Index | Top Stories | General News | Sports | Court News | Environment | Letters | Features | Archive | Subscribe | About Us

Top News

Week ending Wednesday, 1 June, 2011

Front page news stories on politics and current
events in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.

All smiles for wetlands learning
Drug accused revealed
MPs son in drug sting
More money poured into tourism
Weather forces change
Drugs accused on new charge
Man jailed for rape
Government enforcer appointed
3 accidents in 2 days
ON THE STREET
Tourists accused of painting theft
Lagoon action vital
Champion captain the ultimate warrior
Lagoon fails water quality tests
Pupils perform for Environment Week
Girl indecently assaulted
Another painting targeted
Operation Calypso in Rarotonga
Junk pulled from watery depths
Teen arrested for indecent assault
Packed schedule for Lagoon Day

11052410

National Environment Service education and awareness officer Deyna Marsh (centre) was at St Josephs School this week to promote the importance of wetlands to the students.

Wetlands and their importance for healthy islands is the central theme of this years Environment Week programme starting on May 30 and Lagoon Day events on June 1 and 2.

St Josephs students learned that wetlands act like the kidneys of the island filtering and cleaning water before it runs into the lagoon.

Marsh is encouraging schools to take advantage of the Environment Week art and poem competition with some fantastic prizes including cash up for grabs sponsored by the National Environment Service and CITC.

For more information on the schools competition contact Marsh at the NES office in Avarua and at the same time enquire about the environment quiz night on June 3 which will raise funds for the seed funding project.

• Matariki Wilson

Name suppression has been lifted for all Operation Eagle accused.

This follows yesterdays Cook Islands High Court hearing before Justice Hugh Williams.

The 13 men and women have all now been released from the Arorangi prison on bail.

Among those facing criminal charges is Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters son, Giovanni Marsters (30), builder, of Titikaveka, who faces 14 charges including wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice, importing, selling, and possessing illicit drugs, conspiring with others to import drugs, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

His de-facto partner and suspended Cook Islands police officer Inano Matapo (36), also of Titikaveka, is one of his co-accused.

She faces seven charges of corruptly accepting bribes as a police officer, conspiring to import and sell illicit drugs with others, wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice, selling drugs, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

She held the rank of senior sergeant before being suspended due to her alleged involvement in crime.

A former high-ranking New Zealand and Cook Islands police officer is also charged in relation to Operation Eagle.

Mark Franklin (54), consultant, of Nikao, faces four charges of selling illicit drugs and possessing drugs for supply or sale.

He was a detective inspector, working on a number of high-profile criminal cases in New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

Also facing charges is former postal worker Sam Tangaroa (32), of Rutaki, who was arrested for importing and selling illicit drugs, conspiring with others to import drugs, and corruptly accepting a bribe in his official capacity as a postal worker for importing cannabis.

Rehab nightclub owner Scott Arlander (42), of Tupapa, faces eight charges. They include cultivating and importing illicit drugs including the class A drug known as LCD or acid as well as possessing drugs for sale or supply, possessing drug paraphernalia, and selling drugs.

Unemployed Nikao resident Ricky Carlson (23) faces 12 charges of possessing drugs for sale or supply, selling drugs, and offering to supply drugs.

Alain Estall (32), unemployed, of Tupapa, faces seven charges of selling drugs, possessing drugs for sale or supply, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Arorangi labourer Victor Wichman (26) faces two charges of cultivating and selling drugs.

Dina Matapo (31), self employed, of Titikaveka, is charged with selling drugs and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Matavera barman George Nicholls (23) faces two charges of selling drugs.

Sisters Mere King (55), waitress, of Atupa, and Tina Upu (54), kitchen hand, of Nikao, face two charges of selling drugs and one charge of possessing drugs respectively.

Nikao labourer Nooroa Robati (44) is charged with two counts of possessing drugs.

All but Upu are due to next appear in the court before a Justice of the Peace on June 30.

Upu will be sentenced, having pleaded guilty, on June 3.

• Rosie Manins

Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters spent yesterday morning in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua to hear a bail application for his son Giovanni, who faces 14 criminal charges.

Giovannis de-facto partner Inano Matapo a suspended Cook Islands police officer was also in the court yesterday facing seven criminal charges.

Both are among 13 accused in relation to the largest criminal investigation of any kind by Cook Islands police.

