Smoke Signals
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 […]
Getaway vehicle a yacht?
Tuesday 23 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Aitutakis mayor John Baxter said police were investigating whether the thieves who got away with an amount rumoured to be anywhere between $20,000 and $200,000, could have moored a yacht at Aitutaki, carried out the heist at the Bank of the Cook Islands branch there, and then sailed away. I know the police are checking […]
Hes the best watchdog there is
Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Why would the Public Service Commission reduce the qualifications for Audit director when we need the best we can have? a smoke signaller asks. Is it another government attempt to mould the qualifications to suit someone they want to hire, I wonder? Are we going to have another CIP boychick foisted on us that will […]
No one will be held accountable
Friday 19 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
No one is ever punished for incompetence in the Cook Islands, even if it costs the country, an irate smoke signaller writes. Nothing has changed. Quit trying to pull the wool over our eyes. CISNOC officials knew of the pending financial shortfall and were counting on Government to bail them out. To date they have […]
Do not bail out CISNOC
Wednesday 17 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Dear Sir, How is it that the president of CISNOC pleads ignorance to its financial problems? According to CISNOC the problem is that the government budget didnt allocate them enough cash. That budget was passed six weeks ago, and the president of CISNOC was sitting in the house of parliament as the budget was passed. […]
CISNOC crisis: who really knew?
Wednesday 17 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Its hard to believe Sir Geoffrey, as the hands-on president of CISNOC, is not familiarised with the financial affairs of his organisation, as reported in Wednesdays Cook Islands News, a smoke signaller writes. Its also hard to believe the Cook Islands Party hierarchy did not know about the mess at CISNOC until they were informed […]
Will we keep our people here?
Tuesday 16 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
It was exciting to see our hospitality students being glorified of their achievements at the recent Nestle Toque dOr Junior Chefs competition in New Zealand, a smoke signaller writes. But it is disappointing to hear that one the contestants applied for a job in one of our boutique hotels and guess how much the person […]
Govt travel eating tax
Monday 8 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Robin Hood was well-known for taking from the rich and giving to the poor, a smoke signaller writes. Its a shame that all we have is a robbing hood who takes from the poor pensioners and gives to the rich Toa and Air New Zealand. The prime ministers journey to San Francisco has nothing to […]
Constitution Day car blaze
Saturday 6 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller who sent in the photo taken on Thursday, August 4, of a car on fire writes: The person on the back road in Matavera must think our Constitution Day gives them the independence to burn cars and ruin our environment! A smoke signaller sends a warning to all scooter riders: It seems […]
Forever grateful
Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Dear Editor, Wed like to extend our sincere appreciation to all the wonderful people who provided such quick assistance to the Canadian family who unwittingly got themselves into very serious trouble on the beach at Titikaveka, while we were kayaking too close to the reef. We are especially grateful to Don Beer of Whitesands Beach […]