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New party likely
Water tank fund dry
China loan unlikely
Audit on Toagate critical and complex
Bike riders injured in 2 accidents
Enough Heathers
Justified
ON THE STREET
Tragic crash claims young life
Police plead for change of attitude
Child benefit part of welfare review
Gym for health
‘Relief funds will be short’
CIP dispels talk of merger
New tropical disturbance
Driver charged
New party likely
Thu
4 Mar
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Rasmussen says a new party is an option for cabinet.
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Cabinet of 5 may be forced
to form new political party
Prime minister Jim Marurai and his cabinet ministers may be forced to form a new political party if the Democratic Party rift remains.
Cabinet is also being rocked by news that others are now being named as the Demo candidates for their seats for the next election.
Minister Wilkie Rasmussen says cabinet members have only recently considered the prospect of declaring themselves a new party.
“The possibility of a third party has been put to cabinet and circumstances suggest that this is probably an opportune time for that to take place. The credibility of both political parties is not doing them any favours.
“If the five of us are to carry on with the things we believe we are doing okay with, then we need to maintain that coordination,” he says.
Rasmussen says a new party could be on the cards within the next few months, in part because of the Demo rift and its executive’s actions.
The party division escalated when former deputy prime minister and Demo leader Sir Terepai Maoate was sacked and three other ministers resigned in December. Sir Terepai was reportedly removed from cabinet over the $2 million ‘Toagate’ scandal settlement government will have to pay out.
Rasmussen believes Sir Terepai is still the dividing factor in the party and the caucus.
He says Demo MPs outside of cabinet are now saying that in order for a merger of the two party factions to take place, the leader of the party has to be removed and replaced.
“The thinking is to try and get everyone back in the Demo camp. But the question is, will it work? Will the cabinet ministers still maintain their leading role if the Demo government is re-elected?”
Rasmussen says it’s a case of the majority of Demo MPs fighting against an executive ‘that’s gone berserk and doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘politics’’.
The minister was recently booted out of the party. Despite this, the view of other cabinet ministers seems to be that they are all Demos.
“I’ve actually got no party at the moment but I’m fine where I am. I don’t want to waste my energy bickering over it with ill-informed and overly self-important Demo executives.”
Minister Apii Piho has been shocked by the discovery that ‘others are being groomed to take over’ the Demo candidacy for their seats in the next election.
Already word has spread that Rangi Mitaera will stand as the Demo candidate when elections are called later this year.
A month ago the Manihiki Democratic Party committee executives wrote to the party executives in Rarotonga to tell them as far as they knew, Piho would contest the next election, and they do not support any other person as the Demo candidate.
For Penrhyn, Willie John (who a year ago was Rasmussen’s CEO at his ministerial office) has apparently been named as the likely Demo candidate for the election.
Rasmussen says he is aware that the Demo party executives have also put forward names for an alternate candidate to minister and William ‘Smiley’ Heather. The Ruaau MP’s brother Henry ‘Black’ Heather and Matarii Exham are said to be on that list.
Deputy prime minister Robert Wigmore’s candidacy as the Demo candidate for Titikaveka is also under threat with the Demo party reportedly approaching former mayor Teariki Matenga Jnr and Teava Iro Jnr to run instead.
Unlike Rasmussen, Piho is surprisingly optimistic about healing the Demo division.
“The issue is the Demo executives – the caucus is okay. I think the best way to deal with this is a roundtable discussion with caucus. Our door is always open.”
Water tank fund dry
Thu
4 Mar
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning is no longer accepting applications for water tank subsidies.
The project ran out of money a few weeks ago and the applications that had been neither approved nor denied were put on hold until MOIP could secure additional funding.
The ministry received 142 applications and approved 82, but is unable to accept any more.
Water works officer Otheniel Tangianau said that MOIP has requested the funds to support the project but is still waiting for a response from government.
He said the subsidy is still ‘relevant’ as a number of homes continue to suffer from a water shortage despite the recent rains.
China loan unlikely
Fri
5 Mar
Govt may turn down loan for road and water upgrade
Finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen says it’s likely government will no longer approve the planned $37.5 million China soft loan for Rarotonga road and water upgrades.
He says apart from putting extra strain on the country’s already high debt level, government may be ‘veering away from Chinese support’.
“The loan has not been signed and I am very hesitant to sign it. When minister (of foreign affairs) Robert Wigmore went to Wellington last month, he told the Chinese ambassador that it (the project) is on hold.”
