More Top Stories
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
Inflation eases but concerns remain
31 August 2024
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
22 August 2024
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
13 August 2024
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Opinion
Virtues in Paradise: The best present you can give
Christmas is nearly here, and there is so much to do – preparing for visiting family, finding gifts for the children, serving the church, writes Linda Kavelin-Popov.
Coconut trees, too much of a good thing
Coconut trees are often called the ‘Tree of Life’ in the Cook Islands and other Pacific islands because every part of the tree is useful. But too many coconut trees can be a problem.
Shipping problems in need of urgent action
This week I heard a Papa phone a radio talkback show to confront Finance minister Mark Brown about the state of shipping services to the Northern Group islands.
A legacy of change lives on
I could hardly see over the large oak mantlepiece, the large clock chimed on the hour and among the photos of my great-grandfather and great-grandmother were more photos and trinkets of every kind. Everything seemed so much larger then, and so much higher. And yet when we revisit places when we are much older, those things we saw when we were young children seem so much smaller.
Constitution change would be needed
Those who debate the issue of possible UN membership are perhaps not aware of the fact that any change in our relationship with New Zealand would require amendments to our constitution.
Puna's silence is deafening
Don’t you people think it is so unfair? We never hear a word from the prime minister. Not a whisper from the country’s top jock.
Social media rules in global change
How has the wider world suddenly become so polarised?
Calling govt to task on spending
Often announcements by the government are met with scepticism.
Your rights when it comes to opinion
Have you noticed how uptight people get when someone or an organisation has an opinion published in the public arena asking questions about them that they don’t want discussed or exposed to the light of day regarding something to do with their behaviour?
How you can triumph over 'the fight inside'
A Native American story tells of a Cherokee grandfather speaking with his grandson: “Son, inside me are two wolves having a terrible fight. One is evil. He is anger, envy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, charity, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.” This story has great meaning for those of us on a spiritual path, open to the continual learning and growth for which we were created. It also speaks to parents and teachers, who have the power to shape the lives of children by the way we see them, speak to them, and treat them. For our own sake and that of our children, we need to realise that there is another version of the two wolves story, one that tells us to acknowledge both wolves. I believe we must have compassion for our human frailties, because to ignore our humanness or fight too hard against it merely increases its pressure to be in control. It will hide behind every corner waiting for a moment of weakness, to pounce, sink its teeth into us, and drag us down. So, if we are on a new health regime, choosing to eat healthy, and a longing overcomes us for that greasy burger (with cheese and chips) or that ice cream covered in chocolate sauce, ignoring it will force it to dominate our dreams. Best we indulge occasionally, using moderation as the tiller of our boat. In this way we can eat anything and still lose weight, as long as it is controlled and not gone wild from deprivation. Greed, one of the worst qualities of the evil wolf, begins early. I’ve noticed that when I give my young grandchildren a special treat, such as a lagoon cruise or dessert at a restaurant, they immediately ask when it will happen again. The key is not to blame their greed, or even to name it, but to focus on their gratitude. Telling them, “This was special, and you need to show your gratitude,” calls on the good wolf to take the lead. If I were to say, “Don’t be so greedy,” I would be giving too much attention and power to the bad wolf. Shaming disables inner strength. Naming a virtue empowers it. Even addicts, such as alcoholics, who find they must avoid drinking altogether in order to heal, need to have compassion for themselves. Guilt alone destroys the will to change. One reason it is terribly harmful to spoil and indulge children to expect treats and cheap toys every time they enter a shop is that you are feeding the worst kind of entitlement, teaching them: “If I whine enough, I get whatever I want.” That is feeding the greed, rather than making gifts a special experience to be savoured and enjoyed. I believe that this early learned behaviour leads to binge drinking, a scourge of greed in these islands; as well is infidelity – the pursuit of pleasure at the cost of faithfulness, love and loyalty, qualities of the good wolf that are harder to practice. Moderation, self-discipline, contentment, and gratitude are the soul food we need. Our health improves, our mood lifts, joy increases, and love thrives. We also need to have compassion for our self-pity, our weaknesses, even our greed, and decide if and when to feed it every now and then. I hope you will join the Rarotonga Baha’i community celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Baha’u’llah’s birthday, with an all-day “open house” on Sunday October 22, starting at 10am at the Baha’i Centre, with presentations by local Baha’is, children’s activities, a film at 4pm and kaikai. At 3pm I will present “My Baha’i Faith”, about my own faith journey. www.lindakavelinpopov.com
Youth problems, and some solutions
I found the article in CINews on Wednesday October 11 relating to a visit to Atiu by Rebecca Buchanan and Mereana Taikoko very interesting.
Issues of national consciousness
I am a dual citizen, in that I have both a New Zealand and an Irish passport.
Domestic violence: The sad facts
CI News contributor “Unionist” this week turns his attention to a social problem that sadly, has become a major issue in the Cook Islands – that of domestic violence. He says the statistics paint a grim picture of intergenerational abuse in this country.
The UN, independence, and us
I’m going to be the devil’s advocate here.
Be the change you wish to see
My first thought, when I learned of the recent tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas, was a prayer, “Please, God, don’t let it be a black man.”
Government fails to address youth issues
Just last week, a large number of people came to our shores to discuss youth issues.
Helping the young help themselves
His faced was emblazoned on our screens this week: Another young life caught up in bad decisions and now on the run from a bench warrant, pursued by the police and public till his capture I saw on social media this morning.
Bishop 'horrified' at water baptism opinions
“I was somewhat shocked and horrified by the rambling thoughts and blatant mockeries made upon the Word of God in CI News on Monday by a local pastor, preacher and teacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Talking turkey on Brown's reserves
What fantastic news!
Now that there's some spare money...
In view of the Finance minister’s recent announcement that we are flush with money and “we are in a good position to be able to advance our priorities”, may I suggest to the Health minister, Nandi Glassie and his ministry, that this is absolutely the right time to be applying some real pressure on his colleagues in Cabinet to deliver the facilities and services contemplated by the Ministry of Health (Mental Health) Regulations 2013.
Virtues caught, more than they're taught
Thinking back to your childhood, can you remember how it felt to be you?
Justice ministry faces huge problems
For the next two weeks the Land Court will be sitting to hear various applications.
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