Giovanni Marsters faces 14 charges including wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice, importing, selling, and possessing illicit drugs, conspiring with others to import drugs, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Matapo faces seven charges of corruptly accepting bribes as a police officer, conspiring to import and sell illicit drugs with others, wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice, selling drugs, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Until yesterday their identity was kept a secret from the public through interim name suppression orders.

A large Marsters family contingent sat in the public gallery of the court yesterday while bail applications for seven of the accused, including Inano and Giovanni, were considered by Justice Hugh Williams. Bail was granted to all.

The seven had been remanded in custody at the Arorangi prison since being arrested.

The accused were yesterday seated next to each other in the front of the public gallery while all applications were heard.

Friends and family of other accused also filled public gallery seats.

The Deputy Prime Minister and his family left the courtroom shortly before Inano and Giovanni, who remained to sign their bail bonds.

• Rosie Manins

11032529

Even as the government is facing a $1.7 million deficit, it intends to increase the level of funding to Cook Islands Tourism in the forthcoming budget.

Itll be more significant than last year put it that way, finance minister Mark Brown said, though he added its too early to pin down a figure.

Minister Brown was speaking at a press conference on Tuesday.

The government in December approved the airline underwrites to secure the direct flights from Los Angeles and Sydney, and the potential Fiji flight.

It has pledged $2 million from its coffers into marketing those flights.

NZAid has contributed another $1.5 million to prop up marketing efforts for those flights, and it is also in the process of earmarking funding for destination development.

Business plans from government ministries and state-owned enterprises have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management and the budget support team is in the process of preparing a report, which will be ready for tabling by the end of this week.

Throughout the month of June, Cabinet and advisers will produce a balanced budget for tabling in parliament on July 1.

We wanted to ensure we were clear in identifying priorities and where we wanted to allocate resources that process has now been completed so the funding that we are considering towards our economic drivers, tourism being one of them, is part of this budget process that were undertaking now, Brown said.

• Rachel ReevesRachel Reeves

Avarua School students with Cook Islander Francis Smith, who plays rugby for Tasman but came home to Rarotonga this week to film an anti-domestic violence advertisement. 11052513

Recent exceptional weather patterns have forced Forum Pacific to change her route.

Typically she travels from Auckland to Nukualofa and then stops in Vavau and Niue before arriving at Avatiu.

However, during this voyage she has had to change course she will leave Auckland on June 21 or 22 and is estimated to arrive in Rarotonga on June 30 or July 1.

From there, she will carry on to Niue, then to Nukualofa and Vavau.

It has been decided to change the rotation of V15 (voyage 15) to call in at Rarotonga first. This decision has been taken so we can facilitate delivery of some cargoes adversely affected by these recent issues and we will then return to our normal service, trade manager Ewen Grant wrote in an email to clients.

• Rachel ReevesRachel Reeves

A man charged through Operation Eagle has already appeared in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua for breaching conditions of his bail.

Nooroa Robati (44), fisherman, of Nikao, is charged with two counts of possessing cannabis at Rarotonga on May 5.

He appeared in the court before Justice of the Peace John Kenning yesterday on a new charge of breaching his bail conditions at Avarua on May 13.

Robati is subject to a night curfew and he was found by police to be abroad during hours he is supposed to be at home.

Robati did not enter a plea to the charge yesterday but said it was difficult for him to stay at home during the night because he relies on income from night fishing.

JP Kenning said Robati needs to make an application to the court for variation of his bail conditions.

He recommended Robati does so before next Friday after which Justice Hugh Williams who has this week dealt with Operation Eagle bail applications is due to leave the Cook Islands for New Zealand.

Robatis case was adjourned to June 9, or a date he can be heard by Justice Williams if possible.

Robati is on continued bail, subject to the initial conditions including a night curfew.

• Rosie Manins

Disabled Aitutaki woman attacked in her own home

An Aitutaki man is today beginning his three and a half year jail sentence for raping a disabled woman in her home on Aitutaki earlier this year.

Justice Hugh Williams yesterday convicted 46-year-old Charlie Teina of the charge in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua.

Teina, unemployed, of Aitutaki, admitted raping the woman when he appeared before the court in February.

He has three previous convictions for assault with intent to injure, burglary, and theft.

