|
Coconut King passes
Outer island bill supported
Cooks using energy ‘roadmap’
PM probed on top jobs
Fisheries minister orders reports
Telecommunications principles released
Shocking roads
Model Moana
Damning criticism for George
Korea gifts $100K for development
Water supply off Turangi to town
Budget amendment passed
Seabed minerals mission assigned
Prefect pride
Fire investigations continue
Govt ‘desperate’: Opposition
MPs concerned at lack of review
Celebrating the new year
Pension portability a priority
Chamber supports fibre optic cable
Change in police priorities on calls
Coconut King passes
Thu
21 Feb
|
|
Piri Puruto
13022017
|
The ‘master of disaster’ Piri Puruto III will be laid to rest in Melbourne on Friday.
The 72-year-old Cook Islands icon, pictured here fighting fit at 64 in 2005, died in Melbourne on Saturday 16 and will be remembered for his boxing achievements and coconut tree climbing antics that also earned him the name ‘Coconut King’.
Born and raised on Atiu, Puruto eventually moved to New Zealand where in 1959 he became the Auckland middleweight boxing champ which he retained in 1960.
When he moved to Rarotonga to live, he worked at the Rarotongan Resort and Spa as a security officer where he also came up with the idea to create a show for visitors involving coconut tree climbing which he began in 1977.
Even after retiring from boxing, Puruto continued to help train young men in the sport.
Last year, Puruto featured in the Bairnsdale Advertiser in Victoria, Australia where he took time out to share his boxing skills with youth at the Eastcoast Boxing Club.
The team at Cook Islands News extend our deepest condolences to the Puruto family for your loss.
Outer island bill supported
Thu
21 Feb
Legislation which hands over the reins of power to outer island councils was passed in parliament yesterday after three afternoons of debate.
The Island Governance Act 2013 was passed just in the nick of time before parliament adjourned for the day – but not without doubts on its benefits being aired.
Prime Minister Henry Puna, who as outer island minister pushed the bill through the House, congratulated outer island mayors on behalf of the government on their new status to govern the outer islands.
“It is time we give the power to the island council.”
The bill has been in the pipeline for many years – it was initiated in 1999 – and in essence aims to help outer island development.
“I am so pleased that this House, together, today, have finally realised the importance of this legislation. But it means we as members of parliament need to learn new skills – we need to learn skills of sharing with our island councils.”
This includes learning where the boundaries of jurisdiction lie for both parties.
“Above all, we need to learn the skills of getting on with each other. Members of parliament are no longer the ‘be all, end all’.”
But he gave the island mayors a “word of warning” that they do not have an open hand to now do as they please. “For your own protection and the protection of those in the outer islands there are rules you must follow.”
While politicians from both sides of the House finally agreed to pass it, many voiced concerns it was not yet ready.
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen was concerned parliament would be accused down the track of passing a bill “without substance” just for convenience.
He suggested the government was trying to push the bill through quickly just to add to their list of achievements.
The bill is about “devolution” and is patronising towards the outer islands, he said.
“For example, the bill says the outer island council can apply for a loan – but this is limited to $50,000 unless a minister intervenes.
He said there is no middle ground being offered to let outer islands develop on their own terms.
Cooks using energy ‘roadmap’
Thu
21 Feb
Where is the country’s energy roadmap, asked Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George to the Energy Minister, Prime Minister Henry Puna.
George asked the question in parliament yesterday and said despite all the hype about renewable energy he has not seen the promised concrete planning.
“We have not seen the new roadmap – policies, solid proposals, and potential savings – to the potentially $30 million renewable energy programme.”
Puna replied it seemed George was so preoccupied with what was happening in his Atiu constituency that he does not know what is going on in Rarotonga.
“Answer the question,” George shot back.
The roadmap has already been published, said Puna. He will ‘personally’ give George a copy.
“The whole world knows our commitment to renewable energy since this roadmap has been released100 per cent by 2020.
“I acknowledge sums involved are pretty high, but I subscribe to the thinking that nothing is impossible.”
Puna said ‘lots of agencies’ have approached the government to help with the cost of the project.
