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Letters to the Editor

Week ending Wednesday, January 20, 2009

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We will not publish any material which we consider to be defamatory

Back off, let the PM lead
Fuel ‘borrowing’ stopped in Aitutaki
Time ripe
Suspicions confirmed
Norm alert
Go with the PM
Punish the parents
Good work, Maara
Porcelain Cleaner speaks for itself
Not that Dick
Morals must be back in education
Is God too busy?
Faint praise
Real reform deserves a knighthood
Rugby heads should quit
No clues on dumpings
Shame on 19 MPs
Open letter to new Minister
It saddens me
Just the facts
Good work – bad eggs gone
Karere ki te au upoko akatere o te patireia
Who’s kidding who?
Tourism CEO isn’t a wannabe scientist

Dear Editor,

This is a message to the 19 MPs comprising of Demos and CIPs who are on the rampage to run down the prime minister Jim Marurai and his duly sworn cabinet ministers.

Back off all of you, what ever you are planning against the PM.

Here’s a word of wisdom for you lot. ‘For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord and He examines all his paths.’ Proverbs 5:21.

At least for the first time as prime minister of this country, let him now hold on the reins to run this country without domination or influence from anyone else for the next seven months.

Dumb and voiceless he may be as some people brand him to be, but God will teach him to speak and what to speak, like what God did to his servant Moses. Read your Bible and follow the daily bread readings in the book of Exodus, then you will know that God – not Pharaoh – holds the trump card in his hands.

So come on, you people out there, show your support for our prime minister. He is the Moses of Exodus who will lead our people and country out of Egypt from slavery and oppression. Just mark my words.

As for me, I will give my full support to you Mr Prime Minister and your humble team of ministers. I will put my bottom dollar on your team that you will give your utmost dedication to your calling to serve our people and heal our country with integrity and honesty. God will help you.

Here’s some words of wisdom to guide you. ‘

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight.’

Proverbs 3:5-6.

The Messenger

(Name and address supplied)

Dear Editor,

In response to the letter from Stunned Aitutakian, which appeared in your January 12 issue, I would like to correct the misinformation provided by the self proclaimed, “not very well educated” writer.

In the past, the Aitutaki Power Supply (APS) or EPS Aitutaki, as it was known then, adopted a practice of seeking assistance from the private sector or other government departments, if their fuel stock was at an extreme critical level.

To avoid a total shutdown, APS would borrow fuel and replace this when its own stock was replenished.

Some of these suppliers or “donors”, predominantly from the private sector, gave willingly, in the interests of maintaining the supply of electricity from the national grid.

Two of these are mentioned in Stunned Aitutakian’s letter being TNM Ltd and Teron Fuel Station (Maina Traders Ltd). There were others, who provided assistance when the call went out, ranging in quantity from 200Lts to 2500Lts, whatever could be spared.

To reciprocate this assistance, APS also released fuel to those retailers who on occasion ran short, due to vessel delays, bad weather conditions preventing the unloading of the vessel, etc. It must be noted, these retailers also kept fuel accounts for some government departments and the more critical emergency services, such as the hospital and ambulance.

That practice was common place then and I emphasise the word, then.

When the management operation of Aitutaki Power Supply was removed from the Island Council and transferred to a new board, of which I was appointed as chairman, new measures were introduced to adopt sound fiscal management policies in accordance with the requirements of the MFEM Act.

The old practice of “fuel borrowing/ letting” was stopped and this motion was recorded in the board minutes. Now that the island’s fuel requirement is met by Reef Bulk Fuels (RBF) directly from NZ, utilising Reef’s vessels, all fuel importers are now able to manage their stock levels more efficiently. APS currently has a legally binding fuel contract with RBF to supply upon demand.

To this date, there have been no further instances of APS letting out fuel with the understanding this would be replaced “later” and any fuel that was “borrowed” by some of the retailers prior to the new management structure, was replaced well before my being appointed as chairman of the new board.