The minister says government must look at the alternatives to the China loan funded project.
Last November former finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate said it was a significant day for the country as it embarked on the road to greatly improving Rarotonga’s infrastructure.
He told parliament that government had formally entered into a loan and framework agreement through the Chinese ambassador in Wellington.
Sir Terepai had hoped that the projects would start this month.
Rasmussen says he is aware that China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation officials are in the country this week possibly to push for the projects to begin.
But the minister wants to err on the side of caution before committing the country to the Chinese soft loan.
He says acting finance secretary Kevin Carr has already given him a ‘pre-warning’ that it will be tough going for government in considering new debts.
Rasmussen says Asian Development Bank assessments have confirmed that the country can’t afford to take on much more debt.
“For us (cabinet), it’s trying to achieve the things that are achievable and in sight and within the time we are in government,” he adds.
The minister says he doesn’t want to see any more Chinese projects here that are an indictment on the decisions made by government, such as the courthouse which still has construction and maintenance problems.
Audit on Toagate critical and complex
Fri
5 Mar
The investigation into government’s fuel farm scheme and the resulting $1.75 million Toagate settlement scandal is the most high profile review to be carried out by the audit office to date.
Audit director Paul Allsworth says he knows there is a high level of public interest in the investigation but is not sure when the final report will be completed because of the sheer volume of information involved.
“It’s one of the most important, critical and complex audits I’ve ever done, so it’s important that we get the facts right,” he says.
Allsworth says former financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti will still be interviewed for the review, despite the fact he is no longer employed by government as of last week.
CI News understands Ivaiti was not interviewed earlier because compiling the information on the scheme has been painstaking.
A five-member team from audit plans to interview over 30 people during the review which could be completed by the end of the month.
“We’re making good progress.It is a high profile review but at this stage people just have to wait until we finish.”
The fuel farm scheme began two years ago with government later being criticised by the public and the Public Expenditure Review Committee and Audit for being ‘secretive’ about the project and how many millions it planned to invest in becoming the sole supplier of fuel.
The key players in the scheme, former deputy prime minister and finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate and Ivaiti, claimed it would result in cheaper prices for fuel at the pump.
However, government is now over $2 million out of pocket following the out of court settlement with the country’s two fuel distributors – Triad who sued to stop the scheme and Toa Petroleum which had a $5.16 million deal to sell its depot to government.
The Triad lawsuit had alleged key government officials had breached the country’s financial laws in order to doggedly pursue the multi-million scheme. The audit office was also concerned about the process government had followed and whether that was aligned to the laws which it must comply with.
Once completed, audit reports usually don’t become public until they are tabled in parliament. While parliament may not sit this year due to the current political turbulence, it is understood this is one report that may be released to the public much earlier.
There is potential for even more costs to government as the legal argument between Toa and government is far from over.
Bike riders injured in 2 accidents
Fri
5 Mar
Police handled reports of two motor vehicle accidents this week.
On Monday at 4.24pm, a gray Mitsubishi pick-up truck crashed into a Honda motorbike at Matavera. The driver, age 85, had been drinking but did not exceed the legal limit and was not charged with excess breath alcohol. He was forbidden from driving for 24 hours and police escorted him to his home. The driver of the motorbike, aged 52, sustained moderate scratches and bruises and was taken to hospital. He was discharged shortly thereafter.
On Tuesday, two Titikaveka College students were travelling on a motorbike when a tyre burst and the chain came loose. The girls fell off the bike at Tikioki and had to be transported to hospital. One girl, 15 years old, sustained abrasions on her knee and the right side of her face. Her 19-year-old companion received abrasions on her right leg.
Enough Heathers
Fri
5 Mar
Henry ‘Black’ Heather has snuffed out rumours that he has been approached to run as the Demo candidate for the Ruaau seat – held by his brother and cabinet minister William ‘Smiley’ Heather – in the next election.
“I have no intention at all of being in politics. He’s my brother – how could I do that?” says the Arorangi prison officer.
This follows news that the Democratic Party is finding alternative candidates for electorates held by the five cabinet members.
Henry Heather says he was a little shocked to find his name mentioned in the CI News article but he can see the funny side of it.
“I have not been spoken to – I’ve never been approached. I think this is people assuming things like they usually do,” says Henry with a chuckle.
He says while he’s sure all of the Heather brothers are capable of being great politicians, he has no interest in joining his brothers William and CIP Akaoa MP Teariki Heather in politics.
