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General News

Week ending Wednesday, 29 September, 2010

Current events and entertainment in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.

Taxis agree to resolve differences
NZ sign language teacher here
Search for NZ manager ongoing
Tourism’s great potential
Women’s conference
Helping patients breathe easier
Support overwhelms Meyer
Six raise $7000
7s kicks-off
August visitor numbers up
Upgrades to island health care
We definitely had a ball!
All Sports funding bids close today
New lifesaving machine arrives
‘Dog man’ just doing his job
Crop thieves foil police
CIP manifesto due
Westpac warns: watch for scams and fraud
2 cameras and iPhone stolen
Crunching the numbers
Assault, burglary and drug charges dealt with
Raid questioned by businessman
No advance voting: Ngatangiia committee
The ‘green’ candidate:
New weight loss challenge
Pukapuka kids explore Picton Castle
CI chefs form new group
Aketa relocates
Medical records link for islands
Tahiti group elects board
Change of uniform for nurses
Tangi to run for second term
Glassie attends Nairobi meeting
Training upgrade for nurses
Telecom eyes cyclones
Tahiti changes
Fundraiser to support Meyer
Miss CI joins Edgewater
Stranger found watching Tikioki TV
Mind and body challenge
Taxis agree to resolve differences
NZ sign language teacher here
Search for NZ manager ongoing
Tourism’s great potential
Women’s conference
Helping patients breathe easier
Support overwhelms Meyer

A point of contention among taxi drivers has been parking spots. 10092428

Scrapping between rival taxi drivers over airport parking seems to have been resolved.

For months, Rarotonga Taxi Association (RTA) and Cook Islands Transport Inc (CITI) were up against a wall – the two competing associations were at odds and couldn’t seem to agree on issues such as airport parking.

Fast forward a series of meetings with each other and with Minister of Transport William ‘Smiley’ Heather, the airport authority and Cook Islands Tourism, and taxi owner-operators are at a much better place.

RTA and CITI are prepared to re-vamp Rarotonga’s taxi industry, and have agreed to cooperate and compromise in order to do so. At a meeting last week, both organisations confirmed their willingness to work together.

“We’ve unanimously decided that the only way forward is to work together,” RTA president Ivor Nicholas said.

He added that recent meetings with all 15 owner-operators on the island were “long overdue”.

One of the most important – and most contentious – issues has long been parking spaces at the airport.

“The number of tourists coming through has increased over the years and accordingly the number of taxis has also increased, but the problem is the parking spaces have not increased,” Nicholas said.

Four individual owner-operators were paying the airport authority for the rights to airport parking, and CITI was paying for another four.

Other owner-operators started to agitate for access to those spots – which are strategically located in the way of tourist traffic – but the paying taxis were reluctant to share.

Tere Taio, chief executive of Minister William Heather’s office, was present at earlier meetings and reported it was clear that “nobody was willing to budge”.

Last week, Heather told RTA and CITI that if they weren’t able to work out their differences, he would intervene.

“We don’t want to step on their toes – we just want to make sure everything is equal and fair,” Heather said.

Taio agreed: “We hope they work things out because that’s the last thing we want to do is get involved.”

Airport authority Joe Ngamata issued RTA and CITI an ultimatum – either work together, or the spots go to the highest bidder.

Owner-operators last Wednesday chose the former option at what Nicholas called a “very fruitful” meeting.

“We have to work together so we can all have a cut of the cake,” CITI president Celestine Maoate said.

The next step is to draft a timetable to dictate which taxi can use which parking spots, and when, and submit it to the airport authority. RTA and CITI are likely to switch off days.

“We have to share business evenly, otherwise the system won’t work,” Nicholas said. “(Parking) is one of the issues we have looked at very seriously so that everyone can benefit.”

Another issue on the agenda is establishing a ‘taxi booth’ at the airport arrivals lounge, at which passengers without pre-arranged transport can grab a cab.

Both RTA and CITI have indicated that are interested in setting up a booth.

Other issues of concern to Heather and Taio are standardising fares and uniforms, buying taxi meters, and establishing a body which will ensure that all taxis are following the rules.

At present, there is no supervisory body, and police are responsible for collecting drivers’ fees.

“Some have good ideas and some are driving around in gumboots and their babies are answering the phone,” Taio said. “They need to upgrade to a level on par with the rest of the world.”

Nicholas agreed that it’s time to address some of these issues, as taxis and tourism are so intricately linked.

“We’ve undertaken this review because (even though) we’re doing okay, there are taxi companies providing very good services and some that need to upgrade and pick it up, so we can all provide a service we can really be proud of,” Nicholas said. “Happy taxi drivers – happy passengers.”

• Rachel Reeves

Nirvana May. 10092809

Cookies Deaf Club, who are on a week-long sign language course at the University of the South Pacific. 10092810

For this year’s Deaf Awareness Week, the Cookies Deaf Club has brought in a teacher from New Zealand to help deaf Cook Islanders learn more sign language.

Nirvana May is from Christchurch and has 10 years experience as a sign language teacher, as well as being profoundly deaf.

She will be teaching every morning until Friday at the University of the South Pacific. In the afternoons the class plan to go on group activities such as walking in the conservation area and playing mini golf at Coco Putt – great opportunities to practice their new sign language skills.

Seventeen members of Cookies are on the course, which is designed to bring signing skills up to a level where deaf people can have detailed conversations with each other and with the people around them.

Five of the class are from Rarotonga, seven from Aitutaki, one from Atiu and one from Mitiaro.

Paul Ongoua, the treasurer and facilitator of the Cookies Deaf Dlub, said: “Most people know the basics of sign language, the alphabet, numbers and introductions. We hope that after this course people can go back to their islands and communicate with people who are deaf or hearing.”

Ongoua said that after the course members of the deaf club will be able to teach their family and friends the new signs.

May said that some of the people who were attending the class hadn’t learnt sign language as children, but had been restricted to communicating visually and through pictures.

“It’s never too late to learn. People can catch up very quickly.” May said.

“Sign language can bring deaf people together so that they can share their experiences. It’s so important that deaf people learn to sign.”

Ongoua wanted to thank the sponsors of the week of events, BCI and the Community Incentives Scheme.

• Nerys Case

Another round of interviews for Cook Islands Tourism’s (CIT) New Zealand manager took place on Monday.

The post has been vacant since Chris Ingram resigned in March and interviews were delayed until CIT’s new chief executive Carmel Beattie was in place.

The first round of interviews took place in June. An Australian was offered the role as a result.

“We had a terrific person who sadly was offered a job in Australia the day after we interviewed her and despite my cajoling she decided she wanted to return to Australia,” Beattie said.

“No other candidate at that time was suitable.”

Beattie said that Kelly Hansen, who is acting in the post, is being supported and has help from a young Cook Islander living in Auckland in the interim.

“Kelly is doing a great job and coping well. We have also streamlined processes for the overseas offices and all finances are now being handled here in head office which frees up the in-market teams to concentrate on their core roles.”

Hansen resigned from her post at the New Zealand office in July after running the office since Ingram’s departure, but withdrew her resignation after talks with Beattie.

CIT has said that they budgeted the going rate to recruit for to the post, and are unwilling to compromise on quality. However, Beattie was optimistic about the outcome of the recent interviews. “I think we are getting closer to making a decision.”

• Nerys Case

Tourism has significant potential to reduce poverty in the Pacific, international tourism industry experts say. Pacific tourism leaders are attending the Asia Pacific Workshop on Tourism Development and Poverty Reduction, in Sydney, Australia.

They have been told their industry has very significant potential to create jobs and business opportunities. This is particularly so for Pacific Islanders living in rural areas.

Fabrice Leclerq, from the Geneva-based International Trade Centre, says success is coming from looking in detail at every point along the tourism supply chain.

The idea is to find exactly where the best value is to be found for local communities. Leclerq says his organisation has found working with all-inclusive hotels and five-star hotels has the greatest potential to create jobs

“We should not think that either five-star hotels or all-inclusive hotels are necessarily bad for the community,” he told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat. “We’ve seen this in the Caribbean with Sandals (operator of the exclusive Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica) and also they often have much more capacity to employ or purchase local product and services than an average small hotelier.”

University of Tasmania Tourism Professor, Trevor Sofield agrees five-star hotels and hotels that aim to provide their customers with everything from accommodation, food, through to entertainment and activities are a fruitful area to work in.

While the International Trade Centre is concentrating on match-making communities with new hotel projects, Professor Sofield said many older existing hotels can be encouraged to buy and employ locally.

• Radio Australia

Women’s organisations from vaka Te-Au-O-Tonga are being called to a meeting this week to discuss the Cook Islands National Council of Women biennial conference to be held October 11-15.

The organising committee for the national women’s conference is asking women from Avarua to Nikao to attend a meeting at the Punanga Nui market rotunda today at 4.30pm to inform them about the upcoming event.

The conference hasn’t been held for a few years due to lack of funds, but next month outer islands women will join women’s groups here to take part in the revived forum.

Women’s organisations such as church and community groups are encouraged to send a representative to the meeting today.

CINCW will also call meetings for women from vaka Puaikura and Takitumu before the conference is held.

The conference traditionally covers a range of topics including leadership, human rights and health issues.

• Helen Greig

Anaesthetist Dr Mary Tuke with the anaesthetic machine which has been upgraded to meet New Zealand standards. 10092304

Ivan Batistich has been working hard to help patients at Rarotonga Hospital breath easier.

“Ivan has been brought in under the health specialist programme to strengthen oxygen and air facilities in the two theatres, the high dependency unity and the emergency room,” Heather Webber-Aitu, the director of hospital health services said.

“Previously oxygen bottles were carried into these rooms. Now we have a constant supply.”

Batistich is an expert in building medical equipment and has also been working with the hospital to improve the anaesthetic machines.

Batistich designed the anaesthetic machine which was the NZ standard for 30 years. It was robust and reliable, but has been replaced by computerised machines in NZ.