One of them is the Clinton Foundation, which became interested in the Cook Islands after Puna met former US president Bill Clinton in Abu Dhabi last year, he said.
PM probed on top jobs
Thu
21 Feb
The prime minister was questioned on the dismissals of senior public servants in parliament on Tuesday.
Titikaveka MP Selina Napa asked the minister of public service Prime Minister Henry Puna about the high turnover of ‘competent people’ at the tops of ministries.
“We keep turning competent people over and over again in ministries and it seems their name gets tarnished before an audit or other report is done. Is it the person involved who is at fault, or the ministry at fault?
“What steps is the government taking to keep competent people in the country, as it seems you are firing them faster than hiring them.”
Puna asked for a specific case. “I am not prepared to admit to nothing.”
He said he would not answer further on this line of questioning.
“Allegations of an overall mistreatment of our people is totally misfounded.”
In a supplementary question, Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen said he understood the investigative report – by former PSC Navy Epati – into reasons why Infrastructure secretary Donye Numa was fired had been released into government circles but the Opposition has not seen it. “What were the conclusions?”
Puna affirmed the report had been completed and a final action – Numa’s dismissal – had been taken by the public service commissioner.
“The truth is I am yet to see the final report.”
He said “should process approve” he would circulate it to Opposition members once he’s seen it, and would debate the report in the House should Opposition want.
Napa then asked the second supplementary question – “Can the minister advise the house what the situation is with Kave Ringi?”
Ringi, former secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, was dismissed in similar circumstances and time period to Numa.
“The matter is still under process by the Public Service Commission and I am not privy to that process nor do I want to be privy to this process, so there are no allegations of political interference,” Puna replied.
He said there is no role under the Public Service Act for the public service minister to be involved in such an investigation.
Fisheries minister orders reports
Fri
22 Feb
|
|
Marine Resources Minister Teina Bishop said he has told MMR to provide more regular reports to the public.
13022118
|
The marine resources minister believes his ministry should be issuing quarterly updates on revenue and licences to the public.
Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George asked Marine Resources Minister Teina Bishop during parliament yesterday whether the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) could provide better updates for the public.
“We are forever getting spits of information about licencing and revenue – but only when asked every now and then.”
George asked for regular information on how many licences MMR have issued, what revenue comes from all licences, and what licences are in the pipeline.
“Where is your database of information? Can you issue an annual or twice annual report? There is never that regularity or consistency of information.”
Bishop agreed with this proposal and has had discussions with MMR about how they can better get information to the public, perhaps in a quarterly report.
“They do hold this information but they are not disseminating this properly to the public.”
Bishop said while they have been trying to get the information out through a number of recent public meetings the information needs to be put out with more regularity.
“We are in the era of transparency, there is nothing to hide.”
Titikaveka MP Selina Napa also asked Bishop why licencing revenue hasn’t been put into local ventures.
Bishop replied he has been minister of MMR for two years now and over that time $400,000 has been put into helping fishing associations and clubs throughout the Cook Islands. A licence costs $10,000.
He also said since 2003 a lot of Cook Islanders were involved in commercial fishing ventures, but only one is left and that is only because the government ‘forced’ a joint venture.
“The reason is simple – economics.” He said it cost $1million to buy a boat and then more to buy bait and equipment and hire crew.
“It would be difficult to operate successfully without a huge capital investment.”
He gave an example of the Chinese government, which subsidises its fishing boats, but the Cook Islands government cannot afford to.
There was $2 million put aside in the investment bank for fishing ventures but it did not take long for two Cook Islanders to ‘hoe into’ that money, and nothing eventuated from this, said Bishop.
Telecommunications principles released
Fri
22 Feb
New principlEs leading the telecommunications industry have been published ahead of tabling to parliament to make into law.
On Wednesday, Telecommunications Minister Mark Brown released the Cook Islands Telecommunication Industry Principles, which he said outlines the government’s vision for an improved telecommunication sector.
“The government clearly believes that the provision of world class telecommunications infrastructure and information is the key to rapid economic and social development of the country.”
