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Aere ra, Sir Howard
Southern Express replaced with faster ship
One-off events not so good for tourism
Guides on big ei marathon!
Finsec back from abroad
Demo MPs pay up to clear the party debt
No new bugs
Mardi Gras idea for final party
ON THE STREET
Two Niue touch players in scrap
Ariki sends condolences
CI athlete expelled
Turtles pulling out
Games catering meals criticised
Alert sparks panic
Officials attempt to keep Turtles on
New party formed to put up fight
DPM has WHO role
Aere ra, Sir Howard
Thursday 24: Sir Howard Morrison has passed away – just days after leaving the shores of Rarotonga.
The New Zealand icon had spent nearly two weeks on holiday here, coinciding with the Maori King’s visit, before returning home on Sunday.
He died around 11am yesterday (Cook Islands time) in his birth town of Rotorua. He had a prior history of heart problems and died in his sleep at home.
His niece, the New Zealand High Commissioner’s wife, Theresa Barrett, says the news came as a shock to the family. She will be attending the tangi held in Ohinemutu. Barrett says the 74-year-old had been frail for a long time and had suffered two falls during his stay.
“It’s not uncommon for him to fall because of his low blood pressure,” she says.
“He had a long fall on Saturday where he bruised his arm and on Sunday he caught his foot on the step into the dining room.”
Sir Howard was taken to the hospital for a check-over before going to the airport and underwent a clearance x-ray to be given the all the green light to fly.
“When he flew out he was fine, he met up with everyone and the (Maori) King at the Aquarius and had an x-ray being so frail but he was able to fly back.”
Sir Howard gave one of his final interviews to the Cook Islands News last week. He said that his main purpose of being in Rarotonga was to rest after having two complications with his hip this year.
“I’m not used to restriction,” he said.
Sir Howard was on holiday with his wife Lady Kuia, his daughter Donna Grant and her kapa haka team along with his son Howard Jnr, his wife and their baby.
He was given a formal reception at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s residence at Ngatipa having been a frequent and much loved visitor to the Cook Islands.
“I’ve been away far too long, this place is like a candle that never goes out,” he said.
Barrett said he and his family had a fantastic time in Rarotonga.
“He said it was awesome, he got to see everyone, he was in his element it was like coming home,” she said.
“He couldn’t have wished for a more wonderful occasion.”
During his many visits here the international entertainer was made a permanent resident, promoted AIDS awareness by performing in front of thousands at Constitution Park and was made an honorary Cook Islands tourist and cultural ambassador.
“It’s a labour of love between us (Cook Islands), there’s no guessing where we stand. I am them and they are me,” he said.
He was knighted in 1990 for services in entertainment and has become one of New Zealand’s most famous television and concert performers spending more than 50 years in the public eye.
Deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Moate issued a statement yesterday.
He said the passing of Sir Howard will be felt with deep sadness by the people of the Cook Islands, so many of whom the late entertainer befriended.
Speaking from overseas, Sir Terepai said he was a friend and adopted son of the Cook Islands.
“We are fortunate to have been able to have recently welcomed and hosted Sir Howard and his family home for a visit,” Sir Terepai says.
“Sir Howard was a rangatira in every sense of the word, a son of Polynesia whose friendship, gift of entertaining and showmanship we will all miss very much.
“We extend our aroa and condolences to Sir Howard’s family at this very sad time for us all.”
The New Zealand High Commission office has set up a condolence book from today for the public to write messages in. It will be available for a limited time.
Cook Islands News will be publishing a feature obituary of Sir Howard in Saturday’s edition. - DK
Southern Express replaced with faster ship
Thursday 24: The Southern Express will be replaced by the faster Thor Pacific from this month onwards after Reef Shipping announced it will dry dock the Express in Singapore for several months.
The Thor Pacific travels 2-3 knots faster than the Express and so her turnaround time will be every 18-19 days – much quicker than the usual 23 day turnaround.
