Smoke Signals
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 […]
Adopt a road?
Thursday 1 December 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
In response to yesterdays front page CINews article Cycleway plans in the pipeline a smoke signaller writes in with a good suggestion: Business operators in each area of the island could adopt the section of road alongside their businesses and assist the Government (and Rotary perhaps) to make the bike paths and walkways become a […]
How healthy are our people?
Wednesday 30 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
In response to the Saturday letter to the editor Blinded by dollar signs? a smoke signaller writes to TXT188: Is it appropriate to criticise the local child benefit when some mothers run to Australia to give birth and gain $5000, only to return and get on the local benefit?
Surplus: cancel the savings tax
Tuesday 29 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: Finance minister Mark Brown’s announcement that Government will have a $2.5 million surplus by the end of this financial year seems to prove that Government did not need to introduce Mark Brown’s interest tax on investment in the first place. So what was all the fuss about, Mark, trying to balance […]
Anything is auctioned
Monday 28 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
If you venture online you will see various auctions for Cook Islands items like stamps and coins at such venues as eBay and New Zealands immensely popular TradeMe.co.nz. One sharp-eyed smoke signaller however has spotted an unusual auction a $20 departure tax receipt, dating back to 1985! The person offering the receipt, who goes by […]
Ant and grasshopper story revisited
Friday 25 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
This ones a little different, writes a smoke signaller who sent across the old and new version of the Ant and the Grasshopper. OLD VERSION: The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and […]
Spare ribs fine in Samoa
Thursday 24 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
The Australian media has picked up on the variety of justice (or lack of) in the Pacific when it comes to disciplining rugby players. Aussie website brisbanetimes.com.au has contrasted and compared the plight of two rugby bad boys from Samoa and New Zealand in an online column this week, highlighting the dissimilarities. "Zac Guildford received […]
Workshop on violence
Monday 21 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller said they were appalled with Ellena Tavionis letter to the editor last week, in which she criticised a triathletes training gear as a near naked eyesore. Perhaps TAV could start making exercise Berkas for attractive athletes to wear? And maybe Cook Islands dancers should cover up more too? NO THANKS! Its a […]
All Blacks are role models
Saturday 19 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Disappointed Kuki [Thursday letter to the editor titled Isnt it time we left him alone?] talks about us all being young and stupid at some time, a smoke signaller writes. That may be true, but how many of us were All Blacks? Many Cook Islands school students spent last term with the Rugby World Cup […]
The costumes are the same
Friday 18 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Responding to Ellena Tavionis letter to the editor yesterday in which she said a triathletes training costume almost looks like an eyesore two-piece swimsuit that showed a near naked body, a smoke signaller texts: I feel for Ellena. Have a look at your TV Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Pacific Games all triathletes wear exactly what Kelly […]
Police folded under pressure
Thursday 17 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
I find the whole situation with Zac and the police very distasteful,a smoke signaller writes.I think the acting Police commissioners words were his word against hers.To me that implies that he is denying the event. If that is the case, why was he trying to arrange a meeting? I think Guildford is a man with […]
Banana zaquiri
Tuesday 15 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Zac should have received a special award at the tourism awards on Friday evening, a smoke signaller reckons. He has given Raro (particularly Trader Jacks) more media coverage in New Zealand than the Tourism Corporation has achieved in years of trying. SS: Ha! But where would they pin his award medal? A smoke signaller responds […]
Waiting to see what the police do
Monday 14 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
I love reading the news from the Cook Islands, a smoke signaller writes, and I am looking forward to hearing about the All Blacks Guildford situation at Trader Jacks over the weekend. Ive been reading the local news here and on TV, I havent seen anything that explains a step by step account of what […]
Pretending everything is fine
Saturday 12 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes in response to our news reports on the special general meeting of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee: Reading through` the newspaper this morning [Thursday] just shows you or anyone how two faced some people can be, or how loyal they can be to their own leader or friend, […]
Why not an absentee vote for Games?
Wednesday 9 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
What a continuing fantasy world we live in here! a smoke signaller writes. By now the sure to have been colourful CISNOC meeting from Tuesday night will be over and you will be reading here in CI News as to what eventuated. Surely the absence of the second or maybe the most important person in […]
Utopia, just the way we are
Thursday 3 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Very seriously, a smoke signaller writes, you tourism people dont need to spend taxpayer funds or send junkets to China to promote tourism from there. Time magazine reports that by the year 2015 there will be 100 million Chinese citizens looking for somewhere around the world to descend upon. This current year around 54 million […]
Its mad dog behaviour
Wednesday 2 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: I was shocked to read Geoffrey Henrys (I have not used his Knight of the Realm title because in my opinion he demeans it) disgraceful letter in Tuesday mornings paper. This is the abusive ranting of a mad dog defending its territory and control, exhibiting aggressive, irrational, abusive loud barking. It […]
Who is going to the Caribbean?
Tuesday 1 November 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Theres no decision yet to the request by 12 national sports federations for a special general meeting of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee on November 8. Wonder if theres been a decision of who will be travelling to St Kitts in the Caribbean for the meeting on November 11 that will decide […]