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China loan decision not made lightly - DPM
Local contractors to get half of China loan
Norman critical of loan announcement
Transport amendment passed at night sitting
Complaints lead to PSC review
542 sign petition
Up to 100 Chinese in stadium 'race'
Budget passed after 10-day sitting 
ADB banker visits Mangaia
Way to go - no petrol!
Airport revamp for more room
Price rises not over, tougher times ahead
Why the EIA is tied down
Security kept busy with Sunday protests
Skull identification proves expensive
China's ambassador here to sign deal
New maniota plant for Mauke
Water shortage bugs firefighters
Missing property hasn't spoiled their holiday






China loan decision not made lightly - DPM

Thursday 26: Finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate says taking out the Chinese soft loan is government's best option. But it was not an easy decision to come to.
In a ministerial statement to parliament yesterday he said the building contract for the indoor sports complex has now been signed between the two governments and the loan agreement is set to be signed within the week.
"Entering into an agreement with China to obtain a concessional loan has not been a decision that has been made lightly. It would be fair to say that the decision has been extremely difficult and I have deliberated long and hard before committing to a $13 million concessional loan. Under my instructions my team has negotiated long and firmly with Chinese counterparts to obtain the best possible deal for our country."
"To date the People's Republic of China have so far been the only country willing to provide large amounts of funding to us for major projects at either grant level or concessional level. In other words, free money or cheap money."
Sir Terepai said he was pleased to report that $6.7 million of the soft loan would be awarded to local contractors to carry out part of the projects to prepare for next year's mini games. 
"I have heard and taken onboard the concerns of many, including Caucus and our Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, urging government to ensure that we get a quality building."
"Quality control and monitoring of the building and its specifications are important to ensure that we get value for money. To this end, a team of local experts will be travelling to China to ensure that the construction materials to be used are suitable and fully meet our construction standards."
Sir Terepai revealed that on Tuesday cabinet and caucus were still deliberating whether to proceed with the construction of the sports complex.
"I sought the advice of the financial secretary (Sholan Ivaiti), acting solicitor general (Tingika Elikana) and investment corporation chief executive (John Tini) who provided me with written advice detailing the consequences of cancelling the multi-sport complex."
Sir Terepai said he was advised that not proceeding with the China loan would force government to find alternative funding sources to pay for all work to prepare for the 2009 world netball tournament we are hosting and mini games.
"Using government reserves or loaning domestically would result in the following; no new money would be deposited into the economy any money taken out of the local banks would require replenishment; given that the world is going through a recession, borrowing in these difficult times will result in having to pay higher premiums for new liquidity; this will drive up interest rates in the local economy and the people of the Cook Islands will be required to pay higher interest on their loans; and will result in a liquidity squeeze, more mortgagee sales and further migration of Cook Islanders overseas. We do not wish for any of these things to happen."
He said as well as these reasons, withdrawing at this late stage could impact the country's future relationship with China. Sir Terepai said they would be reluctant to be a development partner regarding other important future projects or financial assistance that the country could benefit from.
The minister said other countries drip feed assistance making it difficult to complete major projects.
"If we are considering requesting assistance from the Chinese to upgrade roads around Rarotonga, at an estimated cost of between $30 million to $40 million or similar projects, it is important that we are seen as stable, efficient, and trustworthy, and that our diplomatic relations are maintained.
I am well aware that China will be the new Japan so it is important that this close relationship is upheld," he said. - Helen Greig

