Opinion

LETTERS: Plenty to ponder on cannabis

Dear Editor, if we were to legalise it (cannabis use), will this affect our charter position and partnerships with the likes of W.H.O (World Health Organization) or United Nations and Pacific nations?

Kata: Boulders

LETTERS: Give credit where it is due

Dear Editor, I just want to clarify a few things regarding your headline yesterday ‘Man hospitalised after horror crash’.

Kata: Budget

OPINION: The problem with our politics

This column titled ‘Oversimplifications’ may be the first of a few in lead up to this year’s general election.

LETTERS: Election promises at taxpayers’ cost

Dear Editor, I recently returned to live back in Rarotonga and I’m sad to see nothing seems to have changed much in the ‘Crook Islands’ now it’s election year.

ONLINE COMMENTS: Tahiti tour

If it’s a good cause between the Cook Islands and Tahiti, I don’t see any issues with this and budgeting of government related matters to other countries should be tabled on government expenditures.

Kata: LA flights

Political corruption erodes trust

Political corruption erodes trust, it wastes countries’ taxes earmarked for important community projects, meaning people have to put up with poor quality services and infrastructure while politicians on inflated incomes dine out large at taxpayers’ expense, writes Ruta Mave.

Is Govt pursuing a murky agenda?

Former Clerk of Parliament John M Scott dissects clauses of the Cook Islands Constitution that may have been considered by the Prime Minister in his decision to remove the suspension of his deputy Robert Tapaitau, who is facing corruption charges.

Squeal for the eels – amazing migratory fish

Last week we did a shout out for some of the migratory birds that visit us in the Cook Islands. This week, it is the fish that are getting their time to shine, because today is ‘World Migratory Fish Day’, writes Te Ipukarea Society.

Kata: Election time

LETTERS: Old Sheraton redevelopment endorsement

Dear Editor, excellent letter from a member of the public (Cook Islands News, May 17) addressed to the Director of National Environment Service regarding the pillaging of the creeks on either side of the Vaimaanga/Sheraton hotel site by heavy machinery.

Kata: Solicitor general

LETTERS: Deputy PM’s reinstatement

Dear Editor, let’s start with a direct quote from the Prime Minister.

Kata: Vice-chairman

LETTERS: Treating voters, a common campaign method

Dear Editor, with the national general election due within the next few months, I think it's fair to challenge each candidate that is standing.

Kata: Covid numbers

Cook Islands to expand co-operation with French Polynesia

There are many different ways and many different areas in which the Cook Islands and French Polynesia can support each other in the post Covid-19 economic recovery, and last week’s visit was about capturing the opportunities that are now available to us, writes Prime Minister Mark Brown.

LETTERS: Storm water runoff probe

Dear Editor, we see from Cook Islands News reporting that National Environment Service (NES) Director Halatoa Fua is undertaking further investigation into the “storm water runoff” at the Sheraton.