These machines are now in place at Rarotonga Hospital and are simple to operate and dependable. Their construction is perfect for use in the Pacific’s hot, humid conditions.

Batistich has upgraded the operating theatre’s anaesthetic machine so that it complies with New Zealand standards, and has upgraded the second operating theatre so that air and oxygen are piped in, meaning that both theatres can be used at the same time if necessary.

Another area where Batistich has been improving the hospital is the intensive care unit. He has reconfigured machines so that they can provide something called CPAP, or continuous positive air pressure. This means that if someone is having trouble breathing, a mask can be placed over the face which will force air into the lungs.

“Ivan has been building equipment to suit the conditions so that we can accommodate multiple casualties and we are prepared for any pandemic that might come our way. The Ministry of Health is very fortunate to have built capacity in this way to assist with saving lives,” Webber-Aitu said.

• Nerys Case

Joyana Meyer. 10070601

Maine Tapairu Joyana Meyer is ‘overwhelmed’ with gratitude toward those working hard to raise money for her trip to Papua New Guinea to compete in November’s Miss South Pacific pageant.

“I am saddened by the fact that I can not be there and participate in person but hearing of all the projects going on and seeing emails flying back and forth between organisers in Rarotonga spurs me on to continue putting all my effort into preparing for the pageant as well as to continue striving to achieve the best possible grades at university,” she said.

She’s pursuing a degree in mechatronic engineering at the University of Auckland and right now is dedicating a good portion of her time to doing assignments in digital circuit design, mathematical modelling, machine and structural dynamics and real-time software.

Meyer is balancing a full course-load with pageant preparation, which includes staying in shape, planning her talent number and coordinating the traditional costume and pareu segments of her performance.

She said she’s also closely following current affairs in the South Pacific to prepare her for any onstage questions.

“I am truly grateful to all who are helping the Miss Cook Islands Association and (me) – grateful from the depths of my heart. I believe the snowball has only started rolling down the hill,” she said in an e-mail.

The Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association is busy gearing up for its first major fundraiser to support Meyers’s cause – a dinner, show and auction function at Edgewater on October 8.

For tickets, see Clee Marsters at Air New Zealand.

• Rachel Reeves

The Esther Honey Foundation’s Gregg Young and the volunteer vets gave the Hash bash a Roman feel. 10092807

Te Vaerua fundraisers still managed to shake a leg after the Round Rarotonga Road Race on Saturday. Between them, they raised more than $7000 for the rehabilitation service.

“Thank you to everyone in the community who has been so generous, and to the five runners, who have put blood sweat and even a few tears into getting round the island,” Te Vaerua committee member Nadine Newnham said.

Newnham said that the money would help the service to complete the clinic they have been trying to build for the past two years.

• Nerys Case



Visitors numbers showed a healthy increase year-on-year last month. 10070443

A healthy increase in visitor numbers was recorded last month with New Zealand again leading the way for arrivals.

According to statistics office figures an additional 1406 people arrived in the Cook Islands in August when compared to the same month last year. In August, 2009 there were 9848 arrivals – last month there were 11,254. This is a 14 per cent increase and compares with a slight increase of 2.5 per cent in arrivals for the year up to August.

The New Zealand market continues to dominate numbers with a year on year increase of 741 visitors, bringing the total number of Kiwi visitors in August to 7633. Kiwi’s made up 67 per cent of all visitors for the month.

Marketing in New Zealand was recently stepped up with a roadshow for around 400 travel agents taking place in 13 locations across the country.

The Australians, who made up 12 per cent of August visitors, have also been showing up in greater numbers – rising from 1020 in August last year to 1390 last month.

The growth of Australian visitor numbers has been helped by the Air New Zealand direct flight to Sydney and a big marketing push, including a road show, to raise awareness of the Cook Islands as a holiday destination.

Speaking at a recent industry meeting, Cook Islands Tourism’s (CIT) chief executive Carmel Beattie said the plan is to continue to focus marketing efforts on growing markets which give the best return on investment – New Zealand and Australia.

Visitors from the UK have declined, with a drop of 62 individual visitors compared with the previous year. UK visitors made up less than 5 per cent of visitors in August.

Beattie said that the UK market was suffering a decline due to conditions in the UK.

“The new government is talking out 40 per cent of the public sector, and many people don’t want to take time off work,” she said.

“It’s affecting markets right across the world. Markets which completely depend on the UK are suffering really badly.”

Despite the success of getting more Kiwis to come and visit, CIT is still struggling to fully staff the NZ office. The position of general manager for the country – which has been empty since Chris Ingram left in March – has been advertised by the board but efforts to recruit have so far been unsuccessful.

“We are facing a challenge on getting the New Zealand general manager,” Beattie said.

“It’s a work in progress.”

• Nerys Case

The sign at Atiu Hospital. 10081131

Outer island hospitals are being upgraded with money supplied by the European Union.

Private contractors have been employed at Atiu Hospital to do major work on repairing the walls and the floors to upgrade the hospital with the aim of bringing the surroundings up to New Zealand standards.

The extensive work includes rewiring, building a new walkway between the hospital and the dentist’s room, replacing older walls, and the replacement of older flooring with more hygienic lino.

The work has been going on for the last month, but is now awaiting materials needed to complete the work which will be on the next ship to the islands.

After Atiu Hospital is completed the team will travel to begin work on Mangaia Hospital.

“Out of all the hospitals, this one is the most downgraded,” secretary of health Tupou Faireka said.

“It hasn’t been upgraded for the last 10 years and could need around $150,000 for the work.”

Any additional funds will come from the Cook Islands Investment Corporation.

Faireka said that the clinic on Palmerston Island will be the next to be upgraded, but Public Health is awaiting confirmation from the landowners that work can go ahead.

A decision still has to be made over whether the current clinic will be expanded to include a sleeping room for the doctor or nurse and a room for dentistry, or if a new building is needed.

• Nerys Case

Obviously having a ball of a night Tuika Tini (centre) is not one to shy away from a picture. 10092231

The ball committee and some friends huddle up for a group shot. 10092226

Prom King and Queen Nadave Tereapii and Moe Aori. 10092225

A round of applause for the Tereora ball committee if you please! What a fabulous evening it was I must say! And ladies might I say we all looked STUNNING in our different ball gowns and cocktail dresses.

I swear I thought I was in a shopping mall with manikins running around in their dresses! And I am proud to report that I did not spot any two people wearing the same dress! (Relief much!) Hairstyles were simple for the most part and no one, thank goodness, showed up with 100 layers of makeup! It simply was a waltz to remember (even though I was waltzing to the musical genius of Lady Gaga).

Misters you all looked very smart in your suits (and your skinny jeans – those who dared to be different!). I have to admit I had my doubts as did many others but the Tereora Ball Committee proved themselves – starting with the very elegant and classy programme, the decoration of the hall entrance and right down to the sparkling grape juice in plastic wine glasses!

My inside source tells me that the night of the ball was 100 per cent problem free! PLUS our principal Mr Parima said the night was an enjoyable success (despite the fact that the day after the ball most seniors decided to skip school) so seniors of next year and the year after next your chances of having a ball in the next few years are looking pretty great!

I have to admit I was terribly disappointed to find that no one had taken the leap and gone GAGA for the big night! But my disappointment soon vanished once I saw the lengths some had gone to look as great as they did.

Dresses (guilty as charged) and suits flown in from Australia and New Zealand hair and makeup tallying up to about the same amount as my house! (Now that’s a lot of green!) and heels so HOT you could fry an egg on them!

Congratulations to ball King and Queen Nadave Tereapii and Moe Aori and to the Prince and Princess of the night Maria Bruno and Allan Ezekiela. Other prize winners were Samatha Tepai and Tamati Iro winning the cutest couple award with their coordinating outfits, the beautiful Saramata Takai claimed the Cinderella award. Best female and male dancers went to Rikana Toroma and James Estall with Mata Ezekiela grabbing the worst dancer award and the rebel of the night award (he of course was wearing skinny jeans).

Top five best dressed guys were Norman Tangi, Cameron Strickland, Tai Mackenzie, Mervin Brown and Allan Ezekiela.

Top five best dressed girls were Ruby Paitai, Vaine Napa, Xenia Kae, Ana Taio and Lavi Suma (this girl stood out in her gorgeous Indian dress). Thank you ball committee for a lovely night and hopefully we shall have the opportunity to do this all again. Fingers crossed!

• Peka Fisher

Where the All Sports funding will go will be decided next week – but the funding has still not been handed over to CISNOC.

Secretary of Internal Affairs Bredina Drollett has confirmed that CISNOC will not be receiving funding for the last quarter until they have gone through the proper procedure and entirely allocated it to sports codes.

“We have agreed with CISNOC that they can’t depart from existing rules,” Drollett said. “They have now put together the committee which will agree where the All Sports money will be going. They will meet next week to review applications.”

The committee is made up of members of CISNOC who won’t be at the Commonwealth Games, and Drollett will be sitting on the committee to ensure that the funding is decided according to the policy.

For the past two years, money given to Cook Islands Sports National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) to distribute to sports codes has not been sent out to codes in the way government instructed.

The government gave CISNOC $160,000 in 2008-09 and $60,000 in 2009-10 to distribute to sports codes who have applied for it through the All Sports grants.

The money comes from the sales of Tatts lotto tickets in the Cook Islands. The amount varies according to ticket sales, but it normally stays at around $160,000 per year.

The money is supposed to be distributed according to the ‘Allsports Fund Guidelines and Protocols’, but earlier this month, Drollett revealed that CISNOC were not aware of the policy and had made up their own.

As a result, CISNOC has not received $40,000 in quarterly funding – which was due in August – and will not be receiving it until the Ministry of Internal Affairs is sure it will go straight to codes which meet the criteria of the funding policy and have applied.

Adverts were placed in the Cook Islands News asking for sports codes to apply for funding for the July-September quarter, which allow codes to apply for funds for things they have already done in the quarter – as well as for activities they are planning in the next quarter.