For those Teina served jail terms of three and five months on Aitutaki by working on the islands roads.

Justice Williams said it was not appropriate for Teina to do so for a rape conviction and instead ordered him to spend the next three and a half years behind bars.

On January 22 Teina drank a dozen bourbons before going to a bar on Aitutaki and asking women for sex.

He drove around the island looking for sex and came across the disabled womans home, where he stripped naked and raped her as she lay in her bed.

Justice Williams said Teina had a poor childhood and was not properly educated.

He has limited understanding and intelligence, but enough to know right from wrong, Justice Williams said.

Yesterday Teina was not represented by a lawyer, although a friend advocated on his behalf.

The victim was thoroughly traumatised after the incident and has had to drastically change her life, Justice Williams said.

Rapists in the Cook Islands go to jail just as rapists in any other civilised country in the world go to jail and in any country that respects the rights of all its citizens, particularly women and children.

Full report p7

• Rosie Manins

George Maggie 11021827

Tupapa member of parliament George Maggie (pictured above)has one of the most important parliamentary roles, says Prime Minister Henry Puna.

As yet it has not been publicised, but Maggie (pictured) is the parliamentary whip for the Cook Islands Party.

At a press conference this week, Puna was responding to questions about rumours that Maggie would be appointed as an associate minister.

No, because he has the most important post the whip, the one that keeps everybody in line, Puna said.

Parliamentary clerk Nga Valoa confirmed that Maggies job is to keep everybody in line in parliament. Valoa also said that to his knowledge the opposition Democratic Party has no whip.

The concept of the whip was inherited from colonial British rule. A whip is an official in a political party who ensures party discipline in a legislature or ensures that members of his party are voting according to party policy.

Whips are party enforcers, whose job it also is to make sure their party representatives are present when important votes are being taken.

• Rachel ReevesRachel Reeves

A child was taken to hospital after a hit and run accident on the back road at Takuvaine yesterday afternoon.

Initial reports indicate two young children were on the road when one was hit by a vehicle about 2.30pm.

It is not yet known whether the vehicle was a motorcycle or a car.

Police commissioner Maara Tetava says one child was taken to Rarotonga hospital for medical treatment of minor injuries but the other was not injured.

He asks anyone with information about the hit and run, as well as any witnesses, to come forward and provide police with details.

Meanwhile, a Nikao woman who caused extensive damage to a Tupapa property is likely to face criminal charges.

The 27-year-old crashed a car into a residential property on the back road at Tupapa about 4.30am on Thursday.

Tetava says a charge of careless driving is likely, and another charge is possible.

Tetava says the woman reported the incident to police and aside from some minor abrasions she was not injured in the crash. Her car was damaged.

No other people or vehicles were involved.

Police are also following up a report about a crash near Tereora College at Nikao yesterday morning.

It is believed a man on a motorcycle was travelling along the back road near Tereora when he drove into the back of a truck which had stopped for pedestrians crossing the road.

Tetava says the pedestrian crossing at Tereora is due for a fresh lick of paint.

The police are also waiting for new road signs to be made before distributing them throughout Rarotonga.

Already some new road signs have been installed on Mangaia and Mitiaro.

• Rosie Manins

11052611

11052612

11052613

11052614

11052615

11052616

11052617

11052618

What do you think about the plan to re-route the main road around the old Sheraton at Vaimaanga?

A group of young Kiwi tourists has been accused of stealing a painting from the Cook Islands Library & Museum Society.

In a letter to the editor, Curator Jean Mason said a group of Kiwis in their 20s turned up at the museum on Tuesday, just as it was about to close. Because they said they were flying back to New Zealand that afternoon, the group was allowed in for a brief look.

Because we are a generous lot (and perhaps a little naive) we let them in for 10 minutes, without paying the entrance fee, Mason wrote.

After the group had left, museum staff discovered a painting was missing from the wall.

It wasn't until afterwards that it became clear to us why they were laughing amongst themselves (huddling together as they hid the painting) and why they were in such a hurry to exit.

I hope they are enjoying the souvenir they acquired by theft from a non-profit, non government-funded institution in a developing country.

The museum is not equipped with electronic surveillance equipment because it is too expensive.

While the painting was not particularly valuable, Mason wrote that the museums good turn letting the tourists visit after hours and free of charge did not deserve to be repaid like that.

