Opinion

Bank burn-off . . . unhappy in the valley

Dear Editor, This weekend past a local bank had a burn-off in a residential area in Takuvaine. This is where the bank burn off sensitive printed documents and paper waste, among other things. Without consulting the neighbours, this burn-off went ahead resulting in plumes of acrid smoke hanging over the whole neighbourhood.

What’s in a handshake: Symbol of friendship and loyalty?

The modern handshake is believed to be at least 3000 years old. Although its existence has been around for a millennium it has existed in many forms, writes Ruta Mave.

LETTER TO EDITOR: MFEM’s ‘sheer arrogance’

Dear Editor, The sheer arrogance that MFEM (Ministry of Finance and Economic Management) is displaying with regard to the Air New Zealand tax refund debacle, and subsequent legal fees Cook Islands as a country has incurred trying to fight this issue, is quite ridiculous and mind boggling (Cook Islands News, 13 February, 2023).

Review: Stranded Pearl

A critical review by Cook Islands News publisher/journalist John Woods. The new ‘Stranded Pearl’ feature movie was well received and mostly a hit with the VIP invite-only audience at its red carpet premiere in Rarotonga last Saturday.

‘Partition’ of Nukupure Park

Dear Editor, This is sad for all the people of Ngati Tangiia and Rangiatea (Court application to determine the future of Nukupure Park, Cook Islands News, February 14, 2023). The biggest issues here is greed for dollars. There’s a lot of people that came through that club and they left their legacy behind in that […]

LETTER TO EDITOR: Partition ‘will not affect’ Nukupure Park

Dear Editor, The landowners wish to correct the statements in Tuesday’s paper regarding the Ngatangiia Matavera Sports Club (Court application to determine the future of Nukupure Park, Cook Islands News, February 14). This land has not been “gifted” to anyone. It remains the landowners’ land, and the landowners are the ones who get to decide what happens to our land.

LETTER TO EDITOR: Medicinal cannabis industry

Dear Editor, The new Minister for CIIC (Cook Islands Investment Corporation) Albert Nicholas has already got a lot of good work done as was reported in your paper on 11-2-23 when he announced the appointment of the new CIIC Board members after meeting with Cabinet at the end of last month. Rose Brown, the Minister of Health, needs to show the same work ethic and start the process to get our medicinal cannabis industry jump started in the Cook Islands.

LETTER TO EDITOR: History and tradition: The ‘truth’ from the belief

Dear Editor, The challenge of tradition and or the interpretation of history associated with tradition is that like beauty – it is in the eyes of the beholder (Vaka Paikea to get whale art as tribute to legendary Maori ancestor and his journey, February 9, 2023). All it takes is a misinterpretation of the original message and it soon becomes Chinese whispers which then takes on a life of its own to such an extent that the truth is not really the truth.

Starlink set to enter Cooks market

Dear Editor, Regarding Starlink access into the Cook Islands, what is not confirmed in this article is who will be a local partner and it would be silly not to (Starlink set to enter Cook Islands broadband market, Cook Islands News, February 6).

When will we ever learn?

Dear Editor, You may ask what has the installation of that ugly new Papa’a style fence at Takitumu School got to do with culture and heritage? Here in the Cook Islands we are experiencing a cultural revival … especially in Te Reo and dance.

Ruta Mave: Art for art’s sake – give them some money for God’s sake

Art for art’s sake according to Oscar Wilde meant art need not express anything but itself. He put the value on artistry above anything else and regarded life as a kind of art form, to be lived beautifully, writes Ruta Mave.

Te Ipukarea Society: What wetlands do for you

Since 1971, February 2 has been marked as the official World Wetlands Day. This is the day environmentalists from around the world celebrate the significant benefits that wetlands provide for our planet and its biodiversity, and raise awareness about wetlands on a global scale

Pet Talk: They’re not ‘acting’ the goat

Whether you keep goats for meat, or for milk, which is tasty, fresh, lactose free, and nutrient rich, or for the pleasure of watching them get up to their antics, especially the kids, goats are pretty cool animals, writes Dr Michael Baer of Te Are Manu Vet Clinic.

Kata: Traffic Police

Kata: Covid-19 business grants

Kata: Umu

Kata: Food prices going up

January 25, 2023

Letter: The ‘truth’ of Australia Day

Dear Editor, This is information that all Australians need to know. Especially those that believe it has to do with how anybody was treated. People should learn the true facts before opening their mouth to spew falsehood.

Letter: Australia’s ‘Invasion Day’ debate

Dear Editor, January 26th is a date that polarises opinion in Australia.