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General News

Week ending Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Current events and entertainment in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.

Online tributes grow
Police chief calls on community
Demo Party dead the way it’s going
Marlin hunters on world tour
Tourism CEO departs
We must stop alcohol abuse
2 recyclers solve waste problem
56 youth ambassadors represent Cooks
11 composers in Te Mire Atu
Habitat offers to build 72 new homes
Ministers at odds over aid options
Top Shape changes hands in 21st year
First local HIV test counsellors certified
Meitaki atupaka Pukapuka!
Weekend crime
PM dumped by Demos
Manuia opens in NYC
Delayed texting explained
Taxis and buses the answer
Last day for public views on welfare payments
Better eyesight, one woman’s vision
Harriers go green for St Pat

The online tributes for local television news presenter Tamarii Pierre continue to grow.

Tributes can be seen on CI News online tribute page as well as on the Facebook group ‘R.I.P. Tamarii Pierre’. Created by his friend John Michael, the group now has around 400 members.

Pierre was killed in a car crash on Saturday and laid to rest on Monday surrounded by family and friends.

To post a tribute at the CI News tribute page, log onto www.cookislandsnews.com/Tamarii-Pierre-memorial.htm.

Here we share some of the recent tributes to Tamarii (aka T2) and his family:

- Tamarii or known by his friends as T2 was an energetic amazing talented young man. I used to go to school with him and no matter when or where I saw him he would always have a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed by many. So sad to see such a young life taken away from this world. I will miss you T2. R.I.P Jana Robertson

- Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Tamarii Pierre. You will always be remembered as a young bubbly person with a great sense of humour, your smile and laughter will never leave our hearts. You will be sadly missed. Rest in Peace T2. Our condolences from as far as Australia are with your family. Rangi Mokoroa & Metua Ngaoire

- Dear Tam, Ipu and Family, We are so sad to hear of Tam’s premature death. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. May the Lord bring comfort and peace into your hearts as you grieve the loss of your loved one. Alolofa tele atu...Love and prayers. Salome & the Mitchell family (Chano, Yavana, Tanya, Calais, Caprice & Monaro) Auckland, New Zealand

- A golden smile, a pearl of friendship and a diamond of fun. To a young man who’s full of life and willing to face the nation with his golden smile, you will certainly be missed so much. I heard and cried for this nation’s lost. A young man who makes you feel confident in front of a video camera as he shares his golden smile. Rest in Peace Tamarii - Aere Ra - Aere Ra! Tatari Mitchell

- To our dearest cousin T2, It feels like it was just yesterday that we kissed, hugged and said “see you later...” and we boarded the plane for New Zealand. Saying “Goodbye” never came to mind. The word “goodbye” is forever and in our Tutangata family there are no “Goodbyes” just “ka kite...” To Uncle Ta, Aunty Ipu and cousins Melynda, Matthew and John and to our nieces and nephew although we are not with you in this time of need please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Psalms 34:18 The lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and save those who have a crushed spirit.”Ka kite...” love Eugene, Tunoa, Natalie and Pourie.

Stopping drinking and driving

is a shared responsibility

Dear Editor,

In regards to ‘Very concerned parents’ letter to the editor, I would like to take the opportunity to respond to the points raised.

It both saddens and appalls me that our people continue to drink and drive and cause the deaths and maiming of themselves, our innocent people and visitors, as well as creating a real danger to themselves and others. One road death in our beautiful country is one too many.

Police cannot stop this from happening alone. The community has a key role to play and by “community”, I also refer to those that choose to deliberately drink and drive.

Stopping drinking and driving is a shared responsibility of those that drink before driving, the premises where alcohol is sold to ensure that people do not become intoxicated on their premises and to ensure that those under age are not served, to those in homes and functions where alcohol is served to guests including after sports functions, to businesses where functions are held, to tourist facilities and to those that socialise at the beach.

While alcohol is often part of entertaining and the socialising culture, it must not be permitted to be abused by people drinking to excess regardless of whether or not they are driving. We need to focus on the whole culture around this evil.

Let’s be clear, there is no issue with the responsible consumption of alcohol but every one of our people has a responsibility to stop this horror and abuse. It may be that friends take car keys off friends that are going to drive after drinking alcohol, or they refuse to serve them any more alcohol, but what is important here, is protecting and saving our people and our visitors from this horror.

Yes this is not going to be easy, but it has to be done. I would be the happiest Police Commissioner in the world if I could say that there are no drink drivers and no deaths or crashes or incidents where alcohol is a factor. Sadly I cannot say that, but I want to be in that position one day and I hope it will occur, but police need your help as well.

In terms of the police effort to stop drinking and driving, police officers are deployed according to a daily tasking plan and a monthly tactical plan.

The plans are developed based on examination of detected drink drivers, crimes committed (and let’s not forget that alcohol abuse is a major factor in domestic abuse), information from the public, problem premises that serve alcohol, and specific areas and persons. Officers are directed to problem locations and premises at risk times and days of the week.

On top of this they are required to attend other crimes such as thefts, burglaries, assaults and domestic violence.

We all know that we have to enforce the speed limits and all vehicle safety requirements as they all contribute to road safety. This is often achieved through roadside vehicle checks where we detect drink drivers, dangerous drivers, unlicensed drivers and unsafe vehicles, all of which endanger our precious community. We also target those who have had their driver licences suspended for serious road safety offending. An additional task is in natural events such as cyclones and tsunami warnings.

