Smoke Signals
Better to walk before you run
Wednesday 16 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“It’s interesting to note that while Telecom was holding a big customer function for their signing agreement on Monday with O3b, the entire Aitutaki phone system was down,” a smoke signaller writes to highlight the irony of the situation. “It was almost impossible to get hold of someone at Telecom here in Raro who knew […]
JPs, get tough!
Friday 11 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“There appears to be some inconsistencies with the way that driving with excess breath/blood alcohol is being treated by the courts (CI news May 9 front page),” a smoke signaller writes. “If the Police, as they claim, say that they are serious in stopping this, then the courts have to start backing them up. Just […]
Avoiding the big issue
Thursday 10 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “The iti tangata of the Cook Islands could be forgiven for wondering whether they live under a democratic, representative system of government. Not one comment of party leader Robert Wigmore in his rejection of Sir Terepai’s demands, actually refers to the needs, will, demands or future well being of the citizens […]
Canoes pay for airport
Wednesday 9 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“If the Cook Islands’ vaka leaves Avatiu wharf and goes to Samoa, will they be taxed $55 per crew member departure in tax?” a reader asks. “The Fijian vaka crew was billed $990 departure tax as I guess was the crew of the other departing vaka. Why was I under the impression that this tax […]
Harnessing the country's energy
Friday 4 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Why is government leading us down a path where our people and businesses are spending so much time, energy and money arguing about ‘Toagate’ and the ‘Demo fight’ when the nation should be using the same energy, time and money to turn our economy around in time of crisis?” a smoke signaller asks.”In other parliamentary […]
Prison escape email
Wednesday 2 June 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
The ‘prison break’ early Monday morning resulted in a flurry of FYI (for your information) e-mails from people in various business and government offices who forwarded a police e-mail and pdf attachment – including the WANTED heading in bold Latin typeface with large triangular serifs reminiscent of Wild West posters – about the escapee and […]
'Govt please fund Fiji flight'
Thursday 27 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“After reading the paper about the Fiji flights, I hope and pray that government agrees to fund the proposed flights,” a smoke signaller writes. “Not only do we have quicker access to Fiji but also cheaper fares to the Solomons, Tonga and Samoa, to name but a few. Members of most ethnic communities will definitely […]
Where did Apex money come from?
Tuesday 25 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Brett Porter’s explanation of the Apex deal with Mobil Oil in 2006 is that Apex borrowed some millions of dollars and put up ‘its own’ $750,000 to make a $3.25 million dollar deal. On August 11, 2006 the LAT approved a deed of mortgage from Apex to ANZ Bank of 5.7 […]
Here we go again
Saturday 22 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller sent us this fax: The outrage shown by a number of our citizens in regards to the Toagate financial disaster is justified. The utter arrogance and cheek of these so-called leaders is unbelievable, but you get what you deserve when you give them the mandate to govern in the first place. Now […]
Trying to do a man's job
Friday 21 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
An irate smoke signaller writes in to TXT188: “Well we can thank the arrogance of Terepai Maoate and the nodders or yes men in cabinet at the time: Tangata Vavia, Ngamau Munokoa, Kete Ioane and Jim Marurai. All girls and boys trying to do a man’s job but just costing the country millions over Toagate. […]
Our very own Gilligan's Island
Tuesday 18 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
The safe return of the four from Manuae is fantastic news, but attention now must be given to the investigation into what really happened to ensure there isn’t a repeat of what must have been a costly rescue mission. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that all four men should not have […]
Who got the seat?
Monday 17 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Interesting to read in your paper that a Manihiki woman with a torn Achilles tendon gave up her seat for an emergency case from Pukapuka. I wonder who the Manihiki patient gave up her seat for? Obviously not for the Pukapuka patient. Among the passengers who hopped off the plane when […]
Share the direct flight banners
Wednesday 12 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
The newly-launched cookislands.travel website features a banner on the home page to promote the July 4 start of Air New Zealand’s direct Sydney-Rarotonga flights, which needs strong bookings to avoid the country paying for any losses by the airline on this route. A number of local businesses have agreed to place the banner on their […]
Higher airport taxes in ticket
Tuesday 11 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“For all those beating up on our country’s taxes,” a smoke signaller writes, “these are the airport taxes for a trip to Fiji from Auckland New Zealand next week. The difference is these are in the purchase price of the ticket.” AIRPORT & GOVERNMENT COSTS: Airport Departure Tax NZ$56.40; Airport Security Charge $3.80; Airport Development […]
Dear parrots and politics
Monday 10 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “It’s really a sad state of affairs that we have to wait around to see the Demo Party spend the time coming up to the election, going through the foregone conclusion of ousting the nazis only to finish up with the same old Dead Party options to vote for. Reminds me […]
Supporters 'weren't swearing at players'
Saturday 8 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A reader replies to one of the smoke signals yesterday regarding Tupapa supporters: “I think I have a fair idea who this person is; you may stay in Tupapa, but you’re not a Tupapa supporter. The person who wrote it sounds as vicious as the message and it shows you how spiteful this person is […]
Foul mouth spoils game for others
Friday 7 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
An irate sports fan writes: “I am a league freak and always have been since I was a little girl, from ARL to NRL and now CIRL, it’s like our own little island State of Origin. I love it! But I am so sick and tired of Tupapa supporters screaming foul and obscene remarks at […]
A PM for the people
Thursday 6 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
On the subject of a nationally elected prime minister, a smoke signaller writes: “Under our current Parliamentary structure the PM calls the shots – if he can control Cabinet, which operates under a system of the most stubborn gets his or her way. What the voting public needs is a PM who will try and […]
Alice's tropical wonderland
Tuesday 4 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “The recent screening of Alice in Wonderland was certainly timely for us here in the Cook Islands where, like Alice’s experience, reality seems to have been set on its head and all is back to front. On the one hand we have spent well over $1,000,000 chasing an allegation against Norman […]
Billboards spoiling enua manea
Monday 3 May 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A reader writes: “As we were driving around our beautiful island (enua manea!) enjoying the green, well kept sections and sweeping oceans views, our vision was suddenly obscured by a huge billboard, demanding attention to a business in Arorangi. It made the “OIRE RANGIATEA” sign seem less important! We continued driving and then another billboard […]