Brewmaster: Please note that we will not publish messages which are not punctuated or those written in 'stream-of-consciousness' style with phrases separated only by a series of full stops. They take too much time to sub-edit and render into English.

Cookie: You need to e-mail Manukau Insttitute of Technology direct (and include your e-mail address).

July 29 2010
We have had a split in the Demo camp with the minority faction running the Government since January. Now the smaller group wants the bigger group to give them a majority to pass the Budget so they can continue to spend the taxpayer's money. They have been spending the people's money illegally since January of this year. They didn't want to go to Parliament because they were a minority and they knew a no-confidence motion would be put forward. This is totally irresponsible and the PM Marurai and DPM Wigmore should be held accountable for doing this and for delaying funds for emergency purposes. The focus now should be to restore democracy and stability in all decision making. I am sick and tired of the nonsense in Government and the lack of leadership from the top. Our people cannot allow our country to be governed in this manner. Vote for change in this coming elections. Homeboy. (Abridged)

July 29 2010
The PM and DPM intend to table the Budget to meet the July 31 deadline and will move a motion to adjourn Parliament and prepare for their overseas trips. The fear of a no-confidence motion against the PM may be the reason to cut short the Parliament sitting. Now, is the Demo leadership being responsible even though they do not intend to debate the Budget to allow much needed funds for Aitutaki? Do they intend to table a Supplementary Budget to legitimise their illegal spending since taking office? When do they intend to announce the date of the elections? Do they expect the Budget to be passed to allow them (a minority administration) the freedom to spend irresponsibly over the next few months before the elections? Do we sit back and watch the PM and DPM continue to operate a Government without a mandate given by the people? The principle of democracy which is government by majority is being overlooked to keep a minority in power. Is this good governance? I think its time for a change. Joker. (Abridged)

July 26 2010
I do feel so sorry for you Litutu. You don't get it do you? I am only expressing my opinion on subjects I have aired on this forum and you turn it into a monster without really understanding what I was saying. Please just voice your opinion and stop bashing. You spoil this forum by rearing your ugly head. I will continue to pray for you. Remember, there are others all over the world reading your posts also and we are known as a Christian nation, so act like one dear. Star.
Brewmaster: No more of this.

July 25 2010
A free course promoting Cook Islands Maori language and culture will be offered at Manukau Institute Of Technology Manukau, Auckland New Zealand starting Monday August 2 2010. For further information contact Maara Maeva on telephone 09 309 0443 ext 780 or e-mail: mmaeva@aucklandmuseum.com

July 25 2010
May I warn Cook Islanders and others, to ignore and delete e-mails purporting to provide recipients with millions of dollars. They are scam e-mails. As usual they come in different forms. Be warned, they are all scams, don't fall for them but more importantly, don't reply to them and don't ever give them your bank account, phone and/or mobile numbers, address and other contact details. Unfortunately, as someone involved in IT, I have once again come across another Cook Islander who has fallen victim to one of these scams. Matakite, auraka e vare ki teia au keikeia, auraka katoa e pau i ta ratou au imere, auraka rava e oake i toou ingoa, taau numero pangika (bank account), toou ngai nooanga e taau numero tereponi. Tony. (Abridged)

July 25 2010
That's the problem with you Star, because you can't balance your spiritual and physical life. The way I see it, you are dipping more to your spiritual side and your heart is full of damnation. Get real, this isn't a competition. A Cook Islander's son is doing very well in a foreign country. I'm very proud, be proud too. He is one of ours. Litutu.

July 24 2010
That's a tough one, Star. Are Church and State separated under the Cook Islands Constitution? If so, it would be a bit off track to teach Christian doctrine in public schools. If I recall well my readings of the Cook Islands statutes, the only 'religion' that is expressly prohibited by law in the Cook Islands is 'witchcraft'. So, in theory at least, you could have a Jewish kid attending public school who would perhaps object to receiving instruction in Christian doctrine. Steven Kurker.

July 24 2010
I am very concerned that we are teaching our children more about culture and sports and not enough Christian bible studies. We call ourselves a Christian nation yet we hardly see children doing Christian duties. Are we truly a Christian nation? I don't think so. Our children need to be taught Christian values in all schools. What are your thoughts? Star.

