Opinion

Letter: Who signed ?

Regarding your apology to Ben Ponia, we readers would like to know who signed the EU Cook Islands fishing deal?

Te Ipukarea Society: Rat assassin

This Conservation Project was a collaborative effort alongside Cook Islands Voyaging Society, Island Conservation, BirdLife International, the Atiu Island Government, Takutea Trust, Takili Talagi-Tairi and Te Ipukarea Society. Funding support came from SPREPs predator Free Pacific Programme and NZ MFAT whose generous support helped bring the long planned Takutea project to fruition.

Virtues in Paradise: The Gift of Sacred Curiosity

Did you know that you have a treasure to offer everyone? This includes your nearest and dearest, your children, your parents, your students, and your employer, writes Linda Kavelin-Popov.

Kata: Asylum

Letter: Stop noisy speedsters on main road

The decision to slow Avarua traffic to 30kph will be seen as welcome by most, maybe not so much by VIP's (Very Impatient People).

Letter: Embarrassing

I find it highly presumptuous that the Prime Minister Mr Mark Brown congratulated the convicted felon Trump "on behalf of Government and people of the Cook Islands'

Kata: New Starlink

Pet talk: Kitten season is on the way

I really love this time of year. The whales are here and put on a show for anyone who wants to see them. They jump, roll, slap their tails; generally, they just seem to be having fun. It is a bit annoying when all you see is the splash. Dr Rose Hasegawa, medical director of Te Are Manu Vet Clinic writes.

Letter: Charge Americans

Now we know why our PM is calling for Cook Islands passports - he was hedging his bets that Trump would be elected in the USA and that there would be thousands of well-to-do Yanks desperate to escape the 'Fourth Reich" and prepared to buy their way into one of the safest, most desirable places on earth. Our paradise.

Kata: Repeat juvenile

Michael Tavioni: Water tariff lacks commonsense

For today’s column I was writing about some other issue but two articles in last week’s Cook Islands News kept bothering me. Michael Tavioni writes.

Letter: Left High and Dry- Rarotonga's Water Inequality

As discussions about water supply and tariffs in Rarotonga intensify, it’s essential to recognise the diverse experiences of all community members who will be impacted by upcoming decisions. While some debate the introduction of water charges and varying service levels, many others—including my household, neighbours, and even local businesses—face the daily challenge of having no access to the public water supply at all.

Letter: We need collaborative water solutions

Ms. Tere Carr does not represent all landowners connected to the ten water intakes.

Smokies are back

Some of our readers have asked when the Smoke Signals column will be back in print. Today we kick off with a few recent Smokie submissions from readers. If you feel there are wrongs that need righting or something that’s escaped public attention and needs airing, send us a Smokie by email to editor@cookislandsnews.com, or Messenger via Facebook to Cook Islands News. C’mon, Smoke it!

Kata: Water tariffs

Letter: Don’t let facts get in the way of a good story

All seven species of migratory sea turtles are on the endangered list (Appendix 1) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Letter: How hard can it be to get to paradise?

I live in Brisbane, and after chatting with a friend from the Cook Islands, I thought, why not jet off to a tropical island for a few days before Christmas.

Kata: Deep sea symposium