However, should a situation arise, whereby there is a serious shortage of fuel on the island and there is a plea for assistance, APS board will convene to discuss this. A decision will be made at board level and duly recorded in the board minutes as instructed to do so by Audit.

Obviously, assistance can only be offered if APS is carrying sufficient fuel stock to meet its own generation needs and there is a surplus.

The fluctuating price of power generation was and still is directly proportional to fuel prices paid at the time and not as a result of past fuel lent to some of the private sector as Stunned Aitutakian has claimed.

I might also add, when generating power using borrowed fuel from the private sector, at no time was there any consideration given to the “donors”, by way of rebates or receiving a proportion of the revenue earned, considering the income generated at the time was from fuel supplied and paid for by the various “donors”.

Perhaps Stunned Aitutakian could retrieve some more figures from his source of material and do a similar exercise, only this time, calculate the electricity revenue generated from the total amount of fuel provided from the private sector, when EPS was running short!

I will comment no further on this and believe this response sums up the board’s position in response to this unfounded accusation.

Ron Maki

Board Chairman

Aitutaki Power Supply

Dear Editor,

In an attempt to justify the formation of a Demo/CIP coalition ‘caretaker’ government, the president of the Demo Party Makuiti Tongia publicly stated that both parties would be “...putting aside our political differences...”. Can Tongia tell us what these differences are?

In any healthy democracy, ideology is the fuel that drives political parties. Can we say that this is the same for ourselves?

Do our two political parties each have set ideologies which provide the foundation for their very existence and is the core reason why voters usually back political parties?

Asides from the usual personalities of politicians within both political parties, there is in fact very little difference between the two apart from the fact that both have been great on making plenty promises but dismal failures when it comes to delivering on any of them.

Perhaps the time is ripe for a new political party to offer hope to the people of this country.

Fed up

(Name and address supplied)

Dear Editor,

The political turmoil over the past few weeks, which now seems to have culminated in the formation of a government, albeit rather shaky, that consists of five MPs, will probably confirm the public’s growing suspicions that a great majority of the politicians of this country are nothing but disloyal, two-faced, self-centered, greedy individuals who are only interested in reaping all the benefits for themselves rather than the country.

So much for party politics and all that the current mob of politicians claim they stand for.

In terms of political stability and credibility, the recent political turmoil has caused considerable damage to the country’s image and reputation.

Despite this upheaval, there is perhaps no better opportunity for the people of this country to vent their anger, disgust and opposition to the current political system by making sweeping changes during the country’s general elections later in the year.

The time is right to change the system and to allow new blood to put up their hands and enter politics.

That way there is a good chance that much needed changes will be made to  what is seen as a political system that has failed time and time again to live up to what voters both demand and expect from it.

Propped up by politicians all these years, the country simply cannot afford maintaining a political system whereby the only ones who really benefit are the politicians themselves and their political cronies.

Time for real change

(Name and address supplied)

Dear Editor,

I would remind all the public of the Cook Islands that an empty vessel makes the most noise.

Be very careful over the next few months and watch out for Big Norm as he is gleefully stirring the pot of Government instability. The end result could be a new Attorney General (Big Norm of course) and a possible order of stay of prosecution stemming from Operation Slush where Big Norm is one of the defendants.

Now wouldn’t that be an easy or novel way to wriggle out of cuddling up to Philip Tito-Field (metaphorically speaking of course).

The fact that he is facing serious criminal charges should not be forgotten in the election campaign this year.

Norm Alert

(Name and address supplied)

Dear Editor,

The consequential move by Dr Maoate to regain government and prime ministership of this country is not only pathetic but shameful.

He was sacked because he mismanaged the finances of this country and PM Marurai rightly did the only appropriate thing by getting rid of him. So the question is why is he fighting back? Is it to completely ruin this country?

No, enough is enough. Jim you have done the right thing and the country should let Jim run the country until election time.

