Sunday flights and all that
Where was the anger?
Same talk, same vision
Cook Islanders deserve better
Smart money on the rebels
Out with the old and in with the new
It takes one to know one
No witches to hunt for
Just get over it sir!
Superannuation fund or national super tax?
Getting to the bottom of it
Sunday flights and all that
Thu
31 Dec
Dear Editor,
The protest against government for approving the flight scheme highlights several crucial elements that seems to have escaped the media from day one.
Those who endorsed the Sunday flight scheme should think twice. Although the message coming across to us appears to be an issue about Sunday, the campaign was always intended to draw attention to the rise of capitalist ideology, and the culpability of our political system when it comes to wealth and money making schemes.
Previously, the government argued that Air Rarotonga didn’t require official sanction to commence operations on Sundays because, in their words, that ‘right’ was already available to the flight operator to use. Given that this is their understanding, why take the extraordinary step to subdue Aitutaki’s protest, and their legitimate right to do so? What was the government and Ewan Smith’s rationale for the additional Sunday flight? Are they suggesting that Aitutaki will be a better and different island than before if they were to operate on Sunday?
The government, in my view, lost its credibility first, for siding with a decision so hastily, that then gave very blunt details about what economic benefits will be gained by Aitutaki. At the same time, they ignored public sentiment over the ‘Sunday’ issue, that raised curiosity, suspicion and anger. If the government’s impression is such that discretion was already available to Ewan Smith to fly on Sundays, then it had a poor record substantiating this discretion in the first place.
Nonetheless, on the strength of the protest that asked for Sunday flights to be banned, one would assume, that government would reconsider its decision carefully. This given that the protest in Aitutaki was significant, not small. Instead, they resorted to conducting acts of treason by exploiting the media to trivialise Aitutaki’s campaign effort at every opportunity.
Yet, Aitutaki’s protest was not about flight figures or the revenue Ewan Smith was expected to generate, which were the key selling points the government tried unsuccessfully to lure public sympathy to its side. The campaign simply ask that no flights operate on Sundays, and the protesters have made their points clearly during minister Rasmussen’s visit in March this year. The minister’s visit, by the way, was always intended to shut down the protest, not to find a compromise.
This debate was never intended for us to spend months and months reinterpreting and deciphering the meaning of Sunday or its associated religious values. But that is precisely what politicians want the media to focus on. And this, they succeeded because so many in the public got carried away with that single debate. Apart from the few politicians venting their anger via the media, thanks also to their army of ‘invisible writers’ (so called by former PM Sir Geoffrey Henry) who filled up the editorial columns in support of government position. Now we will never know who they are.
Meanwhile we lost a quantum of valuable time and opportunity to discuss the social and cultural issues affecting families in Aitutaki, or the deeper cultural thinking the protesters had been embarking on for nearly two years.
For Ewan Smith and the government, their reasons for endorsing the additional flight lacked the compelling economic impetus required to validate their argument. To suggest that the additional flights will boost Aitutaki’s economy or the nation’s employment forecast, is an old recycled cliche that should be restricted to the dust bin. For too long, this is precisely the kind of rubbish government wants to ditch in our front lawn. “More tourism numbers, the better”, they wrote. For who?
Only recently, we read from Cook Islands News some worrying trend of people leaving the country, possibly for good.
This debate is indeed very disturbing. The government appears to come across as a new bureaucracy suspiciously dictatorial in tone. Our political institution is supposed to represent democracy and the principles thereof. Year in, year out, we keep pushing the same tune about increased tourism and ‘the economic benefits’ it will bring to our country.
Yet we rarely discuss tourism results and outcomes and its destructive effects on our social and cultural life, and in the way it is affecting families and children. Who will speak for them?
John Uri
Australia
Air Rarotonga’s managing director Ewan Smith replies: Sunday flights have improved access to Aitutaki significantly for both visitors and local residents. Weekend occupancy statistics at the island’s hotels are compelling evidence that more jobs and stability of employment are the result despite economically challenging times. From a social perspective, there have been a number of instances in the past year where families have been able to attend bereavements via commercial flights on Sundays, and several medical emergencies have been avoided.
Where was the anger?
Thu
31 Dec
Dear Editor
Member of the opposition from Aitutaki Teina Bishop managed to grab a headline by accusing the prime minister of causing instability.
This was surely a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Who was it four years ago who abandoned a coalition government to incite a failed coup? There’s nothing wrong with the opposition opposing, it’s their job.
But, where have Bishop, Puna and Marsters been while an arrogant minister of finance and his head-swollen secretary of finance borrowed and sent government into near-bankruptcy.