The applications close today giving the codes just five days – at most – to complete their applications.

Previously Drollett reported that CISNOC were negotiating for a change in the policy, but has agreed there isn’t time to change it before parliament is dissolved.

“Any changes need to be discussed for the next financial year. The policy is pretty good anyway, but there isn’t time to go to parliament and get it changed,” said Drollett.

• Nerys Case

Aesthetic Technician Ngati Matapo Tangaina, Anaesthetist Dr Mary Tuke, Secretary of Health Tupou Faireka and Mike Powell of the New Zealand Aesthesia Technicians Society with the machine which will make it much easier to keep people breathing. 10092303

The New Zealand Aesthesia Technicians Society has donated a brand new $2000 machine which will help keep people with crush injuries, as well as larger people who have to undergo surgery, to breathe.

The Ambu aScope Monitor has a tube with a fibre optic camera on the end, which means that anaesthetic technician Ngati Matapo Tangaina and anaesthetist Dr Mary Tuke will be able to look into patient’s windpipe through a fibre optic camera to make sure that the tube is going in the right way.

Dr Mary trained in the use of this kind of equipment when she did her masters at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. But this is the first time Rarotonga Hospital has had a machine like it.

Mike Powell of the New Zealand Aesthesia Technicians Society arrived on Rarotonga this week to deliver the Ambu aScope personally and work with the team to get it set up.

“In the local population a high proportion are obese,” said Dr Mary. “It’s difficult when they present to me with a problem when they need a general aesthetic. This will really make it easier to get an airway in – without an airway, it doesn’t matter how hard the person breathes – the air can’t get in.

In an obese person, the more fat there is around the neck the more fat there is inside, which can block the airway.

The new equipment will also benefit people who have been in accidents in which their windpipes have been crushed.

With the new equipment, Dr Tuke will be able to see where the blockages are and make sure that the breathing tube gets past them and gets oxygen to the lungs.

While Powell is here he will be reviewing all the aesthetic equipment to see where the NZATS can help in the future. NZATS are also planning to sponsor local anaesthetic technician, Matapo Tangaina, to attend the anaesthetist’s conference in Auckland next year.

Secretary of Health Tupou Faireka, said, “I want to express the appreciation of the minister of health, Apii Piho, cabinet, and the people of the Cook Islands. This is a lifesaving machine and will make difficult cases much more straightforward.”

He also expressed his thanks to Ted Hughes, who has been championing getting medical equipment to the Cook Islands in New Zealand for many years.

• Nerys Case

Dog ranger Joe Ngatae with some tools of the trade. 10092306

Papa Joe responds to

never-ending criticism

Constable Joe Ngatae, more commonly known as the ‘dog man’, says that there are close to 3000 dogs on Rarotonga.

It’s a steep rise considering that the year before there were a reported 2000. Ngatae suspects that dog owners hid females and puppies during the tutaka, skewing the count.

In the past year, those females bred and those puppies grew, which just “makes it worse for everybody”.

Police report that the increase in the numbers of local dogs has generated a number of problems – police are receiving more complaints about unfriendly or noisy dogs, and more reports of dogs causing motorbike accidents.

In previous years, Ngatae dealt directly with complaints from the public, but people started raising concerns that he was unfairly determining which dogs did and did not deserve the death penalty.

Now, police field dog complaints and send a team to investigate. When the team gives Ngatae the go-ahead, he puts the dog in question down.

“People were blaming Papa Joe for just doing his job, so now we’ve set in place a procedure and police deal directly with all complaints,” Sergeant Paraia Vainerere said.

Otherwise, Ngatae is always on the lookout for potentially dangerous dogs. If he sees a dog roaming, he’ll follow it home and speak with its owner. If the dog is unregistered, he gives the owner seven days to register it.

Ngatae carries Cook Islands laws and statutes – including the Dog Registration Act, the Wandering Animals Act and the Noise Control Act – in his truck to show to people who accuse him of unlawfully shooting dogs.

“If dogs are chasing motor vehicles, biting people or animals or barking all night, they’re put down. That’s Cook Islands law,” he said. “Pet owners don’t understand the laws made by government.”

Ngatae has come under close scrutiny and copped a good deal of criticism for eradicating unruly dogs, but says it’s all in a day’s work.

“I don’t mind if people attack me. I’m doing my job as a law enforcement officer to the best of my ability,” he said.

He added that he’s not entirely desensitised – and he doesn’t hate dogs. In fact, he has a dog of his own.

“People think I’m killing dogs for the sake of killing them. That’s not true. I feel it ...I do – but somebody has to do it,” he said. “It’s very hard, but at the end of the day there is a reason why this is done.”

He says that people complain when he shoots dogs, and they complain when he doesn’t and someone gets hurt – he’s just grown accustomed to the criticism.

“A lot of people make complaints, but are they willing to do this job? If they want to take over, I don’t mind. They can take over and I can retire,” he said.

Ngatae has a photo album full of pictures of people and animals mauled by dogs, which he keeps to remind himself that he’s doing this to keep people safe from danger.

He encourages people to care for their own dogs – to feed them and train them – and to treat other people’s dogs with respect.

“The onus is on the owners – complaints of more accidents being caused, dog bites, but the onus is on the owners. Most of the dogs (that hurt people and animals) belong to someone but are not being looked after, not fed properly,” he said.

“If we can all look after our animals the way we look after our kids everything would be okay.”

Contact police on 22499 if you come across a dangerous dog, and describe its appearance and whereabouts.

• Rachel Reeves

Police are unsure how to tackle the problem of thieves pilfering crops from local growers.

It’s a tricky one, as planters can’t lock their land against wanderers in the same way that people can lock their homes, and security cameras are a costly solution.

“It’s hard (to monitor), because people commit these crimes when no one’s around,” sergeant Paraia Vainerere said.

The investigation team that filed a report in response to a Ngatangiia grower’s complaint about theft of pawpaws says it’s difficult to man every grower’s section 24/7.

As such, police are urging neighbours to keep a close eye on wanderers and to report any suspicious activity in or around produce patches.

“If the public and neighbours see anything, let us know,” inspector Johnny Hosking said.

Vainerere admitted that times are hard, but warned that breaking the law is not the answer.

“Times are hard – people have got to understand that planters are trying to look after their families. If you want some root crops or food crops, just ask and I’m sure they’d give you some. But some people are stealing half the crop, and that’s not fair,” he said.

• Rachel Reeves

The Cook Islands Party has delayed the launch of its election manifesto until next Friday as it collects last minute policy feedback from the electorates.

Vice president Mark Brown says the party is keen to announce its key policies on how it would govern the country over the next four years. The final consultation with caucus and election candidates should be taking place within the week, leading up to the release of the manifesto.

The CIP has also confirmed its 24th and youngest candidate, 35-year-old Toka Hagai who will run for the Rakahanga seat. The incumbent MP, Piho Rua, will not be contesting the elections but Hagai will face off against Demo candidate Taunga Tuka.

Brown says the candidate’s election campaign should be interesting with new candidates joining the handful of standing MPs in the race.

Of the party’s 24 candidates, 18 are new – the other six are MPs – Atiu’s Norman George, and Nandi Glassie, Aitutaki’s Teina Bishop, parliamentary leader and Murienua MP Tom Marsters, Akaoa MP Teariki Heather, and Mangaia’s Pukeiti Pukeiti.

• Helen Greig

Westpac is warning customers about the dangers of online scams designed to defraud them of their funds.

The warning follows an increase in the number of ‘phishing’ reports to the bank in the last few days.

Phishing is a scam that uses emails and fraudulent websites designed to capture sufficient personal information to allow criminals to withdraw funds from the victim’s bank account.

Even though fraudulent, emails and the associated websites may look identical to the authentic financial institution and can include links to real websites.

“We recently noticed a marked increase in the number of our customers reporting to us that they’ve been asked to provide their personal details, including their personal identification number, through emails that supposedly come from Westpac,” Rob Buick, general manager, Westpac Cook Islands said.

“Westpac will never ask you for your account details via email. If any of our customers are in doubt about the legitimacy of any of our communications, especially those asking for personal details, contact us using an independently published contact number. Don’t call the number provided in the communication in question.”

Buick said the criminals now appear to be targeting Cook Islands bank customers following a quiet few months.

“Our security systems and processes recently stopped a suspicious transaction saving a customer from losing a significant amount of money. But we need all customers to be vigilant to suspicious electronic communications from financial institutions.”

Westpac’s Pacific operations is based in Sydney and has businesses in seven Pacific countries – Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The Westpac Group also has offices in major Asian cities as well as New York and London.

• Westpac

Four thefts have been reported this week.

A Tupapa resident reported missing cash, and an Avarua resident reported theft of a silver Sony digital camera with a black cover. Another Tupapa resident informed police that a navy blue Casio digital camera valued at $600 was stolen.

Police detained a 15-year-old female of Aroa, who was responsible for stealing clothing from a rental unit at the Rarotongan. Her parents issued an apology to police and the victim.

A Blackrock resident claims that an intruder entered his home through an unlocked door while he was watching television, and stole clothing and electronics.

An iPhone was stolen from a motel room in Vaimaanga and an Arorangi home reported that someone had removed the louvers from a bathroom window, but nothing from inside the home was missing.

Police have also expressed concern that people are misbehaving on school grounds. A staff member discovered smashed wine bottles scattered on a classroom verandah.

“Police are urging the community to be more vigilant and report any unusual activities conducted by large and small groups of young people (around) school properties,” constable Alan Rua said.

• Rachel Reeves

Avatea year 6 students (from left) Louana Brown, Tori Sosene, Terito Story and Sinano Vaeau having fun practising their maths quiz strategy at school on Thursday ahead of the big night on Wednesday 29. 10092308

School children across the country have been ‘crunching numbers’ ahead of the annual Cook Islands Maths competition to be held on Wednesday, September 29.