Reef Shipping says the Thor Pacific has a similar capacity to the Southern Express and has a service speed of 12 knots. This decreases the current Auckland to Rarotonga time from nine to seven days.
The Thor Pacific is due to arrive in Rarotonga on Saturday.
According to agents Davem Worldwide in Auckland, the Thor Pacific scheduled arrivals in Auckland will clash with Forum Avarua for the next couple of voyages.
Davem Worldwide is closing off freight orders for the Thor Pacific voyage 123 next Wednesday. That voyage is scheduled to arrive in Rarotonga on October 16 and to Atutaki on October 19. - HG
One-off events not so good for tourism
Friday 25: Cook Islands Tourism CEO John Dean says events like the Pacific Mini Games can be used to promote sports tourism in future, but he points to annual events as the key to tapping into this new industry.
“One-off major events can cost more and have marginal benefit,” he says.
Dean believes annual sporting events such as the Vaka Eiva paddling festival can be great sports tourism events of the future. He says the reasoning behind this is that these bring in more numbers and higher returns for the economy.
While the Mini Games has drawn anywhere from 1000 to 2000 people to Rarotonga this month, not many of them are staying in hotels and making a typical tourist spend on the island.
Team Fiji revealed this week it had brought many of its consumables, even bottled water, with them to avoid paying higher prices in Rarotonga.
One could argue that with teams on tight budgets staying in athletes villages at local schools, there won’t be a significant impact on revenues to the economy.
Dean says Vaka Eiva, for example, is this year attracting around 1000 competitors and supporters, a rapid growth in numbers since the first festival in 2004.
Most of these visitors will stay in hotels and other commercial accommodation and are already being labelled big spenders.
Dean believes the Cooks has the potential to grow sports tourism and put more into marketing annual sporting events. Sports tourism involves those who travel to compete, those who travel to take part in leisure sports as well as supporters and spectators.
CI Tourism hopes now that Rarotonga has new facilities such as the Telecom Sports Arena, it can introduce new sports tourism events to draw even more visitors to our shores. - HG
Guides on big ei marathon!
Friday 25: Every medallist at the Pacific Mini Games will receive a head ei – one of more than a thousand made by the Girl Guides of the Cook Islands.
This picture shows Lilyana Mataroa, Taine Napa,
Simone Nicholas and Paura Tamarangi doing their bit to keep up with demand.
Mamas and the young alike have been busy all week sewing ei at Tereora College and storing them in a mobile freezer. Enough are needed for the top three athletes in each event with the flowers provided by the six guide companies around the island.
The girls have also been chosen to assist with the medal presentations. Thirty-six girls are taking part along with their fellow guides in Aitutaki who will help out during the sailing medal ceremony. – DK
Finsec back from abroad
Friday 25: Financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti has recently returned from London and the Isle of Man where he undertook the two-week programme on small country financial management at Oxford University.
Ivaiti has been out of the country for several weeks, first attending a global forum on transparency and exchange of information in Mexico with MFEM treasurer Andrew Haigh.
He then went on to the Oxford programme with 26 other small country representatives in the Isle of Man and London.
The Mexico forum was used as an opportunity for the Cooks to reach its target of a dozen Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs) with other countries by the end of the year.
Ivaiti managed to initial six of these agreements with Mexico, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Korea, and Ireland. A further TIEA has been fully signed by the Netherlands and only needs formal signature by government.
The country made its first such agreement with New Zealand earlier this year and is working on one with Australia as well as another three.
Ivaiti says he and finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate may visit Australia to sign off on the TIEA next month.
“The agreements are crucial for the offshore industry,” he says.
He explains the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) wants its member countries to have at least a dozen TIEAs each before they can receive the benefits of favourable membership.
Ivaiti says the Oxford University programme was well worth applying for and taking part in.
Most of the programme was funded by the government of the Isle of Man. Ivaiti was one of about six Pacific finance officials chosen to take part in the programme on September 7-18.
Now he is the Pacific representative on a new board that will look at growing the programme so that more people in the region can benefit.
