Opinion

Letter: A dog and pony show

The KR’s Prerogative of Mercy and Pardon for Papa Arapati, signed and sealed to be a done deal before the eyes of the southern hemisphere focus on the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting, is certainly a historic event.

Letters: MPs travel: ‘Abusing the system’

Dear Editor, In only three months, MPs have spent 98 per cent or $246,347.03 of the annual $250,000 budget for MPs travel. Election promises by all parties shows that they would cut back on overseas travel, especially after the downturn in the economy from Covid. No, it was the opposite.

Kata: Land Clerks

Letter: Medicinal cannabis importation

Dear Editor, A letter written to the Cook Islands News on 30-10-23, erringly declared it was against the law to import any form of marijuana product into the nation, including non-psychoactive CBD products.

Our disaster management needs to do more for diverse voices

After watching the fast-developing Cyclone Lola over Vanuatu before the cyclone season starts, whether we are prepared as a nation to protect our most vulnerable in a disaster has been on my mind, writes Merita Tuari’i.

Letter: Water meters are essential for saving water and protecting our communities

All meter systems have a sole and singular reason and purpose whether in an air, sea, rail and road automobiles; electrical, electronic, solar, wind, hydro, oil, petrol, battery driven and so forth. Even our personal mobiles, computers, satellites and so forth all measure speed, safety levels, balance and all needed control for security and lifesaving precautionary measures. Without them, all equipment or machineries will head for disaster.

Letter: Giving credit where it’s due

Dear Editor, As one of the original complainants about noisy bike mufflers, and dangerous/stunch riders, let me publicly commend the Akava for their very strong response to closing down the noisy/dangerous bike riding hoons who have been terrorising our roads for far too long.

Pet Talk: Fur-ever grateful for the support

Less than three weeks until I finish at Te Are Manu (TAM) and as always when something is about to end, my mind drifts to what has happened, what was then, and what is now. And how lucky I have been, writes Dr Michael Baer, the outgoing Te Are Manu Vet Clinic medical director.

Kata: Electric car

Kata: Tapaitau

Letter: ‘Times have changed, so should you’

Dear Editor, Tina (Browne) and Selena (Napa), if you think what was said or done 30 years ago is relevant now, back then the Demos were against the road proposal so you should be too.

Letter: MPs travel details

Dear Editor, I read with interest the travel details of our Government MPs. Would it be possible to ask that the powers that be, not lump all the expenditure into one pot. If some of this travel is by invitation i.e. sponsorship for the fares and accommodation, it is not very transparent when its treated as a tiopu.

Letters: What’s up with the water?

Dear Editor, To Tatou Vai Board Chair Brian Mason claims that using taxation revenues to pay for the operation of the water authority "...would mean the Pa Enua would subsidise those residing on Rarotonga" ('Water Meters are on their way to homes', Aug 25).

Kata: Medical minerals

Letter: Confirming our cannabis status

Dear Editor, With reference to recent opinions penned and stories published in Cook Islands News. I want to confirm that it is against the law to bring any form of cannabis product into the Cook Islands including CBD – cannabidiol – which is an ingredient in cannabis and has some therapeutic uses, without providing the ‘high’ that some cannabis users seek.

Ruta Mave: Friends and family sharing what we should remember

Happy Day of the Dead tomorrow, it is Halloween, the time when the veil between those living and those departed souls is the thinnest, so communication can be made with loved ones, or as the movies tell it, with those in the past who have a grudge against you.

Kata: Public Expense

Thomas Wynne: Beyond disagreement: A plea for peace and justice

How do we disagree, without becoming disagreeable, or when our disagreement is as James Baldwin said, rooted in another’s oppression or the denial of another’s humanity or right to exist, even find a place to agree? Thomas Tarurongo Wynne writes.

Letter: A matter of life and death …

The writer’s home is located close enough by the Sheraton that most errands or travel requires driving past the hotel on the way, and again on the way back.

Letter: Old Sheraton – family or title land?

Dear Editor, I have been following the news regarding the Main Road diversion being insisted upon by Pa Ariki and her lawyers, as well as her latest developer. It has been heartwarming to see the public of Rarotonga rise up and oppose a road diversion that is not in the public interest.