Primary schools across Rarotonga and from the outer islands of Aitutaki, Atiu and Mangaia will take part in the maths quiz night starting at 5pm.

Earlier this term, students completed the Australia Math Quiz test and their papers were sent back to Australia for marking and grading.

This week Avatea Primary School turned their school hall into ‘maths quiz’ central as students got their heads around some of the questions that may be asked and the format of the competition.

It was a noisy affair and the actual competition night is also expected to be action packed.

The aim of the annual maths quiz is to demonstrate that learning maths is fun and that all children can learn and have fun with mathematics.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to support your kids and schools on the night of the competition, to be staged at the national auditorium in Tupapa.

• Matariki Wilson

Justice of the peace Taora presided over a number of cases in the high court yesterday:

James Engu – call-over on a charge of being of unsound mind. Defence counsel Lavenia Rokoika requested an adjournment to next week, to give her time to obtain a psychiatric evaluation report from Dr Fariu, which Taora granted.

Roger Tauarea – call-overs on charges of burglary. The case was adjourned to October 14 and the defendant was remanded back into custody.

Ngaau Samuel – call-over for a charge of breaking and entering. Defence counsel Charles Petero asked that the case be adjourned to October 7 and that police produce relevant documents.

Tereapii Tumutoa – pleaded guilty to assault with intent. Rokoika cited a few mitigating factors – that the defendant had committed the crime to protect his mother, that he is “very remorseful” and that a number of references say his reaction was “very out of character”. Taora issued the defendant a “strong warning” and discharged him without conviction.

Kainio Short – pleaded not guilty to common assault. Defence counsel Charles Little requested orders of discovery before the case comes up again on November 4.

Charlie Cowan Short – pleaded not guilty to common assault through Little. The case was adjourned to November 4.

Joseph Cummings – pleaded guilty through counsel Fini Arnold to a charge of common assault, and was convicted and fined $200 plus $30 court costs.

A man with name suppression appeared for a call-over on a charge of indecent assault – the purpose of yesterday’s appearance was simply to monitor him in the weeks leading up to his November trial.

Terekimiora Katoa – call-over for importation of cannabis. The defendant and his counsel Norman George were not in court but were excused, and the case will come up before the court again on October 21.

Wesley Tokataake – charged with common assault. Rokoika explained that the defendant had “pushed” a tourist in response to provocation. Taora discharged him without conviction. “Although the court is being lenient with you this morning, the court would like to warn you not to take matters into your own hands,” she said.

Andrew Temata – call-over on a charge of assisting a prisoner. As counsel George was not present and the defendant’s probation report was not yet available, the case was adjourned to October 7.

Ngatupuna Manavaroa – faces a charge of driving with excess breath alcohol. The case was adjourned to October 21.

Tutai Amiri Junior – pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and was convicted and fined $50 plus $30 court costs.

Tauri Okianga – faces a charge of smoking cannabis. Taora declared a conflict of interest, and the case was adjourned to November.

Ngatokotoru Tuaputa – faces a burglary charge. The defendant was not present in court yesterday, and Taora issued a bench warrant.

Ben Tuakana – pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified. As it was the defendant’s second time facing charge in court, he was convicted and fined $100 plus $30 court costs, and denied a conditional licence.

Ngatamaine Ponga – faces a charge of theft. The case was adjourned to November 11.

• Rachel Reeves

Realtor McElhinney concerned

at tactics used by BTIB staff

Local realtor John McElhinney is questioning the tactics of the Business Trade Investment Board after it carried out a raid on his office this week.

Four BTIB officers and a police officer went to Rarotonga Realty’s office at Ingram House on Wednesday and flashed a search warrant in his face before going through every file and document in the office, even looking through his computer.

BTIB is working on its first legal case against a foreign enterprise for what it believes is a breach of the Development Investment Act 1995-96. The raid was carried out to look for any financial statements of Taakoka Island Villas Ltd.

McElhinney is the company’s agent and was on the search warrant list of its directors, managers and shareholders.

“They were looking for proof the company (Taakoka) has been trading. I’ve told them there is a tenant there and the rent is being paid to Rarotonga Realty and used for repair work on the property.”

McElhinney says power, water and the septic system were no longer working when the landowners vacated the property as per a court order last year.

“They (landowners) have taken us to court nine times. We have won every case and been awarded court costs. Who is the bad guy here?”

In October last year the court granted Taakoka Island Villas’ application for relief against forfeiture. The long-running case began in 2007 when a lease forfeiture notice was issued by landowner Ruth Tupangaia by her agent, Travis Moore, claiming the company owed rent and a percentage of income in arrears, and did not keep buildings and graves on the property in good condition as required by the lease.

The claims were not proven in court and it ordered the landowners to vacate the Muri property which they had seized during the case.

The judgment came at the end of a protracted period of litigation – including a court of appeal hearing – between the parties since the 60-year lease was granted to the company in 1988.

Now BTIB is looking into whether the company is operating without a foreign investment licence.

The BTIB’s new foreign investment compliance manager Teanini ‘Space’ Raumea applied for the search warrant which refers to a search for evidence relating to the offence of carrying on business as an unregistered foreign enterprise.

BTIB chief executive Terry Rangi says the agency is responsible for regulating foreign investment and to complete its investigation and take the matter to court it has exercised its right to get a court-approved search warrant.

“In this instance we have grounds to believe that an investor has breached the rules and we will proceed with court action,” he said.

BTIB board member Grant Priest said the whole thing sounded like overkill but he had yet to talk to Rangi yesterday.

It is understood the board was not aware of the planned raid.

McElhinney said when he talked to former BTIB chairman James Beer yesterday he was horrified by news of the raid.

McElhinney still wants to know why the raid was necessary.

BTIB seized over 20 documents in the raid which they may use in the yet-to-be-filed lawsuit against Taakoka Island Villas Ltd.

• Helen Greig

The Ngatangiia Democratic Committee is refuting the claim that it agreed to advance voting for the run-off elimination between MP Sir Terepai Maoate and Mann Short.

The Democratic Party Constitution does not specify the need for advance or postal voting and the committee has decided against complicating the run-off process.

Committee secretary Teroro Tapurau-Totini confirmed yesterday that they will abide by the directive of the Demo central executive and a legal opinion and will not allow advance voting for the September 29 run-off.

Party secretary general Eddie Drollet says the push for advance voting has been a thorny issue in meetings between the run-off nominees since last week.

“We refute the statement made in CI News yesterday – there will be no advance votes,” said Drollet.

A legal opinion obtained by the party executive from lawyer Tim Arnold was circulated to the committee and to Short on Thursday afternoon.

CI News was provided a copy of the two page opinion which finds that the Democratic Party Constitution does not specify the need for advance voting in selecting an election candidate for a constituency.

Arnold says the 2004 Electoral Act on the other hand, which applies to general elections, has about five pages worth of provisions and rules for advance voting.

“That emphasises the dangers of attempting to undertake advance votes or postal votes in the absence of very detailed rules to ensure that the entire election process is not tainted by those complications,” said the opinion.

Arnold was asked for an opinion on what the clause 17 of the party constitution meant by the expression ‘a clean and fair conduct of the election process’ and concluded that it referred to the conduct of the election process at the run-off.

“In my opinion the Constitution does not allow ‘other rules’ for either advance votes or postal votes; certainly, such complications could compromise the ‘clean and fair conduct’ required by the Constitution,” wrote Arnold.

Short’s team had strongly lobbied for advance voting on the basis that all voters should have the chance to vote for the candidate of their choice.

It is understood his request for photos of the two nominees to be included on the voting slips was also denied by the committee. There has been many contentious issues between the two nominees such as the $500 nomination fee and the latest decision comes just as the run-off process started to resemble more that of the general election.

• Helen Greig

Lagoon Day Champion Teariki Matenga opening the third annual event in May. 10052726

Matenga launches passionate

campaign to save the lagoon

Independent candidate for Titikaveka Teariki Matenga wants the next generation to enjoy the benefits of a clean, green environment.

But the country’s waste management problems need to be addressed now to make this dream possible, he says.

The 52-year-old has been a vocal advocate for change on environmental issues and is passionate about protecting our lagoons.

The champion of the annual Lagoon Day is taking the event’s slogan ‘we are the problem, we are the solution’ with him on the campaign trail, adding the words ‘let’s upgrade now’ to his slogan to make it clear he wants change now.

He is promoting his passion for the environment in his quest for election as one of four key issues for his campaign alongside health, education and the elderly.

Matenga was the key proponent in the Takitumu Lagoon Management Plan created with government and the NZAID funded Cook Islands Marine Resources Institutional Strengthening project.

He says waste management is a key issue for the vaka and septic system upgrades are needed now to prevent further degradation of the lagoon.

“Without this, our lagoon will get worse. We had the irritant syndrome in 2004 – we don’t want to see that again, because if we do its possible it will scare the tourists away.”

Matenga stresses that tourism is the country’s livelihood.

“You take that away, you take Rarotonga away. I don’t want to be living in a third world country.”

Matenga says the number of locals who have moved away from Titikaveka is linked to the fact that fish in the lagoon are no longer safe to eat.

“If you eat fish seven days a week from a lagoon that’s right at your doorstep, it doesn’t cost anything. Now to have to supplement that, to replace the food you are used to with things like corned beef it’s expensive and it’s a health issue as well.

“The diet of the people has changed dramatically because of lagoon degradation. If you look at the illness that’s taking over our lives now like obesity, diabetes – it’s because we no longer eat what we used to eat.

“If you look at the life of people in Titikaveka it’s changed dramatically – and politics doesn’t help either,” he says with a laugh.

Matenga is disappointed that the lagoon he knew as a child is no longer healthy.

“I’ve lived in that lagoon most of my life and I want my kids to do the same. Right now I can’t teach my child to fish. We need to do something. It’s as simple as that.”

He says the ‘picnic’ culture families used to have is also disappearing.

