Editorials
Michael Tavioni BEM: Call for accountability in Government and MPs travel expenses
Tuesday 27 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
In a recent issue of Cook Islands News, the government’s travel expenditure for the last financial year was published and I for one really appreciated the opportunity to see the particular details of this, writes Michael Tavioni BEM.
Ruta Mave: The reality of leadership in the Cook Islands
Monday 26 August 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Snoop Dogg is a popular hip-hop rapper named after Snoopy from the peanut’s cartoons. He is a successful cannabis businessman and now the grand-daddy of the recent Paris Olympics.
Thomas Wynne: What is lawful is not always what is right
Saturday 24 August 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Travel for government is an absolute necessity, that much is true, but it should never be treated as a blank cheque, without public scrutiny and a scrutiny balanced against the many pressing priorities a community faces, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Letter: The Court’s role in title disputes
Thursday 22 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Dear Editor, I would like to respond to Te Tuhi Kelly’s recent letter/article in the Cook Islands News headed “Traditional title dispute’.
Ruta Mave: Who are we, what are we and are we for real?
Monday 19 August 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
The Cook Islands is the diamond of the Pacific, shining brightly. A diamond is forged from the ashes of fire and immense pressure and as we stand before the funding nations of the world begging for more of their funding - because we say without it, we cannot survive, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne: Preserving our Māori identity
Saturday 17 August 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
An older brother is always an older brother, no matter where they live or in what country they reside, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Michael Tavioni: Water charges will ‘restrict our farmers’ ability to produce food’
Tuesday 13 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
I am prompted to write about water once more after hearing the Prime Minister referring to these issues again in his Constitution Day speech, writes Michael Tavioni BEM.
Ruta Mave: The reality of women’s leadership in the Cook Islands
Monday 12 August 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
We have come a long way from a women’s place being barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne: Embracing protest and disagreement
Saturday 10 August 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
In our ever-connected world, it’s easy to find ourselves nestled within the warm embrace of those who share our views, beliefs and convictions. This comfort, while reassuring, can also become a prison — a self-imposed echo chamber where dissenting voices are drowned out, shunned, even publicly ridiculed, and the richness of diverse perspectives is lost, Thomas Tarurongo Wynne writes.
Ruta Mave: A costly leak in government trust
Tuesday 6 August 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Government’s inadequacy to collect and store water is costing shareholders millions in lost returns, but these costs are now being passed on to them as water tax. Are we paying for infrastructure or directors $100,000 plus salaries? Ruta Mave writes.
Thomas Wynne: Celebrating our heritage
Saturday 3 August 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Nothing is more important to identity and a sense of who one is than being able to celebrate who you are, what you are, and your special place in the world, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: Is banning vapes and raising smoking age enough?
Monday 29 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Is the imminent total ban on vaping for locals in the Cook Islands on the first of August a little like our health ministry jumping out of the pot and into the fire? Ruta Mave writes.
Thomas Wynne: The hidden scars of our community
Saturday 27 July 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Just over 30 per cent of all those who identified as Pacific islanders to the Royal Commission into Abuse in State Care in Aotearoa identified as Cook Islanders, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: Can you trust your government?
Monday 22 July 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Constant lying by governments is not aimed at making the people believe a lie, but at ensuring that no one believes anything anymore. When the people can no longer distinguish between truth and a lie they then cannot distinguish between right and wrong. With such people, you can do whatever you want. It is how you sell it – ‘Water will be Free.’
Thomas Wynne: Who is a patriot?
Saturday 20 July 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
What is a patriot? Is it simply a green, red, blue, or gold flag waved, anthems sung, or a political position or party held high like the only hope of a country being great or even great again? Thomas Tarurongo Wynne writes.
Michael Tavioni: Proposed water charges: A betrayal of the people?
Tuesday 16 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Water is one of the most essential resources we have, required by everyone in order to stay alive. This present Cook Islands Coalition Government thinks that it is their right to charge for water to those who elected them into office, writes Michael Tavioni BEM.
Ruta Mave: Water tariff public consultations a tick-box exercise?
Monday 15 July 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
The Rarotongan public has short memories because they are once again attending these meetings as with other government led consultations with a false expectation of being listened to, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne: Rethinking the national flag for the future
Saturday 13 July 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
As our 60th anniversary approaches next year as a self-governing country, flags serve as powerful emblems of nationalism and identity. They represent a nation’s values, history and aspirations, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: ‘When we don’t receive, we feel deceived’
Monday 8 July 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
We believe that after they are voted in, we will receive. When we don’t receive, we feel deceived, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne: Tu Tangata: Our identity
Saturday 6 July 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
As a country, and as Iti Tangata, this week is significant as it heralds two very important events. These events capture the essence and Tu tangata of who we are as a people, who we were, who we want to maintain, and who we hope to become in the future, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.