Opinion

Pet talk: Kitten season is on the way

I really love this time of year. The whales are here and put on a show for anyone who wants to see them. They jump, roll, slap their tails; generally, they just seem to be having fun. It is a bit annoying when all you see is the splash. Dr Rose Hasegawa, medical director of Te Are Manu Vet Clinic writes.

Letter: Charge Americans

Now we know why our PM is calling for Cook Islands passports - he was hedging his bets that Trump would be elected in the USA and that there would be thousands of well-to-do Yanks desperate to escape the 'Fourth Reich" and prepared to buy their way into one of the safest, most desirable places on earth. Our paradise.

Kata: Repeat juvenile

Michael Tavioni: Water tariff lacks commonsense

For today’s column I was writing about some other issue but two articles in last week’s Cook Islands News kept bothering me. Michael Tavioni writes.

Letter: Left High and Dry- Rarotonga's Water Inequality

As discussions about water supply and tariffs in Rarotonga intensify, it’s essential to recognise the diverse experiences of all community members who will be impacted by upcoming decisions. While some debate the introduction of water charges and varying service levels, many others—including my household, neighbours, and even local businesses—face the daily challenge of having no access to the public water supply at all.

Letter: We need collaborative water solutions

Ms. Tere Carr does not represent all landowners connected to the ten water intakes.

Smokies are back

Some of our readers have asked when the Smoke Signals column will be back in print. Today we kick off with a few recent Smokie submissions from readers. If you feel there are wrongs that need righting or something that’s escaped public attention and needs airing, send us a Smokie by email to editor@cookislandsnews.com, or Messenger via Facebook to Cook Islands News. C’mon, Smoke it!

Kata: Water tariffs

Letter: Don’t let facts get in the way of a good story

All seven species of migratory sea turtles are on the endangered list (Appendix 1) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Letter: How hard can it be to get to paradise?

I live in Brisbane, and after chatting with a friend from the Cook Islands, I thought, why not jet off to a tropical island for a few days before Christmas.

Kata: Deep sea symposium

Te Ipukarea Society: Tracking the Ī’oi:

Since the last update, the Ī’oi Project, led by Te Ipukarea Society, has begun the next phase with the start of radio tracking.

Thomas Wynne: What is the 16th Island of the Cooks?

People often refer to Tokoroa as the 16th Island of the country currently called the Cook Islands, though many may not know, that historically, Niue held this distinction. Thomas Wynne writes.

Kata: TAU shut-up!

Letter: Climate change talkfest

So Mr Wayne King and his merry band of climate change warriors will wing their way all the way to Azerbaijan to attend another talkfest on climate change.

Letter: Cops don’t get it

I see in your paper where the police gave their latest roundup on reckless driving around the island and thankfully there were no skunk drunks to report about.

Te Tuhi Kelly: Deflect, defend and denigrate

Te Tuhi Kelly, Leader of the Progressive Party states that Te Aponga Uira has employed the three D’s of public relations, defend, deflect and denigrate to deal with fallout from the incident several months ago when four men were seriously injured by the energising of a high voltage cable they were repairing.

Kata: TTV meeting

Letter:  Compensation ordinance in need of updating

I read with interest last week’s articles about the TAU electrocution incident.