Smoke Signals
Govt wants all the building blocks
Wednesday 9 February 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller “wholeheartedly agrees” with Monday’s article ‘Scrapping of budget committee a grave mistake’. “I read today in NZaid’s ‘Currents’ magazine (Issue 16 Aug 2009) about New Zealand prime minister John Key’s visit to the Cook Islands. In reference to NZaid he said: ‘A vibrant and well-supported private sector is an essential building block […]
Finish the job, please
Wednesday 9 February 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Dear Editor, As both a taxpayer and motorist, it is my guess that a considerable amount of money, manpower and machinery have been used over the past three months or so to clean up the roadsides around Rarotonga, so as to improve drainage and prevent future roadside flooding during times of heavy rain fall. Fair […]
What sweetheart deal?
Tuesday 8 February 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Responding to the Saturday smoke signal ‘Who gets the house?’ a smoke signaller writes: “What ‘PM House in Nikao’ is being referred to? As far as I know, there is no PM House in Nikao, Rarotonga – nor in the Cook Islands. Tell your smoke signal writer to get his/her facts right before stating anything […]
Island tractors: who's the boss?
Saturday 5 February 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
The Chinese funded tractors for agricultural purposes landed in Mangaia on Wednesday and were cleared from the boat on Thursday – one for Oneroa, Ivirua and Tamarua. The Government apparently has given authority to the Member of Parliament of each constituency to decide who should manage their constituency tractors. A smoke signaller writes: “Tamarua representatives […]
Will tractors lift island output?
Thursday 3 February 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Does anyone really think new tractors are the missing link between land and productivity in the outer islands?” a smoke signaller asks following the donation of tractors courtesy of China. “Did anyone ask the outer islands what they needed before going begging? More things mean more maintenance and more costs; just paying for the freight […]
Let's divide rubbish, again
Monday 31 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes to TXT188: “Seeing that having to separate everyone’s recyclables from the rubbish is slowing the poor rubbish collectors down, maybe they should offer an incentive to everyone: separate your own recyclables, otherwise the collectors won’t take it!” SmokeSignals: But isn’t it a shame that many people were already separating their rubbish […]
How much are they paid?
Tuesday 25 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “In the vein of transparency no doubt desired by the new government, could the public be informed of the remuneration of the economic task force?” SmokeSignals: We’ve made inquiries – see article above. As Cyclone Wilma churns through the Tonga islands after lashing American Samoa over the weekend, maps predicting where […]
WAIHEKE SHARES OUR CHALLENGES HEADACHE CURE CENTRE LESS BUMPY APOLOGY TO RASMUSSEN
Monday 24 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Good on you minister Heather for taking the initiative to go and see first hand the waste management systems in Gisborne, Opotiki and Wairoa,” a smoke signaller writes in response to an article in Saturday’s CINews about his forthcoming NZ-funded tour of waste and sanitation schemes. “Finding a permanent solution to our pollution problems is […]
Representation without taxation
Saturday 22 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
“The American Revolution was founded on the principle of ‘no taxation without representation and no representation without taxation’,” a smoke signaller writes. “What is now proposed by the Cook Islands Government is that 14 non-taxed constituencies are supported by 10 taxed constituencies and we are going to be faced with the weird proposition that a […]
How simple is it to keep a country beautiful?”
Wednesday 19 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller joins the debate on the felling of trees on Rarotonga deemed dangerous and writes: “Hey Mr Smoke Signal, how come Hawaii and California can have tall palms and coconut trees and no one gets killed or sued? Could it be they regularly de-nut and prune old leaves? How simple is it to […]
Rounding up the shopping cents
Monday 17 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
“From the attached receipt (see photo below right) you will see that I purchased goods to the value of $16.02 at Foodland this afternoon [Friday],” a smoke signaller writes. “The receipt shows that rounding was applied to bring the total to $16.05. It also shows that I tendered a $50.00 note to pay for these […]
A letter from the mayor
Saturday 15 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I have very little respect for prominent persons who use profanity in public,” a smoke signaller writes, most probably in response to yesterday’s headline ‘One big F up’. “Their view can still be made known without subjecting the reading public to such vulgarity. Please consider our school age readers and readers who don’t condone profanity […]
Fix the disgusting stench in Avana
Thursday 13 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Instead of cutting down killer coconut trees, can the Ministry of Works guys do something about the disgusting mess at the bridge opposite the Ngatangiia CICC at Avana?” pleads a smoke signaller. “Driving past, you notice the stench getting stronger and stronger every day. I almost vomited when I walked past there this morning. It […]
Roasting his own coffee
Tuesday 11 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
One thing this picture says about Neil Dearlove – master coffee roaster, barista and The Caf proprietor – is that he has a keen sense of humour. Not many coffee vendors the world over would be brave enough to advertise ‘rotten food and lousy coffee’, but in Neil’s case it’s just a matter of wearing […]
Leaders' energy a good omen
Monday 10 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
“What a breath of fresh air last week to hear candidly from three of our new cabinet members, who’re obviously full of energy, attitude and ready-to-go thinking,” a smoke signaller writes. “Obviously our new leaders haven’t gone to sleep over the festive season, and their brains have been fully engaged. It’s not just good copy […]
A minister with attitude
Saturday 8 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Infrastructure and Planning minister Teariki Heather hit the headlines yesterday saying that he wants to restructure his ministry to improve the attitudes of his staff, punctuality and bring pride back to their work. A smoke signaller responds: “With regards to what Minister Teariki is trying to achieve with public service attitude, I hope the rest […]
Movies are 'cheaper here'
Friday 7 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
Responding to Wednesday’s signaller who hoped that the clampdown on pirated video sales might lead to a reduction in the price of going to the movies, a smoke signaller writes to TXT188: “Why should Empire [Theatre] drop their prices? At the end of the day they still have to pay movie companies every time they […]
Live with the vehicle abuse
Thursday 6 January 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes in response to yesterday’s front page article ‘Govt vehicle policy’: “While the Public Service Commissioner is asking heads of government ministries if they should hang up their car keys after hours, it would make just as much sense for the Ministry of Justice to ask the prisoners at Arorangi where the […]
Trees not a threat
Friday 31 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Stop the nutcase who ordered the chainsaw massacre of coconut trees at the Golf Club road as shown in your CINews photo on Wednesday, or we will be left with no more nu to drink on the island. Our parents taught us at an early age to plant trees that bear […]
Looking for a Christmas message
Thursday 30 December 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I was interested in your Christmas and New Year messages [see CI News Friday, December 24] from what I personally considered too many personalities,” a smoke signaller writes. “I wonder how many readers ploughed their way through all of them?” SmokeSignals: Many would have done so – reading other people’s thoughts and wishes is always […]