Smoke Signals
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 […]
Muri party concerns
Monday 12 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: Sad to see the organising committee for the Vaka Eiva has moved from their traditional party central at Avarua to Muri. They claim the festival atmosphere will be similar to the New Years Eve parties I avoid the New Years Eve party there because of all the drunken fights that occur […]
Recycled prescription danger
Saturday 10 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
If the Prime Minister returns to the Cook Islands this weekend, when do you think hell be winging his way on his next overseas junket, ooops, work trip? Will it be in (a) 1-3 days (b) 4-6 days (c) 7-9 days, or (d) not for six months as theres plenty of work to do here […]
Whos the minister trying to fool?
Tuesday 6 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Whos the finance minister trying to fool when he says nobody is losing any money from the Brown Tax? a smoke signaller writes. Im losing money. I was getting 100% of the interest on my savings but from now on Ill only be getting 85% while the government steals the rest to pay for its […]
Think of the mamas
Monday 5 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
The 20 member rugby rendezvous masquerading as the Forum delegation would be just fine if the chores had been done before the kids go out to play, a smoke signaller writes. For instance, you kids go for your trip after every household in Rarotonga has a 24 hour, seven day a week supply of fresh […]
Lost Tribe repeats its plea
Friday 2 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Dear Editor, I wrote a letter to CI News more than a fortnight ago headed Request to PM from Lost Tribe, which related to our PM Henry Punas discussion with John Key recently in New Zealand on the subject of portability of NZ superannuation to deserving local residents. Ive not yet received an answer to […]
See what $48,000 could buy for the Cooks
Friday 2 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
No amount of wisdom, logic or outrage is going to stop the travel of the 20 to the Forum, a smoke signaller writes. But before you anointed ones travel offshore, travel to your local primary school and ask the principal for a tour of the worn out fixtures and buildings. Then climb upstairs at the […]
Perplexing priorities
Thursday 1 September 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: Government has been billed as Henrys Travelling Circus, whose members stay home just long enough to enact ill-conceived and unpopular withholding tax legislation to rake in revenue from thrifty savers on the one hand, while on the other, doling out a substantial $48,000 of taxpayers money to fund a grossly outsized […]
For the parliamentary record
Monday 29 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Opposition members of parliament voiced their objection to the withholding tax amendment bill being read a third time in parliament on Thursday, but lost to the majority vote in favour. No opposition to the bill was voiced by any MPs during its reading of principals and merits, nor during any other time of voting at […]
Malicious and cowardly
Monday 29 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Dear Editor, I am responding to your Friday report of Norman Georges speech in Parliament. How dare this scoundrel make cowardly and untrue attacks on my wife, my staff, advisers and myself from his pulpit in Parliament, where he is protected by absolute privilege. I totally reject his outrageous assertions and the way in which […]
Fishing comparison: our $73 vs their $5000
Saturday 27 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Fishing minister Teina Bishop has returned from China with a reported three-year deal of $800,000 in licence revenue for the Cook Islands. A smoke signaller writes. Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) have recently set down guidelines for fishing in their waters at a minimum of $5000 A DAY for EACH fishing vessel, with some […]
Meat makes round-trip flight
Wednesday 24 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
I am hot about this topic! exclaims a smoke signaller. The following is a piece of advice from a recent traveller to the Cook Islands and posted on Trip Advisor they are referring to vacuum-packed meat products: Do ensure your vac packs are labelled with a country of origin as trying to return to New […]