The other concern is why is Tom and Teina want to sleep in bed with Maoate and his Toagate Associates.

They, the opposition, should be supporting Jim and score points on this Toagate scandal. Get it investigated as soon as possible. It just shows that this country does not have an alternative government because they are all the same.

Their (Opposition) actions today show that they would condone wrong-doing and their personal benefits are far more important than the public’s and country’s benefits.

I am happy with the five to run the country until election time.

Fed Ups

(Name and address supplied)

Dear Editor,

I totally agree with “a very angry and disgruntled Cook Islander” regarding our current theft problem.

These mostly young and undisciplined thieves are quickly damaging our good reputation which has taken many years and a lot of expense to foster and develop.

Fortunately this problem can be quickly and easily solved if the approach taken by everyone that “this is a Rarotongan problem and should be solved the Rarotongan way”.

Some woolly do-gooders might not agree but at least the problem will be solved and solved quickly.

If the culprits are too young to punish – then punish the parents. If the culprits are repeat offenders – then even go to the extent of locking up the parents.

Some parents just don’t care and in some cases even condone the thieving by these minors.

But this would immediately change if the above steps were taken.

Also give the Police a little more licence to discipline young offenders. I am not condoning out and out violence, but a quick clip around the ears could save a lot of time and energy later.

At the moment these young offenders and their parents are just thumbing their noses at the police who are constrained by the current laws from taking the necessary and required action.

Don Carlaw

Dear Editor,

I note with interest Mr George’s complaint about the Police lack of response on January 12. I totally agree with Maara Tetava and congratulate him on his response.

The system I set up and had operating did not involve first line response matters being ‘duck shoved’ to the CIB, as it is a simple system where the details of the incident were recorded into the Police Database and a front line officer was immediately dispatched (or dispatched as soon as one became available) to the job in order to gain control of the situation or secure evidence for any subsequent investigation.

At the end of the day (and I hope the officer reads this), you can give some people the facts, but you just can’t give them the brains to understand them. Come on the Police Officer concerned, I know you know how the system works, support your Commissioner and start making the right decisions which in simple terms is follow the standard operating procedure that was set down.

Maara, keep up the good work, it’s never ending.

Pat Tasker

Former Police Commissioner

Dear Editor,

My friend Neil Mitchell of Aitutaki describes most things about the product he purchased in Aitutaki that damaged his shower, BUT not all things.

He writes that it is labelled in Bahasa Indonesian and that the ‘use’ instructions are all in Bahasa Indonesian. He says that the product has pictures for directions of use, but looking at those pictures it does not show anything other than tiles, a toilet bowl, a wash basin and a wine glass. However in all his letter he does not name the product, for fear I imagine to be too much information for your readers, Mr Editor.

So for the purposes of clarification, I will name the product that Mr Mitchell refers to. It is called ‘PORCELAIN CLEANER’.

Both words, PORCELAIN and CLEANER, are found in the English language. I have to assume that Mr Mitchell did not notice this. It is one of the few products I have seen that describes what its purpose is for, far more descriptive in its name for its purpose than for example ‘Jif’ or ‘Handy Andy’ or ‘Clorox’, all of which are cleaners, none of which describe what the product does.

I sympathise with Mr and Mrs Mitchell for the damage that this product has caused to their shower. So in the event that someone else should also mistakenly use this on surfaces other than porcelain, ceramic or glass, may I describe the best method in how this should be applied?

Porcelain Cleaner is an extremely powerful non abrasive cleaner that should be used only on tiles, wash basins made from ceramic or porcelain or toilet bowls and glass. On these surfaces it can be used in its pure form,  apply Porcelain Cleaner to the stained area and leave it for a minute, the Porcelain Cleaner should then be washed off, the stain should be cleaned or be less obvious. Some assistance by way of a little scrubbing using a cloth or light scourer, wearing some protective gloves is advised.