I have to ensure that the police resources I have are used most effectively.

Preventing crashes is not about putting more police on the road, it is about each and every motorist changing their attitudes and accepting responsibility for their actions and with that comes the priority that they must act responsibly.

If everyone were to abide by our road laws, crashes on our roads would be a thing of the past. Checking vehicles is not a pointless exercise. While people don’t like getting tickets and my staff do not like giving them, there is an easy fix. Don’t break the laws and don’t endanger our community.

Police roster staff on shifts to cover every hour of every day of every year. Yes the numbers on the different shifts do vary, however police have a multitude of tasks to complete in each 24-hour period. Crashes and drink driving can occur at any time. Most crashes occur on weekdays, between 6pm and 8pm and midnight.

The notion of a “0” under 20 years of age driver alcohol limit is appealing, but it will not stop drink driving. It still falls back on the community to take responsibility for themselves, their family and friends.

We cannot prevent crashes from happening but we are doing the best we can through stronger enforcement and prevention programmes. Parents, caregivers and the community must also do their bit by teaching, leading by example so that positive role models are seen and heard, and continually reminding themselves and their family about road safety.

Maara Tetava

Commissioner of Police

Nineteen-year-old Tamarii Pierre was laid to rest on Monday after his tragic death on Saturday in a road accident. 10030914

Dear Editor,

Demo MPs, what’s happening?

Mr Tongia is running loose making all kinds of invalid claims on your behalf. Why can’t some of you stand up and declare your position.

It’s obvious you are divided in your opinions and vision of the way forward. You are supposed to be a democratic party, but Mr Tongia is making you resemble the old Nazi party.

Since when did the party executive with the undeclared support of a few ministerial quitters get the right to highjack the party and destroy our rights to your freedom of thought and choice.

For goodness sake, stand up and be counted if you want to be re-elected.

The old party is dead the way it’s going and headed for shame and embarrassment in the process.

You are being paid to work for the country with nothing to do for the next few months except change with the times, straighten out your party organisation and maybe we can vote for you again, but you had better believe we are all watching this sad state of affairs really closely.

Less Optimistic

(Name and address supplied)

Dreamin’ On, docked at Avarua harbour. 10031006

Dreamin’ On, a 78-foot Garlington custom-built sportfishing boat, has docked at Avarua and is in the business of attracting curious stares from those who can appreciate a beautiful boat.

It’s here as part of a world marlin-fishing tour and will be chasing marlin around the island for three weeks, though Captain Randy Hodgekiss pledges to “revive and release” any catches.

The boat has trawled off Cape Verde, Madeira and Portugal. It’s fished the west coast of Africa, the Mediterranean, Bermuda, Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico and the Gulf Coast off the United States.

It’s most recently been in Tahiti and after it departs from Rarotonga, will head to Niue, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu en route to Australia.

The crew and passengers, clad in t-shirts declaring that the world tour considers “No Bar Too Far!” are from Orange Beach, Alabama in the United States and will be at sea for a year.

Hodgekiss said that the idea of the world tour originated with three Alabama brothers who love to fish.

“It was their idea, and now we’re trying to live it,” he said.

Their objective is to fish the “best marlin spots in the world”, though Hodgekiss admits that abnormal weather patterns of late have affected their South Pacific tour.

He said that excessive rain affects the salinity of the water, which in turn affects the presence of marlin, a surface-feeding fish.

“It’s part science and part good luck,” he said with a smile. “If we knew the secret, we’d be the best in the world!”

Otherwise they’re “just trying to do the best we can”, he said.

The Dreamin’ On crew went out fishing with locals yesterday to learn the tricks of the Cook Islands waters.

- Rachel Reeves

Glenda Tuaine is again acting Cook Islands Tourism Corporation chief executive after John Dean returned to Australia last week.

Dean resigned in January and was due to see out his second contract year at the end of next month.

There is no official explanation for his early departure from CI Tourism, but it is understood existing tension between Dean and board chairman Tata Crocombe had worsened before he decided to leave.

Dean was appointed following the 2007 resignation of Chris Wong who left amid serious allegations of misuse of public funds which are still being pursued by police.

Tuaine took over the reigns at the corporation until Dean took up his appointment at the beginning of 2008.

The corporation has been advertising for a new CEO which Crocombe has said he hopes will be filled quickly, going into a new year with a new focus and direction for tourism.

Meanwhile Tuaine and marketing rep Kura Metuariki are currently attending the ITB Berlin travel trade show in Germany. The show runs from March 10-14. With more than 180,000 visitors, and over 10,000 exhibitors from 180 countries, this is one of the biggest events of the year that CI Tourism attends.

According to CI Tourism Tuaine is due back in Rarotonga on March 22.

• Helen Greig

Dear Editor,

The tragic “out-of-control drink driving” accident that caused the death of a young, gifted Cook Islander who had so much promise and potential for the future once again highlights our culture of alcohol abuse.

Visit some homes on Rarotonga on any Sunday afternoon and you will see groups of Cook Islanders happily drinking themselves senseless.

Our drinking culture has shaped the lives of many of our people who are introduced to alcohol at a very young age, be it in the home or on the sports field. This culture has also robbed us of our youth with 22 people having died on our roads only in the past four years.

