Smoke Signals
Flying high while supplies run low
Saturday 26 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
One of our readers phoned in this smoke signal: ”After reading about the pharmacy shortages in the newspaper (CINews, Thursday, May 24, ‘Commercial pharmacies under pressure’) and the government saying there was no shortage, I thought I’d share my experiences. Three weeks ago I took a 94-year-old to the hospital because he couldn’t hear and […]
Why repeat the immigration fee?
Thursday 24 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”It seems the Immigration Dept has found another way to make more money,“ a smoke signaller writes. ”When permanent residents go to Immigration to get their passport stamped to prove their status, understandably the first time you do this you expect to pay around $20 for their work in checking your certificate and documents are […]
Give harpooners FADs
Monday 21 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: ”The ‘Harpooned!’ feature story by Rachel Reeves on Saturday was excellent. Here is the solution – why don’t the harpooners put down their own FADs [fishing aggregate devices]. One can be done for $5000. Give them some of this money MMR [Ministry of Marine Resources] is dishing out for fishers, and […]
Tell Toa to 'find another spot'
Saturday 19 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes in response to yesterday’s page 7 CINews article ‘Toa scheme faces 5 objections: Company claims none form a legal basis for challenge’. ”Mr Porter’s assuring words aside that placing yet another fuel depot on the foreshore is going to be all hunky dory and we the public should leave it all […]
Needing ticket departure tax answers
Friday 18 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: ”As a regular traveller it would be a help to know if I have to pay $65 for departure tax in the future or $75 if the finance minister can clear it up, or are they going to hide it in the purchasing of tickets? Surely we Cook Islands people are […]
Pa Ariki's nu in schools idea 'a winner'
Thursday 17 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
”Pa Ariki is to be congratulated for her continuing education on local foods,“ a smoke signaller writes in response to her recent CI News articles. ”The idea that every school child would have a drink of nu [young coconut] every day has to be one of the best ‘go local’ concepts ever. One would hope […]
Super penalties
Tuesday 15 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
After receiving an emailed letter yesterday from the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund in respect of penalty fees to late payments, a smoke signaller quipped: ”These people are more efficient than MFEM!“ The letter advised all employers that as of May21 any overdue contribution payments may incur penalty fees, as provided in the CINSF Act […]
We all need a chuckle even if it hits a nerve
Monday 14 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
Responding to last week’s Smoke Signal Govt has to ‘go up’, a smoke signaller writes: ”Kata has a satirical role rather than to critique. In the process this may come across as a criticism and satire usually exaggerates a story or event. Politicians are not immune to this and generally set themselves up rather well. […]
Where are stakeholders in HOM choices?
Friday 11 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writing about the selection panel for heads of ministry positions asks: ”If the economy is being driven by the private sector, why does the selection have all ex public servants on it? Where is the Chamber of Commerce? Where are the stakeholders? Or is this just the continuation of the downward spiral […]
Practise what you preach?
Tuesday 8 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A choked signaller writes: “I couldn’t believe my eyes – after the plumes of diesel smoke cleared – that the smoking bus was carrying an environment message! Ok, I know it says recycling, but it’s an environmental message none the less which includes air pollution. At one point when the bus was increasing in speed […]
Let's see Govt travel reports
Monday 7 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
“There have been many complaints about how the present government, its ministers, public servants, etc, are not performing,” a smoke signaller writes. “Far too many trips overseas, far too many public servants who do nothing, far too many overpaid consultants, too little REAL action, but lots of tuatua [talk]. Whatever happened to reports of trips […]
Leaders travel while country struggles
Saturday 5 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
“More overseas travel for ministers and the prime minister is planned,” laments a smoke signaller. “This shows they have got all their priorities in the wrong places. Pet projects such as renewable energy and marine parks will not help struggling families put food on the table. Most schools are now doing their own fundraising, so […]
Ben's pork loin
Tuesday 1 May 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
Some checking their email inbox a week ago would have been confronted by a nude Ben Bergman, his crown jewels hidden by a pig’s head, inviting you to tonight’s preview of five portraits by artist Nanette Lela’ulu, titled ReSpect. Lela’ulu told CI News’ Rachel Reeves last week the five subjects of her paintings are people […]
Our wayward youth need turning around
Saturday 28 April 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Sitting at the courthouse on the days when the room is full of young men waiting to stand in criminal court, one is struck by their youth,” a smoke signaller writes. “Some are really just boys. They seem sullen, disconnected, perhaps ‘lost’ is the best Papa’a word. What are we as a community doing to […]
New cool white street lights 'useless'
Tuesday 24 April 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
“While on the topic of Te Aponga Uira, can someone there tell us, the discerning public, why the street lights are now a cool white colour (which is not very bright at all) and not the warm yellow glow bulbs that used to give more light and softer light to the surrounding areas around the […]
Call that a deal?
Saturday 21 April 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Watching the Toa tanks being moved, one is left to wonder what drugs the former government was experimenting with when it agreed to pay $5 million for a fuel terminal where the lease was about to run out. The responsible minister’s most recent public remark seems to have been that it […]
High hopes for Dave Rennie
Friday 20 April 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A sports writer is betting that Cook Islander Dave Rennie might one day coach the All Blacks. Rennie is the head coach for Super Rugby New Zealand team the Waikato Chiefs. Mark Reason, a sports journalist for over 25 years, wrote an opinion piece yesterday for Fairfax NZ news titled ‘Chiefs proving the Blues race […]
Why the shuffle?
Tuesday 17 April 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Questions and reasoning behind the recent Cabinet reshuffling between the Prime Minister, giving away the police portfolio to Teariki Heather for outer islands, should be explained to the people,” a smoke signaller writes. “Government should come out and give the reasons why this is taking place. I believe that most taxpayers would want to see […]
Scooter warning
Monday 16 April 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A nine-year-old Auckland boy has 34 stitches in his head after a nasty accident on a push scooter, a timely warning for young riders here in the Cooks that helmets should be worn while riding the scooters. Fairfax NZ News reported that when Brent Bradley fell off his scooter and hit his head on the […]
Taxing a shrinking population
Saturday 14 April 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Most of us cannot believe time after time how the minister of finance and his advisers are planning our economic and tax policies,” a smoke signaller writes. “They, including government, seem to be fixated with imposing more taxes on a depleting population as a means of balancing the budget. Surely Mark Brown understands that you […]