An affordable and effective telecommunications sector is a key to growing the economy, said Brown.
“At the moment, we have not seen the growth through telecommunications we would have liked to see.”
The next step is to table the principles in parliament this sitting. Brown hopes it can be debated and passed into law when parliament next sits in April.
The principles include introducing a less prescriptive legislative regime, management changes, and reduced barriers to enter the telecommunications market.
The principles say competition will only occur if market entrants can interconnect their facilities with other market players and the incumbent company – Telecom – at a cost which will allow the start-up company to be competitive.
The government is currently a 40 per cent shareholder in Telecom Cook Islands on behalf of the public – but Brown said, “Once the principles are law, the government may look at selling shares to individual Cook Islanders and instead focus on being an independent regulator and the policy and law maker.”
The principles are a step towards Cook Islanders having affordable, easy access to telephone and internet services regardless of where they are in the country.
Shocking roads
Fri
22 Feb
Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George is annoyed at the poor state of Rarotonga’s roads and asked the infrastructure minister what he is doing about it.
“We are experiencing the most shocking roads you could ever drive on, especially in the middle of town,” said George in parliamentary question time yesterday.
“As well, [there is] shocking drainage in this weatherWhat are you doing to fix this terrible experience we are all having?”
Infrastructure Minister Teariki Heather commiserated, to an extent, with George’s gripe.
“It is a fair comment to complain about the road system, particularly in Avarua – but it is to be expected with this sort of weather.”
It is the landholders who are responsible for repairing the water systems and the roads in this area, said Heather.
He said he is not involved in the work, but has met with the landholders and workers responsible to address this problem and they are ‘aware’ of it.
Model Moana
Fri
22 Feb
|
|
17-year-old Aitutaki beauty Moana Maoate is on a quest to be New Zealand’s next supermodel. She and older sister Marito have entered ‘Supermodel New Zealand’ and need Cook Islands support to secure the ‘people’s choice’ award. See pg 8 for story.
13022004
|
17-year-old Aitutaki beauty Moana Maoate is on a quest to be New Zealand’s next supermodel. She and older sister Marito have entered ‘Supermodel New Zealand’ and need Cook Islands support to secure the ‘people’s choice’ award. See pg 8 for story. 13022004
Related article(s):
Supermodel sisters
Damning criticism for George
Sat
23 Feb
|
|
Lawyer Norman George.
13022243
|
Lawyer and MP Norman George has been ordered to pay costs to four defendants after the Court of Appeal issued damning criticism at him for wasting its time.
The Court of Appeal has sent its judgement to the chief justice to take further disciplinary action against George if necessary.
President Justice Sir Ian Barker, Justice David Williams and Justice Barry Paterson heard the land court appeal case on November 28. They issued their judgement and costs decision on Wednesday – dismissing the appeal and saying to bring it to them in the first place was “an abuse of process”.
Annie Rangipiri Maurangi George disputed Tuoro section 87A5 at Arorangi with Tangi Teau, Elizabeth Matai Marii, Mere Ratumu (the first respondents) and Tina Pupuke Browne (second respondent).
During the appeal of a land court judgement handed down by Justice Wilson Isaac on April 20 last year, George acted for Annie George and lawyer Sarah Inder acted for the respondents.
The George’s wanted to annul three occupation right orders made in 2011 in favour of the three first respondents – at the time Browne had acted for them.
Before Justice Isaac, and again before the Court of Appeal judges, Norman George alleged the first respondents had got the orders through “deception and fraud” and Browne knew about this.
Norman George said Annie George’s case was based around the respondents using dishonest means to get the consent of owners in the Tuoro section to achieve the 51 per cent threshold needed – but failed to back up his allegations.
The Court of Appeal judges noted Norman George made no attempts to identify any specific errors of law or fact in the judgement under appeal and “such an approach is wholly unacceptable”.
During the original Land Court trial, both George’s were warned “totally unsubstantiated and seriously prejudicial allegations of fraud” may amount to an abuse of process.
That the lawyer and his client pushed the “flimsy” case to appeal, when their argument was already found by Justice Isaac to be “full of inconsistencies, inaccuracies and exaggeration” flabbergasted the three appeal judges.