When those two took the money helm, we had $30 million in reserves and minimal debt, now they borrow to meet the payroll with towering debt obligations.
How could they have forgotten the bitter experiences of 1995 and 1996, the last time government went broke?
That we have been heading towards a repetition of those black days, has been common knowledge outside the halls of power. So surely the trend has been equally apparent in the opposition offices.
Some say that acquiescence has been deliberate since Bishop and Marsters have yearned to return to a coalition Cabinet, hence chose not to rock the canoe. Credit then goes to independent Rasmussen who raised this complaint while still in cabinet, but was sacked for not quietly accepting a disastrous financial course.
Now Bishop vents his anger at the PM for causing “instability”, which may or may not be the case. Where was that anger when we needed it? Of course, we won’t know how bad things are until a new finance minister is named by mid-January and Swollen is replaced by a competent person.
When that day comes, only Rasmussen has the right to accuse because all other leaders in government and in opposition gave their consent by their silence.
Riri
(Name and address supplied)
Same talk, same vision
Thu
31 Dec
Dear Editor,
Re Koutu Nui Community Visioning project.
And the visioning still goes on after many years of talking about the same issues of good governance, social, environment, economic and culture.
It’s time now to move on to more creative and active thinking.
The current political turmoil, the increase in crime, and the downturn in the economy -- is this the outcome of years of visioning? And culture – what culture? Face it we’ve lost it, except for dancing copied from the Tahitians. Who wants to speak the reo?
Drinking is the new culture! Texting is the in-thing -- no longer the one-to-one conversation.
Sports is the national culture. Youngsters no longer want to do work at home and help mum and dad. Sports end up with a drinking bash after.
C’mon sports leaders, cops, bar owners, own up, you are not doing your bit to help.
Underage teens are still flocking to your drinking holes, spoiling our grownups’ night out.
Finally on the environment. God didn’t create junk but a beautiful place for man to live in.
Zip up
(Name and address supplied)
Cook Islanders deserve better
Sat
2 Jan
Dear Editor,
As an ex-pat watching this mess unfold with the Cook Islands government, it strikes me how incredibly ridiculous this whole affair is.
It’s blatantly obvious how diabolical the circumstances were that led to Sir Terepai Maoate’s sacking.
Yet three ministers resign in support of somebody that has fundamentally betrayed his duty of office. Furthermore you have a party that has come charging to Maoate’s defence with reckless abandon.
How on earth can these people believe that they are fit for public office when yet again one of their members has purged the tax payer of an enormous amount of money?
The sad part of course is that our beloved people of the Cooks will be forever in debt paying this $1.75M off plus oh, the Chinese soft loans, huh!
The PM for his part has shown a glimmer of courage in demanding Maoate’s head however one must question his judgement and silence when this whole stupid business started. He surely is also implicit in the Toa saga as PM!
The population drain will continue no doubt as the youth seek greener fields in New Zealand and Australia, and who can blame them. Time and time again the politicians have nothing but self-interest as priority, it’s bloody disgraceful!
How can you possibly attract your children back to the Cooks when year after the year all we read about is the same old rubbish?
Reform and get new blood in with innovative ideas that will lead our country into a new dawn of transparency, integrity and good governance.
People of our beloved islands, it’s time to wake up and demand accountability.
Vote with your head and vote wisely!
In the words of George Bernard Shaw: ‘People deserve the Government they get’.
You deserve better
Disillusioned Cookie
(Name and address supplied)
Smart money on the rebels
Sat
2 Jan
Dear Editor,
At the top of Wednesday’s front page, minister Wilkie Rasmussen said that the Marurai government, Sir Terepai Maoate and the Democratic Party will try to resolve their differences.
At the bottom of the same page, the Democratic Party withdrew its support of the Marurai government.
Cook Islands News helpfully noted that these are contradictory and further that all five members of the new cabinet appear to be now excluded from the Demo club.
Let’s see -- that seems to leave us 10 party stalwarts, nine opposition-independent observers and five rebels in cabinet.
With the Demo numbers shrinking like snowballs in the sun, the opposition pleading vainly for a snap election and the rebels content with their legally-secure status, the smart money is on the rebels staying in power for six or seven months.
Will Sir Terepai’s proposed meetings bring about reconciliation within the Demos before September?
It seems unlikely, whereas a September 2010 coalition suddenly has legs.
Crystal ball
(Name and address supplied)
Out with the old and in with the new
Sat
2 Jan
Dear Editor,
Had some thick-headed politicians observed my letters to the editor concerning the Vaimaanga debacle some years ago, we wouldn’t have been in such chaos nowadays.
Those letters were for the government to stay clear of any business dealings. No, my pleas were ignored and now it has turned around to bite the hard-working taxpayers once again. How sad.