I grew up in a home that revolved around the weekly drink binging culture many Cook Islanders are familiar with. Both my grandparents passed away from alcohol related diseases. My uncles all suffer from years of alcohol abuse but refuse to give up the bottle. One of my uncles spent time in prison for killing an innocent person in an alcohol-related accident on our roads. Another lost a leg as a result of a drink-driving accident.

But most gut-wrenching of all was the death of my cousin at 19 years old in an alcohol related accident on a motorbike. I remember my cousin having his first taste of alcohol at around 10 years old when he would proudly drink from the bottles of beer that littered our home after the weekly Sunday binge drinking sessions (which still continue to this day) of my uncles and their friends. That first taste which was encouraged with cries of “drink it like a real man!” led to more and would eventually claim his life.

It makes me so sad to see that we have not learnt from the past. There is so much more to life than the drinking culture that consumes our families and into which our children grow into and become part of. The cycle continues and more young lives are lost as families grieve for what might have been.

I made a break from my past and married a non-drinker. Our children (two are teenagers) have grown up in an environment that does not involve alcohol and we find other family related things to bond with each other, many of which are simple outdoor activities like swimming, cycling and walking this beautiful land of ours.

Having had my own personal experience of growing up in a home traumatised by alcohol binge-drinking, it may be that addressing those issues in our own homes will lead to the parents of “youth who may be the statistic of tomorrow” to make changes in their homes in relation to alcohol consumption.

It is a fact that the actions of the parents pave the future for their children; therefore please give our children something else to live for than the weekly binge-drinking that many people on this island live for.

I won’t sign my name because the alcohol-related tragedies in my family still affect many of us today and it would be unfair to identify other members of my family.

I only share this in the hope that other families will not be destroyed by the senseless death of another of our young, beautiful children who have so much more to live for than alcohol. My heart goes out to the family of young Tamarii Pierre and may God comfort you in your hour of darkness.

Wounded By Alcohol

(Name and address supplied)

Caryn Chilwell with some of the old appliances that will be shipped to New Zealand for recycling. 10030413

Local residents and businesses have stepped in to reinforce Rarotonga’s recycling programme with recycling services of their own.

If you’re looking to dispose of toxic waste or bulky metal appliances, drop them at the Big Orange Shop in Matavera, and if you’ve got inoperative electronics, discard them at IT Technology on the back road at Avatiu.

Caryn Chilwell and Brian Freeth of the Big Orange Shop collect old, worn-out car bodies and parts, motorbikes, roofing iron, batteries, kitchen appliances, irons, washing machines, tractor parts and air conditioning units, copper and brass among other steel and metal products.

Chilwell and Freeth, who said they were alarmed at the way that hazardous waste was in recent years buried in the ground, also collect toxic waste.

They stockpile an assortment of scrap at their Turangi yard and when they’ve gathered enough to fill a container, Chilwell and Freeth ship the lot of it to New Zealand to be recycled and re-processed.

They said that because they have been unable to secure funding for their project, “it has been a tough road for them financially [but recycling] is a labour of love”. They charge a fee for shipping costs but guarantee that all payments are receipted and used to cover transport.

The recycling duo do not accept plastic, green waste or tyres.

They also ask that their space be treated like a recycling yard and not like a ‘dump’.

“[We are] asking the public to stop dumping their rubbish on the premises as this negates everything we are trying to achieve,” Chilwell said.

Chilwell and Freeth also do not collect IT products, but IT Technology is willing to take those off your hands.

IT Technology recycles all products pertaining to computers – laptops, computers, printers, photocopiers, hard drives – and electronics like telephones, mobile phones and cables.

At present, they do not collect TVs and DVD players but are hoping to get the go-ahead from New Zealand-based recyclers to do so.

Like Chilwell and Freeth, IT Technology charges a small fee to cover shipping costs. Price will depend upon the size of the product, but an IT Technology spokesperson said that it will range from $2 to $20.

CI News received a letter a few weeks back from a local who wasn’t sure about what to do with an old fridge and a non-functioning hard drive. The writer said he or she had phoned the National Environment Service and been told to ‘leave it in [the] back garden as there is no where else that it can be dumped’.

But thanks to the dedication of community members to saving the environment, there is somewhere else it can be dumped.

Ring Caryn and Brian on 28336 or IT Technology on 26383 for more information.

• Rachel Reeves

Members of the 56 strong Cook Islands Youth Ambassadors team that will represent the youth of the nation at the first Pacific Youth and Sports Conference in Auckland next week. 10031101

Empowering youth through sports in order to give back to the community is one of the aims of the first Pacific Youth and Sports Conference to be staged in Manukau, Auckland, next week.

A group of 56 youth from the Cook Islands under the banner of Cook Islands Youth Ambassadors will be taking part in the discussions at the conference organised by the Oceania Football Confederation and the Manukau City Council.

The week-long conference will run from March 15 to 20 and will include around 100 youth from 25 Pacific Island nations.

Cook Islands Youth Ambassadors team leader Sandra Tomokino says that the conference will be based around four central themes of health, education and training, citizenship and good governance, social integration and anti-discrimination.

It will include seminars, workshops, exhibitions and roundtable meetings where concrete action plans will be drawn up and presented at the closing ceremony.

The Cook Islands Youth Ambassadors team includes around 26 Tereora College students and 30 youths over 25.