“This was a completely hopeless appeal. It failed to identify any serious question of law or fact for argument. It should never have been launched or pursued and it is nothing short of astonishing that a senior counsel of longstanding in this Court should have accepted instructions to pursue it,” they said.
“The appeal had no merit whatsoever and amounted to vexatious litigation...in pursuing it the conduct of the appellant and her counsel was reprehensible.”
For making “serious but wholly unsubstantiated allegations” that potentially damaged the respondents’ reputation, Annie George must pay the first respondents $3,143.75 and the second respondent $1000 – as must Norman George.
The judges found George breached conduct as officer of the Court for making false statements, and his untrue allegations against another lawyer breached his duty to treat professional colleagues with courtesy and fairness.
One Cook Islands lawyer, who spoke to CI News on condition of anonymity, said it is possible George will be struck off for his conduct.
“It was despicable that George asserted fraud on the part of Tina Browne, when there was no evidence whatsoever. He is on very thin ice and it is clear that the Court regarded his actions as not only outrageous, but also incompetent.”
The judgment has been forwarded to Chief Justice Tom Weston to decide whether disciplinary action will be taken against Norman George for “abusively” pursuing allegations of fraud without foundation.
Korea gifts $100K for development
Sat
23 Feb
|
|
Korean Ambassador Yongkyu Park, Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters and Prime Minister Henry Puna at the signing.
13022203
|
The Cook Islands have been gifted US$100,000 by the Republic of Korea as a symbol of strengthening ties between the two nations.
A joint communiqu to establish diplomatic relations was signed yesterday by the Republic of Korea Ambassador Yongkyu Park and Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters. The agreement recognises a shared willingness to foster and develop the friendship the countries share.
Marsters said the signing, which took place at the Office of the Prime Minister, is an important milestone for the Cook Islands.
“This is a historic occasion, a culmination of various discussions over the years.
“Although we are separated by long distance, we both share the same ideas of democracy, human rights and a stance against nuclear testing.”
He said Korea has in the past assisted with trade training opportunities and gifted three vehicles which were used to host the Pacific Islands Forum.
Ambassador Park said he was delighted to visit the country for the first time and having visited several other Pacific nations, believes it is the “real jewel of the Pacific.”
“Korea and the Cook Islands are separated by a vast Pacific ocean, but distance doesn’t matter in establishing friendly ties in this age of globalisation,” he said.
“We are not as big or as rich as other countries like China or Japan but we have would like to share our experience and our knowledge of economic development.
“We can also strengthen our co-operation in coping with our common challenges such as climate change, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and development assistance,” he said.
“In this regard, I am happy to announce that the Korean Government has decided to provide US$100,000 in official development assistance to the Cook Islands to celebrate this happy occasion.”
Prime Minister Henry Puna thanked the ambassador and said the generous gift has come as a surprise.
“History has shown that the region has to work together, it’s important to know that we can not matter on the international stage if we are on our own,” he said.
“Our relationship with Korea goes back many, many years. In economic terms, Korea is a giant in the world economy and having a partner like them gives us some comfort aligning ourselves overseas.”
Water supply off Turangi to town
Sat
23 Feb
If you live between Turangi and Avarua – your water will be turned off for approximately three hours from 8.30 this morning.
This is to allow the team from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning to repair a burst water main in Matavera.
Initially the issue was thought to be a leaking pipe however after some digging by the MOIP staff they discovered the bigger problem of the burst main which they began fixing yesterday.
The work to repair the burst main is expected to take from 8.30am to 11.30am.
MOIP apologises for any inconvenience and hope to have the problem fixed and return water reticulation to homesteads as soon as the work is completed.
Budget amendment passed
Mon
25 Feb
The Appropriation Amendment Bill 2013 was passed into law on Friday but not without so much debate parliament extended its scheduled sitting by three hours.
Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George was especially vocal in challenging the credibility of the bill, which brings in budget changes due to an unexpected surplus.
“Two weeks ago I raised the question that the travel budget had been overblown,” said George.