It has been responsible for cleaning out stains in the tiles and toilets at the Rarotonga International Airport that have been unable to be moved by conventional cleaners for over 25 years. Unfortunately it is a product that sells very slowly, not because it is a product that is ineffective, and not because it is a product that is in a foreign language, but because it is so effective it’s usefulness as a RE-USEABLE commodity is limited, it does its job.

I have very little fear or concern that non food items be misconstrued as food because of labels or foreign languages as Mr Mitchell describes. People have common sense.

However I do know that much damage to the health of Cook Islanders is caused by foods labelled in English and imported from Western nations, and these are not limited to lamb flaps (banned in Fiji) or tin corned beef or soda/soft drinks, but also including legalised drugs like cigarettes and alcohol.

I have said many times that such foods and beverages should be banned from importation, and that such decision should not be made unilaterally.

James Beer

Beco Ltd and Manea Foods Ltd

Rarotonga

Dear Editor,

I hasten to come to the aid of Ms Mason re her letter in Saturday’s edition of CINews regarding the top position of Dick Chapman as the “most hated public servant ever”, as graded by my good old friend Don Silk.

Surely, the top position should go to another Dick who worked for the Government during those years in the 60s and early 70s.

This other chap, who worked then for the agriculture department, was also known as “King Dick” or “Coconut King of the Northern Group”, and he was totally and solely in charge of eradicating the coconut beetles on the atolls up north.

Whether he ever succeeded in this, I don’t know.

I shall ask him when I see him next, as he now lives a happy, stress-free and very comfortable live on Aitutaki, enjoying the fruits of his past labours in the Cook Islands (ie pension).

As for the chain-smoking Chapman, I am afraid he rates a close second only on the list of “most hated public servant ever”, only a fraction behind top rated King Dick.

My apologies to Don Silk.

Ex Public Servant

(Name and address supplied)

Dear Editor,

I want to thank and encourage that keen student who is going on to university to study. Yes 13 years of schooling before heading to university is a great amount of time in life that should have been made to make someone a better person. The amount of hours given to education in a day is huge. Why don’t we use it well.

Sorry if I was sounding like attacking education. Education is a sphere of creation, but it needs to be reformed like every area of life.

I want to assure the public that I am not attacking education but to bring back what has been the primary purpose of education, which is moral development. This is simply to know the difference between right and wrong or good and bad behaviour. Philosophers, psychologists, and educators have for centuries considered moral development to be the primary purpose of schooling

“Good character consists of knowing the good, desiring the good, and doing the good- habits of the mind, habits of the heart, and habits of action.” – Thomas Lickona. It seems that moral development is not the primary purpose of school. A Harvard graduate said that he learnt how to get a career but not how to live.

We need more people like Kevin Rudd who have morals concerning life.

Check out the court cases and audits that are running in the Cooks; not only those who didn’t finish high school but a handful of high profile personnel are being investigated. Education is not to be blamed, the question is how to help our people.

If we think that man is good then we should not pursue moral development. But man is fallen and we are all capable to commit a deadly crime. This is why we need moral development in education and in our homes.

Again it is the primary purpose of schooling. If we cannot offer it to our kids, then we might need to build rehab centres because the age of crimes committed is under ten.

And we can welcome corruption when we say no to moral development.

Te Atua te aroa mai.

Renall Vogel

Germany

Dear Editor,

Although the rambling religious letter from “The Messenger” (CINews January) is no doubt well-meaning, it’s probably a futile plea, because if there is a God (whether He be Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu or any other deity), His priorities would focus on monitoring the major tragic world events such as the killing fields of Afghanistan and Iraq, the current devastating loss of life and property in godforsaken Haiti, and many other vast areas of human suffering and misery.

I would imagine therefore that He is far too busy at the moment to find the time to teach our PM to speak up and heal our country. Nor is He likely to take sides in our petty political confrontation that is shaping up to become yet another parliamentary comedy/drama with all the ingredients and plot shifts of a farcical Gilbert & Sullivan opera.

