Smoke Signals
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 […]
Air NZ won't ticket tax
Friday 20 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
Yesterday’s letter ‘Sort out departure tax’ which suggested the country’s $55 departure tax should be included in the price of an airline ticket to avoid any grumbling at departure time, drew two responses: “The reason we do not have the departure tax in the airline ticket prices is simple: Air New Zealand refuses to do […]
Plea from Aitutaki
Thursday 19 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Could one of your great reporters investigate what has happened to all the money so kindly given by so many to help the people of Aitutaki after cyclone Pat please?” asks a smoke signaller. “We have not seen any of it here and the sad part is that many people are still living like little […]
Private sector growth
Wednesday 18 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I see the Prime Minister has made two new appointments on the Telecom Cook Islands board with representatives from the private sector,” a smoke signaller writes. “It is ‘to allow TCI to assume a more private sector ‘face’ in moving forward with its initiatives’. How about TCI and the PM – the current Telecommunications Minister […]
The Ngatangiia showdown
Tuesday 17 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
The big GE is still 92 days away but it’s hand-to-hand fighting in the trenches at Ngatangiia over the selection of the constituency’s Democratic Party candidate, almost a very miniature version of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton slogging it out in the US for the Democratic presidential nomination two years ago. There’s a few smokies […]
PM Jim's had enough
Saturday 14 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
Prime Minister Jim Marurai says he’s had enough of leading the country. In the latest issue of the Fiji-based magazine Islands Business, he’s quoted as saying that come the next general elections in November, he’ll stand for his Ivirua seat on Mangaia and reconnect with his constituents if he wins. “I can’t even trust my […]
Arise, sir Robert?
Wednesday 11 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
Did the Suva-based South Pacific Tourism Organisation make a mistake in a press release this week, or has someone jumped the gun and released information about an event that hasn’t happened yet? In an SPTO press release about the World Shanghai Expo celebrating Cook Islands Day on August 4, the first paragraph refers to the […]
Still roofless after Pat
Monday 9 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Can your paper ask the Aitutaki Raro community whatever happened to the money raised for the island?” a smoke signaller writes to TXT188. “Cyclone Pat hit in February and months later we have people here living in tents and the purpose of that was for it NOT to sit in the bank. Would be nice […]
Who's the dummy?
Saturday 7 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I wonder who is the dumb one here in regards to protocol?” asks a smoke signaller in response to yesterday’s smokie that suggested the government had no idea of protocol because the Minister of Culture arrived after the Deputy Prime Minister at the official opening of Te Maeva Nui last week. “Minister of Culture Cassey […]
No idea of protocol
Friday 6 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“At the opening ceremony of Te Maeva Nui at the Punanga Nui on Saturday, it was so embarrassing that this government has no idea of protocol,” a smoke signaller emails. “In normal situations, everyone will wait for the Prime Minister to be the last guest to arrive to an official function, but instead acting Prime […]
Make way! Make way!
Tuesday 3 August 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“One does have to wonder why the Minister of Culture requires a police escort to take her to the opening of the Te Maeva Nui,” a smoke signaller writes. “This entourage included two uniformed police officers on motor bikes, lights flashing, a driver driving the Minister, while she sat in the back seat doing her […]