Smoke Signals
To tell or not to tell?
Saturday 18 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I’ve just finished reading ‘Chris was Right’ in the smokies,” one of our readers writes this week. “I was thinking the same thing, but the other way around. Brett Porter informed us there was going to be a fuel shortage. Chris Vaile said it will be okay if we don’t ‘Panic Buy’. So everyone started […]
Why always a dummy?
Thursday 16 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
After signing up for zillions of dollars of borrowed money from overseas without serious due diligence –the failed Vaimaanga resort project being a classic example – and now hopefully being the wiser for it, some still must think the country has a ‘We’re Dummies!’ sticker slapped across the forehead of our government. The Cabinet document […]
Bottom of the barrel?
Wednesday 15 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
One of our readers phoned the newsroom on Monday after seeing the TOA tanker pumping petrol – they checked, it wasn’t diesel – into Budget Rentals’ own tank in Avarua. Raising eyebrows and a callout to the tanker driver from passersby, and he went (finger to mouth) ‘shhhhhh…’ “Chris Vaile was right all along,” a […]
Firing back at big Norm
Tuesday 14 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Amazing to see and hear Big Norm (Norman George) on Turama the other evening, especially having a go at the Group for Political Change’s reform initiative, saying it was ’not researched, not thought out, not long term…kneejerk reactions’. By your own admission Norm you have had 27 years to get things […]
Hey politicians, who's the silly one now?
Monday 13 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Why do politicians keep repeating ‘We have to keep it simple so the public can understand’?” a smoke signaller asks. “Most of us can balance our chequebooks and don’t keep losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process. Most of us don’t keep asking the same questions for 12 years in a row over […]
Main road ramp danger
Saturday 11 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “The new-look Tupapa Nui-o-Ou meeting house looks good, but some questions need to be asked about the brainiacs behind the construction of the wheelchair ramp in the front of the building. My 10-year-old son pointed out to me that someone on a wheelchair can end up in the middle of the […]
Potholes in sky
Thursday 9 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Onboard the Pacific Blue flight returning home after two weeks abroad in New Zealand, we were experiencing some pretty bad turbulence,” a smoke signaller writes. “The captain of the flight announced, ‘Good evening ladies and gentlemen, we apologise for the unexpected turbulence we are now experiencing. However, just think of it as an experience riding […]
Playing the game
Wednesday 8 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Wasn’t it just great to see the Atiu Warrior Norman George in action, in relation to the Group for Political Change and Mou Piri ‘waiting until the last minute’ in relation to political reform and consulting the people? Just great, let them have it Norman, they have no right to suggest […]
Raro's ego speedway
Tuesday 7 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Every so often we have fuel shortages,” a smoke signaller writes. “Our roads are constantly littered with pot holes. Contributing to this are the modern 4 wheel drive vehicles constantly hooning around Rarotonga Speedway. With the size of this island I cannot understand why the importation of these vehicles available for private use continues. Surely […]
Sinking and rising islands
Monday 6 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A big congrats going out to Pacific Resort Aitutaki’s GM Michael Shah for being voted the South Pacific general manager of the year at the 2010 HM Awards for Hotel & Accommodation Excellence in Sydney on Friday night. Shortly after starting the job in Aitutaki he said he has the best job in the world, […]
3 KM PER MP
Friday 3 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller looks at a map and asks: “Would there be another country in the world where there is a highly paid Member of Parliament every three kilometres of road on under populated land, which is what we appear to have here on Rarotonga? Unbelievable! And three MP’s for the almost deserted island of […]
Convenient transparency
Thursday 2 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
Referring to the smokie about Bim Tou calling the media to be present next week during the Ports Authority bid opening for the Avatiu Harbour Development, a smoke signaller writes: “What happened to the tender for the 15T forklift which is now broken down, and the crane purchased for Aitutaki recently? Transparency all right – […]
Harbouring no secrets
Tuesday 31 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A big congrats goes out to Bim Tou and the Ports Authority for being at the forefront of a new era of transparency in our small country. They’ve invited the media to attend the bid opening for the Avatiu Harbour Development at 2.30pm next Monday, with the deadline for bids being half an hour beforehand […]
Uncle's balancing act
Monday 30 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Would the anonymous smoke signaller whinging about Uncle Bob in last Wednesday’s paper, at least have a pen name,” suggests ‘Uncle Bob’. “Maybe that signaller had a point to make and the reason for not putting a name to paper is to ensure that it is not misunderstood to be a personal attack. If the […]
9/11 ignorance
Saturday 28 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
Sir Geoffrey Henry’s removal from a Noumea-bound Air New Zealand flight for his terrorist remark made in jest brought a couple of critical comments by text. “Sir Geoffrey mentioned terrorism on a plane – hello! – what did he expect, red carpet and more bubbly? Shame on him, he needs to reflect back to Sept […]
Good on you James Beer
Friday 27 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
In response to a letter yesterday from the Democratic Party candidate for Murienua titled ‘How to repair puna run-offs’, a smoke signaller writes: “If James keeps thinking so rationally and clearly, he may change ‘beer’ from a noun to a verb, as in ‘Hey, mate, let’s go beer over this’, meaning let’s sit down and […]
The golden touch?
Thursday 26 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“If this were a fairy tale, Mr Junior Areai believes he has the Midas Touch!” a smoke signaller writes. “He goes into politics and stands as an independent in the Oneroa electorate! Mr Areai is gifted at getting close to powerful politicians and political hopefuls and once he associates himself with them, his touch reveals […]
Raro's electric roads
Wednesday 25 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Before government spends too much time negotiating with TOA over the future of petroleum imports, it might not be a bad idea to get current on the pace of technology in regards electric vehicles,” a smoke signaller writes. “The biggest carmakers in the world are in a race to see who will take the biggest […]
Dangers of dog poo
Monday 23 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Why can’t dog owners keep dogs at home, and look after their poo if they are out on a leash?” asks a smoke signaller. “The dogs roam our beaches depositing their poo wherever they please. Why do we have to, in a small island of Rarotonga, be plagued by dogs when we have a paid […]
$50 departure tax better
Saturday 21 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
On the issue of the inclusion of departure tax and other charges in flight tickets, a smoke signaller writes: “I would suggest that ‘Check the facts’ keys into airnewzealand.com.au and checks any flight Sydney/Rarotonga (direct or via NZ) and you will see additional charges quoted at AU$72.58, Passenger Movement Charge AU$47 (NZ$60), Passenger Service Charge […]