Opinion

Letter: Quit relying on tourism

Dear Editor, While the people of the Cook Islands witnessed firsthand the devastation that the Covid-19 pandemic had on the economy, the business sector of our nation and the community alike told Prime Minister Mark Brown to get moving on plans to diversify the economy and quit just relying on tourism to drive growth.

Kata: League 9's champs

Ruta Mave: The silent struggle for morality in the Cook Islands

The silent acceptance of constant abuses of power by those in leadership roles from corruption, theft, fraud, assault on women and drink driving is frankly despicable, writes Ruta Mave.

Letter: Flag addition raises eyebrows

Dear Editor, Interesting to read that the PM is “suggesting” a flag rethink (Cook Islands News, December 14, 2023, changing the current national flag back to the original flag design from Papa Arapati’s day.

Kata: Vote by proxy

Virtues in Paradise: What are your intentions for 2024

“Looking forward, looking back. I’ve come a long way down the track,” sings Australian country singer Slim Dusty. It’s a great song for the New Year, writes Linda Kavelin-Popov.

Thomas Tarurongo Wynne: 2024: Ditch the ‘same old, same old’ and spark a real growth

It’s now six days into the new year and little has changed since the festivities of almost a week ago. Apart from a few sore heads and way too much food to eat, for most of us, 2024 will continue much like 2023 and 2022, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

Kata: Tuna

Letter: Taps run wild

Perhaps To Tatou Vai (TTV) management is so busy that they’ve not read the comments in letters to this newspaper about the unrelenting wastage of treated drinking water by some of our farmers.

Letter: Prioritise health and education

Dear Editor, Most infrastructure projects can create significant economic stimulus that can benefit everyone in the economy. But that is not the case in the Cook Islands.

Kata: Happy New Year

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?