“You know, there’s no incentive to go down the beach anymore, unless you can afford a couple of cans of corned beef and chips and things for the barbeque. But before you would take the whole family down and it was fish on the menu, nothing else. That was culture for us.”

Over the past year Matenga has been working with NZAID on plans for a new project to help upgrade septic systems in Titikaveka and Muri.

“The plan was for a $20 million five-year project, but it has stalled and I haven’t been able to find out why.”

Matenga says under the proposed project subsidies would be provided to households towards upgrading their septic systems.

“It’s simply to look at upgrading our domestic sewage system and livestock farming waste, because they contribute just as much.

“It’s all based around the cost of what’s needed to tidy up our sanitation problems. The individual household will have to cover part of the cost because we all need to take ownership of the problem.”

Matenga says he is aware of how costly it would be to replace and upgrade every septic system in Muri, so he has already looked into the benefits of shared septic systems.

“As we got deeper and deeper into defining the areas that need to be repaired, we realised that we are actually the biggest culprit in creating our own problems, so we needed to do something about it. Unfortunately our government is not in a position to fund or help our community do all these upgrades.”

Matenga says it was during NZ Prime Minister John Key’s visit to Rarotonga last year that he first issued a request to the NZ government for help with the waste management issue.

“I was invited to make a speech on behalf of the Takitumu Lagoon Management Project and that was the first step of communicating with NZ – and within two weeks I got a response from NZAID.”

He believes politicians are in a better position to help get aid flows aligned to specific needs and this is one area he wants to make a difference in.

“I’m a person that when I speak the reason I speak is that there is a need to do something. It’s not want, it’s need. And when you need something, you need it done straight away – you can’t afford to delay it.”

He says the suggestion was to start the project from the east in the Tikioki-Akapuao area because the currents take pollutants from there to the Muri lagoon which has become the focus of a $5 million European Union project.

If the NZAID project does get the go ahead, Matenga is also concerned about building high quality septic tanks. There are few suppliers on the island and just three plumbers to do the job, says Matenga. He wants to see government create incentives for Cook Islanders to return, and for the economy to benefit from upgrading the septic systems in Muri.

“We could be bringing back our people to service project needs, increasing our population and upskilling our local people at the same time.”

Matenga is still keen to see locals make fertiliser from pig waste as a way to keep it out of the lagoon and reduce production costs for the agriculture industry.

“In Australia they are selling pig manure, composted at $35 a tonne, it’s a very cheap fertilizer. I mean if we can get close to $100 a tonne here its still cheap compared to $100 for 40 kg now.”

He is also very keen to see a project get off the ground to compost green waste.

Matenga is mindful that running as an independent is a challenge in today’s political climate where party politics dominates.

“Running as an independent is outside the square.” He says he wants to be in parliament only long enough to get action on the issues he is passionate about.

“I’m passionate about this country. It’s a place called home and there is no other place like home. That’s another message I guess, that if you want your children to grow up in an environment that you were accustomed to, then I think you would be able to keep more people here.”

• Helen Greig

Personal Wellness Coaches Carollyn Rennie and Lani MacGregor are running an eight-week weight loss programme. 10092301

A new weight loss programme will give local people the chance to win $500 if they are the biggest loser after eight weeks.

Lani MacGregor, who is a nutritionist, has been running a weight loss programme with her husband in Upper Hutt, New Zealand. She is working with Dockside’s Carollyn Rennie who set up the programme to help locals shed kilos.

“The main reason we are doing this is that our people are the third most obese in the world,” said MacGregor. “What we want to do is educate people to have better nutritional habits long term rather than having a quick fix and then going back to normal.”

The first step in that is running the first eight-week programme to give people a kick start.

The two coaches want to get 25 people signed up to the programme so that they can help coach them to take in the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins and develop good eating and exercise habits. They will also be promoting weight-loss supplements, but say that dieters don’t need to use them to make the programme work.

The pair will be offering their expertise and a supportive and social atmosphere to help people to shed those inches.

“Many people skip meals, grab food on the run, don’t cook at home, and have sedentary lifestyles,” said MacGregor. “It’s all about learning that food is fuel for the body and that a lot of ill health starts with food.”

MacGregor is passionate about people learning what goes into what they eat. She was impressed to see debate around the fat content of corned beef had been sparked by a complaint from Iva Eitiare about some tins she opened which contained nearly all fat.

“That is the sort of thing that goes on in the food industry all the time,” MacGregor said. “The industry works against the normal person. That corned beef is a prime example and they are making a whole race of people sick because of it. All it takes is a few people to stand up and make a noise.

“They put sugar into everything too and there is only one reason for that – to make people addicted to it. We need to be smarter about what we buy instead of getting what is on special because it’s cheap.”

After the first weight loss programme, Rennie will continue the programmes after MacGregor returns to NZ.

Rennie runs Dockside, and says that it’s okay to have a takeaway once in a while if you choose the healthy options. “You can have healthy choices here. Our food is not too bad as we can grill things and we have healthier food like the grilled chicken or fish which you can have with salad in a wrap.”

The programme will cost $49, and $40 per person will go into a prize pool for the first, second and third biggest losers. The initial meeting will be at Dockside on Saturday at 9am, and the coaches are planning to move to a more private meeting place for the rest of the weekly meetings. Call Carollyn on 22314 to book your place. Nerys Case

The young women of Niua School performing their number for the excited Picton Castle crew. 10092007

Linda Mataora, deputy principal, is pictured presenting a small gift of brooms to Rebecca the on-duty officer. 10092006

A crew member learns to boogie Cook Islands style. 10092008

The Picton Castle’s recent trip to Pukapuka meant 50 lucky students, their teachers and some school committee members from Niua School were given the opportunity to explore the ship.

In two groups the students from forms one to five were given a guided tour of the vessel by the Picton Castle crew. The students in return treated the sailing adventurers to a local dance performance and even taught the crew a few moves!

The day was organised by Kura-Metua Elikana and proved to have been a hit with positive feedback from students who were also asked to sign the log book as proof of their adventures on the ship.

• Peka Fisher

Jezebel Tamasese, qualified local chef, and Sam Timoko, experienced chef from New Zealand who’s here to tutor chefs-in-training at HTTC. Together, they set up the Cook Island Cooking Association (CICA) this week. 10092412

The Cook Islands food and restaurant industry got its foot in the door with international foodies last week.

Local chef Jezebel Tamasese and New Zealand chef Sam Timoko, who’s been tutoring at the Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre (HTTC), officially registered the Cook Island Chefs Association (CICA) at the ministry of justice on Tuesday.

CICA is the newest addition to the Pacific Rim branch of the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), an organisation founded in 1928 that encompasses 93 associations and represents over 10 million professional chefs. Timoko sits on the WACS Culinary Committee for the Pacific Rim Region.

“This is a very special time in our industry (here) – the forming of the Cook Island Chefs Association is long overdue,” Tamasese said.

The purpose of the non-profit CICA is to encourage interest among local people in the culinary arts, and to advance the interests of local chefs.

“Anything that we can do to promote the vibrant local produce (and the) local food scene, from the growers to the restaurants, is vital in keeping our economy moving upwards,” Tamasese said.

CICA’s affiliation with WACS will afford its members opportunities that until now didn’t exist. For one, WACS is internationally renowned, a recognisable name that holds its members to high standards and guarantees top-notch service.

Joining CICA will also give local chefs the chance to attend and participate in WACS-sponsored cooking competitions.

Tamasese is already in the process of organising a major food festival and cooking competition for Good Friday, or April 22, of next year.

She’s been working with Cook Islands Tourism (CIT) to turn the festival into an annual event that will both inspire local chefs and showcase local foods to visiting foodies and tourists.

“A competition boosts morale and builds a positive, supportive working environment for our chefs,” Tamasese said. “We need to promote hospitality and (the) food industry in the Cook Islands.”

She plans to bring in qualified judges from New Zealand, who will host a “judge’s seminar” just before the competition to train local chefs to become judges. She also intends to invite celebrity chefs from Australia to be part of the Easter weekend competition.

Tamasese has been talking with Ewan Smith of Air Rarotonga, who has agreed to sign on as a corporate member of CICA and has indicated that he is willing to sponsor chefs from the outer islands to come to Rarotonga and join next year’s competition.

And apart from the chance to participate in cook-off contests, CICA members will have access to unique opportunities like cooking classes and workshops conducted locally by chefs from overseas.

Tamasese said that CICA will act as an umbrella and support network for chefs around the island – for example, “if a chef is sick, CICA can get another to cover”, she said.

She’s excited about the prospects local chefs will gain under CICA, and says she couldn’t have organised the whole thing without Timoko.

“We’re so lucky to have Sam,” she said. “Without him, we wouldn’t have been able to set (CICA) up.”

Full members must have five years’ cooking experience or chef qualifications and three years’ experience.

Student members must be studying cookery at school, and corporate members should be prepared to help promote CICA. The fee for all members is $25.

The Department of Human National Resources Development under Francis Topa-Apera and HTTC under Tony Tou have signed on to support the development of CICA.

CICA will have its next meeting this Thursday, September 30, at 3.30 pm at HTTC in Ngatangiia.

• Rachel Reeves

Rebeka Buchanan outside Aketa, which starting Monday will be open for business at its new location next to Hermie’s in the BC complex. 10092424

Not six months after it moved from Muri to a spot directly opposite the Punanga Nui marketplace, Aketa is again relocating.

Starting Monday, the fashion boutique will be open for business at the Banana Court complex in town, next to Hermie’s Salon.

Owners Rebeka Buchanan and Joan Flanagan hope that the new location will allow fashion-conscious customers to shop conveniently – to hit id.ck and Aketa in one fell swoop.

“It would be an ideal shopping spot for tourists and locals alike, being a one-stop shopping complex, situated in the BC courtyard,” Buchanan said.

“It’s the place to eat and dine, pamper yourself at Hermie’s hairdressers, and to pick up something beautiful to wear for an evening out to maybe the BC bar in the back of the building.”

