Opinion
Thomas Wynne: A history of faith in the Cook Islands
Saturday 14 December 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
The journey of faith and religion in the Cook Islands – from Tangaroa to Rongo, from Christianity to Pentecostalism – has always been marked by resistance, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Te Ipukarea Society: Composting workshop teaches sustainable living
Saturday 14 December 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Te Ipukarea Society participated in a hands-on composting workshop hosted by New Zealand consultant Chris Purchas at the Papaaroa Mission House last Friday.
Letter: Embrace religious diversity
Friday 13 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I am a local hard-core atheist. I have lived in fear many years here for speaking out against Christianly for fear of persecution but I think it’s time to face my fears and speak out about my concerns, with this potential religious restrictions reform. I will not give up and take this message where ever it has to go.
Letter: ‘The Church of Us’
Thursday 12 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Charles Carlson’s thoughtful letter of 3rd December on what he calls, “ … harmful ideologies that threaten personal rights, national security, and the well-being of our people”, cites for example, “some teachings condone child marriages, with girls as young as six being married off under religious justification.
Letters: Brothers in arms
Thursday 12 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, As a proud Cook Islander and New Zealand citizen, I’ve often wondered why our people are not yet actively integrated into the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
Smokies
Wednesday 11 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Opinion, Smoke Signals
Now with all that fantastic God sent rain over the weekend, Rarotonga should have lots and lots of water stored up in the water intake tanks … those 10 x 2 million + litre storage tanks (totalling at least 20 million litres of water) would have been full within a few hours with those massive downpours so no doubt the public can be reassured by TTV that the immediate water drama is over, and we have plenty of water stored for the upcoming Christmas period.
What is a heathy relationship?
Wednesday 11 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
‘It Starts with Me’ is the theme of this year’s White Ribbon Campaign, promoting healthy, non-violent relationships. Te Punanga Ora'anga Matutu (Te POM), a men’s support and well-being centre, is supporting the 16 days of activism for the White Ribbon campaign, writes Te POM’s Rowena Manning.
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
Tuesday 10 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Opinion
National Human Rights Day is observed annually around the world on December 10. It commemorates the anniversary of one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Cook Islands Ombudsman Office celebrates this International Human Rights Day by recognising what is being done to uphold the state obligations and continue to oversee what is yet to be achieved, writes Ombudsman Niki Rattle.
Letter: Ruta’s column
Tuesday 10 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I only know of the Cook Island News via the roving opinion pieces by Ruth Mave.
Letter: ‘Akamanako o’onu - think deeply!
Tuesday 10 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, Reflection after reading ‘Deep-sea promotion, not consultation’, Monday, 25 November.
Ruta Mave: White ribbon day is now
Monday 9 December 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Anger is a sign of guilt. If you ask your partner if they are cheating on you and they explode in anger yelling, accusations and blaming you as having a problem without a definite reply, it’s often because they are guilty, writes Ruth Mave.
Letter:
Monday 9 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor. The Government and TTV says, “it will bill the registered owners of the connection". What connection? Rarotonga has never had registered water connections before! How is the connection identified? Please, tell us.
Thomas Wynne: Righteousness exalts a nation
Saturday 7 December 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
This is part three on the writing and founding of our Cook Islands Constitution. By Thomas Wynne.
Vitues in Paradise: Best Holidays Ever!
Saturday 7 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Opinion, Virtues in Paradise
Preparations for the holidays are now underway, and rellies are already arriving. We all start out with high hopes for a memorable and enjoyable family celebration, yet there are often disruptions that pop that bubble of hope, resulting in disappointment and disillusionment about the magic of the season, writes Linda Kavelin-Popov.
Smoke signal: Funding priorities
Friday 6 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Opinion, Smoke Signals
It would appear that the Prime Minister / Minister for Police is satisfied with the New Zealand funded Police staff retraining/ upskilling program…problem that the Minister does not appear to realise that the Police Force is still 30 to 40 personnel short, so clearly being so short staffed , they are unable to cover all the daily critical areas that Policing usually covers.
‘It Starts with Me’: Ending the cycle of violence
Thursday 5 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
The 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence began last week. Te Punanga Oraanga Matutu’s Rowena Manning reflects on the campaign and White Ribbon Day, and the underlying causes of violence in our society, writes - Rowena Manning.
Letter: Take your rubbish home with you
Thursday 5 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I am writing this letter with the hope that this letter reaches those who need to know. I am a very proud Tupapa Maraerenga resident who has lived in this village for most of my 62 years. My family has been a part of this village for over 70 years.
Letter: Keeping catchment payments ‘above board’
Wednesday 4 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, The To Tatou Vai (TTV) was scheduled to hold a workshop for the catchment committees (CC) last week. The catchment is the land above the Te Mato Vai water treatment plants; the land in the middle of island.
Pet Talk: How to protect your pets and family from parasites
Wednesday 4 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Opinion, Pet Talk
Cats and dogs are beloved companions, but when they roam freely, they are more exposed to parasites like fleas, intestinal worms, and, in dogs, heartworm disease, writes Dr Rose Hasegawa, medical director Te Are Manu Vet Clinic.
Letter: Fix it or shut it down
Tuesday 3 December 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, “Rogue operator puts lives at risk”. If Cook Islands Tourism tells us one more time that they will get on top of this debacle at Avaavaroa we’ll put Tourism in the same space as the JP’s who say, “You’ve been in this Court 5 times now for drunk driving and this Court is almost to the point of thinking about putting you in jail”.