 August 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”Here’s a story that’s true,“ a smoke signaller texts to 188: ”A man goes to the main hospital, he’s been struck in the eye from a bug strike and wants medical attention. They shine a light in his eye, see nothing, consult a computer, and prescribe Mylanta for stomach, and one for motion sickness. What’s […]
Long haul flight solution
Monday 13 August 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
After reading Saturday’s smokie ‘Long haul charge’ a smoke signaller writes: ”Air New Zealand Cook Islands manager’s suggestion that ‘Customers are also able to book online for no extra charge’ in response to the extra $100 included in any quote for long haul travel from the local Air New Zealand office, sounds good in theory […]
Overseas trips but no flu jabs
Saturday 11 August 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”So there are no more flu vaccinations in stock at our hospital, but there is plenty of money for our politicians to keep travelling overseas,“ a reader writes in response to Thursday’s front page article ‘Flu vaccinations out of stock’. ”This is absolutely ridiculous and more so when a hospital staff member said that this […]
Gold-plated medal
Wednesday 8 August 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”I have enjoyed the privilege of being able to attend the half-time refreshments at Te Maeva Nui dance competition nights,“ a smoke signaller writes.
CISNOC board 'should all resign'
Saturday 4 August 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”That was a great decision by Cook Islands Tourism to fund our Olympic team’s uniforms,“ a smoke signaller says. ”Exposure to billions of people at very little cost! Hope these types of decisions continue now that the CEO has been ousted. Rumour is the Tourism board was unhappy with the expenditure.“
Silence this man!
Friday 3 August 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”Mike Tavioni makes too much sense – government should take immediate steps to silence this man,“ a smoke signaller writes tongue-in-cheek in response to the front page article ‘Sack board, not Beattie: Tavioni’. ”We really don’t need him reminding us that most of the dollars spent by tourists getting here, eating here and sleeping here […]
Comments 'cheap shot'
Tuesday 31 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: ”I for one was not amused by Norman George’s uncalled for vicious swiping insult of Lady Marito Maoate during the late Sir Terepai’s state funeral. A number of people laughed at the jokes and revelations he made about politicians and what they get up to but when he turned on Lady […]
Tax collection costs high?
Saturday 28 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”Wherever Mark Brown [finance minister] got his figures for the withholding tax take, goodness only knows,“ a smoke signaller writes. ”I have had a Westpac Bank account open since November 2011 with an average of $200 in at any one time. Over the course of this time I have received a total of $1.12 in […]
It doesn't make sense
Friday 27 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
Dear Editor, The Cook Islands has an 800 percent harsher maximum sentence for possession of cannabis than New Zealand? That seems excessive. Two years for possessing cannabis? Twenty years for cultivating cannabis? Does the punishment fit the crime? I agree with the writer of Monday’s letter to the editor. This person calls attention to the […]
The best lit hotel on the island
Friday 27 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller asks: ”Can someone please explain why the new Ministry of Education (The Fire Station) is always the best lit hotel on the island every night? Unless you can give a good reason it seems to me as the most stupid and wasteful way to spend money that is supposed to go to […]
Public paying for chickens?
Thursday 26 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaler writes: ”It may look like a humanitarian gesture but the handing out of 15 free cartons of chicken to all the island tere parties by Cabinet ministers shows signs of desperation and could lead to allegations of favoritism. This is the second year that the CIP-led Puna government has done this and […]
Another CIP entitlement?
Wednesday 25 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller asks: ”Why should Mark Brown and entourage go to the London Olympics at all? Is this just because he is Minister for Sport? Is this another one of those CIP (Cook Islands Party) entitlements that go with the job? What nonsense – the money could be better spent elsewhere. And what will […]
Talk about ambush marketing
Monday 23 July 2012 | 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.
Rugby's upset win
Friday 20 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: ”When you read the headline of Monday’s back page sports article ‘Upset win to Titikaveka Bulls’ you would think that the article would elaborate more about the game. Instead, in the article there were only two sentences that talked about the game. The article talked more about the Eels vs Panthers […]
Hawaiian stopover?
Tuesday 17 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”Hawaiian Airlines have just announced they will fly three times a week from Auckland to Honolulu come March next year,“ a smoke signaller writes. ”Wow! Here is an opportunity that must be taken very seriously by Cook Islands Tourism and could well mean dispensing with the expensive subsidy to Air New Zealand. If Hawaiian Airlines […]
Minister's response 'petty and weak'
Monday 16 July 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”The response from the deputy prime minister is both petty and weak,“ a smoke signaller writes following Friday’s page 7 article ‘DPM rejects independent shippers’ plea’ which quoted Transport Minister Tom Marsters’ strongly-worded email to Pacific Forum Line chief Henning Hanson, berating him for what Marsters viewed as his ”offhand, arrogant and disrespectful treatment“ of […]