Kia Orana Editor, Reading the article in Cook Islands News, July 5, 2023, regarding Nga Puna’s salary and bonus payments makes scary reading.

He was on a $130,000 salary and claimed the bonus was paid to him as a reward.

Really?

That salary equates to $2500 per week

Certainly more than adequate for any public servant.  

What is a scary thought also, is whether other ministries are in the habit of paying their  “overworked” staff  bonus payments as well.  

Those huge salaries are more than adequate for the work that is done by senior public servants.

Any government money left over and available for bonus payments should be paid to teachers, nurses and police.

They are underpaid and overworked, that’s where any bonus payments should go.  

It would be right and proper for the public to be told whether these people who are currently in Court facing various charges, are suspended on full pay, no pay, or whatever other arrangements.

Details supplied