What really hurts us (especially in the pocket) are the cheap thrills they get from abusing our good nature by stealing from us.

The painting depicted a Rarotongan landscape and was part of a collection by travelling artists.

Full letter, p 6

• AAW

If Rarotonga wants to keep Muri lagoon healthy, it has to act fast, the ministry of marine resources has warned.

Preliminary findings from a new survey of Muri lagoon reveals there is a small window of opportunity for action to keep the lagoon healthy.

But that window wont stay open for much longer and it is closing fast, says marine resources secretary Ben Ponia.

High concentrations of nutrients in the stream water and ground waters increase the risk of noxious algal blooms in the lagoon.

The high level of ciguatera poisoning in fish can be attributed to a combination of degraded coral reefs and water that is high in nutrients.

Five per cent of the records revealed sporadic spikes in bacteria levels in the lagoon water, which is a public health concern.

Over the past eight months MMR staff has been creating a marine biophysical profile of the Muri area under the supervision of MMR directors Dorothy Solomona and Kori Raumea.

The draft report was authored by project officer Angelie Robinson.

The study looked at the lagoon and coastal environment and factors that affect it. It included analysing the water quality and fish ciguatera toxin levels.

The data is also supplemented by meteorological reporting.

According to MMR the study suggests that the source of nutrients in the lagoon could be groundwater that is coming from the entire catchment.

Scientists from NIWA, SOPAC and staff from NES, Health and MOIP have also been involved.

MMR recently distributed the report to the associate environment minister Atatoa Herman as well as heads of ministries and staff from the ministries of agriculture, outer islands, health, tourism and infrastructure and planning.

The release of the studys finding coincides with Environment Week, which begins today. Lagoon Day will be held on June 1 and 2.

• MMR

Avatiu Eels captain Bilsy Gukisuva receives the premier rugby league grade championship trophy from prime minister Henry Puna (left) and rugby league president Charles Carlson after the Eels defeated the Panthers 20-12 in Saturday’s grand final. It is the third year Gukisuva has led the Eels to the grand final and the second year in a row he has led them to the championship trophy. Gukisuva was also presented the ‘ultimate warrior’ award sponsored by the General George George and family. 11052948

Avatiu Eels captain Bilsy Gukisuva receives the premier rugby league grade championship trophy from prime minister Henry Puna (left) and rugby league president Charles Carlson after the Eels defeated the Panthers 20-12 in Saturdays grand final. It is the third year Gukisuva has led the Eels to the grand final and the second year in a row he has led them to the championship trophy. Gukisuva was also presented the ultimate warrior award sponsored by the General George George and family. 11052948

Of 14 Rarotonga lagoon sites surveyed, 13 did not receive passing marks on this years Ministry of Marine Resources water quality report card.

The report card issued in time for Environment Week grades 14 sites according to their nutrient levels, water clarity and bacteria levels. The third annual report, it includes results from stream tests for the first time.

Last year, seven lagoon sites failed a test that measured them against international marine health standards though the number of sites tested is greater this year, the results are worse overall.

An oversupply of nutrients has negatively affected the ecological health of the lagoon.

While it is normal to find nitrogen and phosphate in a marine environment they enter the lagoon in the form of fertilisers and human and animal waste high concentrations promote unhealthy levels of algal growth, which in turn damages coral reefs.

On a grading scale of A to F, only the Social Centre passed with a C for acceptable nutrient levels.

Trader Jacks Club Raro, Pouara raui, Paringaru, Tikioki, Kaena Restaurant and the east airport drain scored D for poor, while the following sites Avana Mudflat, Kent Hall, Totokoitu research station and Papua scored E for very poor.

The lagoon adjacent to Arorangi School and Public Works scored F for extremely poor.

Each lagoon site was also tested for water clarity. Researchers measured the amount of algae and suspended solids (like mud and silt) in the water to judge its clarity, and all sites passed the test except Tikioki and Totokoitu.

In terms of bacteria levels measured by the presence of enterococci as an indicator of contamination from animal and human waste all sites passed.

Still, the results for water quality constitute a concern.

If no action is taken to protect the water quality of the lagoon there will be continued impacts on the reef and the fish in the lagoon, and potential for the re-occurrence of the irritant syndrome and an increase in fish poisoning, the report card warns.