“I support both of them in what they do even though they are in different parties,” he says, adding, he has no affiliation with either party.
Henry says he’ll always be there for his brothers who he believes are both doing very well in their political careers.
Justified
Sat
6 Mar
Definite risk justified last weekend’s tsunami alert, according to Emergency Management Cook Islands.
In response to accusations that Saturday’s tsunami warning was ‘useless’ and a ‘public nuisance’ given Rarotonga’s invulnerability to tsunamis, Willie Tuivaga of EMCI said that “real-life data” and “real scientists” have proven that Rarotonga is in fact vulnerable to a tsunami threat.
He said that as long as a risk exists, EMCI will endeavour to “work at mitigating that risk”.
He said that on Saturday, the Avatiu tide guage registered a reading of 0.32, indicating wave activity.
Unless the gauge reads zero, EMCI has reason to be concerned.
“The Cook Islands are vulnerable to tsunamis,” he said. “Only when we have a reading of zero, then there’s zero impact is there no risk.”
Tsunami panic is not necessary, page 8.
ON THE STREET
Sat
6 Mar
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Toru Miriau
It should be used to re-build homes that were lost.
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John Rennie
Fix the water pipes. I reckon that’s the most important thing.
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Nga Karaponga
Give it to an organised group like Red Cross.
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Tania Finn
Build a proper cyclone shelter for the island.
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Piri Puroto
Share it with Penrhyn.
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Mataia Mokoroa
Give it to the builders so they can build houses.
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Maara Iakopa
Fix problems with the water supply. Fix the pipes.
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Ben Taripo
Make sure they have enough food and water.
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What should be done with the $150,000 raised by the public for Aitutaki?
Tragic crash claims young life
Mon
8 Mar
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Tamarii Pierre.
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Popular local television news presenter Tamarii Pierre was tragically killed on Saturday morning when the vehicle he was a back seat passenger in, crashed into a power pole at Blackrock.
The 19-year-old was with two male friends in a black Nissan Torano heading towards Arorangi when the driver of the Nissan Terano lost control on the Blackrock bend and the vehicle crashed into a power pole.
Pierre died at the scene of the accident while the front seat passenger and driver of the vehicle were taken to Rarotonga hospital in private vehicles.
The pair were treated for minor and severe injuries
Police received a report of the accident at 2.59am on Saturday from a passing motorist and believe the accident occurred around 15 minutes before being reported.
Inspector Tere Patia says Pierre was an innocent victim in the crash and believes that speed and alcohol were the contributing factors to the accident.
Patia adds that at this stage, the 18-year-old driver of the vehicle is likely to be charged with drink driving causing death.
Police commissioner Maara Tetava says that Pierre’s death is a sad and tragic lesson in what happens when people drink and drive and speed.
Pierre, the son of Tamarii and Ipu Pierre Tutangata, was much adored member of the Pitt Media Group staff and an accomplished cultural dancer.
Recently, Pierre made Cook Islands broadcasting history when he conducted the very first live cross from the police station reporting on the developing cyclone in the northern group islands with equipment donated by TVNZ and presented by Barbara Dreaver.
Dreaver retells the moment Pierre achieved the milestone in local broadcasting on page 9.
Cook Islands police and Cook Islands News extend condolences and sympathy to the Pierre Tutangata family and Pitt Media Group.
Check out more stories and tributes here »
Police plead for change of attitude
Mon
8 Mar
The tragic death of young Cook Islander and local news presenter Tamarii Pierre (19) adds to the out-of-control drink driving trend that is taking so many young lives.
Police commissioner Maara Tetava is pleading with all members of the public to change their attitude to drink driving and speeding.
“We have lost another young Cook Islander with so much promise for the future, to a
motor vehicle crash,” says Tetava.
“This is very tragic for all of us. Another life lost is too much.
“We as the community must take ownership of this problem.
“It is not a police only concern, it is our concern.
“We are doing the best that we can to apprehend drink drivers but we can only do so much. It is very disappointing to see a lot of our people including high profile persons in the community still flouting the drink driving laws.
“Factors which may have contributed to this crash are alcohol and speed.
“People must change their attitude to drink driving and speeding.
“People who flout the law by driving after having consumed alcohol must stop this behaviour for all of our sakes.
“The view that a few drinks will not harm, or I’ve never been involved in a crash before so it will not happen to me, does not wash any more.
“This lack of concern for safety must change.
“We will all need to play our part.”
Tetava says that that an investigation team is fully dedicated to investigating the vehicle accident that killed Pierre.