Ivaiti says while he’s been gone for a while, he never loses sight of his role as head of MFEM.
Right now Ivaiti is focusing on more unexpected government expenditure such as the proposed second charter of Tahiti Nui, and at the same time keeping in mind the uncertain times for the economy.- Helen Greig
Demo MPs pay up to clear the party debt
Friday 25: The Democratic Party has managed to reduce outstanding debts by over $66,000 over the past two years.
According to the treasurer’s report which was tabled at last week’s one-day conference, the party owed $79,016.56 to local businesses on Rarotonga – some of whom had issued legal recovery proceedings including to wind up the party.
And the caucus members have come to the fore, with ministers advancing $100 of their pay packets each fortnight, and ordinary MPs giving $50 – up from $25 – to the party.
This has been in place since March 18 this year.
The party raised nearly $95,000 in the two years to July 31 this year, with caucus members being responsible for just over half the income made.
At July 31, the party had a total debt of $19,633.95, with $12,607.54 being owed to ANZ Bank.
“The financial period being reported has been challenging especially the long outstanding overdue debts, no previous historical financial reports available, lack of commitment by puna committees to support the monster raffle and other fundraising efforts,” said general treasurer Nooroa (Bim) Tou in his report.
“The general elections is due in 2010 and a budget of no less than $150,000 is necessary to assist our election expenses and ensuring that we are the next government after the election,” Tou added. - Moana Moeka’a
No new bugs
Saturday 26: The ministry of health has given the all clear to 22 people, members of two Pacific Mini Games teams, affected by mild gastroenteritis (stomach bug) earlier this week.
No new cases of the bug have been reported after the games health team carried out the investigation.
Most of the cases had been athletes who quickly got over the bug but they did have symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting.
Health officials believe the cases were not caused by food or water after interviewing each person who was stricken by the stomach bug.
Director of community health services Dr Aumea Herman, a leading member of the games health team, says it’s most likely the bug was brought into the country by one or some of the visitors.
Herman says the bug was mild and all those who had it were over it within a day.
Gastroenteritis is very infectious and easily spreads between people.
The ministry is still warning that people who develop symptoms should seek medical attention at the Health Centre located at the main operating centre at Tereora College. Opening hours for the ‘Poly Clinic’ are 8am to 8pm.
Helen Greig
Mardi Gras idea for final party
Saturday 26: Entertainer wants to end Pacific Mini Games in style
When local entertainer Kathy Brown learned there was no wrap up party for the two week Pacific Mini Games, she created her own – the Mardi Gras on the closing night.
The celebration for the closing of the 2009 games will be held next Friday from 6pm onwards at Te Atukura grounds beside the Telecom Cook Islands building in town.
Brown says it’s about bringing all the games countries together for one final night when they can all let their hair down and enjoy entertainment from locals and from teams.
“We all know how prominent our culture, singing and music is in the region – so they are not only going to be there to watch us perform – we’ll all be watching each other.”
Brown says the large number of entertainers for the evening all agreed to take part to support their countries in one last games night of great performances.
“The theme of the games is ‘share the moments’ so with the Mardi Gras they will really leave here remembering the moments,” says Brown.
She says some of the games teams will have surprise performances from their own dancing and singing stars but Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, PNG, New Caledonia, Solomons, Vanuatu and Tokelau have all confirmed they will be special guest groups.
There will be fire dancing, local imitating idols singers, the reggae rock band Tropicana, Miss Cook Islands Engara Gosselin, singer Ephrama Taukea and a cultural dance performance by Te Maeva Nui festival winners Nikao.
Brown herself is one of ten local artists who will imitate singing idols – she will be Shania Twain for a night.
Plenty of food stalls will be selling all kinds of local fare on the night.
Brown says the stalls are a great opportunity for sports codes to raise funds.
Wear your favourite country colours or dress up for some great spot prizes.