“Now I find $175,000 is being paid into the Civil List. There’s no question about it – there have been no pay rises for MPs, so it means the travel budget was overblown.”
According to George, since Finance Minister Mark Brown did not answer truthfully about the travel budget when asked, this poses questions on the credibility of the bill as a whole.
George was also annoyed Atiu was not allocated any money from the underlying surplus of $749,000.
“When I look at Manihiki, which gets $500,000 for their harbour upgrade, and then I search for the name of Atiu, it isn’t anywhere.”
He also noted Manihiki is allocated $2 million in 2013 – “and there is Atiu, sitting in the sky.”
George commented on the Te Maeva Nui overspend of $153,000. He wonders why the expensive celebration is still happening “when the country is bleeding and our economy is slowing down”.
The Pacific Leaders Forum overspend of $209,000 was also brought up. “I thought we had a very good budget for the Forum. Are these part of the costs the prime minister has incurred since the Forum?”
To Brown’s “flowery” comments on the surplus being put back into investment for the people, George said having cost of living adjustment would have been investment for the people.
“There is no end in sight, there is no visible evidence that this government is trying to stem the flow of young people going to Australia.”
George said his son Brett left the Cooks two weeks ago and within a few days in Australia he got a job in the mines. He gets paid $25 an hour and this will go up, said George. “But we are paying our workers $5 an hour. Why would you stay?”
“This is not just government problem, this is all our problems, but the government must show they are solving the problem of holding back our young people.”
Brown replied later that recruiters are actively working to take young Cook Islanders away from the Cooks to work in NZ and Australia.
“If I was a young man with no qualifications working for $25,000 per year and someone told me I could earn $60,000, I would be on the first plane.”
And the more that young people upskill, the more they can earn, he said. “So I don’t blame any of these people for taking up these job opportunities. I’m sure all of us have family members who have gone over to Australia to take advantage of the big money that our country can’t afford to pay.’
Brown said there are no surprises being sprung on people in this supplementary budget.
Even George congratulated the finance minister on the surplus. “But let’s wait and see what the outcome is.”
Seabed minerals mission assigned
Mon
25 Feb
A rare opportunity to learn more about seabed minerals has been taken up by a Cook Islands scientist.
Dr Duane Malcolm – who was recently featured in CI News for designing smartphone application ‘Weatherbomb’ – has been chosen go on an all-expenses paid, month-long trip to the United States to help with the chemical analysis of Cook Islands manganese nodules.
The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SMA) was hunting for a Cook Islander with a chemistry or related degree for many months before Malcolm’s name was put forward.
“There were not many applicants because of the highly technical nature of the assignment,” says Seabed Minerals commissioner Paul Lynch.
Malcolm has already started the placement, where he helps US Geological Survey scientists identify whether nodules taken from the Cook Islands’ seabed sometime in the 1980’s contain rare earth elements.
The nodules have been stored at SOPAC’s facilities in Fiji for two decades but there was no demand for rare earth elements at the time they were mined. Now, the world can’t get enough of the 15 different elements, which are used in the likes of computers, mobile phones, and cars.
China currently produces about 95 percent of the world’s rare earth elements but has recently decided to stockpile rather than export due to concern they are running out.
This has prompted a rush from other countries, particularly Japan, to find an alternative source.
“The world needs it – but there’s a gap between supply and demand,” says Lynch.
He says recently rare earth minerals were found in Pacific seafloor mud, which is “good news” for the Cooks as it is similar seafloor landscape.
The United States – which is also looking for new sources despite having some known deposits of its own – is carrying out the tests on Cook Islands nodules for free.
Lynch met the man in charge of the project – Professor Hein – at last year’s Underwater Mining Institute annual conference after presenting his research paper on deep sea minerals and the Cooks’ regulative stance.
The professor became interested – as did many other countries which Lynch is in touch with.
“Noone else has got a seabed mineral act. We’re the only Pacific Island country to have something to this.
Lynch said while other countries “don’t even know us” when they find out the Cooks have a potentially huge mineral resource they become interested.