“We urge anyone who may have seen the vehicle concerned or who may have been with the persons involved prior to the crash to contact our investigation team on 22499 urgently.”
Child benefit part of welfare review
Tue
9 Mar
Changes to the child benefit, currently paid out for 3645 children nation-wide, are being considered under a review of the social welfare system.
This year more than a third of the population will receive welfare payments – there were about 5600 or about 40 percent of the resident population (about 13,000) on a welfare benefit as of December last year.
The public is now being asked for its opinion on the benefit payments under the social welfare system.
The ministry of internal affairs has developed a public discussion paper which has identified key questions, including how the child benefit should be paid, to help inform the development of a policy paper for further consideration. The ministry is hoping to collect public submissions for the initial review by March 17.
Section 9 of the 1989 Welfare Act specifies that a child benefit be paid for the ‘maintenance and education’ of a child.
There is also, under Section 14 of the act, a lump sum payment made for a newborn child.
The child benefit was initially to be paid from birth to ten years, but in 2006 parliament approved a change to the act, raising the maximum age to 12 years. Since then government’s intention is to progressively raise the coverage to 15 years.
The public discussion paper says while formal education does not start from birth, the benefit is still paid at a flat rate of $60 per month from birth.
Government is now asking whether there is a need to define what the level of support should be and whether there should be different levels of benefit between preschool children and school aged children.
Government is also considering the introduction of means testing as in the case of the child benefit there is no reference to the means of the applicant or parents of the child to support the child. Means testing for benefits is common in most countries that have social welfare systems so that lower income and more vulnerable people receive larger benefits than those on higher incomes. Government is asking whether means testing also be carried out for those who will receive the one-off newborn allowance.
To have your say on the child benefit payments or on any other welfare benefit, contact the ministry of internal affairs for information on how to make a submission. - HG
Benefits paid
Current monthlyrates $
Old age pension 400
Child benefit 60
New born payment 300
Infirm benefit 150
Destitute 150
Caregiver allowance 150
Gym for health
Tue
9 Mar
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Health minister Apii Piho and health secretary Tupou Faireka (left) worked up a quick sweat on the cross-trainer machines at the opening of the new ministry staff gym yesterday.
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Over 100 staff at the ministry of health plan to use their own gym so they can walk the talk in promoting healthy living.
Yesterday the ministry and guests opened the gym and reopened the refurbished Tupapa community health clinic.
Thanks to about US$30,000 funding from the World Health Organisation, the ministry has been able to set up this gym using a an old room that used to serve as a small kitchen and a office for a staff member.
According to WHO nutrition and physical activities officer Dr Temo Waqanivalu, a 2004 survey found that 80 percent of the Cook Islands population was overweight or obese.
Now as part of a regional strategy, the ministry of health will be one workplace that can work towards being a role model for society.
Waqanivalu says there are four main issues in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that need to be addressed. These issues are tobacco use, alcohol use, poor diet and lack of physical activity.
He says ministry staff have set themselves an ambitious goal of reducing their rate of obesity by 5 percent over the next few years – and they hope to use the new gym as part of their healthy living plan.
The new staff gym at the administration building in Tupapa is decked out with exercise machines sourced both locally and overseas. A few more machines including a treadmill are arriving soon.
Minister of health Apii Piho invited ministry staff to join him at the gym weekdays at 6.30am. He also made a quick apology for testing out the gym with health secretary Tupou Faireka before the official opening, saying it was all in the name of testing the safety of the equipment.
Faireka said coinciding with the opening of the staff gym was the launch of the Titikaveka community’s ‘Go Local’ health programme that will promote healthy eating and getting more exercise. The ministry of health is a partner in the programme which began last night. It is also trying to promote healthy living schools and workplaces.
‘Relief funds will be short’
Wed
10 Mar
The $2.7 million government contribution to Aitutaki cyclone recovery efforts will fall short of what is needed, says Cook Islands Party leader Henry Puna.
In a letter to the editor today (page 6), Puna says the CIP will give government the MP numbers needed in parliament to ensure the further supply of funds for the recovery plan because it knows more money will be needed.
“By the same token, however, the CIP will not provide government with the numbers to give it supply for the other non-emergency items, such as the Toa settlement payment. These are, and will be, subject to normal political negotiations,” he warns.
Puna says at the same time the bigger problem is a ‘government of convenience’ pandering only to narrow selfish interests with no proper regard for the greater national interests. He alleges government is avoiding having to call parliament to sit to appropriate much needed funds for Aitutaki because of its self interest.