Local contractors to get half of China loan 

Thursday 26: Over half of the $13 million soft loan from China will be awarded to local contractors to carry out work in preparation for the 2009 Pacific Mini Games. 
Finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate made the announcement in a ministerial statement to parliament yesterday.
He says a total of $6.7 million will be injected into the community. The remaining funds from the loan will cover the construction of the indoor sports complex.
Local contracts will be awarded for $1 million of excavation work to clear the Nikao site, $4.1 million for repairs and upgrades of existing sports facilities and $1.6 million for the construction of a ministry of education complex. 
Sir Terepai described it as an investment in the local economy.
He said on Tuesday evening members of cabinet and caucus witnessed the signing of the construction contract between government and the government of the People's Republic of China.
"As minister of finance, I signed the contract on behalf of the Cook Islands government and the counsellor (Liu Linlin) for the Chinese Embassy in Wellington signed on behalf of his government," stated Sir Terepai. 
"This contract effectively allows construction work to commence on the multi-sports facility that we will use to host the 2009 Pacific Mini Games. The full loan document has yet to be signed between our government and China."
Sir Terepai told parliament that the loan document is yet to be signed as there are some housekeeping issues to be taken care of. 
"Once these issues have been resolved the loan document will be finalized and signed and it is expected that this will happen within the next week."
Sir Terepai is planning to meet with the Chinese ambassador from Wellington, who is paying a visit to Rarotonga early next month, to complete the loan deal. - HG

Norman critical of loan announcement

Thursday 26: Opposition MP Norman George has rubbished the ministerial statement on the $13 million Chinese loan that finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate gave yesterday.
George says the minister is fear-mongering. 
"He's using fear tactics to justify going to the Chinese for the loan," he told CI News. 
The Atiu MP says Sir Terepai's excuses for going with the Chinese loan and not alternatives is absolute rubbish. 
Sir Terepai said using government reserves or borrowing locally would result in no new money going into the economy, higher premiums on borrowing, drive interest rates up and result in more mortgagee sales. 
"It's a bean-counters' excuse. These excuses are high-priced platitudes. I'm concerned the right economic advice has not been sought. What we wanted was a hundred percent local - not fifty percent."
George said if the national stadium could be built with local funds then there is no reason government can't 'do it again.'
The MP said he's not happy with Sir Terepai, saying the minister has shown anger and stubbornness, takes everything personally, and feels threatened by questions asked in parliament. 
"He's obviously suffering from a lot of stress and it's affecting his performance. I remember that old American saying - if the kitchen gets too hot, get out of the kitchen."
George says Sir Terepai's announcement about the Chinese loan will not stop him from raising his motion in the house today. 
George has filed a motion for parliament to cancel the Chinese loan and fund the sports complex project using reserve funds. - Helen Greig

Transport amendment passed at night sitting

Friday 27: On Wednesday night parliament passed the amendment to the transport act which now settles the compulsory helmet issue.
The second amendment provides that helmets are compulsory when travelling over 40 kph, which keeps the current law in place.
The compulsory helmet law that was delayed in April to August is now no longer an issue but the new amendment does introduce a $100 fine for breaking the helmet law.
Transport minister Tangata Vavia told parliament that the special select committee headed by Cassey Eggelton had done a tremendous job seeking the views of the people. 
"The amendment does not restrict any motorcyclist from wearing a helmet at all. If you want to wear a crash helmet right from the moment you drive on the road then you can.
"The amendment does not restrict the duty of parents to lay the rules down for their children to wear a helmet at all times when they are riding on any road."
He said government needs to look at further amendments to the transport act to examine the operation of motorcycles and the responsibilities of motorcyclists. 
"In my view wearing a helmet is only one of the means to prevent head injuries or death while riding a motorcycle."
Vavia said the manner in which accidents occur varies. 
"Accidents happen through speeding. Accidents happen when the driver of vehicles or motorcycles is driving while drunk. There's also people that drive dangerously on our roads with no consideration of other road users. We need probably more education in schools to understand that the rules are for their safety in using their motor vehicles on any road."
Any motor vehicle can become a deadly weapon, he said.
Member of the select committee Norman George said it was clear during their public meetings that public opinion was overwhelmingly against the compulsory wearing of helmets.- Helen Greig