The opportunity is great for Malcolm as although he has experience in a different scientific area – he has a PhD in Biomedical Engineering – this experience will open up a future scientific career in the Cook Islands, said Lynch.
“It would be a good thing if the boy from Atiu could come back and use his education here – he wouldn’t have been able to come back and work to do with his degree here because it’s so specified. [But now] he’s got a foot in the door. The country needs people experienced in this field.”
Lynch also said if no Cook Islander could be found for the placement, it would have gone to a student from another Pacific country.
Malcolm, who is on the placement until March 10, has return airfares to the US and a daily allowance paid by the European Union-funded SOPAC Deep Sea Minerals project.
Prefect pride
Mon
25 Feb
|
|
Student Julyn Perla made her family proud by being inducted as a new St Joseph School prefect on Friday. The school held the prefect induction ceremony at a morning mass. A total of 15 prefects were presented with badges and encouraged to let Jesus guide them in the work they do as leaders this year. Story and photos pg 7.
13022214
|
Student Julyn Perla made her family proud by being inducted as a new St Joseph School prefect on Friday. The school held the prefect induction ceremony at a morning mass. A total of 15 prefects were presented with badges and encouraged to let Jesus guide them in the work they do as leaders this year. Story and photos pg 7. 13022214
Related article(s):
St Joseph’s prefects appointed
Fire investigations continue
Tue
26 Feb
|
|
A mosquito coil has been identified as the cause of blaze that burned the Matapo homestead in Titikaveka while investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the house fires in Nikao and the recent fire early Sunday morning in Matavera.
13020831
|
A rental home in Matavera burned to the ground early Sunday morning while the occupants were out.
Chief of Fire Nga Jessie says they have no leads on how the fire started and are in the process of interviewing the occupants of the house who were
not at home at the time of the blaze.
All five fire trucks on the island attended the scene of the house fire as Jessie says that they do not take any chances when a house fire is called in.
Meanwhile, he says they are still investigating the two house fires in Nikao the weekend before last which sparked fear in Nikao residents that an arsonist could be on the loose in the village.
The two house fires also generated community meetings to talk about the high number of house fires in Nikao.
In November last year, there were eight fires in the space of two months including businesses in Arorangi and Avarua, while four homes burnt to the ground in Nikao.
A neighbourhood watch programme is one initiative that has come out of the Nikao meeting where residents talked about neighbours watching out for each other’s property, especially at night when most of the fires are occurring.
No one had any information on who may be responsible for the fires as many residents believe that someone is deliberately setting homes on fire in the village.
While officers are continuing their investigations into the Nikao house fires, investigators have already determined that Robert Matapo’s home, which belongs to his father New Zealand High Commissioner for the Cook Islands Tiki Matapo, was started by a burning mosquito coil.
Jessie stresses to the community at large to be vigilant with keeping their mosquito coils in a covered non-flammable container.
“Don’t put them in ice cream containers or on bottles or on beds and sofas – keep mosquito coils in a non-flammable container,” says Jessie.
Both the Rescue Crash Fire and Cook Islands police are urging members of the community that have any information in relation to the house fires in Nikao and the recent Matavera house fire to contact them.
Govt ‘desperate’: Opposition
Tue
26 Feb
The Opposition felt “ambushed” by the supplementary Budget on Friday and did not have time to prepare sufficient response, said opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen.
Finance Minister Mark Brown presented the Appropriation Amendment Bill 2013 to parliament last Thursday which showed an underlying surplus of $749,000.
This was good news for the country, he said. Savings in the Budget, due to high visitor numbers and a reduction in the LA-Sydney Air New Zealand underwrite, will go towards projects throughout the Cook Islands.
Although the government is somewhat smug at the savings, the opposition remains wary.
“Why has this supplementary budget come in so suddenly?” asked Rasmussen during the bill’s debate on Friday. “I think it is because the government has no money. They have spent it all on travel. And it is to the advantage of the opposition to capitalise on this rumour...But they are – they are desperate for money.”
Rasmussen said that despite Brown claiming the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management is more open and transparent than ever, a lot of “secret meetings” are happening within it.
