Smoke Signals
Sir Terepai going Indy?
Saturday 2 October 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A well placed source in Sir Terepai Maoate’s camp has hinted in a smoke signal that the sitting MP may run as an independent in the November 17 general elections. In Wednesday’s vote by financial members of the Democratic Party in the Ngatangiia constituency – and a good number of Cook Islands Party members also […]
What a cock up!
Friday 1 October 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller reckons Tourism boss Carmel Beattie is “putting the cart before the horse by trying to attract tourists but not sorting out problems in the country”, in this particular caller’s case, noisy roosters. He said he knows of people who visit Rarotonga once but will not return because of roosters keeping them awake […]
Loss will see votes cross
Thursday 30 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
The winner of yesterday’s run-off to select a candidate to represent the Democratic Party in the Ngatangiia constituency in the November 17 general election will have a huge uphill battle to consolidate the Demo votes in the next 48 days. The divisions run so deep that prior to the run-off at least one of the […]
Spurned habitats 'would be ready'
Wednesday 29 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
Following Cyclone Pat’s path of destruction through Aitutaki a little over seven months ago – and with the new cyclone season a month away – a smoke signaller writes: “None of the replacement houses being built on Aitutaki are even close to being finished except for the show house which finally has walls and windows. […]
Are they all Demo members?
Tuesday 28 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
There’s been a flurry of activity in Ngatangiia in the past weeks as the two contenders vying for the Democratic Party candidacy and their committees have been chasing as many potential voters as possible to ensure they are fully paid-up members of the party. The $2 membership fee (closes at 12 noon today apparently) means […]
Where does the fat batch go?
Monday 27 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes in response to the article ‘Palm apologises for fat batch’ in last week’s CINews: “McCallum Industries (Palm Corned Beef) states ‘Regular Palm Corned Beef is not a mass produced product and specific recipes are applied to our various markets. The product we produce for the Cook Islands has a lower fat […]
Vancouver flight dreamin'
Saturday 25 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A Canadian writing from the capital of the province of British Columbia says one of his dreams will come true if a direct flight operates between Vancouver and the Cook Islands. Ray Powell from Victoria, BC (“near Vancouver!”) says travelling to Rarotonga via Los Angeles in the United States “is a royal pain!” Cook Islands […]
Wall has health benefits
Friday 24 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes tongue-in-cheek: “The Small Wall of China recently installed in the courthouse has two admirable qualities, clearly designed to enhance the health of us all. When a member of the public rings to speak with someone, the receptionist cannot see if the person is at their desk. This means that the receptionist […]
Just having a ball
Thursday 23 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes in response to the recent article ‘The last waltz looms’ published prior to the Tereora College Ball: “In the articles about the school ball it clearly says that males cannot wear black skinny jeans, but then in the ‘Top Ten Tips’ for the ball it says something clearly different. It suggests […]
Survivor Cooks least challenging
Wednesday 22 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
After 21 seasons of the reality TV series Survivor, a website has chosen Survivor Cook Islands as the least challenging. BuddyTV.com staff writer Ben Watson writes: “The season that divided tribes up by race didn’t seem to have too many challenges location-wise. There was a significant amount of in-water challenges (including an awesome zip line […]
Solar panel chasing!
Tuesday 21 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A slightly exasperated smoke signaller writes: “Upon enquiring about the Japanese solar power aid offer I hear that the procedure is that ‘project proposals are put to the Energy Department, which pass them to the Renewable Energy Committee, then to the National Sustainable Development Commission, who send them to Cabinet, who approve and pass them […]
Come visit our islands
Monday 20 September 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“If you live in Detroit USA and are contemplating an island holiday, would you believe it would be less expensive for you to holiday in the Cook Islands rather than Hawaii?” a smoke signaller asks. “Well it is right now. A couple staying at a nice island location here returned to the USA on Saturday […]
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 […]