Smoke Signals
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 […]
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 […]