Human activities such as removing our wetlands, cutting down trees and farming crops and pigs close to streams can decrease water quality.

The stream data comes from eight sites north airport, Avatiu, Avana, Paringaru, Akapuao, Tokokoitu, Rutaki and Betela.

Nutrient levels in streams were consistently high, except those in the north airport drain stream site. Water clarity was generally good.

However, oxygen levels at Paringaru and Betela were poor, which constitutes a threat to animals living in both marine environments.

The report card comprises 2010 data for Rarotonga, which was collected fortnightly for the Muri and Avana sites and monthly for the remaining sites.

• Rachel ReevesRachel Reeves

RAROTONGA school students will take to the stage today to showcase acts and skits based on protecting and preserving wetlands in the Cook Islands.

Todays performing arts competition is to commemorate Environment Week, which runs from Monday 30 to June 3, and will include around five school performing art teams.

Wetlands for healthy islands is the National Environment Service theme this year and is the key focus of Environment Week and Lagoon Day starting tomorrow and continuing on Thursday.

The performing arts competition will be held in the CITC car park starting at 9.30am today and the winning school will walk away with $300 while the runner-up team will receive $200. The third placed school will receive $100. The prizes are sponsored by the Sustainable Land Management Project and the National Environment Service.

CITC has come on board to sponsor consolation prizes for teams.

Yesterday the Environment Week art competition was judged and winners of this competition will be announced later in the week.

The art works by year 1 to 4 students are displayed in the BCI Bank while works by year 5 and 6 students are on display in the Westpac Bank.

The ANZ Bank has on display works by year 7 and 8 students and all works relate to this years wetland theme.

Meanwhile, today is the deadline for the Seed Funding project where environmentally focused projects can apply for financial assistance from funds raised at the June 3 environment quiz night.

For more information on the initiative contact Deyna Marsh on 21256, otherwise head to the CITC main store and support the performing arts show by Rarotonga school kids.

• Matariki Wilson

A Six-year-old girl has reportedly been indecently assaulted while catching eels with her younger brother in a Takuvaine stream.

The serious crime division of the Cook Islands Police is dealing with investigation of the alleged incident, although details available to the public at this stage remain scarce.

It was mentioned in the polices report to media about weekend incidents but no details were disclosed.

Those within the serious crime division were not available to comment yesterday, and police commissioner Maara Tetava was too busy to speak with the Cook Islands News.

• Rosie Manins

11053007

A print of the tall ship Soren Larssen was nearly stolen from Trader Jacks at the weekend, but a watchful staff member was able to recover the framed image from the would-be thief.

Owner Jack Cooper said that the print was gifted to Trader Jacks in 2005 by the then-captain of Soren Larssen as a thank you for the hospitality.

On Friday night, a woman left her motorbike idling in the carpark and bolted inside Trader Jacks to snatch the framed picture.

We dont know who it was, Cooper said. But one of our staff saw the woman jump on her bike.

There have been rumours suggesting the culprit was involved with the Soren Larssen which was docked at Avatiu at the weekend but Cooper said hed rather not speculate, though he did contact the ship by VHF following the incident.

Cooper joked that the incident is reminiscent of the Thomas Crown affair a heist film involving the theft of a $100 million painting. Still, while the print is not necessarily valuable, it does hold sentimental value for Trader Jacks.

Its now hanging near the bathrooms at Trader Jacks.

The incident occurred three days after a group of Kiwi tourists allegedly stole a painting from the Cook Islands Library & Museum.

• Rachel ReevesRachel Reeves

The HMNZS Otago arrives at Avatiu tomorrow, and Rarotonga-based chief petty officer Del Bewg and the New Zealand High Commissioners Office are busily preparing for her visit.

The Otago left Samoa on Monday morning and is now en route to Rarotonga she is expected to arrive at around 10am tomorrow.

Te Kukupa heads out this afternoon with police commissioner Maara Tetava on board and will rendezvous with HMNZS Otago at first light tomorrow. Tetava will shift to the New Zealand Navy ship before she pulls into port.

When she docks at the international berth, commanding officer Simon Rooke will issue his official calls to Tetava, New Zealand High Commissioner Linda Te Puni and harbour master Esau Esau.

On the ground, commanding officer Rooke and his crew have a full schedule.

