Te reo o te KUKI AIRANI
$2 Saturday, January 4, 2014
Last year driest for Atiu in 31 years LaSt year was the driest for Atiu
over a 31-year period, according to the island’s record keeper for rainfall.
Fewer New Year offences Police are thanking the public for a relatively trouble-free New Year period, although there were a handful of serious incidents this week. Detective senior sergeant Roimata Peraua said there have been fewer offences than usual this festive season and he thanked the community for its co-operation. “The festive spirit is not over yet and police will continue to deliver its policing services to ensure a safe and peaceful cook islands for all, including our visitors,” he said. Police were called out to a motorbike crash late on Tuesday afternoon, on the back road at Ruatonga. one person suffered serious injuries and alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash. Peraua said investigations are still ongoing and he urged motorists not to drink and drive. There were also two alcoholrelated domestic violence incidents on New Year’s Day. one male was arrested by for assaulting a female and another man was arrested for breaching his conditions not to consume alcohol. Both men have been remanded in the police cells and were due to appear at the High court yesterday. “Police exercise zero tolerance on domestic violence,” Peraua said. Meanwhile, several items including a passport were stolen from a house in the Takitumu district on New Year’s eve. Police are urging the public to come forward with any information that may help solve this crime. Anyone who can assist should contact the police on 22499 or use the conidential Crime Stoppers number 0800 222 00. All information received will be treated - BCS with conidentiality.
weather
OUTLOOK
over the 12-month period, Atiu saw 1296.9mm of rain, according to numbers compiled by proprietor Roger Malcolm of Atiu Villas, who also monitors rainfall. over 55 per cent of total precipitation for 2013 occurred in the first three months of the year, contributing to some of the driest conditions seen on the island over a three decade period. Malcolm said monthly rainfall over the previous eight months averaged at 43mm per month, with last year just 1mm drier than in 1997. New Year’s Day brought some relief to thirsty residents, he added, with 25.5mm of rain, however shortages remain. Atiu Member of Parliament
Nandi Glassie explained last month that the island is currently using a variety of methods to deal with the lack of rain. A ‘Nomad’ water treatment plant located at Vai Pau - one of the island’s water sources – is pumping water for storage and being distributed to the island residents in containers. Additional equipment has also been employed to pump drinkable water from underground sources, as well as the use of desalination equipment. officials have also discussed using a decommissioned 40-year-old well if water sources start to run dry in coming weeks and the conditions persist. Water levels are also being monitored on the islands of Mangaia,
the nomad plant – donated to the Cook Islands by the red Cross – has been employed to provide potable water for the residents of atiu. 13120321 Mauke, Mitiaro and Aitutaki, which are also experiencing scant rainfall with storage levels running to critically low levels. Oficials with the Cook Islands
Meteorological Service said the current dry period is expected to run for the next 3-6 months for the Southern Cooks. in Rarotonga, the lack of
rainfall in recent months has prompted the Ministry of infrastructure and Planning to begin deliveries of water to house- ES holds in need.
Happy Valley family fun! Jordon Ponini, holding tJ arioka, and Mii williams, holding Heinarii tauira, welcomed the new year with lots of laughs and fun games including human wheelbarrow races. youngsters from the arioka and williams families in the takuvaine Happy Valley plus neighbours made the most of the start of 2014 with lots of games including treasure hunts, sack races, egg on the spoon races, donut eating contests, tug-of-war and much more. while the kids played, adult members of the families made sure there was plenty of food to fuel young bodies. Ice-cream and Cook Islands dancing ended the long day of family fun in the Happy Valley.
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Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
worldNeWS nuti no TeiA Nei Ao Surgeon left his mark A British surgeon has been suspended over allegations that he “branded” his initials onto a patient’s liver. simon Bramhall faces an investigation after a colleague discovered the initials “sB” on the man’s vital organ during a follow-up operation at Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham. the Daily Mail newspaper said Bramhall used nontoxic argon gas to sear his initials onto the patient’s liver while undergoing an earlier operation.