Les Priest

Matavera

Dear Editor,

Ex-Public Servant’s letter (Friday January 15) is damning with faint praise.

Just like his “good old friend” Don Silk, he has no idea what the point of his letter is.

Let me spell it out for both of them: Richard Chapman has nothing to do with this generation of poorly performing public servants. Many of them were still in nappies when the man died.

My advice to you both is to get on with your lives and let the dead sleep.

This is my last public comment on the matter.

Jean Chapman-Mason

Tepuka

Editor: Correspondence on this topic is now closed.

Dear Editor,

Should PM Marurai really be congratulated for putting political reform on the urgent list of things to do before the general elections?

If he is genuinely committed to carrying out much needed political reform, then the guy deserves a knighthood.

But if his putting political reform on the agenda merely as a strategy to appease the growing numbers of disenchanted voters and divert attention away from the political cat-and-mouse games being played out at the moment, then please don’t waste public time, effort and money.

What I have always found very puzzling over the years is the lack in progress of moving political reform forward when clearly it is for the betterment of the country and a vast majority of the public support reform. Why is this so?

Does the blame lie with us voters for voting in the very same politicians who publically say they support political reform but behind our backs and in secret they do not?

You be the judge.

Scratched record

(Name and address supplied)

Dear Editor,

The current Cook Islands Rugby Union executives should all resign from their positions.

Over the last decade, the IRB has invested so much money in training and development and using various overseas players and coaches for our National 15 and National Sevens team. Last year we were beaten by PNG and Niue in both the 15s and the sevens. We didn’t qualify for the Wellington Sevens or the Commonwealth Games.

It’s easy to see that we have slipped and gone backwards. The president and all office bearers should tender their resignations because they have failed us and all rugby fans in this country. The only good thing going for us is Karla and Lara doing an excellent job for our annual fun sevens.

Die Hard Rugby Fan

Avarua

The pig found on the Matavera foreshore on Wednesday morning. 10011323

Public health and environmental officers are still in the dark as to the persons responsible for incidents reported to the agencies this week.

On Tuesday morning raw chicken pieces and vegetables apparently came off a vehicle and ended up on the road at Harley Street corner. Then on Wednesday a couple of decaying dogs and a pig carcass were discovered on the Matavera foreshore.

Public health’s Charlie Ave said they have not received any information which may lead them to those responsible for the incidents.

On Tuesday, Ave said that public health officers took the initiative to clean up the mess at Nikao in the interest of the “health, well-being and safety of the public”. The remains of the chicken pieces and vegetables were eventually buried on the property of one of the staff, said Ave. The animals, he added, were also removed and buried on someone’s property.

An officer from the national environment service said they also do not know who was responsible for the incidents.

• Moana Moeka’a

Dear Editor,

I’m appalled and absolutely stunned by the 19 members of parliament who seem to have rallied around former DPM Maoate.

How can this be possible in a supposedly Constitutional Democracy? It’s unbelievable in this day and age given the central cause of all this debacle.

If this happened in any other country such as the US, Australia or NZ, Maoate’s political career would be over, period! No walkout, no debate and an immediate inquiry would be undertaken. He would be facing possible criminal charges for mismanaging public office and funds.

Shame on you people making a joke out of our islands and people.Common sense has to prevail here, get back to work and restore your dignity, you are being paid by the taxpayer!

I run and own a small business in Sydney, and if one of my managers did what Maoate has done, his resignation would be demanded and legal action initiated. It’s that simple, people.

Disillusioned Cookie

(Name and address supplied)

Dear Editor,

Tepuka’s road looks like a riverbed. Could the new Minister of Works please make fixing it one of the priorities in his new portfolio, please?

The road was made worse when work took place on it last year around the same time the stadium was being built; afterwards nothing happened with returning it to its original state.

We have waited long enough. Our motor vehicles are falling apart from having to drive through the numerous and deep potholes to get to our homes.