July 23 2010
My step-son was born in Atiu and raised there and in Aitutaki and Rarotonga until he was eight when he moved to the USA with me and his mom. He earned all As and A+s at school last year and highest honours. His Indiana state-wide standardised test scores were very high. In short, he is competing against and winning against papa'as in their own environment. His mother, also an Atiuan, has an extremely keen mind and recalls facts and events like a computer. She has been highly successful in the US both socially and as a Polynesian dance instructor and master of ceremonies at Polynesian events. The CI Maori is not mentally inferior to the papa'a in any way shape or form. It's really up to CI business and government to more effectively lure educated Maori back to fill higher-level positions. Steven K. Kurker. (Abridged)

July 23 2010
If you follow the content of Star's discourse carefully, he/she is not attempting to dismiss the attributes of Cook Islanders outright. Rather, Star is highlighting some valid points about the process for hiring people into positions where relevant skills are necessary for that position. Take the job as CEO for Tourism for example, if the board had believed that there was a local who could admirably fit the job description and carry out identifiable tasks appropriately, I've no doubt we would have seen a Cook Islander in that position right now. As for the person seeking to have Star banned from any future discussion, media gagging is never going to support raising the profiles for Cook Islands people. Neither is arrogantly denigrating someone because they don't agree with your views. We need to pull our own socks up in order to move forward progressively and constructively. Ka kite. Rongo.

July 23 2010
My dad held the highest position in the whole of the Cooks in his day and yes I do know some highly educated Cook Islanders who didn't get chosen for the position. Who exactly is it that picks and chooses whom to represent us? We are talking about the High Commissioner job alone so let us air our opinions honestly and unracially. I am proud of those who are more highly educated than I and proud to be a Cook Islander also. Voicing my honest opinion doesn't mean I am anti Cook Islanders, get real Litutu. Kgirl, I support your statement re hall of fame for those who have done well in their day. Please don't scare people off this forum as it's great and entertaining to read everyone's input but please quit the nastiness. Star. (Abridged)

July 23 2010
Please Brewmaster, just block out anyone who does not have anything good to add or say about us Cook Islanders. It has to be another Maori to put down another. Maybe this person claiming to be a Cook Islander is not a pure hard core Cook Islander. He or she is just trashing our site. I recommend that Star be blocked out of our Tumunu. Humongous shout to you Star, keep your trash and rubbish in your own room. Feel free to write to me personally, so I can teach you some manners and about our good Lord. a2kx@ymail.com

July 22 2010
Kgirl, your idea to produce a Who's Who of successful Cook Islanders is a good one and I agree it should be done. We don't celebrate our successful people enough, and it's a damn shame. I would certainly like to hear more about Cook Islanders doing well overseas and at home. It seems to me that when people talk about qualified Cook Islanders in the context of high ranking jobs back home the same names get bandied about and it's a little depressing. We've had a number of university grads over the years, where are they now and what are they doing? I'm sure they would have some interesting, and possibly inspiring, stories to share. Whoops sorry, I just saw there is a Who's Who on this site! It would still be good to see some new names here though. Export.

July 22 2010
Star, Cook Islanders like you, always putting down our own people don't deserve to be regarded as Cook Islanders. I can assure you there have been and there are Cook Islanders, far better than papa'as. May I inform or remind you, The Times, the American magazine, not too long ago, declared the late Sir Papa Tom Davis, the Australasian of the century. Beat that and stop running down Cook Islanders. Tony, another proud Cook Islander.

July 22 2010
Star, there you go again Cook Islands bashing. Maybe we should start Star bashing. The majority of Cook Islands Maori people are intelligent, hard-working, honest and culturally proud. Stop saying that we are not qualified, it is ignorant of you. We have many successful Cook Islanders. If you look in the who's who of the Pacific, Europe and America you will find Dr Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen. Maybe it's time we had a hall of fame for Cook Islanders so that people like you Star will become educated about our qualified, hardworking Cook Islands people. There are so many it's hame on you that you don't know any. So far, you seem to be the lone star bashing Cook Islands Maori. Kgirl.

July 21 2010
Now we finally know that Star has a short memory. Check your last posting to clarify what you said about Teremona Yala. We are as knowledgeable as the papa'as anyway. Litutu.

July 21 2010
If papa'as were placed in those positions then it says there aren't any quallified Cook Islanders, simple as that. I am not Maori bashing. I am also a Maori and just stating the facts. Litutu, what were those so-called results? I never said Yala was a High Commissioner but was acting on behalf until someone suitable was found. It took such a long time because we didn't have the right person. Truth hurts but hey, papa'as are not the only ones who are sound up top. Look at old Prime Minister Marurai. He knew how to hold Government till election to maybe retire. Maoate didn't, he messed up half way instead. And Kata is laughing all the way. So it pays to keep shut like Marurai don't you think and maybe have a long, long snooze after all that, or he may be first past the post. Keep smiling Litutu and live up our true Cook Islands fun loving style. Star.