Door prizes are also up for grabs at the Mardi Gras. Be in to win a bottle of your favourite bubbly, a dinner for two voucher or even a weekend for two at a local resort.
Tickets for the night are $10 each and are selling now at Super Brown, Convenience Store, Moana Gems and Ngatipa Store.
For more information on the Mardi Gras celebration, call Kathy on 79669. - Helen Greig
ON THE STREET
Saturday 26: What have you enjoyed so far during the Pacific Mini Games?
Vaiuli Amoe
Nauru
The opening ceremony, it’s where we meet everyone and where we get to know the other nations.
Leon Mengloi
Palau
Meeting old friends and making new ones.
Tekooki Teieka
Kiribati
Being in a new country.
Ann Beaufils
New Caledonia
The friendship between the athletes and the support from the public especially the Cook Islands school children.
Sylia Taafalei Tevao
Tuvalu
The opening ceremony. We got to see all the different cultural costumes and the lighting of the fire.
Milika Munivai
Fiji
I was here during the World netball and I am touched to see all the facilities completed and the great security of the games.
Bobbi Brown
New Zealand
There’s been a lot of good sportsmanship.
Michel Ferrand
Tahiti
Opening ceremony was very good, I’ve followed the Pacific games since 1966. I also know Rarotonga is very good for hospitality.
Two Niue touch players in scrap
Monday 28: Two members of the Niue team were expelled from their village and chastised for bad behaviour at the weekend.
Apparently the pair of touch rugby players got into a physical altercation at Avarua School where their team is staying after a drinking session following their game on Friday.
Police say they had returned to their accommodation around 3.10am on Saturday when an argument began.
They were removed from the grounds and taken to the station but no charges were laid.
Inspector Tere Patia says they were expelled from the village and they are now staying privately, while waiting for their team to travel back to New Zealand.
On Saturday around 6.30pm, a local woman in her 30s ignored security’s refusal of entry and entered the out of bounds area by driving up to the main entrance of Tereora College. Neither she nor the bike had accreditation.
She was escorted out by security but the officer noticed she was under the influence of alcohol. He contacted the police who stopped her further down from the college. Police say they transported her back to the headquarters and she was tested returning a positive excess breath alcohol reading. She was charged and will appear in court tomorrow.
At around 11.30pm on Saturday, police were alerted by Rehab Nightclub staff that a member of the Palau team had fallen asleep in their premises. He was assisted by police back to his accommodation at Rutaki School. - Dana Kinita
Ariki sends condolences
Monday 28: House of Ariki president Tou Travel Ariki says he and the aronga mana are saddened at news of the death of New Zealand personality Sir Howard Morrison last week.
Tou Ariki said that he and the aronga mana had met with Sir Howard when the House of Ariki hosted the Maori King Tuheitia Paki on his recent trip. He said on behalf of the aronga mana in the Cook Islands, he would like to offer his condolences to Sir Howard’s wife and family on this great loss.
On another note, Tou Ariki said the aronga mana would like to offer their thanks to government and the organisers of the Pacific Mini Games for being acknowledged during last Monday’s opening ceremony programme.
Despite all the problems leading up to these games, Tou Ariki said that the country has shown that it is able to host these games.
He offered his congratulations to all those who have won medals, as well as those who have not.
Tou Ariki added that the main objective of these games is to bring the Pacific Islands together through sports.- Moana Moeka’a
CI athlete expelled
Monday 28: ‘Family’s reputation’ given as reason for not identifying man
A Cook Islands athlete has been expelled from the team after assault charges were laid against him on Friday.
Police inspector Tere Patia says there was a confrontation between him and two college-age security volunteers on Friday evening around 6 o’clock.
The athlete, believed to be in his 20s, was attempting to gain access to the BCI stadium with his girlfriend who had no accreditation.
It was after the security volunteers refused her that the alleged altercation took place.
Police say he was expelled from Team Cook Islands as he had breached the rules of the games with his alleged offending.
However, information over his identity was withheld.