“It seems the strategy is to ambush the public, ambush the opposition.”
Rasmussen said Brown, as an economist, is someone “never to trust” with finance.
“An economist is someone you will never trust with your money. [Brown] has forecast we would reach the moon but there is no substance in this forecast.”
A CIP member quickly quipped: “Nor can you trust a lawyer,” in reference to Rasmussen’s day job.
Rasmussen asked why the Cook Islands were paying the prime minister’s associated Pacific Leaders Forum chair costs and not the Forum. “Who knows how much other expenditure has been paid for, rather than the Forum having paid for it.” He said the Cooks pays Forum membership fees “like everyone else” and should not have to fork out an extra $16,000.
“Maybe our people would prefer us to stay home and say nothing and be nothing,” replied Brown.
Nukuroa MP Tangata Vavia also talked on cabinet travel. He said if more money is to be allocated to the civil list - $175,000 has been appropriated – then it must be certain ministers are travelling for the job, rather than personal reasons.
Vavia did not think the $500,000 allocated to the Manihiki harbour project was enough, and also asked the government to consider Tongareva for a harbour project.
“I’m sure northern group islands would be much, much happier if more money was allocated to them.”
MPs concerned at lack of review
Tue
26 Feb
Legislation which empowers outer island councils was passed into Cook Islands law last week, but many MPs thought it should have gone through a select committee process to iron out the crinkles.
Aitutaki MP Mona Ioane and Nukuroa MP Tangata Vavia are on opposite sides of the House – but had similar views on the Island Government Bill 2012. They both supported it but thought a select committee should examine it.
“No consultation has been done with the people, who are the most important part of this bill,” said Vavia.
Titikaveka MP Selina Napa said the legislative changes were well-overdue. “It’s great to see it has finally been tabled in parliament for discussion. I am however mindful of the flaws within the bill.”
Despite not being from the pa enua Napa said she has a passion for outer island development.
She asked the government not to cut public service jobs in the outer islands to save on costs, especially in the environment service.
Napa also voiced concern the legislation focuses and gives power to the mayor and island council rather than Ui Ariki or government officials.
There is known conflict between councillors and island MPs which could flare up, she said. “It is said our job [as MPs] is to be the voice of the people in parliament. When parliament is not sitting, how do we justify [outer island MPs] salaries when we rely on the island council to do their job?”
A select committee or in-cabinet session was needed to thoroughly look at these issues, she said.
“And can I please, please ask that the outer islands consider women to sit on their councils, so we do get a gender balance on the council.”
MP for Amuri-Ureia Toanui Isamaela said it was important for island MPs to give island councillors some space to deal with island governance. “If we get involved in their discussions there will be instability. We can support with our views but not our powers.”
Marine Resources Minister Teina Bishop, whose constituency is Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara, gave his support.
“The spirit behind this bill is low and I want to commend the prime minister for bringing this bill to the House so the outer islands can govern themselves.
He believes the opposition is against the proposed legislation “just from the lips, but in essence they support the bill”.
The bill was initiated in 1999 and some opposition members supported it in the past.
There was no longer a need for a select committee as it had been deliberated for 11 years, he said.
“It is important island councils can decide the appropriate path for their island.”
Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston-Atupa MP John Henry supported the bill as it has been in progress for many years and allowed the different political parties to become closer as they understood what the legislation stood for.
“I liken this bill to two people – a man and woman getting married.”
The bill was passed last Wednesday and is now the Island Government Act 2013.
Celebrating the new year
Wed
27 Feb
Last week Pukapuka wrapped up its New Year celebrations with ‘vananga’ – meetings between villages, followed by a village feed and festivities. Pictured here are men from Ngake village visiting Loto village. Full story page 8.
Related article(s):
Pukapuka completes celebrations
Pension portability a priority
Wed
27 Feb
The portability of the New Zealand pension and superannuation for qualifying Cook Islanders is top of the agenda at a ministerial meet in Queenstown this week, said the prime minister’s office.
Prime Minister Henry Puna, Finance Minister Mark Brown and Marine Resources Minister Teina Bishop are sitting down with the New Zealand government this week at their second Joint Ministerial Forum (JMF).