Puna wrote that the PM’s ‘Flaky Five’ need to remember the advice of constitutional lawyer Dr Alex Frame pointing out that if a prime minister no longer commands the confidence of the majority of members of parliament, his duty is to either resign, call parliament to put the matter to the test or dissolve parliament for elections to take place.
“Mr Prime Minister, you have not had the confidence of a majority of MPs since December 24, 2009, a period of nearly three months now. When is enough enough? When will you accept your duty and do the right thing? Your credibility and integrity are at stake,” writes Puna.
CIP dispels talk of merger
Wed
10 Mar
‘Flaky Five’ more appropriate than ‘Tight Five’ – Henry Puna
The Cook Islands Party has not merged nor is it about to merge with the Democratic Party, says leader Henry Puna.
He wrote a letter to CI News yesterday to ‘clear up any misconceptions about the true CIP position’.
Demo Party president Makiuti Tongia referred to a merger with the CIP several times in his own letter to the editor last week (published Saturday March 6).
Tongia said the ‘merger’ became a reality because of the ‘coup by the five of this minority government.’
Puna admits there is a ‘point of common agreement’ between the two parties – ‘that the existence of the current government is an abuse of democracy, and ought to be removed and consigned to the scrapheap forever’.
But Puna insists there will be no merger or party coalition saying the priority of the CIP is to win the upcoming elections where it aims to contest every constituency with its own CIP candidates.
“It is regrettable that the Democratic Party currently has serious and divisive internal issues, but we have no desire to be involved in that, nor to be part of it.
“We wish them all the best in
resolving those issues,” wrote Puna.
He says the party won’t sit idly by and allow its name to be used as a tool by the warring Demo factions to gain advantage over the other.
“The real tragedy here is that those internal issues, which led to an implosion of the Democratic Party, have had a significant, direct and negative impact on proper democratic governance in our country.
“That situation is both regrettable and farcical, and reflective of personal greed and political opportunism by the ‘Flaky Five’ (a more appropriate title as opposed to their self-proclaimed mantle of the ‘Tight Five’).”
CI News also asked opposition (parliamentary) leader Tom Marsters and MP Nandi Glassie what their views were on the so-called merger.
Marsters was typically vague, saying he couldn’t comment as it is up to the two parties to decide. Glassie, however, called the idea of a merger ‘absurd’. His statements support the party position Puna describes.
“It sounds like Makiuti is shooting without a target to shoot at. The CIP is still in opposition. There is no way we can mix. I see no reason why the Demos would merge with the CIP – we have different philosophies, loyalties and different supporters,” says Glassie.
The vocal Atiu MP says the only time the two parties might come together is as the 19 MPs against the five in cabinet in parliament to carry a vote of no confidence in prime minister Jim Marurai.
But he says he and fellow Atiu MP Norman George have been very sceptical about whether standing with the CIP on this
issue is such a good idea, given the Demo party and government’s mounting problems, including the $2 million Toagate scandal.
While a party merger is unlikely, both parties are now waiting to see whether Marurai and his four ministers will form a new party of their own.
Meanwhile, the CIP is still calling for prime minister Marurai to resign or call parliament to sit.
- Helen Greig
New tropical disturbance
Wed
10 Mar
Fiji Met Services detected a tropical disturbance just south of Samoa yesterday.
Tropical disturbance 14F was located at 13.5 south and 171 west at 10 am and was moving slowly in a southwest direction.
The TD was not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone.
Cook Islands Met Services said that 14F does not pose a direct threat to the Cook Islands and does not predict any other tropical disturbance in the area.
French Polynesia wasn’t so lucky. Government has declared a state of natural disaster for the capital Pape’ete and other areas of Tahiti and Moorea.
The islands were hit by flash floods generated by heavy rains, which caused landslides, damaged homes and disrupted air and road traffic. The Pape’ete airport was temporarily shut down.
Driver charged
Wed
10 Mar
The 18-year-old driver of the car in which Tamarii Pierre died Saturday morning was arrested on Sunday afternoon.
The young man from Tupapa appeared in court on Monday morning on an initial charge of excess blood alcohol. He did not enter any plea.
He was released on bail and instructed not to purchase or consume alcohol, not to enter licensed premises. He was also ordered to surrender his passport to the court.
The case was adjourned to March 18. According to inspector Tere Patia, the investigation is ongoing “with further charges pending”.
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