Aketa opened its doors last year and has since been selling designer jewellery, silk wrap skirts, hats, bags and trinkets to tourists and locals alike.

It’s open for business from 9.30am to 4.30pm weekdays and from 9am to 12 noon on Saturdays.

• Rachel Reeves

Director of hospital health services Heather Webber-Aitu, Minister of Health Apii Piho, Telecom Cook Islands chief executive Jules Maher, secretary of health Tupou Faireka, Dr Fran McGraw, Ministry of Health IT manager Tofinga Aisake and Dr Rangiau Fariu celebrate the launch of Medtech 32 at local clinics and in the outer islands. 10092409

St Joseph’s students sing a song to celebrate the launch of Medtech 32 in 10 of the 12 inhabited islands. 10092410

Thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Telecom Cook Islands (TCI), nearly all of the outer islands are signed on to Medtech 32, a computerised patient record system that the Rarotonga hospital installed in 2005.

The two islands that haven’t yet gained access to Medtech 32 – Nassau and Palmerston – will be hooked up to the system in the near future.

Medtech 32 allows medical professionals to access a patient’s medical history and dental records, and allows clinics to share information quickly and easily.

Through Medtech 32, doctors will be able to immediately access lab test results and consult other medical professionals for help with difficult patient cases.

IT manager for the Ministry of Health Tofinga Aisake said that Medtech 32 will allow clinics and hospitals to manage outbreaks on a national level, and to share details like immunisation history to ensure that a patient doesn’t get the same shot twice.

Medtech 32 also connects maternal child health clinics and school dental clinics to the national health record database.

The purpose of such clinics is to ease the burden on the Rarotonga hospital – and plugging them into the national records allows them to operate more efficiently and effectively.

TCI has donated Broadband and modems, and covered the cost of their installation, to clinics on Rarotonga and in the outer islands so as to allow them access to records through Medtech 32.

“There’s no reason why people in the outer islands should have lesser health care than people on Rarotonga,” TCI chief executive Jules Maher said.

He said that Medtech 32 brings the islands “closer together” and “breaks down the distance”, ensuring a higher standard of medical care.

Last week invited guests celebrated the nationwide launch of Medtech 32 at St Joseph’s Primary School. Students thanked Telecom, sang a song and invited those present to a kaikai.

Secretary of health Tupou Faireka also thanked Telecom for its support, and proudly announced that the Cook Islands is the only country in the region to have centralised all of its health records.

“Simply put, whichever island you visit if you are unfortunate enough to require the services of the hospital, be assured that your most recent health record will be at the disposal of your attending doctor,” he said.

• Rachel Reeves

The Tahiti Tamarii Maohi No Porinetia Association – a haven for Tahitians and descendants of Tahitians living locally – held a meeting last week at which it elected new board members and discussed plans to build a hostel in the near future.

The association formed in 2008, has since put Tahitians in touch with one another and represented an effort to promote Tahitian culture and language.

Tahiti Tamarii Maohi No Porinetia also embodies a link between the people and the cultures of Tahiti and the Cook Islands.

Newly-elected president Elina Rocka-Teururai, who took the reins from Francis Garnier, said that the association recently held a meet-and-greet function at Raro Fried Chicken.

“It was to reunite – there are heaps of Tahitians over here but we don’t know all know each other,” she said.

In 2008, the association had 90 members, and Rocka-Teururai said she hopes there are still as many now.

The biggest project on the association’s current agenda is construction of a Tahitian-style hostel. Rocka-Teururai confirmed that Pa Marie Ariki has offered to donate a piece of land so that Tahiti Tamarii Maohi No Porinetia can see that goal to completion.

The new president’s vision for Tahiti Tamarii Maohi No Porinetia is to get Tahitians involved in big festivals like Maire Nui, to get a Tahitian crafts programme going and to continue hosting visitors from Tahiti.

Members keep in touch with people in the ministries of culture, sport and education in Tahiti, and are able to arrange accommodation and hosts on this side when Tahitians do arrive.

This year, members of the association have hosted a number of Tahitian visitors, including the crew of Tahiti’s vaka Faafaite and students from Rimatara who travelled to Atiu to study the kura, or the Rimatara lorikeet.

Tahiti Tamarii Maohi No Porinetia is planning a party at Raro Fried Chicken for the last night of Vaka Eiva, as lots of Tahitians will be on the island for the race.

In December, the Association is planning a beach barbecue for members’ children, complete with gifts and Santa Claus.

The newly-elected board is as follows: president Rocka-Teururai, vice president Peta Tura, treasurer Vaea Melvin, vice secretary-treasurer Rosita Tekakara and trustees William Cowan, Rosie Blake, Eddie Framhein and Noo George. The elected patron is Mike Tavioni.

• Rachel Reeves

Some of Rarotonga’s 60 nurses show off their new scrubs that is sure to help them continue the hard work they do for the health and wellbeing of the community. 10092311

Nurses in white uniforms are now a thing of the past.

Rarotonga’s 60 nurses now have practical and durable uniforms that they need in order to keep up with their demanding jobs.

Director of nursing Iokopeta (Peta) Ngari says that in the 20 plus years she has been a nurse on the island – they had the same white nurses uniform.

And over that time, they’ve fielded a number of complaints about the dresses being see-through and for the nurses – keeping their uniforms clean and white has been a mission.

Their new durable blue scrubs, as they are called in the medical world, ensure the nurses are comfortable and ready to tend to any medical emergency.

The uniform is not only hard wearing and comfortable but has all the right pockets for nurses to carry the tools of their trade.

Their new scrub includes pen pockets on the chest and two large pockets at the bottom of their shirts for carry everything else.

“A good nurse always carries a pair of scissors,” said Ngari as she pulled her pair from her pocket.

The nurses are grateful for their upgraded scrubs which are sure to help them continue the hard work they do for the health and wellbeing of the community.

• Matariki Wilson

John Tangi. members 030 members 030

Tupapa-Maraerenga MP launches

his campaign as an independent

Tupapa-Maraerenga MP John Tangi has declared he is running independent as he campaigns for a second term in Parliament.

Tangi, 59, ran as a Democratic Party candidate and was elected in 2006, but earlier this year the country’s largest electorate chose Nooroa Tupa as the 2010 candidate.

The pastor says there’s no love lost, but believes he can now serve his people better as an independent MP.

Tangi’s campaign slogan is ‘one people, one purpose, one vision: for a united and better Tupapa-Maraerenga’.

“It’s about leaving aside political affiliations, I want the community to be seen as operating as a unit. Irrespective of political affiliation or differences in belief systems, obviously there are areas of commonality where we are (all) in agreement. Where we differ, that is understandable, but let us capitalise on areas where we have common interests. Purpose is striving in the same direction and I want to unite the community.”

Tangi is also pushing for village leaders to get more recognition, with MPs supporting taking on a supporting role.

“My belief is that members of Parliament should be out there seeking assistance. Once those assistance has been solicited, give it to the pu tapere – and then MPs back off – otherwise they will be perceived by the general public as politicising a certain activity.

In the past it has been common in our community for politicians to politicise something ‘if it wasn’t for me, this tractor wouldn’t be here’ – things like that. In my view that is wrong. Although, perhaps that is going against the norm of politics, I say what I believe.

The pu tapere for Maraerenga is Tekeu Framhein and for Tupapa is George Matutu.

My aim is to promote these two people. In my view MPs should be supporting these people (pu tapere).”

Tangi, the senior pastor of the New Hope Church expects to again face the old saying that religion and politics don’t mix.

“There is the view that because I am a pastor I should not be involved in politics. I was talking with one of the pioneer members of cabinet during the Albert Henry time, and this senior person said to me that Albert Henry really wanted a pastor in parliament to help parliamentarians do the right thing. The range of misuse of public funds for instance, elements of corruption and so on, appear through the media nearly every week. So to help keep that down, that was one of Albert Henry’s desires – he really wanted someone who is well versed with the word of God.”

Tangi says he was groomed to be a politician in the seventies but felt he wasn’t spiritually ready for the challenge until 2006.

“Then it was common knowledge in the community, but somehow I felt that physically I was ready, mentally I was ready, but spiritually I was not. After the general election 2006, I thanked the Lord because I believed I was ready then.”

“Right now there are other fellow pastors in the different denominations who are praying for the political situation for this nation and to have God-fearing (election) candidates to be successful, to become MPs.”

Tangi believes being an independent candidate allows him to be more neutral.

“In other words, I am also offering the people an alternative to the CIP or the Democratic Party.”

He says he has no regrets about parting ways with the Demos.

“I have no regrets. Given the situation we have come through, I believe to stand as an independent candidate would pose a better chance. I mean look at both parties – there are so many factions within the parties.”

Tangi says he supports the reduction of the number of MPs – the question will be posed in the national referendum on election day.

He also supports limiting the term of PM and cabinet ministers.

“In regional and international organisations, professional workers have certain periods to do their work in, after that time they move. Research has proven that an individual’s contribution to an organisation will start to diminish after year seven.”

Tangi says he believes government needs to seek the views of the voters.

“I believe if the issue on the reduction of seats is put to a national referendum, that referendum will be dominated by Rarotonga. But if the result of the referendum is broken down by constituencies, let’s look at the views of those directly affected on Rakahanga for instance or even in Tamarua and Ivirua and Mitiaro. Let’s look at what these individuals think.”

Under his election pledges Tangi wants to push for the upgrade of infrastructure, particularly water and has plans for a renewable energy project for Tupapa.

He also wants government to set up vocational training in tourism for outer islanders.

“If we talk about opening up flights to link the Cook Islands with tourists from Southeast Asia, from China, Japan -- we’ve opened up a direct flight from Sydney – are they going to come to Rarotonga only? Aren’t we going to explore opportunities in the outer islands – aren’t we going to upskill our locals there?”

He says training in tourism will encourage outer islanders to go back to their islands.

