Smoke Signals
Kids, have some diabetes
Saturday 29 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: The pictures in Thursdays newspaper of the young athletes were certainly inspiring as to the wealth that we have in our kids as they show off their healthy young bodies. The images you did not show, however, were images that a few parents were concerned about on the day. Had there […]
CEOs statement incredible
Thursday 27 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: What an incredible statement in Cook Islands News yesterday [CINews Tuesday Oct 25 p6] accorded to Mr George Turia, the chief executive at minister Bishops office. Just what does a ministers chief executive do anyway? It sure sounds important New Zealand and Australian ministers have secretaries and PR people to field […]
Reply to nitpicking nitwit
Tuesday 25 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller responds to the Off to bed smokie in Saturdays CINews. The New Zealand high commissioner, John Carter, has shown nothing but solidarity and support for the local community ever since he stepped into his post. But theres always some nitpicking nitwit sideliner trying to kill the buzz. Its not the high commissioners […]
Do the numbers
Saturday 22 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
So Pissed off driver thinks a distance of 2km at a speed of 30km/h is an eroding of his rights by a minority? a smoke signaller writes in response to a letter to the editor in Thursdays CINews. Was he pissed off when he wrote that diatribe, or was he just pissed? Attacking one of […]
Fan zone great way to promote drink-driving
Thursday 20 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
In response to the news of the Rugby World Cup fan zone at the National Auditorium where alcohol will be on sale a smoke signaller writes: What a great way to promote drink-driving set up a fan zone, bring the kids, keep them up late, get the parents wasted then drive home with a vehicle […]
Dredging up dinner
Tuesday 18 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Now it would be easy to come up with some good lawyer jokes about retired solicitor Reuben Tylor moving a big machine that is essentially a giant vacuum cleaner around the South Pacific, a smoke signaller jokes after reading Fridays page 8 article about the former Ports Authority sand dredge. But this smoke signaller wonders […]
Just get him a visa
Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: Most people would know that you are not just given any countrys citizenship or passports, so why is this being used as an excuse not to send Andrew Iroa off to New Zealand for medical assistance, when he has been a tax payer in the Cook Islands for a number of […]
Wheres CISNOCs report?
Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
The Pacific Games have come and gone and theres no word from the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee on the teams performance, a smoke signaller writes. No accountability of funds that CISNOC got from government. Check out the Pacific Games website to find out that this was the Cooks worst-ever performance at any […]
Will they handle the heat?
Thursday 6 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Two smoke signallers have commented on the water tanks purchased by the government to ship to the outer islands. I was pricing some stuff the other day in Panama [here in Rarotonga, not the country in Central America] and on a vacant block there are heaps and heaps of big plastic water tanks stacked and […]
Behind the Suwarrow deal
Monday 3 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
The Suwarrow deal (see Saturdays front page) has caught the publics imagination and weve received some intriguing smokies poking fun at it. First up: Rumour has it that the Cook Islands Government Minister who was in Moscow earlier this year, ostensibly on Health department issues (everyone knew that was total nonsense), had in fact been […]
Easy answer to consultants
Saturday 1 October 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Four hundred thousand dollars for a public sector review? a smoke signaller asks. Nothing has changed in the Cook Islands for decades. Smarmy consultants find aid money for government and come here and use up space, time and resources sitting in a room reviewing. All it takes to reform the public service is for one […]
Round Raro plastic glass trail
Monday 26 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
What a shame that for the Round Raro Road Race, the water bearers gave out water in hard plastic glasses, a smoke signaller writes. Many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of these have been dumped by participants right around the island in an ugly trail along the roadside. What an environmental eyesore. Who is supposed to pick […]
Reading between the road lines
Saturday 24 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: Reading about the Aitutakian as a word in your signals, one thing that came to mind is why is it that the government is only helping pay for the Aitutakian team to the Manea Games in Mangaia what about the Atiuans, Maukeans, Mitiaroans? What is this? Dont tell me that what […]
White powder holds up Wallabies training Wallabies rugby practise was delayed nearly two hours yesterday after a player reported an unknown white powdery substance on the practise field. Coach Robbie Deans immediately suspended practise while police were
Friday 23 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Our rugby poet puts her pen to the Wales vs Samoa World Cup Rugby game that the Welsh won 17-10. Wales and Samoa that was a great game to watch Yet another upset, Welsh discipline Samoa could not touch What a choice try Shane Williams your mum would be so proud Telling all who will […]
Business or cattle, decisions decisions
Thursday 22 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
This IS a Kata joke without a picture! writes a smoke signaller. Finance minister Mark Brown was reported in CI News last week as saying that there is nothing stopping a Member of Parliament or minister from opting to fly economy class on an official trip, or using AirPoints accrued through other official travel. Honestly, […]
Alternative suppliers of grid power
Wednesday 21 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
I was interested to read the story about wind generators in Saturdays CINews, but thought Id mention my experience with solar, a smoke signaller writes. Ive just had a 3.4kW system put in at a cost similar to that of the 5kW wind unit mentioned in the article and last month it generated over $300-worth […]
Travel real reason for tax
Monday 19 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Nobody but an idiot can have been taken by surprise by the Toa and Air New Zealand payments that were supposedly the reason for the Brown Tax [withholding tax on savings interest], a smoke signaller writes. It has now become clear that the unexpected expenses were actually a civil list blowout due to excessive travel. […]
30ks motu to motu
Saturday 17 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes to TXT188: So we have to drive 30km/h from the Avana bridge to Vaimaanga? Police officers sound desperate to fine people for their money. SS: You must have your streams confused as the reduced speed zone area extends from Avana bridge to Paringaru bridge at the southern end of Muri, just […]
Govt jets in style at our expense
Friday 16 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Only politicians can operate without any sense of being budget-conscious or frugal, it seems, says a smoke signaller. For most of us, if we cant afford something, we go without. Surely this is the thought they should be applying to business class travel. Its just sheer indulgence. The tour party going to China could easily […]
Heading for NZ Parliament
Tuesday 13 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Place a circle around Saturday November 26 a little over 10 weeks away as thats the day Cook Islander Alfred Ngaro should become a member of parliament in New Zealand if National wins. National recently announced its party list of candidates to fight the election and newcomer Ngaro is at list position 37, with the […]