Complaints lead to PSC review

Friday 27: The Office of the Public Service Commission is undergoing a review by the audit office after complaints and issues of non-performance.
Director of audit Paul Allsworth says they have started a full independent review of the PSC office and its function and activities in the public service.
As for PSC's own proposed review of the whole public service, Allsworth says his office is concerned there has been no official notification to heads of ministries of the nature and scope of this exercise.
"Audit is of the view the PSC should be more proactive in working with government agencies in trying to define the purpose of such review and to formulate a structured review process of the public service," says Allsworth.
"This will then enable buy-in from all stakeholders involved especially for a critical exercise of this nature."
The review started on 3 June and Allsworth says they plan to complete the review and report to the minister responsible for the public service by 18 July.
Allsworth says it appears there are weaknesses in the system, and audit's recommendations on these matters will be contained in the report.
Over a three-year period, audit has carried out performance reviews, along with annual financial audits, of specific or high risk entities. Performance reviews have been done on OMIA, aid management, agriculture, health, police, immigration and works.
Allsworth says they have also been reviewing the PERCA Act, with plans to introduce a Public Audit Act by September-October of this year. - MM

542 sign petition

Friday 27: The complete number of signatures collected in the 'China petition' stands at 542.
The petition against Chinese involvement with the Cook Islands was yesterday handed in to the deputy prime minister's office.
Launched via email by Cook Islander Eileen Story, the petition was placed in various shops on the island. - TC

Up to 100 Chinese in stadium 'race'

Saturday 28: It will be a race against time to get the controversial multi-sports indoor complex up and ready for the World Netball Youth championships next July. 
With excavation work yet to begin and the environmental impact assessment process still to go through, Cook Islands Investment Corporation chief executive John Tini admits that they are pushed for time. 
Tini says that there could be opposition to the building at the EIA stage, but that is to be expected.
"We're taking it as it comes, we've been through a lot of storms up to now.
"But they've signed the construction contract and we can only move forward from here."
The excavation phase will get underway next month, which Tini says will be overseen by both Cook Islands-based and Chinese engineers. 
Tini says that six Cook Islands engineers and technicians will be involved during this phase.
At least 70 Chinese workers will be flown in to begin the building stage by the start of October. Tini says there could be up to 100 workers on site depending on the progress of work on the stadium.
They will be housed at the Teachers Training College while the Tereora College home economics block will be used by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC). 
The construction area will be fenced off.
A house/unit right beside Tereora is being converted into two classrooms for the school. The home economics block will revert back to the school once the complex is up.
A team consisting of CIIC chairman Tapi Taio, Tini, Ata Herman and Alex Napa will travel to China to check on construction materials. 
Tini says CIIC as the implementing agency has appointed John Strickland as the project manager. 
Just over $6 million of the $13 million soft loan agreement which is expected to be signed between the Cooks and China, will go into the construction of the complex. - Moana Moeka'a

Budget passed after 10-day sitting 

Saturday 28: The $110.6 million annual budget for 2008-09 was passed yesterday after five days of debate. 
Guillotining of the budget before the required 10-day debate was due mostly to the fact that several MPs are set to travel overseas within the next week. 
Parliament has sat for two weeks since 16 June with three night sittings held this week to pass the transport amendment bill (no. 2) , the limited liability companies bill, the insurance bill, the disability bill and the law practioner's amendment bill. 
Deputy leader of the opposition Teina Bishop was the lone voice in parliament to oppose the motion to cut the budget debate short. The motion by leader of the house John Tangi was passed by 2pm yesterday. Bishop was also the only one to say no to the passing of the budget by parliament. 
Bishop, who had been absent during question time, came into the house just as Tangi's motion was seconded. 
He said he opposed the motion because no explanation had been given for the guillotining of the budget. Bishop argued that the timeframe was too short for MPs to be able to speak on the vote items. 
Finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate said after suspending standing orders, parliament could do whatever it liked.
Half an hour before concluding parliament, the budget debate was cut short and remaining vote items were read before passing the bill.
Debate was stopped by speaker Mapu Taia with three opposition members voting against the internal affairs budget standing as part of the bill. 
When the internal affairs vote item came up, Bishop rose to oppose it 'on behalf of the opposition'.
"For the first time in my nine years in the house, I'm going to oppose the budget," he said.
The 1 January 2009 start for the old age pension increase went against government's national vision and budget policy statement, he said. 
Parliament adjourned sine die and according to parliament's calendar, 18-22 August has been pencilled in for the next sitting.
But government has indicated it might be back in the house sooner to present the supplementary budget. This is due to the $13 million China loan, yet to be signed, having to be declared as income for the 2008-09 financial year. - Helen Greig