Some of these politicians have been in parliament for some time now and it is time for them to walk the highway of retirement.
I also blame past Cook Islands Party administrations (yes, I am a CIP supporter) who have been involved in mismanagement previously. And yes, we the voters should also be blamed for putting the same people back into parliament.
Mind you, there are some up-and-coming politicians in both camps who can deal with our economic problems. But their mouths have been controlled by these so-called old rookies.
I challenge these old guys to step down and give way to the younger generation.
Some people say that we should change our political structure which we embrace under the Westminster system. There is nothing wrong with the present system. The greatest problem is that the politicians are not listening to the voice of the people.
As I have mentioned previously, the number of seats need to be reduced in parliament because of the dwindling population. Also there should be a reduction in the number of public servants including the HoMs as there are far too many at the moment.
I urge our politicians to look at these problems urgently to help save thousands of dollars annually to support our weakening infrastructure.
I don’t really support the Mou Piri group to change our political system but then the group has its views. As far as political reform goes, we only have to look back to 1998.
The commission recommended a reduction in the number of public servants, that is all we need.
I am still waiting for any politician to challenge me live on TV concerning the economic crisis.
In the meantime, keep up the good news at Cook Islands News.
Happy new year.
Teariki Simiona
(Tamaiva Mataiapo)
Tupapa
It takes one to know one
Tue
5 Jan
Dear Editor,
A smoke signaller accused Wilkie Rasmussen of being a hypocrite because he called the PM naughty names the last time Wilkie was sacked for something. In fact, the
signaller called Wilkie the "biggest hypocrite ever in the Cook Islands".
You have to wonder if that smokie was sent by a tourist or by a local with amnesia.
Looking back, we have in fact elected a long line of world class deceivers and dissemblers. Remember when Sir Terepai was a CIP?
When Norman said he would never, ever join the CIPs? When Dr Joe Williams swore everlasting loyalty to Sir Geoffrey? When the PM promised he would serve for two years, then turn the job over to Sir Geoffrey.
No doubt readers have their own fond memories of greatest-political-hypocrite-I-have-known. Some might even make the Guinness Book of Records.
The point is that it takes one to know one, so Wilkie should be more circumspect in who he tags with the H-word hereafter.
Yell "hypocrite" when parliament is in session and the room will empty. Indeed, it
sometimes seems that hypocrisy, deceit, insincerity, and duplicity are merely tools of the trade.
Show me a conscientious, ethical, honourable, high-minded person and I'll show you someone who can't get elected.
But, who's fault is that?
Long memory
(Name and address supplied)
No witches to hunt for
Tue
5 Jan
Dear Editor,
With the recent happenings around the cabinet table I was amazed to read the press release of the now reinvented minister, Wilkie Rasmussen.
He said that "there will be absolutely no witch-hunt against Sir Terepai Maoate and senior public servants associated with him in the Toa Petroleum matter".
Why not, is my question? Clearly an individual who shall remain nameless (and is possibly brainless) and holds a ranking position at the ministry of finance and economic management needs to be held to account for either stepping outside his sphere of authority, or if that is not the case, demonstrating that you cannot run the finances of a small country on ego alone.
There must be some intellectual ability tempered with plain old common sense, which seems to be absent.
If I was that individual I would be very worried about now, as the "air cover" provided by good old uncle has now disappeared.
Politics is a fickle business.
Finally one thought - I believe that minister Wilkie’s press statement, there won't be a witch hunt as the hunters are not looking for witches.
However there may be a head hunt which will result in another hunt, a hunt for a new head of MFEM.
Uncle will want to get re-elected and there must be a
head roll to cleanse poor old uncle and who better to lose his head but the nephew as he has a few years up his sleeve to recover.
Here's hoping
(Name and address supplied)
Just get over it sir!
Tue
5 Jan
Dear Editor,
Sir Terepai Maoate, get over yourself and stop holding the country to ransom! You created a ‘patsy’ for your own political security, but didn’t expect anyone to call out enough! This is what happens when government decides to play a corporate game and try to be the ‘be all’ instead of doing what they were voted in to do.
Aunty Mau and Mr Vavia – what’s all this about resigning? That’s not what you were voted in for. Get back in there and finish your service to the people.
By walking out with Sir Terepai, you are saying that you agree with the $1.75 million loss. You know full well that he likes to hold the reigns.
But would you say the same if someone did that to your business, if your accountant stuffed up and lost $1.75M of your money? You would sack him, and take him to court and try and get that money back.
Sliding all the blame onto the prime minister shows even more lack of integrity and trustworthiness. Of the two sides, the New Zealand government only trust Jim Marurai because he stays neutral.
