Opinion

Thomas Wynne: What does China want from Cook Islands?

There is a question that rests heavily on my heart – one that goes beyond politics and economics, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

Te Ipukarea Society: From scraps to soil- Getting the dirt on composting

Earlier on in the week, Te Ipukarea Society worked closely with the enthusiastic year 7 and 8 students from Titikaveka College, exploring the organic benefits of composting and worm farming.

Virtues in Paradise: Too blessed to be stressed

In our beautiful South Pacific paradise, life can sometimes seem deceptively tranquil. Like swans gliding across a serene lake, we might appear calm on the surface while our legs paddle furiously beneath the water, writes Linda Kavelin-Popov.

Kata: Constitution

Letter: Constitutional amendment

Forget about a constitutional amendment to recognise the Cook Islands as a Christian nation, I’m a dyed in the wool Catholic and Pope Francis said that Christian nationalism is opposed to Catholic teachings.

Letter: Real problems, real solutions

Dear Editor, How considerate of (Prime Minister) Mark Brown to put his banana republic passport on ‘hold for now’! Reason being, he didn’t like what the New Zealand government would do to Cook Islanders.

Letter: Autocracy and cheque book politics

I guess the most obvious concern is without political debate (which requires an active democracy to exist) the voice of the people can be dismissed or sidelined.

Letter: Ukrainian blood on Cook Islands hands?

Dear Editor, A dive into the US Department of the Treasury sanctions list (https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions) leads one to conclude that not only is the infamous Cook Islands flagged ship “Eagle S” dragging its anchor in the Baltic Sea to cut cables and trying to start a Russia/NATO war, but that Cook Islands flagged and sanctioned ships are everywhere helping to fund Russia, Iran and North Korea’s war with Ukraine.

Kata: Dancing with China

Kata: Passport protest

Pet Talk: Protecting your pets and livestock from heat stroke

As temperatures rise in the Cook Islands, pet and livestock owners must be extra cautious to protect their animals from heat stroke, writes Dr Rose Hasegawa, medical director Te Are Manu Vet Clinic.

Letter: New Zealand ‘misinterpreting’ Joint Centenary Declaration

Dear Editor, I am writing as a Cook Islander to express my disappointment with the New Zealand Government, and in particular their Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Minister, for the bellicose statements coming from the Beehive recently in relation to the Cook Islands.

Kata: China talks

Te Tuhi Kelly: Diplomatic row and the failure of the Opposition

Cook Islands’ recent decision to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China has certainly raised the hackles of our people in the Cook Islands and our relationship with New Zealand, writes Te Tuhi Kelly, leader of the Progressive Party.

Letter: Is NZ bullying the Cook Islands?

Dear Editor, The persistent bullying of Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown by New Zealand over the past week has been appalling.

Kata: No confidence

Letter: Pakalolo industry

Why are we fooling around and aimlessly wasting our time by not getting our pakalolo industry up and running?

Ruta Mave: People's Republic of China red flag

In 2013 my uncle showed me where the Chinese government had built the police and justice buildings for free along with the indoor and outdoor stadium. Ruta Mave writes.