Patia refused to release the athlete’s name stating he wanted to avoid “damage to the family’s reputation”.
Police commissioner Maara Tetava said yesterday that the man may have appeared in court on Saturday and he could not confirm if the man received name suppression.
The commissioner said further details would be released today.
The ousted athlete was arrested and charged with two counts of common assault and is due to appear in court this week.
Several calls to the team’s chef de mission George George for an explanation were unanswered.
Police say both security volunteers involved sustained minor injuries and this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.
“That’s why we took firm action,” Patia says. “We view this matter seriously and this assault is seen like an assault on a police officer. “These people were doing their jobs and trying to enforce the rules.” - Dana Kinita
Turtles pulling out
Disgruntled sponsor says VIPs ‘stole the limelight’
Tuesday 29: Turtles, official merchandiser and one of the major sponsors of the Pacific Mini Games and Team Cook Islands, has decided to quit its ties with sports sponsorship.
Owners Chris and Nana McKinley are still smarting after being sidelined at the golf medal presentation for the Cook Islands athletes last Friday.
They will stick with the Games until Friday, and then withdraw sponsorship of sport in the Cook Islands.
Chris McKinley says it was insulting but predictable to have VIPs turn up to steal the limelight when he had pre-arranged that Turtles would present the medals at the golf ceremony.
They had been assured, as sponsors of the code of golf in particular, that they would present the medals, but in a last minute change, CISNOC president Sir Geoffrey Henry and Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan, were asked to make the presentation.
The McKinleys just walked out of the golf club disgusted at what happened – and now are threatening to stop all sponsorship of sport.
Turtles say they have put $200,000 worth of sponsorship behind the games, one of just two private sector companies to have such a large contribution – the other being retail and wholesale giant CITC.
Sir Geoffrey says he met with the head of the games marketing team Tui Short yesterday about the threat of one of its large sponsors pulling out.
He says they agreed he approach Chris McKinley for a meeting to talk about the issue, and he had tried twice to contact him unsuccessfully yesterday.
“I believe Chris has his heart in the right place. He loves his sport, he’s passionate about it and has always been a strong supporter of sport here,” says Sir Geoffrey.
McKinley, a former national golf representative, has written a statement saying the medal presentation incident was the last straw for Turtles which had already experienced problems during its sponsorship of the World Youth Netball Championships.
He says while they walked away from those issues not wanting to cause a fuss, the latest ‘bad treatment’ during the Mini Games is good reason to end its association with the event.
Sir Geoffrey says he was unaware of what had gone wrong at the golf club until much later and believes it is unfortunate that it happened to the McKinleys.
“I think everybody regrets what happened. It’s very sad that it did happen the way it did. I understand the disappointment he (Chris) feels and I feel for him,” he says.
And Sir Geoffrey says he was surprised at being asked to present the medals when he went there to celebrate with the winning team.
“Turtles have played a very important part in the WYNC and now in the Mini Games. It has put a lot of effort into its sponsorship which has truly been appreciated by everyone.”
He says McKinley went to the extent of personalising special shirts for the golf players and deserved better treatment from the games organisers.
Sir Geoffrey plans to attempt a meeting with McKinley today before he leaves for an International Olympic Committee meeting this afternoon.
McKinley yesterday said that on Friday Turtles may have a new logo – “Turtles – we don’t care, anymore” – to reflect what he sees is the attitude of games organisers towards sponsors.
Conspicuous by its absence, Turtles signage at the BCI stadium had already been removed yesterday.
There have been ongoing problems with conflicts of brands and sponsorship contracts ever since they were first presented by sponsorship contractors Karla Eggelton and Nick Henry, and Tui Short has had to resolve numerous complaints and issues with delivery of contract obligations.- Helen Greig
Games catering meals criticised
Tuesday 29: Lack of protein and small portion sizes draw complaints
The caterers of the Pacific Mini Games have come under scrutiny as complaints have been laid with the games chief executive.
The grievances are over the amount of food, the need for variation and the lateness of meals arriving to venues.