However, Jim you are in the frontline and apparently, the only fault you have that everyone comments on is your indulgence which tarnishes our credibility as a people able to manage ourselves.
Simple, make a New Year’s resolution. People, wouldn’t we be better off dropping the banana see-saw republic two-party system that has made us the laughing stock of the political world and split family and friends, and bring in a new system whereby we vote for independent men and women, the best person, who are able to serve our people?
Actually, we have 24 women who were voted as most capable so we don’t have to look far. After all you’ve entrusted your sons and daughters to them – yeah right, they’d soon bring out the kikau broom and get the job done!
Meanwhile, all you MPs, you were entrusted to your positions for only four years. So could you at least see the rest of your term through and focus on what is best for your people’s well-being?
Believe me, no one’s interested in party politics anymore or the self-serving mud slinging that goes with party politics. Just get on with your jobs!
Sir Terepai, I remember a time when you would drive your tractor down the main road of Ngatangiia and at the same time still honour your position as prime minister.
It showed humility.
Disappointed
(Name and address supplied)
Superannuation fund or national super tax?
Wed
6 Jan
Dear Editor,
I am so disgusted to finally receive my 2008 (one year later) Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund’s so called “retirement fund” statement last week to see that I had an investment loss deduction of 33.6 percent on my 2008 contribution plus another one percent deduction for insurance.
And to make things even juicier, I was only credited 39 percent of my total deductions.
So if you add it all up, I have in fact contributed 61 percent of my contribution to their mismanaged fund plus another 33.6 percent of what I contributed as an income loss, plus another one percent - a total of 75 percent of my contribution has been ‘taxed’ by this so-called superannuation fund.
Amazing! So I’m getting an insurance deduction for a negative return – more than even a tax deduction!
Honestly, at this rate, by the time I retire I would owe the CINSF so much money and the worst thing is that I am forced into joining the fund.
Wow, what a retirement fund. Only in the Cook Islands aye!
How about we just call it a Cook Islands national super tax?
Really concerned
(Name and address supplied)
CINSF chief executive Anne Herman responds: The figures represented in this letter concern me also as CINSF had recorded a 14.1 percent investment loss for 2008 year, not anywhere near a 33 percent figure.
I encourage members who require further clarification on their status reports to come in and seek assistance from CINSF staff. For 2008 many members will have been issued two documents as a result of delayed submissions to New Zealand after the town office fire. The first document is a statement representing contributions from the first half of 2008 and the second document is a supplementary letter which includes a balance figure of the remaining contributions for the year. 2008 was a difficult year for CINSF due to market volatility and the office fire, hence the investment loss and statement delay. It was also the first year that member insurance premiums were funded by members and not by government as in previous years. Insurance premium calculations are based on your gender, age and contribution levels. Your insurance ensures that your family are taken care of in the event of death before retirement and also assists with funeral expenses. 2009 market performance has been very good and members can expect statements to be delivered before 30 June 2010 with a positive return. The 2009 investment income will also be applied to the 2008 delayed submissions enabling member accounts to recover from the 2008 investment loss. To our concerned member, please come and see us and we will go through your calculations, contributions and insurance premiums with you in detail.
Getting to the bottom of it
Wed
6 Jan
Dear Editor,
Congratulations to Cook Islands News for the fantastic effort carried out by your small team of dedicated reporters late last year relating to the recent Northern group fishing venture that failed to live up to all its many promises.
Your excellent media coverage on this very dubious fishing venture both highlighted and exposed what appears to be a very secretive deal whereby only selected individuals would benefit from what is clearly a fisheries resource owned by the entire country.
Just as important, your series of exceptional articles that were published on this highly sensitive issue looks to have pressured Northern Fishing Cook Islands Ltd into forking up and paying the $560,000 owing to government for having 16 Taiwanese long-line vessels operating in the Northern group of the country for a year.
Now that Northern Fishing Cook Islands Ltd has paid up the fees that was rightly owing to the crown, can anyone in government explain why it took your newspaper and not our own marine resources ministry to expose this fisheries ‘deal’?
Can someone also explain how and why this very company was ever allowed to circumvent the normal processes for foreign fishing vessels that want to fish in our waters? What role or influence did the-then minister for fisheries Wilkie Rasmussen and his good mate the public service commissioner Navy Epati play in this entire fiasco?
Why was the Taiwanese fishing company made to deal through a local company rather than direct with the Crown? These are just a few questions which audit need to get to the bottom of during their investigation.
Much like the Toagate scandal, secretive deals which involve either politicians or government officials usually just benefit a very small minority of individuals at the great expense of the country.
Transparency
(Name and address supplied)
| 
