Smoke Signals
A close encounter of the worst kind
Thursday 28 September 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Driver of the Week: The local person behind the wheel of a newish silver Suzuki 4WD who passed another car outside The Beachcomber Building on Monday at around 10.30 and came very close to running me over as I walked alongside the building – well off the road.
We can still do it
Tuesday 26 September 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
It’s not too late to change our gluttonous habit-causing non-communicable diseases. Fifty years ago our parents got us into the habit of raking rubbish before or after school. We ate home-cooked meals and exercised our bodies by growing fruits and veges in the garden. Why not bring back the rake, for our children of today?
New JPs raise the bar
Monday 25 September 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
The government of the day has to be congratulated for selecting highly intelligent, educated and capable people to be our new Justices of the Peace. They will certainly raise the bar (no pun intended) in the court rooms.
Aitutaki misses out
Friday 22 September 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
It is very disappointing to hear that the Aitutaki Ports Authority wasn’t authorised to exempt the port charge for the donated timber used in the playground that’s being built for the children of Aitutaki.
Toxic fires continue, despite obvious danger to health
Friday 15 September 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
It seems the message about burning tyres, and all sorts of other dangerous materials isn’t getting through at all.
A matter of cost
Thursday 14 September 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Bluesky has reinstated CITV and Vaka to Aitutaki subscribers, but have halved the total number of programmes available. There’s no reduction of monthly fees though! They claim this is a result of costs to get signals to Araura Enua. Does this mean our phone and internet charges will also double?
'Response' a disgrace
Monday 11 September 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
For no-one to be attending any of those emergency response phone lines when the tsunami warning came, is just a national disgrace!
Aitutaki television-watchers left in the dark again
Monday 11 September 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Last week a smoke signaller commented on the absence of the CI Herald from the island for the last few months.
Missing luggage no advertisement for service
Thursday 7 September 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I see Jetstar is celebrating 14 years of ‘service’,” a smoke signaller says.
Health ministers' meeting a non-stop food fest
Monday 4 September 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
We are the most obese nation in the world and one in three of our people have diabetes or heart problems.
Trees better option
Wednesday 30 August 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
While the nice smooth surface at the Punanga Nui market is nice to stroll down on a cold winter Saturday morning and visitors can get a bit of warmth from the solar heat-collecting black tar, what’s it going to be like in mid-summer?
Stink from sewage truck spoiled our lunch
Monday 28 August 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Thanks to the driver of the yellow sewage truck for spilling the stinky contents of your tanker truck along the Maraerenga main road last Thursday and spoiling lunch for evcryone who was eating outdoors. Talk about “dumping” in the wrong place.
Tourists at risk from our road conditions
Friday 18 August 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Why are the police picking on tourists and making out they are trying to protect them from harm with all these ridiculous rules on helmets and licences?
Super celebration
Tuesday 15 August 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Well done to all the performers, dancers, singers and drummers who took part in Te Maeva Nui this year. It was a wonderful celebration and every night my expectations were far exceeded. This is why I love the Cook Islands:
CIP government seems addicted to cash from Chinese
Thursday 10 August 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
If the government is willing to back Pa Ariki in getting the old Sheraton project revived, it means they must have signed up with the Chinese for financial assistance, because Puna only has eyes for them when it comes to selling off our country.
Miss Cook Islands could do with a different name
Monday 7 August 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
They should rename the Miss Cook Islands pageant the Miss Rarotonga pageant since only Raro kids don’t know how to speak Cook Islands Maori. One thing that seems to have been missed by organisers and judges is that language is a huge part of our identity. Go figure!
Demo leader playing his old game
Tuesday 1 August 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Good to see Smiley Heather living up to his name and his old “say nothing” game as Demo Leader. One has to ask is his silence a way of supporting his brother DPM Teariki Heather of the CIP?
Yes please, clean up Nikao
Saturday 29 July 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
I for one think it fine if those who believe in God think that particular Spirit is female, male or transgender.
Government should fix it
Thursday 27 July 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Regarding the land court notices in CINews on Tuesday, I’m shocked to read about the many ‘applications for succession’ that are 15-16 years old. If it’s due to staff or resources issues, then the government of the day should fix it! Such unacceptable delays do not help those landowners wishing to utilize their land.
How about donating those airpoints, minister?
Friday 21 July 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“It was indeed enlightening to listen to the Minister of Health speaking during the 2017 Health Budget debate with regard to medical referrals to New Zealand,” a smoke signaller says.