The highlight of Tangi’s four year term – in terms of regional work – is the establishment of the Pacific Legislature for Population and Governance (PLPG) office in Rarotonga.

He credits the power of prayer and the networking with speakers of parliament over the last two and a half years for this achievement.

“That is the testament of what a clergyman can do,” he says.

During his term in parliament, Tangi was appointed leader of the house and parliamentary chaplin and served on several select committees.

• Helen Greig

Nandi Glassie. 10092708

Opposition MP Nandi Glassie attended the 56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Nairobi, Kenya this month where talks centred around the roles of politicians.

The meeting focused on parliament in the 21st Century and emphasised the importance of the institution of Parliament in governance, particularly in emerging democracies.

He said speaker of the Kenya National Assembly and president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Kenneth Marende put it that, “Parliamentarians...(must) have the mandate and authority to ensure that rules of humanitarian law, equity and equality to the population and competent institutions are in place.”

Glassie says parliamentarians are aware that electorates look upon them to provide solutions to the social, political and economic challenges they face.

“Parliamentarians have little choice but to speak on development and make it happen otherwise our aspirations and struggle for democratic governance will become hollow and empty.”

Glassie wrote a report on the sessions of the conference he attended covering such issues as energy and the environment, the role of parliament, the effect of political corruption and the challenges of sovereignty in small states.

“Dale Butler, MP from Bermuda gave a stimulating presentation by calling on political leaders to utilise public funds prudently because they owe it to the people who elected them. Political leaders are vested with power to shape public life, owe it to citizens to set better standards regarding their use of money, both in and out of office. Speakers on the subject agreed that political corruption was an evil that eroded the confidence of the public in their political leaders,” says Glassie.

He says politicians have a duty to adopt forthright morals devoid of corruption while the public has a duty to ‘blow the whistle’ whenever they see their leaders in corrupt behaviour.

Butler also told the conference, “Political leaders, elected by the public and vested with the power to shape public life, owe it to citizens to set better standards regarding the use of money and their conduct, both in and out of office.”

Glassie says Butler stressed that the public want to see hard-earned money being used wisely to improve the country’s infrastructures and other government funded projects.

Glassie also shared some points about the Cook Islands parliament speaking about ways corruption is suppressed.

“For example, the use of question time in Parliament to pin down government on any issue of controversy, the watchful role of the Chamber of Commerce at budget time, the ‘auditing’ role of the Audit Office, the power of the media, the freedom of expression by the general public in the media, and the crucial role of a vigorous Opposition.”

Parliamentary services official Isaac Solomona also attended the conference. During their time in Kenya they were also able to go on field trips to the province of Naivasha.

“We visited the Oserian (Rose) Flower Farm famed for being one of the biggest suppliers of roses to the European market. From there, we continued on to the Olkaria Geothermal Plant which provided most of Nairobi’s electricity power supply from geothermal energy. We concluded our tour by visiting the Lake Nakuru National Park in order to observe the wildlife in their natural habitat.”

Glassie was given the honour of thanking the host government during the final dinner before 700 delegates.

• Helen Greig

Ministry of Health’s director of nursing Peta Ngari and director of funding and planning Dr Fran McGrath signing the memorandum with director of national human resources development Frances Topa-Apera, and nursing council member Nikki Rattle. 10092413

Nurses trained in the Cook Islands could soon have a qualification which is recognised internationally.

Currently nurses trained in the Cook Islands are not allowed to practice overseas as their training is not of a high enough standard.

It has now been proposed that the curriculum be upgraded to offer a three-year level six diploma and a four-year degree in nursing which will meet the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF).

A memorandum of understanding between the department of national human resources development and the ministry of health was signed on Friday. The agreement spells out how the diploma and degree will be delivered. But funding for the programme has still not been secured.

“Cabinet approved the workforce development plan for nursing,” Dr Fran McGrath, director of funding and planning at the Ministry of Health, said.

“It is now up to us to secure funding. We are currently having promising discussions with NZAid, but the NZ government still have to look at the recommendations.

Director of national human resources development Frances Topa-Apera said this will create new opportunities for Cook Islands students to carry on their training here.

The Cooks, like many other countries in the world, is suffering a shortage of trained nurses.

“The Cook Islands nursing workforce is aging. In the next five years, a third of them will be over 60,” director of nursing Peta Ngari said.

“To sustain the nursing workforce and to save lives, the nursing school needs to be reopened.”

• Nerys Case

Telecom Cook Islands (TCI) has been preparing for tropical cyclone season in Rarotonga and the outer islands, through its cyclone preparedness exercises.

The tropical cyclone season in the Cook Islands is between November and April, when damage from flooding and strong winds can result in disruptions to services. However, tropical storms and cyclones may occur in other months.

“The Cook Islands are vulnerable to violent weather. The direction and strength of tropical cyclones can change with little warning. TCI’s cellular manager Donald Munro said.

“As part of our cyclone preparedness programme, before each season we conduct checks and maintenance to ensure our sites are prepared as best as they can be to avoid damage. Some of this work is undertaken during early hours involving maintenance on all cell sites such as checking wires, securing the masts, and checking that equipment is safely fastened.”

In February 2010 Aitutaki endured Cyclone Pat which destroyed many homes and business premises as well as causing damage to the mobile network infrastructure.

“We will publish notices advising any disruptions to services that may occur as we make the necessary preparations for the cyclone season and customers are requested to keep an eye out for these,” Munro added.

• TCI

The Tahiti Nui Association would like to clarify a few points raised in the article in yesterday’s CI News.

The association is no longer called Tahiti Tamarii Maohi NoPorinetia, and has officially changed its name to Tahiti Nui Association.

The article also omitted the Tahiti Nui Association’s newly-elected secretary, which is Andre Raoult.

The Association’s upcoming project is to construct a fare potee – a traditional meeting house – on land donated by Pa Marie Ariki.

• Rachel Reeves

The Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association (MCIPA) is working hard to support Maine Tapairu Joyana Meyer, who will represent the Cook Islands at the Miss South Pacific Pageant in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The pageant isn’t until November 22, but already the MCIPA is getting its fundraising efforts well underway.

On Friday, October 8, MCIPA is hosting an auction fundraiser night to raise money to send Meyer and a small team of helpers to Papua New Guinea.

For $60, guests can enjoy an island buffet and a show put on by last year’s Miss Cook Islands contestants at Edgewater, and can bid at an auction of arts, crafts and tivaevae.

Meyer’s chief chaperone Georgina Keenan-Williams is in the process of arranging her talent number, her traditional costume and pageant wardrobe. She’s also in the final stages of creating a pareu.

Meyer, a 21-year-old Auckland-based university student, was runner-up at last year’s Miss Cook Islands pageant. She’s busy juggling school and preparing to represent her country in Papua New Guinea.

• Rachel Reeves

Miss Cook Islands, Engara Gosselin, with one of the pieces by local artist Loretta Reynolds. 10092415

The Edgewater Resort and Spa has recruited reigning Miss Cook Islands, Engara Gosselin, as front office manager.

The resort has also had a refit and refurbishment of the information and reception area. It took two months to complete and has a brand new contemporary Polynesian look designed by the team at Edgewater.

The reception area displays the work of Cook Islands artist Loretta Reynolds and is based on the Tangaroa theme.

• Nerys Case

Tikioki residents called police when they discovered an uninvited stranger watching television in their home.

The homeowners said that upon returning to their house, they found a motorbike parked in the driveway and a man in the sitting room. The 27-year-old intruder was arrested and remanded in custody, and will appear before the court this week. In addition to charges of being unlawfully found and trespassing, he is also up for contempt of court.

Another person rang police when he woke up to find money missing from his wallet. He admitted that he hadn’t locked the doors before going to sleep for the night, but did not see or hear anyone enter the room.

Police made nine arrests last week, for a number of offences including common assault, assault on a female, theft and being unlawfully found.

Police received three excessive noise complaints at the weekend – one from Muri, one from Takuvaine and one from Nikao. All offenders were issued warnings and instructed to turn off their music.

A 20-year-old man is being charged with contempt of court after breaching court-mandated conditions to abstain from alcohol and to stay home between 7pm and 7am.

Police suspect that the young man was responsible for vandalising some homes in the middle of the night. He will appear in court this week.

No motorists were arrested for driving under the influence at the weekend, but police did confiscate one man’s keys after he was spotted driving while disqualified.

Constable Alan Rua issued “a reminder to all persons who have had their drivers’ licences suspended to make other alternative arrangements of travel to avoid heavy court penalties”.

• Rachel Reeves

Top Shape Health and Fitness is running a Mind and Body Life Change challenge, which is basically to help people change their lifestyle and be healthier.

The challenge starts on October 4 and ends on December 18 and has a $5000 first prize as well as numerous consolation prizes.

Registration will be carried out until October 1 at Top Shape Gym from noon to 2pm.

The registration fee is $100 for members and $160 for non-members.

With registration you will receive a complete guide for exercise and nutrition over an 11 week period, to help you achieve your designated goals.

Also tests are done at the gym between noon and 2pm Monday to Friday. Testing includes weight, height, body fat, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.

Call Tai 27047/73525 or Tekao 79292 for more information.

• Martin Tiffany

A point of contention among taxi drivers has been parking spots. 10092428

Scrapping between rival taxi drivers over airport parking seems to have been resolved.

For months, Rarotonga Taxi Association (RTA) and Cook Islands Transport Inc (CITI) were up against a wall – the two competing associations were at odds and couldn’t seem to agree on issues such as airport parking.

Fast forward a series of meetings with each other and with Minister of Transport William ‘Smiley’ Heather, the airport authority and Cook Islands Tourism, and taxi owner-operators are at a much better place.

RTA and CITI are prepared to re-vamp Rarotonga’s taxi industry, and have agreed to cooperate and compromise in order to do so. At a meeting last week, both organisations confirmed their willingness to work together.

“We’ve unanimously decided that the only way forward is to work together,” RTA president Ivor Nicholas said.