Shortly after arriving, they will host an official luncheon for Cook Islands government officials. Tomorrow evening, Rooke and Te Puni will co-host an invite-only cocktail function on board the vessel, to which Prime Minister Henry Puna, Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters and Queens Representative Sir Harry Goodwin have been invited.

On Friday, there will be a training session for Cook Islands Maritime Police on board HMNZS Otago, which will cover skills such as firefighting and first aid. Later that afternoon, the Royal New Zealand Navy crew will take on the Cook Islands police in a game of touch at the Avatiu field.

On Saturday, the public is welcome to board HMNZS Otago for walking tours. From 12.30pm until 3pm, she will be accessible to anyone whos interested in exploring a Royal New Zealand Navy vessel. A walking tour route will be marked out, and officers will be stationed at points throughout to answer any questions.

HMNZS Otagos current mission marks the first deployment of a New Zealand offshore patrol vessel to the Pacific Islands.

The Navy is calling her mission Operation Calypso its objective is to enhance regional security, improve fisheries and resources protection and strengthen New Zealands diplomatic relationships with the region.

By undertaking a long duration patrol in the Pacific, OTA (HMNZS Otago) will confirm the capability of the OPVs (offshore patrol vessels) to operate in Pacific waters and higher temperatures, senior media adviser Lt Sarah Campbell wrote in an email.

The OPVs give New Zealand new capability to undertake regular long duration patrols to the Pacific Islands to work with and in support of our Pacific neighbours.

HMNZS Otago was scheduled to visit Rarotonga last November, but her mission was cancelled due to contaminated fuel problems and she was forced to remain in Auckland.

HMNZS Otago will remain at Avatius international berth until Monday morning, and will spend the remainder of Monday in anchor to allow room for the Southern Express due in on Monday to berth in the harbour. HMNZS Otago leaves on Tuesday for Niue.

Navy ship has local link p 7

• Rachel ReevesRachel Reeves

11053143

McConnell Dowell is clearing out junk as it prepares to start piling or driving steel piles into the bottom of the harbour at the Avatiu wharf. Yesterday the crew was using a clam-shell bucket on its crawler crane to scoop old tyres and junk from the bottom of the sea which constitute obstructions before it can start piling. Project manager John Pohlen says its a standard exercise.He added that among the junk and tyres, construction crew found an old rusted childs mug. 11053140

Cook Islands police are urging parents and caregivers to monitor the whereabouts of young children after a six-year-old girl was indecently assaulted while fishing for eels unsupervised.

The girl, from Takuvaine, was with her younger brother at the Takuvaine stream at the time. Police say the boy is about four years old.

The two were alone at the stream on Sunday afternoon.

About 3pm the girl was temporarily separated from her younger brother, who was at a different stretch of the stream.

Inspector Tere Patia says a 17-year-old Panama male has been arrested and charged with indecently assaulting a six-year-old girl in relation to the incident.

Police made the arrest yesterday following general enquiries.

The teenager is due to appear in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua during the next session before a Justice of the Peace.

Insp Patia says no-one else is being sought in relation to the alleged crime.

He says both the young girl and her brother are physically okay.

The younger brother did not witness the alleged assault.

Insp Patia says the maximum penalty for a conviction of indecent assault is ten years imprisonment.

He urges all adults to ensure they properly supervise young children in their care.

Look out for where they go and monitor their activity so they dont get involved in this sort of thing.

• Rosie Manins

Today is Lagoon Day and a packed programme is in store for Rarotonga children and the community taking part.

The programme starts at 8.30am with a prayer, opening ceremony and words of encouragement by prime minister and minister of environment Henry Puna.

Invited guests including Aronga Mana, ministers and heads of ministries will have a special programme today which includes visiting a number of sites with school children.

Eleven information booths will be set up around the Ngatangiia field with displays and demonstrations to help students and the public better understand what people are doing to damage the environment and solutions to minimise these negative impacts.

A number of site visits are also planned including a glass bottom lagoon cruise on Muri lagoon, checking out the Aroko saltwater marsh and Pacific Resort sewerage treatment plant.

The community is encouraged to get along to Nukupure Park in Ngatangiia and learn what you can do to help the environment and apply it to your everyday life.

Lagoon Day continues tomorrow at Ngatangiia.

• Matariki Wilson

Index | Photo Gallery | Memory Lane | Cooks Info | FAQs | Subscribe | About Us