Tomokino says that only the youths under 25 will take part in the discussions with the older members of the group to provide support to their younger members.

For Tomokino, leading the team for the first time is part of her capacity building as a youth.

Meanwhile 17-year-old Tereora College student Jones Ave hopes the conference will improve his confidence so he can better carry out his role as the national college’s head boy.

Fellow Tereora College prefect Raukura Ellison just wants to soak up as much as she can at the conference.

“I want to learn as much as I can come home and put it into action,” says Ellison.

The Cook Islands team will also hold a cultural performance during the conference’s international night.

At the end of the conference, Oceania Football Confederation will hold a meeting involving youth and sports ministers from around the region who can adopt the action plans that are born during the event.

Minister of youth and sport Apii Piho will be at the meeting to represent the Cook Islands at the ministers meeting.

• Matariki Wilson

Te Mire Atu 2010 composers competition night has been brought forward to Thursday March 25 instead of the original date of March 31.

The date for the annual composers competition was originally changed due to most of the songwriters getting behind the Aitutaki cyclone relief effort.

The new change is to allow for the competition’s main sponsor Tower Insurance to be present on the night to present the songwriters with their prizes and trophies.

The ministry of cultural development is very grateful for the support of Tower Insurance in providing funding and prizes for the 11 local songwriters taking up this year’s Mire Atu challenge.

The confirmed 11 composers working on new songs for the composer’s competition are Curly George, Tuaine Unuia, Glassie Matata, Teariki Adam, Tuakeu Harry Papai, Tuakana Makara, Upokoina Teiotu, Travel Moeara, Poti Maeva, Tuwunga Mataora and last year’s winning composer Pastor Eliu Eliu.

Of the list of confirmed composers, seven are newcomers to the annual composer’s competition while four are accomplished song writers.

Te Mire Atu is shaping up to be a fantastic event and those wanting to know more about the event or to purchase tickets for the evening can contact Rutera Taripo at the Ministry of Culture.

• Matariki Wilson

A proposal from Habitat For Humanity New Zealand to build 72 new homes in Aitutaki in partnership with Lockwood NZ has been put to government.

Finance minister and recovery coordinator Wilkie Rasmussen says Habitat representatives made an offer to cabinet on Wednesday and the proposal will go back to the ministers next Tuesday for possible endorsement.

Habitat is proposing that government pay $18,000 for each of the basic 42 square metre two-bedroom Lockwood kitset homes the organisation would build using volunteers.

“They are basic homes that can withstand winds of up to 250 kph,” says the minister.

Rasmussen said if government pays for a concrete foundation and any septic system needs for the new homes, it would mean each new home would cost around $35,000 – the amount it wants to provide in its recovery plan as a grant to the 72 families whose homes were demolished in the cyclone.

“It’s a very affordable option. If we give them (Habitat) the go-ahead, they said they can have all 70 houses finished by June. We are very interested in what they have to offer.”

Rasmussen says the Habitat assistance may affect whether those who lost their homes can choose what kind of home they will get with the grant assistance.

In the meantime a team from the ministry of infrastructure and planning is designing a home that would cost about $35,000 as an option for those who have lost their homes.

Rasmussen says owners of homes in damage categories one to three will still receive grants as planned to help with the repair work needed, meaning there would still be some benefit to the economy from the funds going into the recovery plan.

Habitat has already launched an appeal to raise $300,000 for the Cook Islands rebuilding programme. It says the programme for the Cooks will be designed along similar lines to its current project in tsunami-ravaged Samoa.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-denominational Christian not-for-profit organisation that helps more than 60,000 families across the globe into homes every year.

• Helen Greig

Infrastructure minister William Heather wants to take advantage of Chinese assistance. 10031120

Finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen has shot down suggestions of asking China for aid to help Aitutaki. 10030537

Cabinet ministers are at odds in opinion over government accepting more Chinese aid.

Last week infrastructure minister William ‘Smiley’ Heather took a proposal to ask China to fund the construction of 200 houses in Aitutaki to cabinet but it was quickly shot down by finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen and deputy prime minister Robert Wigmore.

It’s now a touchy subject given the $9.46 million Aitutaki recovery plan and the indication of funding from New Zealand announced a day after Heather’s suggestion.

Heather had asked China’s state owned China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) if it could confirm grant aid for 200 new houses.

He took a letter from CCECC to cabinet just a day after he and cabinet minister Apii Piho reportedly met with CCECC representatives over dinner and drinks.

CCECC Jianxi Li wrote that Heather should write a letter to the Chinese Embassy in Wellington to state the reason for asking for a grant for houses and that CCECC be the contractors.

For Heather the idea of asking China for aid was about responding quickly to the needs of Aitutaki following Cyclone Pat.

“I am concerned. I got back from Aitutaki and told my HOMs that while you’re in your air conditioned offices, people in Aitutaki are homeless and living in tents. I’m worried about people leaving the island if we can’t start fixing their problems now.”

Heather says he is not happy that government is still waiting for NZ to declare its overall aid commitment to the recovery plan.

Other government officials are also divided on whether Chinese assistance could be delivered more swiftly than NZ aid.

However, Rasmussen has already emphasised that the housing project and grants for Aitutaki will benefit the economy as well – something China funding and construction wouldn’t provide.

