Smoke Signals
Many hands make light work
Saturday 14 January 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
Responding to yesterdays p10 article on Mangaia Island Administration workers titled MIA not missing in action a smoke signaller writes: I was in Mitiaro when the island experienced the same weather pattern and perhaps the Mangaia Island Admin could learn from the good example of the Mitiaro Island Admin which utilised the MOIP staff [Ministry […]
Everyone must sell the Cooks
Friday 13 January 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “I have recently heard that some resorts are demanding a commission, also known as a kickback, for referring tourists to certain service providers such as restaurants, fishing charters and dive operators. I hope this falls flat on its face because it’s everyone’s job in the Cooks to ‘sell the Cook Islands’.” […]
Follow Singapores car system
Thursday 12 January 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
Imposing restrictions on vehicle imports would be easy, a smoke signaller writes. Do it as Singapore does. If anybody wants to import a car into Singapore, they require a licence to import a car into the island. To get this licence you have to prove to the authorities, by way of an official certificate that […]
Survey Nikao's pooey issue
Wednesday 11 January 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
A concerned resident writes to Public Health about the green Enviroflow septic system next to Tereora College: Now that the initiative has been taken for Muri to have its health and environment survey, wouldnt the next step be to have one in Tereora? This pooey issue in Nikao has been long ongoing; it also was […]
What's in a name?
Monday 9 January 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
Commenting on suggestions that the country should consider using a local name, a smoke signaller writes: Shouldnt there at least be a text poll for the name change of our country? The people should have a say! There are so many reasons as to why we might not want to be called Avaiki Nui. SS: […]
Are our streets roadworthy?
Saturday 7 January 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
If the government is going to be difficult about warrants of fitness, a smoke signaller writes, I ask the question: Would our roads pass a warrant of fitness? SS: Thats a good point, and probably one thats often raised by those whose vehicles might not pass muster at the WOF inspections! Here’s an interesting thought […]
One tuna $936K, 17 boats $800K
Friday 6 January 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
I hope the minister of fisheries reads where a tuna one whole bluefin tuna was sold for 56.49 million yen (NZ$936,000) to a Japanese restaurant last Thursday, a smoke signaller writes. This surely makes a mockery of the NZ$800,000 fee paid to the Cook Islands for 17 and more long line fishing boats which have […]
Reform would be ticket out
Wednesday 4 January 2012 | Published in Smoke Signals
Whoever is writing these letters on the upcoming reform knows a helluva lot and has hit the nail right on the head, a smoke signaller says in response to the second installment of reform letters to the editor, published last week under the heading Looking beyond the market: Do we go down the path of […]
It's not a farm its a factory
Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
The victims of the Scotts Farm smell are hard pressed to find words adequate to convey the degree of the misery they are unable to escape, a smoke signaller writes. When assaulted by such olfactory violence it is difficult perhaps to consider the real cause of the onslaught. Scotts operation is not a farm in […]
PM wont tackle tough issues
Friday 23 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Adding their thoughts to the Muri egg farm odour issue a smoke signaller writes: Angry Muri residents, hold your breath, the prime minister has problems showing leadership qualities just read what he and his finance minister say about CISNOC on the front page of the Cook Islands News on Thursday. He shows he does not […]
Sleepless out west
Thursday 22 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: This signaller would like to know what on earth is going on at the Crown Beach Resort in Arorangi? The residents living in the area are just fed up with noise and drunken behaviour of those in attendance. The new Tangs Tapas bar is rocking way into the mornings Saturday nights […]
New supplier, higher price
Wednesday 21 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: I walked into CITC stoked to see my Dove Energise soap was back on the shelf and was then horrified to see that CITC has increased its price to $6.40 from $3.90 for the two-pack. How on earth do you justify that kind of price increase, CITC? Going from a very […]
Globetrotting attitude change needed
Tuesday 20 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: I see many good programmes on CITV sponsored by the Prime Ministers Department, many being about climate change and renewable energy. The Iti tangata of the Cook Islands can learn a lot from these programmes its just a real pity that the Prime Minister himself is never here to watch and […]
Chasing the solar rainbow
Monday 19 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
The power utility Te Aponga Uira says Solar, its the way to go, a smoke signaller writes. Then TAU says, we can only handle so much solar. Then TAU buys all kinds of solar for government buildings. Then TAU says, Sorry people, you cant put up any more solar. You have to continue to pay […]
PR: only when youre married?
Thursday 15 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Do you have to be married to get permanent residency (PR)? a smoke signaller asks after reading yesterdays front page article Prioritising PR for spouses. Other questions on the subject: Is handing out PR to spouses married to Cook Islanders opening an old can of worms? What if the couple gets divorced do they have […]
Fish for chips?
Wednesday 14 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
There will undoubtedly be an enormous hue and cry over the pittance Chinese fishing vessels will be paying for the so-called three year exploratory licenses in the vast Cook Islands waters, and so there should be, a smoke signaller writes. The Ministry of Marine Resources release makes reference to the high nature of Cook Islands […]
Korea eyes our trillion dollar resource
Monday 12 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Whats with the Koreans? a smoke signaller asks in response to Mondays front page CI News article Brown talks up global partnerships in Korea, and p11 article Korea, Cooks building relationship. We now have Mark Brown [finance minister] aligning and making partnership with the Koreans and our nodules office engaging and Tom Marsters [deputy prime […]
Market Watch
Tuesday 6 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
The smoke signaller who sent in the snippet about the departure tax coupon mentioned last week on auction at trademe.co.nz, has sold for the princely sum of $3.50. He reports on the listing for auction of a popular Cook Islands souvenir: On TradeMe there was a $3 Cook Islands currency note in new condition with […]
How to keep your bike safe
Saturday 3 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
In their Friday radio report the Police have made suggestions to reduce the theft of motorbikes which seem straightforward, but some owners need a reminder. Police statistics show that most bike thefts happen when people leave their keys in the ignition [duh!], they dont lock the front steering wheel [turn your key to the lock […]
Government must fund footpaths
Friday 2 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
“No dispute, the nation needs footpaths!” a smoke signaller writes. “But the suggestion that bikeways and footpaths could be supported by businesses and donations from the public is utter nonsense! Why should an already stretched tax paying private sector and general public pay for footpaths?Is there not enough money in the coffers of the Tourism […]