US gripped by winter Wind chill temperatures drop as low as -25°C as New York freezes NeW YoRK – A winter storm has wreaked travel chaos in the north-eastern US, bringing up to two feet (60cm) of snow to some places. More than 4000 lights were cancelled as the storm blanketed the US and Canada on thursday and Friday. New York’s JFK airport was closed for morning snow removal and all the city’s public
world BRIEFS PLEA FOR VOTERS TO BOYCOTT ELECTIONS BANGLADESH – Bangladesh’s opposition leader has made a lastditch plea for voters to boycott this weekend’s “farcical” elections and accused the government of placing her under house arrest. “I am urging my fellow Bangladeshis to completely boycott this scandalous farce,” said Khaleda Zia, whose Bangladesh Nationalist Party has refused to take part in Sunday’s election. Zia’s main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and 20 other political outits are boycotting the January 5 polls after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected their demand that it be overseen by a neutral caretaker government. Although the government has oicially denied Zia has been detained, aides say the BNP leader has been barred from leaving her Dhaka home for nearly a week.
FANS HOLD VIGIL ON DRIVER’S BIRTHDAY FRANCE – Ferrari fans held a silent vigil to mark Michael Schumacher’s 45th birthday, gathering outside the French hospital where the Formula One champion is ighting for his life after a skiing accident. A few dozen fans assembled outside the Grenoble hospital where Schumacher has been undergoing treatment since falling and hitting his head on a rock at the weekend. The tribute was organised by the Scuderia Ferrari clubs, whose supporters wore their team’s red colours and carried a banner reading “Schumi, All our thoughts for you and your family.” Schumacher is the most successful Formula One driver of all time with a record 91 race victories in a career spanning more than two decades.
NEW ZEALAND WOMAN DEAD IN LIBYA LIBYA – A security source says Libyan troops have found the bodies of a British man and a New Zealand woman shot dead southwest of Tripoli. “The bodies of a British man and a New Zealand woman who had been killed by bullets were found on the beach in Mellitah on Thursday afternoon,” the source said. The bodies had been moved to Tripoli, the source added, without giving any details on the circumstances of the deaths. New Zealand’s foreign ministry said it was aware of the report and was “working with the relevant authorities to conirm this.”
MAN KILLED AS WWII BOMB EXPLODES GERMANY – A World War II bomb has exploded at a construction site near a west German town, killing a man and injuring eight others, police say. The explosion occurred after a digger accidentally struck the device during excavation work in Euskirchen in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The machine’s operator died on the spot. Two of those hurt were critically wounded. Police said the blast impact could be felt a kilometre away. The blast damaged nearby oice buildings and cars. Police say the explosion also smashed the windows of some local shops and homes.
schools were shut. New York and New Jersey have states of emergency. Wind-chill temperature was expected to be as low as -25°c in New York, with many road conditions treacherous. Forecasters warned that wind gusts of up to 50kmh could cause frostbite in about 30 minutes. New York city Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was sworn into ofice on January 1, said most of the city’s main roads had been cleared of snow thanks to an “extraordinary job” by the city’s sanitation workers. “We can help them by getting out of their way,” he said. “if you do not need to travel today, please stay home.” Some commuter trains around New York city were on a reduced schedule, while some key roads were shut temporarily. in the neighbouring states of connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey, non-essential state workers were ordered to remain at home. even as the snow slowed in the eastern US, a coastal looding alert was in effect for Nantucket in southern Massachusetts through southern Maine. While Boston’s logan airport remained open, only two of its six runways were operating, the Boston Globe reported. The New York to Boston Amtrak passenger rail service was on a reduced schedule. The New York Times said 15cm of snow had fallen on central Park by 7.00am and the temperature was the same as in Fairbanks, Alaska. Friday is forecast to be bitterly cold across much of the region. in canada, the eastern half of the country has been plunged into bitterly cold temperatures over the past several days, making it feel as low as -35°c with wind chill in the Atlantic Provinces. - BBC
new york City is blanketed in snow as a winter storm brings freezing temperatures to much of the eastern united States and much of Canada. AFP
