Editorials
Thomas Wynne: A call for solidarity
Saturday 17 February 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Am I my brother’s keeper, is a question that funnels down the halls of time, and as Tuakana to our Maori brothers in Aotearoa, what are our responsibilities, if any, towards our teina especially during this critical time for them, asks Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Thomas Wynne: Voters hold the key to combating corruption
Saturday 10 February 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
The misuse of public money and abuse of power stems from our collective failure to hold officials accountable and demand transparency, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: What goes around comes around
Monday 5 February 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Last week I was looking for some positivity to write about, after realising corruption featured as the common theme in my articles last year, writes Ruta Mave.
Ruta Mave: Looking on the bright side
Monday 29 January 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
After four years of writing a weekly opinion column there comes a time that you wonder what can be written that is different. For inspiration I looked at what I had written this time last year and not surprisingly, I found the same problems by the same people in the news, corruption and lack of health have not changed.
Australian High Commission: Australia and Cook Islands: Working together in friendship
Saturday 27 January 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
This past week marked two important dates for Australia in the Cook Islands. Australia’s official national day, 26 January, is a day to reflect on what it means to be Australian, to celebrate contemporary Australia, and to acknowledge our complex history. The official theme this year is ‘Reflect, respect, celebrate’.
Thomas Wynne: Our land, our people
Saturday 27 January 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Nothing brings us together or tears us apart like our connection to land, especially when that land is divided, shared, allotted, or occupied by different members of our family, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: Time for women to demand the credit they deserve
Monday 22 January 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
This acceptance of male power tripping behaviours as normal shows just how indoctrinated it is and how we continue to be slaves to patriarchy, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne: Consultation with those we elect is critical
Saturday 20 January 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
I watched with great interest as our genealogical, vaka and blood links to the Māori peoples in Aotearoa meet and consult at Tūrangawaewae marae, at the request of the Māori King Tuheitia, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Thomas Wynne: Aitutaki’s runway to prosperity
Saturday 13 January 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Dawn is yet to break, but I can hear the waves gently lapping the distant reef. Breaking over into the lagoon, the pearl that is the jewel of Araura Enua, Aitutaki, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: The silent struggle for morality in the Cook Islands
Monday 8 January 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
The silent acceptance of constant abuses of power by those in leadership roles from corruption, theft, fraud, assault on women and drink driving is frankly despicable, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Tarurongo Wynne: 2024: Ditch the ‘same old, same old’ and spark a real growth
Saturday 6 January 2024 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
It’s now six days into the new year and little has changed since the festivities of almost a week ago. Apart from a few sore heads and way too much food to eat, for most of us, 2024 will continue much like 2023 and 2022, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: Beyond midnight: Embracing a new year with meaning, not mandates
Wednesday 3 January 2024 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
We need to protect our culture from becoming boring, beige bromeliads and insist on remaining bright colourful Cook Islanders, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne : Beyond the reef: Living, breathing and contributing to the enua we love
Saturday 30 December 2023 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Nestled against the backdrop of an aqua blue lagoon, gleaming from the noon day sun, as clear blue radiant skies stream across the horizon and the summer breeze billows across the Islands, so many of us will be enjoy the coming together of families and friends, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Ruta Mave: A tribute to the mums who make Christmas magical
Wednesday 27 December 2023 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Your mum does everything for your family, this year make sure she gets more than one present, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne: Peace in paradise, war in the world
Sunday 24 December 2023 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Christmas is now nearly upon us, and as the world reels from conflicts and wars raging across the planet, from Gaza and Israel, Africa to Eastern Europe, we will have peace in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, and never be subjected to the cataclysm that is war, conflict and genocide, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Beyond the tinsel: A time to remember the true gift
Saturday 23 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Opinion
We live in a highly commercialised, materialistic world, even here in Paradise. What do our children think Christmas is all about when they attend Christmas in the Park, only to see Minnie Mouse, Hello Kitty and Spider Man tossing candies and handing out gifts.
‘Remember the teachings of Jesus’
Saturday 23 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, Local, National, Opinion
Kia orana tatou katoatoa, on behalf of my family and our Cook Islands government, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and very best wishes for the holiday season.
Ruta Mave: Where’s the Opposition we deserve?
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Ruta Tangiiau Mave | Published in Editorials, Opinion
I object – I am an objector. I oppose because I don’t agree. No, I oppose because I am the opposition, writes Ruta Mave.
Thomas Wynne: Unwrapping the narrative of Christmas
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
With Christmas approaching and the world celebrating Jesus’ birth, our nation’s Christian heritage, enshrined in the Ekalesia as one of our three tama Ua pillars, cannot be ignored or overestimated in its impact on our lives as Cook Islanders, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.
Thomas Wynne: Power reveals, not corrupts
Saturday 9 December 2023 | Written by Thomas Tarurongo Wynne | Published in Editorials, Opinion
People often say that power corrupts and to this I disagree. Power does not corrupt a person, it merely exposes what lies in all our hearts, and simply gives it room, opportunity and permission, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.