Athletes speaking to the Cook Islands News yesterday said there was room for improvement with many not satisfied with the quality.
“It sucks,” Samoan weightlifter Jonathan Yoshida said. “It’s enough food because we can go back for seconds, but it’s the quality.”
Yoshida says he and his team mates were needing protein like red meat but they were only receiving either fish or chicken.
“We’ve just finished training and went to the dining hall and there was only a sandwich and muffin for lunch, that’s not enough so we’ve decided to go look for some more food.”
Yesterday’s lunch consisted of a ham, feta cheese and capsicum panini, small fruit salad, small bread roll, juice, muffin and a small orange juice.
Narau athletic team member Joseph Dabana says more basic food is needed.
“There’s no rice, that’s what we mainly eat during lunch,” he says. “We eat rice in the afternoon and a big serving of meat at night.”
Vanuatu athlete Andrew Mailtorok says the meals are adequate for his tennis team but he has heard complaints from their rugby players.
“They’ve been saying it’s not enough for them, there’s not a lot in the lunches.”
Pacific Games chief executive Mac Mokoroa says he talked to caterers PMG 2009, a subsidiary group of Trader Jacks. They are responsible for the 5000 meals of breakfast and dinner each day.
“There’s an adequate supply because there’s second rounds of food. The complaints have mainly been from the weightlifting and oe vaka as these are the people who require extra.
“We had agreed on a menu and emphasised the need for variety as to one of the complaints,” Mokoroa says. “They’ve said they’ve been provided fish after fish so we’ve asked to vary the menu.”
Other criticism included the lack of traditional food and the hosting villages being able to provide better.
In December a question of interest was issued for those wanting to host the catering but no community groups came forward, Mokoroa says.
Mokoroa says he had his first catering meeting in March where all the restaurants, cafés and hotels discussed who was best to accommodate the catering.
“In that meeting it was agreed that Jack Cooper and LSG had the catering facility to cater for the Mini Games.
“We’re very fortunate to have these two companies, in every area we will always have some complaints but we’re happy with the catering they’re doing.”
However, not all teams had a problem.
“We haven’t bought any of our own food, we just eat at the cafe (dining hall),” says Kenny Raklei of the Palau team. “We’re flexible, we’re Micronesian.”
Chief de mission for Fiji, Patrick Bower, says he hasn’t heard any complaints from his team and no extra food was needed. He says the only “hiccups” team Fiji had was lunch meals not turning up to the field of play or meals collected at the dining hall not on time.
Both issues have been sorted out and they realise the logistics and were extremely appreciative of the catering.
He says there were huge amounts of food when the community held a dinner on Sunday night. - DK
Alert sparks panic
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Wednesday 30: Offices and shops closed and many people took refuge on Sanitorium hill after tsunami warnings were issued yesterday morning.
The alerts came after an earthquake struck the south-west coast of Pago Pago, America Samoa, around 8.04am.
The quake had a magnitude of 8.3 on the Richter scale and had a focal depth of 33 kilometres. A tsunami was recorded with wave heights reaching 1.57 metres. There have been unconfirmed reports of about 19 people killed in America Samoa.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, based in Hawaii, started issuing warnings from around 8.44am. The alert cancellation was made at 11.36am.
During those three hours, shops were closed with some boarding up their windows, offices shut and around 200 people headed to hospital hill for safety.Cars lined the road down from the hospital and people were either sitting in cars or lazing on the grass watching the horizon. Resorts had dropped their guests off in van loads while a few locals had the foresight to pack household items.
While some took to the hills, others wanted to be closer to the action.
Hundreds flocked to the harbours of Avarua and Avatiu to watch the water being dragged out to sea.
Panic seemed to escalate after Radio Cook Islands host Moana Vaevae reported live from Avatiu Harbour that she was “getting the hell out of there”. She was also heard telling people along the way she was collecting her kids and their belongings.