Under the recovery plan, builders, contractors, suppliers and other locals will get some work and income from the reconstruction of around 300 damaged homes – of which about 72 were completely demolished. On the other hand, news of Habitat For Humanity’s offer of kitset Lockwood homes and free construction labour may reduce the economic benefits under the original recovery plan.

In the meantime, Heather and Rasmussen are still divided on the issue of whether to go ahead with the planned $37 million China soft loan for CCECC to carry out a road and water upgrade in Rarotonga.

Rasmussen is against the project, arguing the country’s debt levels are already too high, but Heather believes it needs to go ahead as planned to provide better infrastructure to the people. It seems neither minister will come away unscathed from their differing stance on China aid – Rasmussen has already been cautioned his statements on the China loan for the road and water project may affect the country’s diplomatic relationship with China, while Heather’s stance has been labelled an election ploy.

• Helen Greig

Top Shape gym turns over a new leaf with a fresh management team ready to take the gym into the 21st century. From left, Aaron Enoka, Oki Enoka, Mann Short, Sisi Short, Avera Hunter and son, and Puai and Tai Wichman. 10031204

Top Shape Gym in Taputapuatea this week celebrated 21 years of keeping Cook Islanders in shape and introduced a new management team to carry on the health and fitness work started by the gym’s founders.

Founders of the gym Mann and Sisi Short held a joint birthday and handover ceremony at the Staircase Restaurant and Bar on Thursday to thank their loyal clients, some of whom have been members for almost 21 years, and to hand over the reins to the new management team.

The new management team includes Aaron and Oki Enoka – the sons of Top Shape Gym co-founder the late Felix Enoka – and Puai and Tai Wichman.

Speaking on behalf of the new team, Puai Wichman said that the occasion on Thursday was a two-part celebration.

“We are celebrating 21 years of Top Shape gym looking after the health of Cook Islands people,” said Wichman.

“That’s credit to Mann and Sisi Short and family, Avera Hunter and the late Felix Enoka.”

Wichman added that the second part of the celebration is for the gym turning over a new leaf.

“It’s time for a change and change is always a good thing,” said Wichman.

He said that while they will remain under the Top Shape brand, new initiatives and services are on the cards.

“We want to make the gym more accessible to our local people.”

“We want this to be a place for people to improve their lifestyle and a place where people can come to achieve their goals of lifestyle change.”

Wichman himself has been a member of the Top Shape gym for 18 years and says that he has always wanted to run a fitness centre.

“I’m passionate about people and seeing them change and improve their life – that’s really satisfying.”

Wichman is excited about the new changes the gym will go through so dust off your aerobics gears and head to the Top Shape gym and find out what’s new and exciting in the world of health and fitness.

• Matariki Wilson

Celebrating new certificates in HIV counselling – Red Cross’s Lynn Scott, ministry of health men’s health coordinator Rangi Aitu, midwife Te Okotai Areai, national TB programme coordinator Nukutau Pokora, Red Cross’s Danny Vakapora, PCOS regional training project coordinator Paulini Vakacegu and health promotion unit HIV/STI officer Ana File. 10031205

Four health workers received their certificates of competence in HIV test counselling on Friday.

Last April they and four others currently in the outer islands took part in an intensive 10-day training course run by Pacific Counselling and Social Services and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria provided funds to train teams of people in HIV counselling in nine Pacific countries.

Last week Pacific Counselling and Social Services’ regional training project coordinator Paulini Vakacegu was in Rarotonga to carry out monitoring and evaluation of the one HIV testing and counselling site that exists at Rarotonga hospital.

Vakacegu says more testing and counselling sites for HIV might be set up in the near future. There are plans to have a site at the Red Cross office and at the Tupapa community health clinic.

Vakacegu says while there has been only one reported case of HIV in the Cook Islands to date, the training in counselling is to make sure people have access to services they might need.

“HIV is an issue that is very sensitive. People need to know that they have access to testing and counselling services and assured that everything they discuss is confidential.

“Now there are people trained here who know the professional boundaries and ethics needed to provide these services,” she says.

There are now also 29 people from the Pacific region undertaking a 15-month diploma in professional counselling through Vakacegu’s organisation and the SPC.

The ministry of health’s HIV/STI officer Ana File and national TB programme coordinator Nukutau Pokura are the two people in the Cook Islands studying towards the diploma.

They began their studies last November and expect to gain the qualification by next March.

Those who are receiving their certificate of competency in HIV test counselling this month are Lynn Scott, Danny Vakapora, Rangi Aitu, Te Okotai Areai, Edwina Tangaroa, Ngamata Bryson, Mata Matamaki, and Leon Tuara.

• Helen Greig

The small Pukapuka community on Rarotonga has given $5330 to the Aitutaki Cyclone Appeal (ACA) – a gesture that’s been described as a “tremendous effort” by the committee.

Pukapuka community spokesman Makirere Poila says they know only too well the devastating effects of cyclones and wanted to give a significant amount to help.

“This donation comes from every Pukapukan, half Pukapukan, quarter Pukapukan...all of us, on Rarotonga.”

ACA vice chairman Toti Tupa said the committee is grateful for generosity of the Pukapuka community – “...this money is very much appreciated and will go a long way towards helping the people of Aitutaki.”

- ACA

Police responded to a number of calls at the weekend but fortunately there were not as many motor vehicle crashes as the previous weekend.