Tepuka has about 50 homes with an average two adults (of voting age) in each household that makes 100 voting and taxpaying individuals who live there who have every right to expect government to fix up a public road they destroyed in the first place.

6 month old car now looks

like 6 year old car

(Name and address supplied)

Dear Editor,

It saddens me to read about the island struggles when it’s the government that can’t get their act together, continuously blaming each other. Maybe it is time for a change – out with the old and in with the new.

Maybe it’s time to bring in new faces, youthful ideas. Surely we have young adults that probably could do the job better if given the chance to prove themselves. Some politicians are just set in their ways and are not prepared to change; change is good, brings in new ideals, values, beliefs that should sustain the Cook Islands people. Leadership is constantly changing, and survivors learn to change with it.

My other concern is the number of young people breaking the law on the island. What is becoming of our young people?

We as an island need to keep the tourist industry to boost the economy, for without the tourism industry we might as well fold. I know there is not much to do on the island, I grew up in the islands.

Maybe the youth of today don’t appreciate the island like we used to. Not sure what is going on.

Mata Price

Dear Editor,

Amid all the political commotion going on, and while many get carried away, I think it is necessary that we go back to the plain, simple facts.

All this turmoil began when the prime minister admitted to being pressured by persons outside of government (his words) to sack Sir Terepai Maoate as the deputy prime minister and finance minister over his role in the Toagate scandal.

Who are these people outside of government that you, Mr Prime Minister, say pressured you? Who are these people who are controlling you, and are essentially the real government, the real decision makers?

If this is true then it begs the question – what other decisions are they pressuring you to make? Is this why your current finance minister calls you a puppet? Who is the real prime minister? The people have the right to know.

So what about your role in the Toagate scandal?The simple facts are these:

In the cabinet meeting held on the October 7, 2008, which you chaired, Mr Prime Minister, you approved and signed off on the minutes for the financial secretary to negotiate on behalf of government for the purchase of the Toa tank farm. Refer to cabinet minute (2008) 585 ... bare simple facts.

Further, a cabinet circulation on October 23, 2009 was lodged by Sir Terepai to allow Kit Toogood to lead an out-of-court arbitration settlement negotiation on behalf of government for the Toa deal. You, Mr Prime Minister, approved this submission and you signed off on the minutes. Refer to cabinet minute (2009) 557... bare simple facts.

On November 27 2008, you called a session of parliament, during which a supplementary appropriation (2) was tabled. On page 22, under schedule 7 capital expenditure was the appropriation of $5.5m to purchase the Toa tank farm. Mr Prime Minister, you were in parliament that session and you unreservedly supported the appropriation to purchase the Toa tank farm. You may even refer to the Hansard. If you did not agree, why didn’t you walk out of parliament or show your objection then?

If you felt that Sir Terepai’s role in the Toa deal was enough to deserve a sacking, then what about your role? You are the prime minister, you were ultimately responsible, you approved it and you signed it off.

If you thought it was wrong, then why didn’t you put a stop to it? If you had any moral conscience, as you preach to have, you should resign as prime minister.

These are simple, plain facts. Not getting carried away, no exaggeration, just the simple facts.

Simple Simon

( Name and address supplied)

Dear Editor,

I applaud our prime minister and cabinet for the political reform plans they have put in place.

Only 16 days into their administration, this “Group of 5” is showing real change.

Cutting back on MP travel and getting the Aitutaki overdue referendum is fantastic. I am sure the people of Aitutaki will be happy and look forward to this day.

On the planned political reform that Iaveta and Tata is putting together, may we ask that this taskforce visit each vaka and island to talk to the people. You need the people’s views on the new electoral seats and proposed national seats. There is also the question of electing the PM?

These and many other issues need to be fully discussed before a national referendum is put to the nation, together with the coming general elections.

It’s good to see all this good work when the bad eggs are out.

