Opinion

Letter: Toa trees

You have reported that construction company T&M Heather Ltd appears to admit to an ‘offence’ under the Environment Act 2003 by cutting mature trees on the foreshore at Tikioki, not only without consent, but after being told by National Environment Service (NES) that the cutting was not allowed. Perhaps a legal type can correct the writer, but is ‘offence’ just a nicer word, at law, for ‘crime’?

Letter: The ‘butchering’ of Toa trees

Dear Editor, Kia Orana. Reading about the major destruction of Toa trees in the Akapuao/Fruits of Raro area, and NES’ comments in the Cook Islands News (20 July, 2024).

Kata: CI at Olympics

Ruta Mave: Can you trust your government?

Constant lying by governments is not aimed at making the people believe a lie, but at ensuring that no one believes anything anymore. When the people can no longer distinguish between truth and a lie they then cannot distinguish between right and wrong. With such people, you can do whatever you want. It is how you sell it – ‘Water will be Free.’

Letter: Paris trip: Junket or necessary expense?

Dear Editor, This Olympics thing from CISNOC (Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee) is the biggest junket ever and historically always has been.

Kata: IT outage

Thomas Wynne: Who is a patriot?

What is a patriot? Is it simply a green, red, blue, or gold flag waved, anthems sung, or a political position or party held high like the only hope of a country being great or even great again? Thomas Tarurongo Wynne writes.

Virtues in Paradise: The virtues of celebrating culture

One of the most significant ways the traditional Cook Islands culture is passed down to the youth is through celebrations, writes Linda Kavelin-Popov.

Kata: TTV

Letter: Appointment process

How interesting that the PSC keeps saying that the Mr Lewis was one of the top three candidates for the role of Secretary for Education - when he was the first of the five interviewed to receive an email saying he was not successful in his application to become the Secretary.

Letter: ‘Equity’ in water tariffs

Dear Editor, I write to you in response to your contributor Ruta Mave in her column in the Monday, July 15th edition titled ‘Water tariff public consultations a tick-box exercise?’.

Letter: ‘Education is in a real mess’

Dear Editor, The Ministry of Education is in a real mess.

Kata: Travel buddy to Paris

Kata: Shipping

Letter: National flag

Well said Norman George with your response to Thomas Wynne’s opinion piece.

Letter: Privacy versus public interest

This fiasco surrounding the Ombudsman’s Office and its supposed enquiry into allegations against our former Police Commissioner must stop.

Pet Talk: Foods to avoid feeding cats and dogs to prevent gastric obstructions

As pet owners, we often want to share our favourite snacks with our furry companions. However, some foods can pose serious health risks to cats and dogs, particularly those that can cause foreign body obstruction, writes Dr Rose Hasegawa, medical director Te Are Manu Vet Clinic.

Letter: Agriculture refutes TTV claims

Dear Editor, I would like the CEO of TTV (To Tatou Vai) to retract his statement printed in the Cook Islands News on Wednesday 10th July pertaining to MOA (Ministry of Agriculture) not responding to TTV for a meeting.

Kata: Burglars