July 19 2010
Tumeke you are right. Papa'as are placed into high positions in Government over qualified, honest and educated Cook Islands Maori ie. Mike Mitchell. Star, stop Cook Islands Maori bashing. Leave our locals alone. Many of them have done more for the islands than you ever have. Our people are leaving because of people like you Star who put us down. Hire Cook Islands Maori. Keep our islands local so we do not become a minority in our own country. Kgirl.

July 18 2010
Come on Star, you've been so negative about Cook Islanders filling in high positions in Government. How did we communicate with Manukau Councils, New Zealand Aid, New Zealand Government Official, Red Cross to name some? And you say we don't have the skills. Why did we get the result of what we presented. Because we can do it. So shut up and don't put Cook Islanders down. A lot of Cook Islanders have the skills. For your information Teremoana Yala was never a High Commissioner, she's the secretary. Litutu.

July 18 2010
Iaveta Short was High Commisioner once, then Teremoana Yala took over and now Mike Mitchell who has been here for many, many years and knows all the protocols of the Cook Islands. If he is needed to speak the language, then I am sure they will have an interpreter. We just don't have the people to fill such positions. We can't just fit in someone because they are Cook Islanders and speak the language. They also have to know many governmental issues of the Cook Islands and the world etc before they can ever get there. These papa'as have been trained and conditioned to fill such positions for many years and it's not like just a two year training. We can always do everything papa'as do. They are very highly trained to do these things. Star.

July 18 2010
The problem is Joker that the population of the Cook Islanders is so small that we simply don't have enough people available, specially with Tourism. We had to scour New Zealand and Australia to find someone with the right background and abilities. Kuki Boy.

July 18 2010
Star, I think you missed Tumeke's point about the papa'as and Wilkie. With Wilkie being a Minister, we have seen Kevin Carr, Jim Gosselin and Mike Mitchell. Nothing personal against these three very capable people but I'm sure a Cook Islander with the experience and the cultural background would be better suited specially in the High Commissioner position. When countries want to deal with the Cook Islands they would expect to be meeting with a person of Cook Islands descent and who knows all aspects of the Cook Islands, its culture, language and people. This is the same argument with the Tourism CEO. It is time we start developing our own people into these key roles. These papa'as should be preparing and training our people to go into these key positions. Some Cook Islanders appointed to key positions have made a mess of things but that's no excuse not to put in other Cook Islanders who are capable. The problem was that these failed Cook Islanders were appointed politically, not on merit. Joker.

July 18 2010
Tumeke what evidence have you that papaa's are always voted into high positions in Government? Might it be they are more qualified for the position and more honest? Given that our own people have robbed the people many times over? Stop papa'a bashing. They did a lot of good to the country and yes, they bad (things) also. We did more damage and are still doing damage today in fact tourists are thinking twice about coming here now with the thieving and horrendous decisions made by Government today. Leave papa'as alone. They have done more for the islands than you ever have. Our people are leaving (in) droves due to poor governance. So vote wisely. It is not the papaa's that voted for Wilkie but we islanders and that I know very well. Star. (Abbrev.)

July 13 2010
Given his past history one thing evident of Wilkie Rasmussen is that he doesn't support native Cook Islanders in top Government positions - only papa'a. So now it is time for elections perhaps the papa'a should return the favour and vote for him. I would urge native Cook Islanders to vote for Wilkie's opposing candidate 'cause I will. Tumeke.

July 13 2010
New blood. Yes we have been dreaming over these issues for a very long time to no avail. As we all know, old habits die hard and today's generations have not got the mandate to fulfil their dreams. I can see this as one of the problems with the two main parties, Demo and CIP. Too many old hands desperately steering the one vakas but lack of cultural knowledge, stubborn in releasing the helms, shame of going on the dole and lack of leadership and management skills. New blood we have been waiting for for too long as you can see that the old habits have already infiltrated into the veins of the new politicians. My only suggestion is for us all to show our democratic right on the day of the election. Don't be afraid to stand for your right! This way we won't be talking about Sir Terepai Maoate or Wilkie any more.Cookie.

July 13 2010
Wilkie paints a very positive picture about himself and tries to say that he didn't agree with Maoate. That is what Wilkie is known for, he says one thing and does another. He tries to give the impression that he supports the thinking of the people but behind closed doors, Wilkie is just one of the boys. Shogan.

July 13 2010
I remember Wilkie arguing with Maoate over this Toagate fiasco. Maoate would not have anyone tell him what to do and so bulldozed his idea into the Cabinet to approve. He got his way, and now he is preaching that he didn't do it. Wilkie may be a cunning bugger, but hey, he argued it out with Maoate to leave well alone but to no avail. I am no supporter of either of them. I feel they all should retire and let new blood come in. Star.

Revised: July 29 2010
URL: http://www.ck/tumunu.htm