Reform Supporter

Rarotonga

Ki te Etita,

“No roto i te ngai oonu toku kapikianga atu ia koe, e Iehova. E taku Atu, e akarongo mai i toku reo, e ariu mai to taringa i taku e pati nei. Naringa koe e Iehova e akairo ana i te au ara nei, koai te ka mou?” Salamo 130:1-3.

Kia orana e taku iti tangata Kuki Airani i te aroa maanaana o to tatou Atu i roto i teia mua mataiti – 2010. Mei te opunga ki te itinga, mei apa-tokerau ki apa-tonga – kotou tei tutara ki roto i te evangelia tapu a to tatou Atu ko Iesu Mesia, te au akonoanga tukeke, te au tama a te au upoko ariki, tana ekalesia tapu mei tei maata e tae ua atu ki tei iti, kia orana i te aroa maata o to tatou Atu!

Kauono o te ariki vaine, toou tokorua, te parai minita e te kopu tangata, ruru minita, nga taokotaianga poritiki o te Democratic e te Cook Islands Party, te mema o rotopu, to kotou au akaperepere e te kopu tangata, kia orana i teia araveianga no tatou.

Pae kimi puapinga o te patireia, to roto i te kavamani, te au mangamananga NGO, te au metua pakari, te vainetini, iti mapu, te unga ma te potiki, to roto i te kopu, ko te Atua to tatou akapuanga e te maroiroi.

Kia orana katoa ki te au tutara akatere i roto i te Koutu Nui, ui mataiapo, ui rangatira e te au mana taonga katoatoa, kia orana i teia mataiti ou.

Mei roto atu i te Are Ariki e tae rava atu ki te katoa anga o te ui ariki o te Kuki Airani - te taoki atu nei au i te oronga atu anga i to matou aroa e te reo akamaroiroi kia kotou e te kavamani.

Te karanga nei te tata Salamo – E taku atu e Iehova, no roto i te ngai oonu toku kapiki atu anga ia koe......e ariu mai i to taringa i taku e pati.

e te iti tangata, mei roto ia Titema e tae mai ki teia ra, te kite nei tatou i te turanga turorirori o te patireia i raro i te akatereanga a te kavamani. Kua arapaki ki runga i te upoko akatere, te kapineti, te au mema paramani, te au arataki o te au taokotaianga poritiki e tae rava atu ki tona ngateitei, te kauono o te ariki vaine.

Kare au e ekoko e te tutuki katoa nei teia nuti ki te iti tangata katoatoa ma te uiui mai e, eaa ra te ka tupu apopo.

Ko te natura teia o te kavamani o teia nei ao. I tetai atinga ka atiruru. I tetai tuatau, ka orureau. Kare te Are Ariki e anoano nei i te tomo ki roto i teia maveteanga pirianga o te kavamani e pera to te au taokotaianga poritiki – kare!

Kare katoa ra i te mea tau kia noo muteki ua to kotou au metua! Ko te tumu teia e tuku atu nei au i tetai karere akamaroiroi e te akamatakite ki te au upoko akatere o te patireia.

No te mea, kare ta kotou e rave nei e akatupu nei i te au! Ko te iti tangata e mavete iaia uaorai, kare ia e mou!

Ko te manamanata ta tatou e kite nei, kare e no teia ra ua i tupu mai ei. Kare i te tarevake no tetai tangata okotai. Kua taruna ua te kino kare i akatika ia ana. Kua o mai te vaerua noinoi, te piripiri, te akamou-puku, te urutoe, te paepae-keke, marokiakia, te akakoro kino, te akatietie e te vai atura. Penei te pati nei to kotou va’a i te tauturu ki te Atua, kareka to kotou ngakau, tei te area ke ua.

Kua matapo te ngakau, kua piri te puta taringa ki te reo-iti poepoe o te Atua i te akamatakite ia tatou. Kua ngere i te mataku i te Atua, kua akangere katoa ia i te kite e te pakari. Kua tapoki ia e te kamakura i te kite anga, eaa tikai te ikianga e tau no te iti tangata e no te patireia!