ADB banker visits Mangaia

Saturday 28: A high-powered banker will be taken to Mangaia today to prove a point of economics.
Deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate is hoping to impress upon a senior Asian Development Bank official that using just Rarotonga to measure the Cook Islands' economy does not give an accurate picture if the outer islands are not included.
Sir Terepai was scheduled to depart today for Mangaia with ADB executive Director Ceppie Sumadilaga and MP Winton Pickering. The weekend trip will give the DPM a chance to emphasise that the situation in the outer islands is very different to that of Rarotonga.
"I have stressed at every opportunity to ADB that for small island states, our geographic location, small size and populations, narrow economic diversification and import dependence mean that we are highly vulnerable environmentally and economically," says Sir Terepai.
"This is even more true when we consider the Cook Islands as it should be, in its entirety which includes our outer islands, not just the standard of living in Rarotonga, which is much higher."
Sumadilaga will be able to see first hand Mangaia's pressing infrastructural needs, standard of living and need for economic development opportunities says Sir Terepai. 
The delegation is expected to return from Mangaia on Monday morning. - DPM Office

Way to go - no petrol!

Saturday 28: It's the coolest gas saver in the country - Neil Dearlove's new electric, rechargeable scooter.
Fresh off the boat this week, the 'green' machine he's riding here promises to never cost a cent on petrol.
The Dearlove family of Matavera have added two of these new electric scooters to the family fleet. 
And just after two days of showing off their scooters to punters outside their Taputapuatea business, The Café, some people are already going green with envy themselves over these very cool machines.
Dearlove's son Reuben 'discovered' the newfangled bikes when reading the Air New Zealand inflight magazine while flying to Hawaii earlier in the year to compete in outrigger canoeing.
He says that with the price of fuel going through the roof, plus the fact that the bikes actually look cool, he and his dad decided to research them and find out how they could get their hands on one, or two.
The two bikes were supplied by New Zealand alternative energy equipment supplier Whatpowercrisis.com
The 1500-watt scooters run on electric batteries that can be fully charged by mains power or solar charger. 
Fully charged batteries will last for 45km, or a full circle of Rarotonga and several detours up the back road.
The bikes cost just under $2500 each but after paying duties to land them here on Rarotonga they've ended up costing about $3000 each.
The bikes can reach a maximum speed of 50 to 55 kilometres an hour and have no moving parts, no need for an oil change, no muffler to leave a Raro tattoo, and they're virtually silent.
Neil says that they have had some odd looks from people as they silently zoomed past.
Reuben adds that if someone doesn't notice them, they can just honk the horn to avoid any mishaps. 
To find out more about them, go to www.whatpowercrisis.com -Matariki Wilson 

Airport revamp for more room

Saturday 28: Construction work on the international airport terminal is expected to get under way in September. 
Airport Authority chief executive Joe Ngamata says work will involve putting roofing cover over the grassed area inside the terminal to provide more room for departing passengers.
He adds that more room needs to be made so that they can better accommodate the security requirements of separating arriving and departing passengers. - MM