The JMF will take place in Queenstown on February 28 with the Cook Islands focusing on a short list of priorities for discussion.
On Monday CI News published a letter to the editor from ‘Lost Tribe’ lobbyist Les Priest ‘NZ pension on forum agenda?’ in which he urged the ministers to take up the issue of pension portability again with their NZ counterparts at the meet.
Apart from the pension issue, government intends to raise two key items – the desire by the Cook Islands to join the United Nations, and the NZ visa
conditions on Chinese travellers.
Currently, the Cooks get low visits from Chinese tourists, who can only get a single entry visa into New Zealand which means they cannot easily visit other countries in the region.
NZ has also proposed a number of issues for the South Island talks. They include trade, immigration and depopulation, transport, and development assistance.
The joint talks also allow scope for discussions on international affairs, such as the ongoing concerns of the Pacific Islands Forum and other regional institutions.
Chamber supports fibre optic cable
Wed
27 Feb
The Chamber of Commerce believes having a fibre optic cable laid under the sea would be “game changing” for the Cook Islands telecommunications industry and businesses that rely on fast, affordable internet for growth.
The Chamber made a submission on February 20 to Telecommunications Minister Mark Brown to help inform an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-sponsored feasibility study into a submarine fibre optic telecommunications cable being laid from the Cooks.
In its submission, the Chamber said while the Cook Islands enjoys “reasonably broad access” to international communications and internet services, the country’s economic powerhouse Rarotonga is rapidly finding satellite communications’ latency, speed and cost constraints are limiting business opportunities.
The Chamber noted in the short term O3b’s low-earth orbit satellite communication is expected to bring some change in lower pricing, reduced latency, and increased speed when it is set up in August.
“However, in the medium-to long-term there is no doubt that an undersea fibre-optic cable will be required to service the needs of the Cook Islands, to allow the 21st century communication bandwidth that modern businesses need to expand.
“With the current population being depleted as the workforce emigrates for better opportunities overseas, it is crucial that we provide first-world standard communications to allow the development and maintenance of existing and new enterprises, connected in real-time at reasonable prices to the rest of the world.”
The Chamber thinks investing in an undersea cable to provide bandwidth would be “game changing” for the Cook Islands economy.
While the country is currently making significant investment in infrastructure services such as water and renewable energy, Commerce encouraged the government to recognise telecommunications as an equally necessary investment for future growth.
Initial costs are likely to be offset by future benefits, said the submission.
“Whilst the cost of a submarine fibre-optic may not be a commercially viable option at this time it does have the real potential to provide the Cook Islands with positive socio-economic benefits for the future.”
It suggested current regulatory framework should be amended to allow for investment in telecommunications by Cook Islands entities, any return on investment in infrastructure to be directed back into the Cook Islands economy where possible, and the separation of wholesale and retail telecommunications services.
It also recommended an independent telecommunications regulator or a commissioner to oversee the industry be established.
Last week Brown released new telecommunications principles to help improve the sector. These will be tabled and debated in parliament later this year before likely being passed into law.
Change in police priorities on calls
Wed
27 Feb
Police will change how they respond to calls from March 1, says Police Inspector John Strickland.
Currently all calls are treated as being of equal importance, but police will soon be ranking incidents according to urgency.
“It’s a change in our dispatch protocol,” said Strickland. “We will respond [to incidents] according to their priority.”
The first priority will be accidents and domestic violence, which will take precedence over less urgent calls.
The new ranking system will be more efficient, said Strickland.
“If I have limited resources I need to know where to send them. If there’s a person drifting out to sea and another call for a domestic violence incident, I’ll first send someone to the person drifting out to sea - don’t worry about the domestic violence call just yet because that can wait. Whatever is the most urgent, that’s where we’ll go first.”
Strickland said many calls to police are unsuitable or do not require an immediate response.
“You’d be amazed by the calls we get every day – people wanting us to fix broken water pipes, or telling us their 18 year-old daughter is missing and they want us to go and look for them,” he said.
|