Eia mataiti i topa - kua papau au peretiteni e ka turuturu te Are Ariki i tetai ua atu kavamani tei kimi i te meitaki no te iti tangata. Te vai nei teia tango!

No reira e te au upoko arataki o te patireia, e akamanako kotou, kare e ko kotou anake teia ta kotou e takinokino nei – kua pakia ki te pae kimi puapinga, te au tangata angaanga a te Korona, ki te vaine tini, te aronga tanutanu, te aronga tautai, te iti mapu, te tamariki apii, te ngutuare e tae ua atu ki te pepe-varevare!

Te pati nei te Are Ariki kia kotou e te au mema paramani, kia akamararo ana ia kotou. Auraka e akatietie. E tuatau to te au mea ravarai.

Taka’i ki muri, akaoki akaou i te Atua kia riro ei ivi-matua no kotou, te iti tangata e te patireia. Ka raranga marie ei tatou i te kaveinga e tau no te Kuki Airani. Kia pakari kotou mei te ovi -- kia apa kore mei te manu e kukupa.

Ko taku ia ngunguru anga ki mua i toou aroaro e te Atua e pera toou na iti tangata.

Kia orana e kia manuia. Otira ua.

Tou Travel Ariki,

Peretiteni, Are Ariki

o te Kuki Airani

Dear Editor,

There are many who are quick to jump and criticise PM Marurai for lacking political leadership qualities. This same group is also happy to back Sir Terepai as the country’s preferred political leader.

When one really has a good think about it, wasn’t Sir Terepai and not Marurai the one who had full responsibility for the resulting Toagate scandal?

So who says that a caretaker government that includes a combination of MPs from both CIP and Demo parties with Sir Terepai as PM would be able to govern and run this country any better than the current cabinet of five MPs under the leadership of Marurai?

It seems as if the country is getting a repeat of political situation ethics whereby the Demos and CIP are trying to justify their collusion as a case of political reform. However, once back into power, many know that both parties are more than likely to pursue their own separate, self-serving agendas at the expense and detriment of the country. So who are they kidding?

With the current political impasse, it may just be in the best interest of the country for the QR to step in and rule to dissolve parliament and call for snap general elections. Such a scenario would probably allow the growing numbers of disenchanted voters in this country to get rid of the political rot once and for all.

Disgruntled Voter

( Name and address supplied)

John Dean. 10011904

Dear Editor,

It saddens me to learn that John Dean is resigning from his post as CEO for CI Tourism.

In the short time he has been here our small nation has seen change for the better than for the whole entire term served by Chris Wong (a local nonetheless).

It’s awful that we are losing such an invaluable asset, for what? Pride? Fear? It’s such a shame! Mr John Dean has dedicated so much of himself to our people and this is how we repay him?

Perhaps Mr Crocombe feels inferior, hence the reason he sees fit to pull out the STOP signs to John’s brilliant ideas and work ethic and hides safely behind his board.

This country, as small as it is, has the potential to be GREAT, yet the people who have been chosen to lead our country to better things seem to fall short by staying and thinking ‘inside the box’.

The difference between success and failure is trying. Trying new things, trying to achieve more, or trying to just be better. Without trying, you’re already failing.

I just can’t shake the feeling that because of our pride, and fear of change, we’re losing someone who actually fits the bill for once. John Dean isn’t another wannabe scientist that pretends to think he knows what he’s talking about. I just wish someone could see that!

Mr Dean, it’s such a pity you’re leaving, and if I was shy I wouldn’t say it but as it so happens I’m not... but unfortunately in Rarotonga, men wouldn’t know a good thing even if it was sitting on their face.

On a lighter note, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours whether it be retirement (hard to believe) or on to ‘Great Outdoors’. I hope your experience doesn’t leave a sour taste in your mouth when you leave the rock.

Godspeed.

Disappointed Local

(Name and address supplied)

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