Police commissioner Maara Tetava, who is in charge of disaster management control, says after receiving the first bulletin a series of phone calls was made to Pukpapuka, Penhryn and Palmerston as they were listed as being in the path of the tsunami.
“The report from Pukapuka was that nothing happened. No change there or of the sea changing.”
A full briefing was then held between the Emergency Management of Cook Islands, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff and the police control team.
It was around 9.23am that a decision was made to alert the public by informing cabinet, radio, television and advising international media.
“At that time there had not been any impact at all from the outer islands, my advice at the time was to go to the media and tell everyone that business is as normal and we will be in constant contact with EMCI and the meteorological service,” Tetava said.
Criticism was made that there was not enough public awareness. Tetava says he takes full responsibility for that.
He says the outer islands were made the main priority and there have been lessons learnt through yesterday’s events.
William Tuivaga of Emergency Management Cook Islands says their phones were ringing constantly with inquiries.
He commended those people who sought information from credible authorities and didn’t listen to the “coconut wireless”.
“There was unnecessary panic spread throughout the community,” Tuivaga says.
He says the advisory bulletins are handed out as a watch, an alert and finally a warning with the Cook Islands never received a warning from the PTWC.
Tuivaga says a statement was made on radio to stay away from the beaches and he was disappointed to see many doing the exact opposite. - DK
‘Coconut wireless’ sparks alert, >> more stories and photos
Officials attempt to keep Turtles on
Wednesday 30: Attempts have been made by Pacific Mini Games organisers to keep Turtles on as a sponsor for sport in the Cook Islands.
Turtles owner Chris McKinley announced on Monday he’d had enough after VIPs ‘stole the limelight’ at the golf medals ceremony and will withdraw his sponsorship of sport as of Friday.
Golf officials claim they are still in the dark over the incident at the medal presentation at the golf club that caused Turtles to walk out.
Golf club president George Hosking said he believed an investigation was going on into how the McKinleys missed out on presenting the medals when officials invited CISNOC president Sir Geoffrey Henry and Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan to do the presentation instead.
Hosking says he won’t comment on the incident that has caused the official merchandiser to withdraw from sports sponsorship until the outcome of that investigation is known.
Competition manager Chris Foster says he has no idea how the incident occurred and won’t comment on it.
Meanwhile sailing officials are flying Chris and Nana McKinley to Aitutaki today to put them up in a resort for the night to show their appreciation of sponsorship of the sport during the games.
Sir Geoffrey Henry told CINews yesterday that he had spoken briefly to McKinley at the BCI Stadium yesterday and was due to meet him again some time next week. It is understood Sir Geoffrey and CISNOC secretary general Rosie Blake have been apologetic in their exchange with McKinley and are hoping to resolve the situation.
Sir Geoffrey and Blake were due to depart Rarotonga yesterday on a fully funded International Olympic Committee trip to Copenhagen but have stayed on until today following the loss of a passport. - HG
New party formed to put up fight
Wednesday 30: A meeting was held in Rarotonga yesterday for more talks on a new political party formed in Aitutaki earlier this year.
Te Kura O Te Au is the name of the party which already has an executive set up in Aitutaki and is aiming to get support from potential 2010 election candidates in Rarotonga and the outer islands.
It is understood the party name has already been registered in Rarotonga.
Names associated with the party include former Aitutaki island secretary Taraota Tom, John Tini Snr, and Katapu Natua.
The members of the party seem to be the same members of the Aitutaki Democratic Party who threatened to leave it last year during a protest over Sunday flights to the island.
One person at the meeting yesterday said the party is already garnering support in Rarotonga, but they are still in the planning stages of how they will contest the next election. - HG
DPM has WHO role
Wednesday 30: Deputy prime minister and minister of health Sir Terepai Maoate has been appointed vice-president of the WHO Pacific Region.
Sir Terepai’s nomination was made at the recent the 60th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific held in Hong Kong this month.
The new post will come into effect at the next major regional WHO meeting to be held in Manila next year. - DPM Office
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