Smoke Signals
No news is good news on delegation
Monday 1 May 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Soon coming to see us is a delegation from some city in China who want to build a casino,” a smoke signaller says. “Apparently this is being set up by a local man. Can you please tell us if this visit is supported by our government?”
Speeding risks lives of innocent people
Friday 28 April 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller has stern words for a person driving a white truck belonging to a well-known local company through the Tupapa area at around 9pm yesterday.
Please tell us about it...
Wednesday 26 April 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Regarding the “Kia Orana football festival”, it would be great to hear commentators’ moments of joy and excitement at every game,” a smoke signaller says. “Not that rusty boring music which makes the coverage meaningless.”
Tourism council gets into some real action at last
Tuesday 25 April 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I commend Sue Fletcher-Vea and the Tourism Council for their efforts to getting government and the relevant agencies moving on some of the issues involving tourism,” a smoke signaller says. “We will all benefit from this change.”
Where are water test results?
Friday 21 April 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Where are water test results?
Roads not so cool
Thursday 20 April 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“There’s no point having pretty scooters or cool racer motorbikes on this island,” an exasperated driver says. “Vehicle centres should only be selling quad bikes and off-road motorbikes since our back road is practically a dirt track, and sadly, our main road is hardly any better.”
'New' Demo party lineup sings the same old song
Wednesday 19 April 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
The latest Demo line-up of “leaders,” of the same old tired faces, and the pushing to the back of the young faces and any hope for change, brings to mind lines from a Pete Seeger song,” a smoke signaller says:
Police should be out checking the traffic on Sundays, too
Tuesday 11 April 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“On Sunday around lunchtime I saw a dark blue Toyota car and a motor bike having a race down the straight part of road near Matavera church and the rugby club,” a smoke signaller says.
Time for a visit to our Chinese friends
Friday 7 April 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Prime minister Puna says the best way to make friends and get money is to shake hands and look them in the eye in their own country, a smoke signaller says.
Carved archway wonderful work
Thursday 30 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Heartfelt thanks to Mike and Awhitia Tavioni for carving such a magnificent RSA memorial archway that takes my breath away each time I drive by.
Lessons on answering the phone needed
Wednesday 29 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Frequent customers of the Land Division of the Ministry of Justice may not be thrilled with the recently-announced decision to close the doors on Tuesdays while Land Division staff are in “training”, a smoke signaller observes.
More finger pointing still to come
Monday 27 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Clearly a lot of finger-pointing already going on with regard to the double murder/suicide in Vaimaanga …
Driver of the week
Thursday 23 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
There are so many contenders for Driver of the Week, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for the smoke-signalling judge of the contest to make a decision. However, the winner – or winners, this time are the local pair on a motorbike who rode around the seawall on Sunday evening as it was getting dark, way, way over the speed limit – and with the headlight turned off. Oh, and there were no safety helmets in sight.
Prison warden pay unlikely to attract top people
Monday 20 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
News that the Justice ministry is planning to pay new prison warden recruits even less than previously doesn’t bode well for any positive changes within the prison system, another smoke signaller says. “People who are underpaid, are far less likely to do a good job than those who are paid well and fairly. Commissioner of Police please take note.”
Legwork needed
Wednesday 15 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Regarding the article in CI News about an abandoned car on the main road at Tupapa, police said they failed to reach the relatives of the car owner on number provided,” a smoke signaller says. “This is a small island, so why didn’t they just go and look for that person. Problem solved. I just hate all the silly comments they make in the newspaper.”
McCully's on the move
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Outgoing New Zealand Foreign minister Murray McCully is cramming plenty of travel into his final few months in his long-held position.
Road widening provisions?
Monday 13 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
The seemingly well-laid plans to mount Mike Tavioni’s sculpture at the RSA cemetery may not have considered that, sooner or later, our main road legal width of 10.06 metres must be increased.
'We'd sooner listen to mock parliament'
Friday 10 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“This week the newspapers and radio announced a mock government for the purpose of women getting a look at how to sit in parliament and as practice to encourage more women to go for careers in politics,” a smoke signaller says.
Mangaia's medical storm
Wednesday 8 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
A “perfect storm” refers to a rare combination of events leading to a tragedy.
Public servants take the cheap way out…
Tuesday 7 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“I was at the airport last Friday night to see a relative off and noted the Financial Secretary and Cultural Development secretary checking in at the Virgin Australia counter,” a smoke signaller says.