Price rises not over, tougher times ahead

Monday 30: Food and liquor prices are jumping - and two of the biggest independent traders warn of even higher prices and tougher times in the months ahead.
With new government levies due to push up a bottle of Jim Beam by $8.60 and a box of beer by $5.75, Richard Barton of The Bond says this does not even take into account the effects of the latest fuel and shipping price rises.
"It's frightening," he says. "We can't blame anyone. Out here in the Pacific in the middle of nowhere, we don't have the economies of scale to work with. To survive, people in business have just got to be smarter."
Barton says importers like him suffered a 10 percent increase in freight charges two months ago, and now they're looking at a new and immediate increase of another 21 percent. The cost of operating The Bond has risen by $10,000 a month.
"Little mum and dad stores around the island are talking about closing down, as many of their customers are already driving to town to save money on cheaper prices in the big stores."
James Beer of Manea Foods says price increases have been happening so much in the last few months that his "sensitivities are becoming blunted to new increases".
"The reality is that this is going to continue and I have resigned myself to that. Just a month ago an extra charge of USD$200 on every container carried by the largest carrier in the world, Maersk Line, was passed on to shippers."
Beer says some valuable lessons have been learned from the market and one of them is when there is an increase in any commodity or any service, the cost must be passed on to the consumer immediately.
"If the cost is absorbed for now but passed on later when a new increase is forced on the same commodity or service, then you are likely to get adverse consumer reaction. One large increase because of many smaller increases over a period of time creates immediate hardship, smaller incremental increases are easier to manage, for both the consumer and the seller."
Beer says last month the price on two of the main ingredients in super phosphate had a spot price of USD$600 per ton, while 16 months ago the same ingredients were USD$45 per ton, an increase of over 1300 percent. "Many farmers in NZ and Australia will soon be paying these prices, and farmers who use less super phosphate because of the large cost difference will get lower yield results, be it lamb/beef or horticulture. Lower yields will force increased demand, further pushing prices up."
Beer says he has increased the price of poultry as a direct result of increases in both the delivery of the product and of the production costs of the product from the source of supply.
"It is going to get rough and things will get tighter in the next 18 months. Cook Islanders have faced many challenges over many years - I believe this one will be the one that sorts out the wheat from the chaff." - John Woods

Why the EIA is tied down 

Monday 30: National environment service director Vaitoti Tupa says lack of funds prevents the printing of more than 30 copies of environmental impact assessments. 
With members of the public complaining about the access to the EIA on the indoor sports complex, Tupa says they are encouraging people who want to read it to visit their office in Avaru where copies are available to view. 
Over 15 shops, all three banks and the two libraries have copies for viewing but they are 'tied to the counter' and can't be taken away. 
Tupa says it's been procedure for some time and there just isn't enough funding to print more copies. 
He says a $500 fee is charged for those applying for project permits through EIAs and this is used to cover printing costs. If requested, NES can provide electronic copies of EIAs and they may consider making them available for viewing on their website in future.
The sports complex project is estimated to cost $7.1 million with most of this to be covered by the $13 million China soft loan. 
According to the EIA, the project will cost government $200,000 a year to maintain for the first five years and $1 million a year after that. 
As of yesterday Tupa said they have not yet received written submissions from the public on the stadium EIA. 
"We've had calls but our staff has to advise people to put it in writing."
The EIA is open to public submissions for a 30-day period. In this case, submissions close on Friday 4 July.
Tupa says the following week NES will screen submissions. 
"If it's not relevant, it doesn't go to the authority," he says. 
The Rarotonga Environment Authority will probably meet to consider the project application mid-July says Tupa. 
He says work on the project cannot start until a project permit is issued. - Helen Greig

Security kept busy with Sunday protests

Tuesday 1: The Airport Authority will review video footage of the second Sunday protest at Aitutaki airport, after attempts by protestors to get on to the runway before the scheduled flight arrived.
The authority's chief executive, Joe Ngamata, who was in Aitutaki during the weekend, said some of those protesting against Sunday flights certainly made their intentions clear just before the aircraft landed in Aitutaki.
"Their strategy was to go on to the runway yesterday [Sunday]," Ngamata said yesterday.
Ngamata said they took on extra part-time workers to beef up security around the terminal, and to patrol the northern fence and the western access to the airstrip.
The authority had 24 workers on the ground, including a few from Rarotonga, and local police were also present. 
Ngamata said there were attempts by people to move on to the apron via the terminal, as well as a few who were kept at bay on the northern fence line. Security staff roped off the carpark area, across from the terminal, to keep the crowd of people away.
Only airport workers, people who were welcoming passengers, or those leaving on the flight, were allowed into the terminal. 
Ngamata said the move to take on more staff on Sunday paid off, and he added that it was fortunate that the attempts to get on to the runway were not made when the first flight flew into Aitutaki on 22 June. Two elderly men were arrested that day for trying to go on to the airstrip from the western side, just minutes before the plane was due to land.
"There were more people on the first day and it would have been hard for us if they tried to run on to the runway because we didn't have enough staff. But we learnt from that, so I was happy we took on those extra guys in Aitutaki."
Ngamata could not tell how many protestors turned up to the airport but he recalls only one person holding a placard.
He said they will review what took place on Sunday and see how they can better respond to the possibility of further trouble in the future. 
"I was pleased the way we handled things [last Sunday] both on our side and on the police side, and Air Rarotonga as well." - Moana Moeka'a