At 2.48 on Friday, Ngatangiia residents reported theft of a digital camera and a string guitar. They said the articles had been missing for ten days but that they hadn’t reported the theft because they were trying to decide whether to classify it as theft or burglary.

On Saturday just before 11 pm, police responded to a minor motor vehicle crash in the airport carpark. No hospital transfers were necessary.

At 2.07 pm on Saturday, Akaoa residents reported a burglary after finding that a mobile phone and a DVD case were missing.

Police received a report of a burglary on Saturday night. Someone informed them that two young girls had broken into a home “to have a shower” and stolen towels afterwards.

On Saturday, Scott’s Farm reported that eggs had been stolen. The caller said that missing eggs was an “ongoing problem” but that he hadn’t reported it earlier because he’d been trying to track down the thief himself.

On Saturday night, a man left his mobile phone, spectacles and keys at the Fishing Club. He rang his mobile and a woman answered and told him to pick it up at Rehab. When he arrived, she’d turned the phone off. Police are still investigating the issue.

On Saturday night, a police vehicle was found to have sustained damage. It was later revealed that the driver had hit a dog on the back road near International Backpackers in Arorangi.

At 2.29 am on Sunday morning, a rental car – and the purse, mobile phone and laptop inside it – were stolen from the carpark at Whatever Bar. Police believe they have identified the suspect but are still investigating the incident.

On Sunday at 5.08 pm, a Pue resident reported a motor vehicle crash just outside his home on the main road. He reported a “big pool of blood” and a man with a “bleeding face” walking down the road. The man was transported to hospital and police do not know whether alcohol was a contributing factor.

On Sunday night, a member of the Aitutaki Cyclone Appeal Committee reported a burglary at the Aitutaki hostel after finding that eggs and other foodstuffs were missing from the kitchen.

Though no one was arrested for excess breath alcohol over the weekend, police are still asking for help in cutting down on drunk driving.

“This weekend police are mounting an operation targeting drunken drivers but we need assistance from the community and bar owners, who need to be responsible for their patrons,” senior sergeant Nga Pouao said. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure that our people are safe and secure.”

• Rachel Reeves

Prime minister Jim Marurai says he’s confident he’ll have a plan for the way forward this week after being dumped by the Demo Party last week. 10021902

Three cabinet members now face ‘ultimatum’

Prime minister Jim Marurai has been dumped from the Democratic Party but he’s not about to lose any sleep over it.

“I’m fed up with them. I don’t care,” said Marurai yesterday.

Demo Party president Makiuti Tongia wrote to Marurai last Wednesday to inform him that the party executive and central committee agreed his membership be cancelled because of his decision to sack former deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate and it had ‘prejudiced the interests of the party’.

“It is unfortunate that we have had to take this action as we regard the decision you made in sacking Sir Terepai Maoate KBE, Leader of the Democratic Party, from government as misguided and not in the best interest of the party. It has caused a rift between the caucus members of the party,” wrote Tongia.

Party secretary and Tupapa-Maraerenga MP John Tangi hand delivered the letter to Marurai’s office.

Marurai says the three Demo Party ministers in his cabinet now have to make it clear where they stand in relation to the party’s position.

“I will give them (ministers) an ultimatum. I think they (Demo Party executives) are trying to divide us, and weaken us, with this action.”

On Friday Marurai met with his ministers who remain in the Demo Party – deputy prime minister Robert Wigmore, William ‘Smiley’ Heather and Apii Piho – to discuss the latest action by the Demo executive.

“I told my ministers I don’t want to work with them (Demo Party executives) any more. They (ministers) have one foot on either side so they need to choose.”

Marurai said it seems Heather is making a last ditch attempt to reunite the party factions, but says of the idea, “I think he’s going to find a dead end.”

He says he’s still confident that cabinet will remain united despite the Demo Party tactics to ‘divide and conquer’.

The PM maintains that he was trying to do the right thing by the public last December by first asking former finance minister Sir Terepai to show some accountability and step down over the $2 million Toagate scandal.

When the minister did not resign, Marurai took action. Sir Terepai was reportedly outraged by the demotion and this reaction then led to his sacking.

Tongia wrote to Marurai that the December 21 removal of Sir Terepai as DPM and all portfolios except health came as a surprise to cabinet and caucus.

“Discussion on this matter was held and it was agreed that Sir Terepai be reinstated as DPM and also for the retention of all his portfolios except finance. In this respect you agreed to this arrangement,” wrote Tongia.

In the letter, Tongia also mentions the media’s reporting of the Toa fuel farm scandal and the hugely controversial out of court settlement that had the public calling for Sir Terepai’s sacking.

“You cited pressure from the Chamber of Commerce and others as your reason for taking the action that you did following the Toa Petroleum media reports. Subsequent meeting with you, caucus and the executive failed to arrive at an outcome that will not be detrimental to the interest of the Democratic Party,” wrote Tongia.

Tongia has used the same part of the party’s constitution in expelling Marurai as he did when cabinet minister Wilkie Rasmussen was booted out late last year.

He has claimed that under article 8 (a) of the party’s constitution, the executive and any constituency committee “may cancel or suspend the membership of any person whose actions prejudice the interests of the party” or in any way contravenes the provisions of the constitution.

The PM is not surprised he’s been given the boot and says the Demo executive already threatened his expulsion from the party on December 22 – the same day he sacked Sir Terepai.

