Smoke Signals
We're worlds apart, Mr Prime Minister
Wednesday 7 April 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Mr Prime Minister, while you sleep soundly under a nice roof in your Rarotonga home, the people of Aitutaki sleep in their homes under a tarpaulin roof. While you sleep soundly in the comforts of your private room in your government house, the people of Aitutaki sleep in damaged buildings with […]
Showcasing the visiting Japanese group
Tuesday 6 April 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A Rarotonga resident writes about the Japanese group that’s in town showcasing and sharing their martial arts prowess and their ballet dance: “The photo on the front page of the Cook Islands News of the young girl was fantastic – what amazing form she has! But I thought it was really sad that they had […]
Crackdown
Saturday 3 April 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
Patrols manning checkpoints around the island this long weekend will be searching cars and pickups – both front and back seats – for any evidence that Easter eggs have been eaten prior to Easter morning this Sunday. The evidence could be either empty foil wrappers left inside vehicles, or chocolate on fingers, door knobs and […]
Materials doubled up
Wednesday 31 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Three weeks ago Wilkie arrogantly boasted in the media about his government’s intentions for a cyclone recovery plan for Aitutaki. The business sector of Aitutaki mobilised to purchase basic building materials – timber, iron roofing and cement – expecting government to purchase from them as part of its plan to stimulate […]
Justice for all
Tuesday 30 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “While reading the newspaper court report, one matter that came to my attention was a male adult pleading guilty to careless driving and who to my understanding had been drinking and was only fined a total of $70. One Sunday afternoon my friend was stopped by police and fined a total […]
Solving the Toagate saga
Monday 29 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Well Triad’s boss Chris was my hero for taking on Toa and the uncle and nephew tag team, but then the latest revelations hit the press,” writes a smoke signaller. “If Chris had not made the challenge then we the people would now own a fuel farm with a just about to expire lease and […]
Water wasting
Thursday 25 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I’ve just been watching the local news asking us all once again, not to waste water, to use it wisely and with thought for those living on higher ground,” a smoke signaller writes. “The thought crossed my mind when I went to town last Saturday morning where I noticed two organisations offering car washes as […]
An attempt at reform
Wednesday 24 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“It’s interesting that the PM in his letter of August 29 was trying to begin the process of political reform within the Demo Party, but it was obviously shot down by the Maoate/Tongia faction,” a smoke signaller writes. “Also interesting that the MPs refuse to answer any questions about reform, in fact they refuse to […]
Tourism needs fixing, fast
Tuesday 23 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
Something is very wrong in the relationship between the chairman and board of Cook Islands Tourism with those employed at the tourism office. Especially when the chief executive John Dean resigned early and returned to Australia, followed by two very talented Cook Islanders over the weekend, reportedly throwing in the towel: acting CEO Glenda Tuaine […]
Aitutaki's building code
Monday 22 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller writes: “Before Aitutaki mayor Tai Herman makes too much noise about interference from the capital island, perhaps he can explain how it is that no one has enforced the building code in Aitutaki during his tenure? Most of the buildings damaged or destroyed were built ‘island-style’ without regard to codes or good […]
GET OUT OF THE SANDPIT!
Friday 19 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
Referring to yesterday’s front page article in CINews, a smoke signaller writes, “I’m disgusted to read about the squabbling within the cabinet/party. I can’t help but wonder what work any of these boys do as all they seem to show us – “the people they represent” – is a whole lot of puerile bickering. I […]
Thank you all
Friday 19 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
Dear Editor, Thank you, Cook Islanders for an enjoyable two weeks spent on your beautiful island. I love your gorgeous flowers, native fruits, and crashing waves! You Cook Islanders are so friendly! Following the service at the CICC church in Aorangi we were served a delicious lunch and I want to thank all who made […]
Choice minus, aye bro?
Tuesday 16 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A couple of friends were chuckling over photos that were emailed from the Pasifika Festival, which showed plastic containers labelled as ‘Minus (Cook Island potato salad)’. “Cookies in NZ always give us Cookies back home grief about being fobs and freshies – but by the minus sign we reckon the fobs are over there!!” If […]
Pat, a convenient diversion
Monday 15 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
No doubt others have noticed that Aitutaki is now the excuse for the powers-that-be to do nothing else. Aid for economic development? Sorry. Political reform conference? Sorry. Even funds for health and education get the chop. Face it, we blew our emergency funds on the Mini Games, ministerial travel and Toa-like foolishness. If we still […]
Honest as...
Saturday 13 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller says after reading about all the burglaries etc on the island, it’s so good to know there are also “super honest people out there”. She took her car to Koa Kupu to clean and when she went back later to pick it up, he handed her a sum of money that he’d […]
Slash profit, give cheaper power
Friday 12 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
Referring to the national power utility Te Aponga Uira, a smoke signaller writes: “The TAU trucks that go out on Tuesdays and Thursdays to disconnect electricity are becoming part of the normal course of events in the Cooks as the recession starts to dig deeper. It would be a far better option for TAU to […]
No CIP support means yes to Toa?
Thursday 11 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
After reading Cook Islands Party leader Henry Puna’s letter to the editor yesterday, one signaller was confused by the statement that the CIP will not provide government with the numbers to give it supply for non-emergency items such as the Toa settlement payment because these are ‘subject to normal political negotiations’. The signaller asks if […]
Double scam – be careful
Wednesday 10 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
You’ve heard about the Nigerian scams were people around the world have been conned out of their bank savings by promises of huge rewards for helping to release millions locked away by a relative who supposedly cheated their countries by hidden overpayments on major projects etc. Some individuals and organisations here in the Cook Islands […]
No second chances
Tuesday 9 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
“The police can plead for a stop to drink driving and the loved ones of those killed can hope as well,” writes a smoke signaller, “but until the court locks offenders up in prison on the first offence it is just not going to stop. Forget the tears over the family that will be disadvantaged […]
Yes Minister!
Friday 5 March 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals
When it comes to e-mails, it doesn’t get much better than this exchange. Outgoing FinSec Sholan Ivaiti sends a bulk farewell message (with the Einstein quote as reported this week in CINews) to heads of ministries and cc’s Wilkie Rasmussen, Prime Minister Jim Marurai etc. A few days later back comes a reply to Sholan […]