He added that recent meetings with all 15 owner-operators on the island were “long overdue”.

One of the most important – and most contentious – issues has long been parking spaces at the airport.

“The number of tourists coming through has increased over the years and accordingly the number of taxis has also increased, but the problem is the parking spaces have not increased,” Nicholas said.

Four individual owner-operators were paying the airport authority for the rights to airport parking, and CITI was paying for another four.

Other owner-operators started to agitate for access to those spots – which are strategically located in the way of tourist traffic – but the paying taxis were reluctant to share.

Tere Taio, chief executive of Minister William Heather’s office, was present at earlier meetings and reported it was clear that “nobody was willing to budge”.

Last week, Heather told RTA and CITI that if they weren’t able to work out their differences, he would intervene.

“We don’t want to step on their toes – we just want to make sure everything is equal and fair,” Heather said.

Taio agreed: “We hope they work things out because that’s the last thing we want to do is get involved.”

Airport authority Joe Ngamata issued RTA and CITI an ultimatum – either work together, or the spots go to the highest bidder.

Owner-operators last Wednesday chose the former option at what Nicholas called a “very fruitful” meeting.

“We have to work together so we can all have a cut of the cake,” CITI president Celestine Maoate said.

The next step is to draft a timetable to dictate which taxi can use which parking spots, and when, and submit it to the airport authority. RTA and CITI are likely to switch off days.

“We have to share business evenly, otherwise the system won’t work,” Nicholas said. “(Parking) is one of the issues we have looked at very seriously so that everyone can benefit.”

Another issue on the agenda is establishing a ‘taxi booth’ at the airport arrivals lounge, at which passengers without pre-arranged transport can grab a cab.

Both RTA and CITI have indicated that are interested in setting up a booth.

Other issues of concern to Heather and Taio are standardising fares and uniforms, buying taxi meters, and establishing a body which will ensure that all taxis are following the rules.

At present, there is no supervisory body, and police are responsible for collecting drivers’ fees.

“Some have good ideas and some are driving around in gumboots and their babies are answering the phone,” Taio said. “They need to upgrade to a level on par with the rest of the world.”

Nicholas agreed that it’s time to address some of these issues, as taxis and tourism are so intricately linked.

“We’ve undertaken this review because (even though) we’re doing okay, there are taxi companies providing very good services and some that need to upgrade and pick it up, so we can all provide a service we can really be proud of,” Nicholas said. “Happy taxi drivers – happy passengers.”

• Rachel Reeves

Nirvana May. 10092809

Cookies Deaf Club, who are on a week-long sign language course at the University of the South Pacific. 10092810

For this year’s Deaf Awareness Week, the Cookies Deaf Club has brought in a teacher from New Zealand to help deaf Cook Islanders learn more sign language.

Nirvana May is from Christchurch and has 10 years experience as a sign language teacher, as well as being profoundly deaf.

She will be teaching every morning until Friday at the University of the South Pacific. In the afternoons the class plan to go on group activities such as walking in the conservation area and playing mini golf at Coco Putt – great opportunities to practice their new sign language skills.

Seventeen members of Cookies are on the course, which is designed to bring signing skills up to a level where deaf people can have detailed conversations with each other and with the people around them.

Five of the class are from Rarotonga, seven from Aitutaki, one from Atiu and one from Mitiaro.

Paul Ongoua, the treasurer and facilitator of the Cookies Deaf Dlub, said: “Most people know the basics of sign language, the alphabet, numbers and introductions. We hope that after this course people can go back to their islands and communicate with people who are deaf or hearing.”

Ongoua said that after the course members of the deaf club will be able to teach their family and friends the new signs.

May said that some of the people who were attending the class hadn’t learnt sign language as children, but had been restricted to communicating visually and through pictures.

“It’s never too late to learn. People can catch up very quickly.” May said.

“Sign language can bring deaf people together so that they can share their experiences. It’s so important that deaf people learn to sign.”

Ongoua wanted to thank the sponsors of the week of events, BCI and the Community Incentives Scheme.

• Nerys Case

Another round of interviews for Cook Islands Tourism’s (CIT) New Zealand manager took place on Monday.

The post has been vacant since Chris Ingram resigned in March and interviews were delayed until CIT’s new chief executive Carmel Beattie was in place.

The first round of interviews took place in June. An Australian was offered the role as a result.

“We had a terrific person who sadly was offered a job in Australia the day after we interviewed her and despite my cajoling she decided she wanted to return to Australia,” Beattie said.

“No other candidate at that time was suitable.”

Beattie said that Kelly Hansen, who is acting in the post, is being supported and has help from a young Cook Islander living in Auckland in the interim.

“Kelly is doing a great job and coping well. We have also streamlined processes for the overseas offices and all finances are now being handled here in head office which frees up the in-market teams to concentrate on their core roles.”

Hansen resigned from her post at the New Zealand office in July after running the office since Ingram’s departure, but withdrew her resignation after talks with Beattie.

CIT has said that they budgeted the going rate to recruit for to the post, and are unwilling to compromise on quality. However, Beattie was optimistic about the outcome of the recent interviews. “I think we are getting closer to making a decision.”

• Nerys Case

Tourism has significant potential to reduce poverty in the Pacific, international tourism industry experts say. Pacific tourism leaders are attending the Asia Pacific Workshop on Tourism Development and Poverty Reduction, in Sydney, Australia.

They have been told their industry has very significant potential to create jobs and business opportunities. This is particularly so for Pacific Islanders living in rural areas.

Fabrice Leclerq, from the Geneva-based International Trade Centre, says success is coming from looking in detail at every point along the tourism supply chain.

The idea is to find exactly where the best value is to be found for local communities. Leclerq says his organisation has found working with all-inclusive hotels and five-star hotels has the greatest potential to create jobs

“We should not think that either five-star hotels or all-inclusive hotels are necessarily bad for the community,” he told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat. “We’ve seen this in the Caribbean with Sandals (operator of the exclusive Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica) and also they often have much more capacity to employ or purchase local product and services than an average small hotelier.”

University of Tasmania Tourism Professor, Trevor Sofield agrees five-star hotels and hotels that aim to provide their customers with everything from accommodation, food, through to entertainment and activities are a fruitful area to work in.

While the International Trade Centre is concentrating on match-making communities with new hotel projects, Professor Sofield said many older existing hotels can be encouraged to buy and employ locally.

• Radio Australia

Women’s organisations from vaka Te-Au-O-Tonga are being called to a meeting this week to discuss the Cook Islands National Council of Women biennial conference to be held October 11-15.

The organising committee for the national women’s conference is asking women from Avarua to Nikao to attend a meeting at the Punanga Nui market rotunda today at 4.30pm to inform them about the upcoming event.

The conference hasn’t been held for a few years due to lack of funds, but next month outer islands women will join women’s groups here to take part in the revived forum.

Women’s organisations such as church and community groups are encouraged to send a representative to the meeting today.

CINCW will also call meetings for women from vaka Puaikura and Takitumu before the conference is held.

The conference traditionally covers a range of topics including leadership, human rights and health issues.

• Helen Greig

Anaesthetist Dr Mary Tuke with the anaesthetic machine which has been upgraded to meet New Zealand standards. 10092304

Ivan Batistich has been working hard to help patients at Rarotonga Hospital breath easier.

“Ivan has been brought in under the health specialist programme to strengthen oxygen and air facilities in the two theatres, the high dependency unity and the emergency room,” Heather Webber-Aitu, the director of hospital health services said.

“Previously oxygen bottles were carried into these rooms. Now we have a constant supply.”

Batistich is an expert in building medical equipment and has also been working with the hospital to improve the anaesthetic machines.

Batistich designed the anaesthetic machine which was the NZ standard for 30 years. It was robust and reliable, but has been replaced by computerised machines in NZ.

These machines are now in place at Rarotonga Hospital and are simple to operate and dependable. Their construction is perfect for use in the Pacific’s hot, humid conditions.

Batistich has upgraded the operating theatre’s anaesthetic machine so that it complies with New Zealand standards, and has upgraded the second operating theatre so that air and oxygen are piped in, meaning that both theatres can be used at the same time if necessary.

Another area where Batistich has been improving the hospital is the intensive care unit. He has reconfigured machines so that they can provide something called CPAP, or continuous positive air pressure. This means that if someone is having trouble breathing, a mask can be placed over the face which will force air into the lungs.

“Ivan has been building equipment to suit the conditions so that we can accommodate multiple casualties and we are prepared for any pandemic that might come our way. The Ministry of Health is very fortunate to have built capacity in this way to assist with saving lives,” Webber-Aitu said.

• Nerys Case

Joyana Meyer. 10070601

Maine Tapairu Joyana Meyer is ‘overwhelmed’ with gratitude toward those working hard to raise money for her trip to Papua New Guinea to compete in November’s Miss South Pacific pageant.

“I am saddened by the fact that I can not be there and participate in person but hearing of all the projects going on and seeing emails flying back and forth between organisers in Rarotonga spurs me on to continue putting all my effort into preparing for the pageant as well as to continue striving to achieve the best possible grades at university,” she said.

She’s pursuing a degree in mechatronic engineering at the University of Auckland and right now is dedicating a good portion of her time to doing assignments in digital circuit design, mathematical modelling, machine and structural dynamics and real-time software.

Meyer is balancing a full course-load with pageant preparation, which includes staying in shape, planning her talent number and coordinating the traditional costume and pareu segments of her performance.

She said she’s also closely following current affairs in the South Pacific to prepare her for any onstage questions.

“I am truly grateful to all who are helping the Miss Cook Islands Association and (me) – grateful from the depths of my heart. I believe the snowball has only started rolling down the hill,” she said in an e-mail.

The Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association is busy gearing up for its first major fundraiser to support Meyers’s cause – a dinner, show and auction function at Edgewater on October 8.

For tickets, see Clee Marsters at Air New Zealand.

• Rachel Reeves

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