Skull identification proves expensive

Tuesday 1: Cook Islands police hopes of getting positive identification of the human skull discovered earlier this year are being hampered by a lack of technology to be able to carry out the test.
Police commissioner Pat Tasker has received a report from ESR (Environment Science and Research) services in New Zealand on whether the skull can be identified. 
The report says there are some difficulties in determining a DNA profile in order to identify the skull and the best option would be to send the sample to America where a new programme is being launched in October that could help with the process. 
Tasker says he will be reviewing the situation and one of the factors to take into account will be the costs of ESR tests which are substantial at this point. - Tara Carr

China's ambassador here to sign deal

Tuesday 1: China's New Zealand ambassador will arrive on Rarotonga tomorrow to sign off on the $13 million loan to government.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration announced yesterday that China's ambassador Zhang Yuanyuan from the embassy in Wellington will be arriving in the Cooks tomorrow on a two-day visit. 
Finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate said last week that he planned to sign the $13 million Chinese soft loan when the ambassador visits.
Last week the construction contract was signed by the economic counsellor from the embassy and Sir Terepai on behalf of their respective governments.
The loan will be used to construct an indoor sports stadium, a new Ministry of Education headquarters complex and to upgrade sports facilities around Rarotonga in preparation for the 2009 Pacific Mini Games. 
The ambassador last visited Rarotonga in March 2007 for the handover ceremony for the new Chinese-built police station. 
This time he will pay courtesy calls on members of cabinet, including foreign affairs and immigration minister Wilkie Rasmussen. 
This will be ambassador Zhang's farewell visit to the Cook Islands as he has reached the end of his tour of duty. It will be his fourth visit and he will be accompanied by his wife and two officials from the Chinese embassy. - Helen Greig

New maniota plant for Mauke

Tuesday 1: The Saint Bernadettes Group, a Catholic women's organisation on the outer island of Mauke, can't wait to get cracking on making pia or arrowroot starch.
The task has just been made easier with the recent donation of $15,000 worth of maniota (arrowroot) grating equipment by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation). 
Ministry of Agriculture staff who visited the island last week handed over the equipment which comprises two motorised graters, stainless steel containers, strainers, a water tank and sheets of iron roofing for drying the starch.
Agriculture secretary Nga Mataio says the blessing ceremony in Mauke was presided over by Father John Rovers of the Catholic Church on the island, and witnessed by several members of the church and community. 
Mataio says that while the proposal took over five years to materialise, members of the Saint Bernadettes Group were nevertheless "over the moon" and expressed much appreciation to FAO for their project which they thought would never get to see the light of day. 
Mataio has encouraged the women to make full use of the equipment, and to look at possibly allowing other organisations on the island the use of the equipment by hiring it out. 
He says that with the current high price of imported starch, the equipment has the potential to generate extra income for those who will use it on the island. - Tara Carr 