In fact, after the sacking and the resignation of three other cabinet ministers, Tongia told CI News that Marurai’s membership had been revoked and the same day his removal from the party was broadcast on radio. But by early January the party seemed to have changed tack, with Tongia professing that they hadn’t in fact cancelled Marurai’s membership.

• Helen Greig

Last night marked the beginning of a two-month-long art exhibit at the American Indian Community House in New York that will feature work by local artists Mahiriki Tangaroa, Mike Tavioni, Jerome Shedden and Kay George.

The exhibition, titled Manuia, Stereotypical banality, cultural dimensionality & the key to contemporary pacific art is an effort to confront stodgy, traditional theories about contemporary Pacific art.

Tangaroa has curated an installation of photographs that examine post-colonial issues of identity and cultural repatriation. The collection is a sequel to a series of photographs taken in New York last year.

Multimedia and textiles artist Kay George is presenting a series of digital portraits and Sheddon is taking viewers on a filmic journey – a digital response to the traditional, pre-missionary oral method of transferring knowledge.

“Manuia is a very structured offering. As its Cook Islands meaning implies, it is a term of sincerity. It is not a submerged statement of geographic place nor is it a product of a cultural ghetto. It is a progressive statement of contemporary art that explores themes not only relevant to Pacific societies but universal themes common to humanity,” Ben Bergman of Beachcomber wrote.

Manuia is a Beachcomber Contemporary Art gallery initiative in association with the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the New Zealand High Commission Rarotonga and the New Zealand Consulate-General, New York.

UNDP Administrator Helen Clark delivered the opening speech. Manuia will be on display until May 29.

- Ben Bergman/RR

Telecom Cook Islands has had reports that some customers are experiencing delays receiving texts messages on their mobile phones.

“We acknowledge that this is an ongoing problem and we want to explain what we are doing about it, and how customers can help,” TCI sales and marketing manager Mark Boyd said yesterday in a media statement.

The three main causes of delays are:

1) The message box is full and no more texts can be received until space is created. Most mobile phones will tell you when your messagebox is full, but not all. So Telecom suggest customers delete unwanted texts to free up space in their mobile phones.

2) The sender or receiver of the text is in a weak cell signal area.

3) The sender or receiver of the text is moving from one cell phone coverage area to another.

Telecom has plans to improve the cell coverage around Rarotonga and Aitutaki. New equipment is on order to repair the Takapora (Hospital) and the Maunga Pu cell sites in Aitutaki damaged by Cyclone Pat in January, as well as equipment for an additional cell tower.

“We will also be upgrading existing Rarotonga cell sites over the next few months to improve coverage,” Boyd said.

The Aroa cell site was upgraded on Saturday and customers should notice improvement on either side of the Aroa tower. A new cell site is to be erected at Tupapa to improve coverage around the Club Raro/Kii Kii Motel area.

“We also have a specialist GSM engineer from North America arriving in April to assist in upgrading and improving our mobile phone service.

“We encourage customers to report details of delayed texts because this can greatly assist us in isolating the cause of the problem and fix it. Please dial 123 and report as much detail as possible.

“We apologise to customers who may have been inconvenienced by this problem and we assure them that we are doing all we can to solve it.”

• TCI

Public transport such as buses and taxis are a sure way to get home safe after a night out on the town 10031626

To cut down on drunk driving, buses, taxis and Dial-a-Driver are available as means of transport on Friday and Saturday nights.

AAA Kia Orana Taxis, based at The Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa, sends vans to town that can carry up to 14 people. For transport from town to Aro’a, Kia Orana charges $2.50 per kilometre. If you’re a group of two to six, it’s usually a flat rate of $30, so if you have a decent-sized group you can get home for the price of one drink.

For trips to Muri, See Plus Taxi & Shuttle Tours charges $30 per three people. Raro Taxi charges $15 to Nikao, whether you’ve got a group of two, three or four, and $25 to Muri.

If you’ve got “ample numbers”, Raro Getaway Taxis in Arorangi will do “shuttle runs” at five dollars a head.

There are a number of taxi companies on the island and you can find their contact details in the phone directory.

Most prefer to run pre-booked trips so as to avoid driving into town with no guarantee of a pick-up, but are still willing to make last-minute arrangements.

If you’ve got a large group, taxis are a safe and affordable alternative to drunk driving. If you don’t, the bus is another economical option.

Cook’s Passenger Transport Ltd runs extra buses on Friday nights. The bus driver has a break between 11 and midnight, but runs three late-night trips – at midnight, 1 am and 2.15 am. The bus departs from Cook’s Corner, stops off at Traders and Staircase, and continues clockwise around the island.

The last bus on Saturday night leaves town at 11pm. Bus tickets cost $4 one way and $7 for a return trip. You’ve also got the option to purchase a worker’s pass for 10 rides at $19.

You can also ring Dial-a-Driver on 55580. They’ll come to wherever you’re drinking and take you and your car home – for $15 anywhere in town, $25 to Arorangi and $30 to go right around the island.

Sergeant Nga Pouao strongly encourages those who are out drinking to call a taxi or ride with a sober driver. He said that police cannot stop the drunk driving epidemic without help from the community and the responsible parties.

• Rachel Reeves

Destitute and infirm benefits, paid out to hundreds of people each year, are among the payments being reviewed under the social welfare system and the call for public submissions closes today.

