Opinion

Ruta Mave: Beyond midnight: Embracing a new year with meaning, not mandates

We need to protect our culture from becoming boring, beige bromeliads and insist on remaining bright colourful Cook Islanders, writes Ruta Mave.

Kata: National Environment Service

Letter: Sheraton redevelopment saga: The two presents

When Tim Tepaki returned to the Cook Islands, he brought two presents with him. The first was Unit Titles, which was passed by Parliament in 2005 to double the value of property as shown in LAT sales, and the second was Entitlement Titles, yet to be released to the public and expected to rain money when it does.

Ruta Mave: A tribute to the mums who make Christmas magical

Your mum does everything for your family, this year make sure she gets more than one present, writes Ruta Mave.

Thomas Wynne: Peace in paradise, war in the world

Christmas is now nearly upon us, and as the world reels from conflicts and wars raging across the planet, from Gaza and Israel, Africa to Eastern Europe, we will have peace in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, and never be subjected to the cataclysm that is war, conflict and genocide, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

Beyond the tinsel: A time to remember the true gift

We live in a highly commercialised, materialistic world, even here in Paradise. What do our children think Christmas is all about when they attend Christmas in the Park, only to see Minnie Mouse, Hello Kitty and Spider Man tossing candies and handing out gifts.

‘Remember the teachings of Jesus’

Kia orana tatou katoatoa, on behalf of my family and our Cook Islands government, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and very best wishes for the holiday season.

Letter: $50 Xmas bonus versus MPs’ $5k clothing allowance

Dear Editor, The front-page story this week reporting on the $50 Christmas ‘Bonus’ for Cook Islands beneficiaries is good news but one wonders just how self-satisfied our Members of Parliament are feeling for this most generous gift?

Kata: Avaavaroa drowning

Kata: Justify

Kata: Cannabis

Letter: Flag change

I urge PM Mark Brown to pause and think about the historic qualities of our flag before changing it.

Letter: Leave the flag alone

Dear Editor, Can someone please get the PM Mark Brown to stop globetrotting and get down and do some hard work. Like trying to slow down and manage the cost-of-living increases and limit price increases for fuel, bread and power. Households are struggling. MPs wouldn’t know as they are highly paid.

Ruta Mave: Where’s the Opposition we deserve?

I object – I am an objector. I oppose because I don’t agree. No, I oppose because I am the opposition, writes Ruta Mave.

Kata: Medical attention

Thomas Wynne: Unwrapping the narrative of Christmas

With Christmas approaching and the world celebrating Jesus’ birth, our nation’s Christian heritage, enshrined in the Ekalesia as one of our three tama Ua pillars, cannot be ignored or overestimated in its impact on our lives as Cook Islanders, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

Kata: Bank employee- court

Kata: Cannabis reform

Letter: Govt should learn to work and live within its means

Dear Editor, Regarding the Constitutional Amendments Bills presented in Parliament yesterday, all other amendments are fine except increasing the number of Cabinet Ministers from six to eight.