Water shortage bugs firefighters

Wednesday 2: Lack of water hampered firefighters in what was a two-hour battle to gain control of the blaze that ravaged Backpackers International in Kavera on Monday night.
The water problem slowed down what was an all-out effort by three fire appliances.
Yesterday morning, more than 12 hours later, the site was still smouldering in the front section of the accommodation property just behind the Kavera Meeting House.
It was a major fire by Rarotonga standards, destroying a big part of the Bates family's business.
The ruined part of the building will be off limits for the next day or two.
The fire was reported to the Rescue Fire Service at 7.13pm on Monday.
Fire chief Nga Jessie was in the third vehicle to arrive at the scene, and says that when he was approaching the Betela meeting house he could already see the flames and how brightly it lit up the sky. 
The first engine was sent out when the report was received, supported by the Puaikura volunteer fire brigade. A third truck was also sent out from the airport.
Jessie admits that while the officers managed to get the fire under control, the service was hindered by running out of water.
"The service is still faced with the inconvenience that they run out of water due to the limited amount of water carried on the trucks and the lack of fire hydrants installed for fire-fighting purposes around the island or residential areas. 
"Fires this big requires a huge supply of water to bring the situation under control in a short time. The Puaikura vehicle and the second Rescue Fire Service vehicle were used to cart water to and fro to the primary vehicle water positioned at the scene, and alternated as they went off to refill their tanks.
"While this is what our procedures are and will continue to be for such fires, it's the best we can provide with our existing human and equipment resources.
"I wonder how the population of Rarotonga will come to think about this should one of our major hotels go up or one of the fuel depots. What are the impacts and to what degree?" asks Jessie. 
It wasn't till about 10pm when the fire was finally doused. Officers stayed on at the property throughout the night and will remain on scene for at least the next day or two.
Jessie was happy that they were able to stop the fire from spreading from the front of the property to the actual accommodation block. 
While investigations into the cause of the fire continue, Jessie says that at this stage they think the area of origin was the front of the property. This area includes the office, a bedroom and a communal lounge and cooking area for the guests.
One incident during the fire involved an officer who had a nasty fall and was taken to Rarotonga Hospital. The officer had just arrived on the scene to assist when he fell into an underground water tank covered with a plywood lid - this was in the vicinity and was not known to the officers at the time.
Yesterday, the officer remained in hospital and is expected to be there for another day or two.
The Bates family received a lot of support and assistance yesterday through family, friends, members of the community and the Arorangi Church of Latter Day Saints who helped out with cleaning up the area, various donations and, more importantly, emotional support. The local Rite Price Supprette also donated food to assist the family.
Most of the 14 guests at the property are now staying at Vara's Beach House in Muri and two are residing with a local family. - Tara Carr 

Missing property hasn't spoiled their holiday

Wednesday 2: It will be the most memorable birthday ever for British visitor Ruth Harrison, one of 14 guests at the Backpackers International property in Kavera.
Monday 30 June was her 19th birthday and the plan for the evening was dinner at a local restaurant. But celebrations turned into something of a nightmare when the front half of the accommodation she was staying in went up in flames.
Ruth and friend Laura Wilkinson were both waiting for the bus at the main road when a person on a motorbike rode up and said their house was on fire - they thought it was a joke but decided to have a look. 
Ruth says she could see the flames from the main road but had assumed it was a local bonfire. 
However, once they could see it wasn't, it was a mad dash to the property to try and save as many of their belongings as they could.
"We were both scared because everything, everything that we had was inside our rooms. Our room was okay and they let us get some of our stuff," says Laura.
The remainder of their gear was dropped off to Vara's Beach House in Muri where the pair are now staying. 
Despite the Monday night drama, Laura says it hasn't ruined their holiday in the islands. The pair arrived last weekend and will leave on Saturday. Unfortunately, both girls had to visit the Cook Islands Police station yesterday to report some missing property. The pair have lost two cell phones, two iPods and $400 in cash. 
"It's put a damper on it, but it doesn't have to ruin our stay. It's still a beautiful island," says Laura. 
Ruth, too, was adamant that it wouldn't spoil the remaining few days they had left - "we're not going to let it ruin our holiday."
So will there still be a birthday celebration? Ruth says they will still have a meal together and may be by Friday night, they'll be up for a night on the town. 
Both are hoping they would have recovered from the shock of it all by then to really enjoy their last night on the island.
Anyone who may have information or knowledge of the pair's missing property is urged to contact police on 22499. - Tara Carr