The review began last month when the ministry of internal affairs began asking for public views on the system and the payments made under it over the past month and a half.

Submissions are closing today for members of the public who want to have their say on the destitute and infirm benefits and others such as the child benefit and the old age pension.

Government is asking whether these benefits should be means tested.

The destitute benefit is aimed at people unable to permanently support themselves by their own means and labour including people with dependants who are unable, through infirmity or age to support themselves by their own means.

There are 37 people in total receiving the destitute benefit – in Rarotonga there are 8, Aitutaki 11, Mangaia 2, Atiu 4, Mauke 8 Mitiaro 1, and Pukapuka 3.

There are 232 people receiving the infirm benefit for people who are mentally or physically ill. The majority are in Rarotonga where 113 people receive the benefit. About 39 people in Aitutaki, 19 in Mangaia, 21 in Atiu, 12 in Mauke, 4 in Mitiaro, 10 in Pukapuka, 6 in Penrhyn, 5 in Manihiki, and 3 in Rakahanga receive this benefit too.

A caregivers allowance can be collected by people looking after the infirm. In Rarotonga 42 people receive this allowance, Aitutaki 25, Mangaia 10, Atiu 6, Mauke 14, Mitiaro 3, Pukapuka 13, Manihiki 4 and Penrhyn and Rakahanga 4.

Internal affairs, in its public discussion paper, says it appears the benefit is not aimed at able bodied people who are destitute because of their lack of success in finding work or their own choice not to work.

There is a reference to land ownership in regards to this benefit, implying that if the person owns land then there is a possibility that this would indicate they have some means.

The ministry, in its review of the 1989 Welfare Act, is asking whether it needs to be clearer on the intended recipients of the benefit.

It asks whether the benefit is aimed at all people with infirmities irrespective of their means.

“Identifying those that are infirmed would be relatively easy. Identifying those that cannot support themselves by their own means would be more difficult. There is reference to land ownership in Section 50 subsection 6 which may be an attempt to ascertain the means of the applicant,” says the discussion paper.

Public submissions close today for those who want their say on the welfare system and any changes that should be made. For more information on how you can make a submission, call the ministry of internal affairs on 29370.

• Helen Greig

Susan Koralik points to an eye chart at Takitumu School during a vision screen. 10031501

As a part of her third volunteer stint at Takitumu School, Global Volunteer Susan Koralik is – literally – helping local kids to look to the future.

She came back for her second volunteer stint last year to find that a little girl she remembered, who she described as “bright and as sophisticated as you can be at ten”, hadn’t made any progress in her reading.

That’s when it occurred to her that maybe the girl couldn’t see properly.

“I started to realise that not one kid at Takitumu School wore glasses,” she said. “I started to pay attention at the market and around town and saw that no kids wore glasses. I thought, ‘What are the odds?’”

She asked the principal whether excellent vision was a cultural advantage, but was told that wasn’t the case – kids just rarely went for eye check-ups.

Koralik returned to the United States, tracked down a friend who does vision screens for Chicago public schools and asked her whether it was possible to be trained in vision screening.

Her friend taught her the standards and procedures of vision screening, and Koralik returned this year armed with vision charts – one bearing letters and the other, symbols, for kids who can’t yet read.

“I’m not a professional,” she said. “I just advise. I don’t prescribe, but I can tell whether a kid is near-sighted or far-sighted.”

She started her vision screening programme at Takitumu and, with the help of Doris Fonorito, an eye nurse specialist at Rarotonga hospital, spread it to Rutaki School, Imanuela Akatemia, St Joseph’s and Te Uki Ou.

With the support of public health, the pair screened 638 students and found that ten were in desperate need of glasses. Another 12 will be referred to a specialist, and absent students will be screened in May.

Together with public health, Fonorito plans to conduct screens at the remaining schools upon Koralik’s departure.

By the time an eye specialist arrives in June, Doris hopes to have identified which kids are in need of glasses.

Koralik also implored her local Chicago Lions Club to subsidise a portion of the cost of glasses for Cook Islands kids, and they agreed.

“Our goal is to not have one kid not wearing glasses just because they didn’t get checked or couldn’t afford them,” Koralik said.

She said that she hasn’t decided whether to return to Rarotonga next year, but Global Volunteers leader Debbie Puati joked that she’s got to, because we could use a little help with hearing testing as well.

• Rachel Reeves

Stephen Whitta mans the ‘beer with no pub’ on Monday when the weekly running group Hash House Harriers celebrated St Patricks Day. 10031623

If things seem to have a green tinge today – it’s because it’s St Patricks Day.

The local Hash House Harriers family held a special St Patricks Day run for their weekly meet on Monday with members wearing their best green outfits to the occasion.

The hash trail through Arorangi on Monday was marked with shamrock images and reversed arrows.

There was even a half-way bar for adult Hashers at the old homestead bar on the back road in Kavera aptly name ‘the beer with no pub’ by the Hashers.

St Patrick is the most commonly recognised of Ireland’s patron saints and is a public holiday on the island of Ireland.

St Patricks Day celebrations are held all over the world especially in places like Great Britain, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand among others.

Among some of the global St Patrick’s Day celebration traditions is turning the Chicago River a florescent green on the day – which has also influenced the colouring of such landmarks as the White House fountain.

According to legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to pre-Christian Irish people.

So get into the spirit of St Patricks Day today and wear green.

• Matariki Wilson

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