Rescue ship now stuck ANTARcTicA – A chinese icebreaker that went to the aid of passengers on a ship stranded in Antarctica has found itself stuck in heavy ice, further complicating the nine-day roller-coaster rescue mission. The 52 scientists and tourists on board the Russian ship akademik Shokalskiy were airlifted to safety by a chinese helicopter on Friday, after becoming stuck on christmas eve. The rescued passengers were flown to the Australian ice-
breaker Aurora Australis in an operation that took more than four hours. The Aurora Australis had meant to sail towards an Antarctic base to complete a resupply before carrying the rescued passengers back to Australia. the Chinese boat, Snow Dragon, was to attempt to escape the area yesterday morning, with the Australian icebreaker carrying the rescued passengers waiting in the area “as a precautionary measure,”
said Australian authorities. The Australian Antarctic Division says its resources have been stretched to the limit by its diversion to commonwealth Bay. Jason Mundy from the Antarctic Division hopes the Russian ship’s insurers will foot the bill for the rescue. “It’s dificult to quantify costs in dollar terms because for us the costs are largely going to be in costs and operational terms,” he said. - ABC/PNC
Children facing genocide BANGUi – Violence against chil-
dren is on the rise in the central African Republic – including two beheadings – in the ighting that has escalated in the capital city since last month, according to a UNiceF report out this week. “We are witnessing unprecedented levels of violence against children. More and more children are being recruited into armed groups, and they are also being directly targeted in
atrocious revenge attacks,” a UNiceF representative in the country said. UNICEF says it has veriied the killings of 16 children, and injuries to 60 others, resulting from the recent outbreak of violence in the central African Republic, where predominantly Muslim rebels have been battling christian vigilante groups since the rebels ousted President Francois Bozize in March. Nearly half the population of
the capital city Bangui – some 370,000 people – has been displaced by the chaos and, according to the UN, the number of child soldiers in the country has doubled to 6000 as the central African Republic teeters on the brink of genocide, cNN reports. “Targeted attacks against children are a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law and must stop immediately,” a UNiceF representative said. - Time
All present and accounted for
GARMENT WORKERS KILLED DURING STRIKE CAMBODIA – Five people have been killed in Phnom Penh as police opened ire on hundreds of garment workers demonstrating for a higher minimum wage, a cambodian rights group says. About 200 military police armed with assault riles clashed with the protesters, who used sticks and petrol bombs against oicers in an industrial district of the capital. The ighting came a day after about 15 workers and activists were arrested and several people injured in a crackdown on strikes that have been going on for a week.
CANADIAN CITY COLDER THAN MARS cANADA – One canadian city is enduring its coldest temperatures in 80 years. On New Year’s Eve, the temperatures in Winnipeg plunged to minus 37.9°C and rose to a maximum of minus 31°C, reports the Winnipeg Sun. With wind chill factored in, the temperature dropped even further to minus 48°C. Staf at a museum in Winnipeg’s province noted that even Mars – which is 50 million km further from the sun than Earth – was experiencing warmer weather. Even the temperature at the North Pole was 10 degrees higher than it was in Winnipeg.
Today’s Daily Bread For, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come
Matthew read: read: 1 timothy 4:6-117:21-29
text: Matthew 7:26 text: Verse 8
Kumbuka, a male western lowland silverback gorilla, checks to see that he’s been included in London Zoo’s annual stock take on January 2. the compulsory annual count of all creatures is required as part of the zoo’s licence requirements. AFP
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Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
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Was $29,950 uS tennis player Serena williams served up a silk dress creation on the catwalk during a fashion show at the International Hotel at Hua Hin in thailand the night before being beaten by Victoria azarenka in an exhibition match ahead of the australian open. AFP HUA HIN – She’s known for her
edgy sense of style on and off the tennis court. But Serena Williams was almost unrecognisable when she stepped onto the catwalk during a fashion show in Thailand on Friday wearing a very girly bubblegum silk dress. The froufrou ensemble, which featured a frilled asymmetrical hemline, lattered her it and fabulous igure with its halterneck cut and sweetheart bust line. Nonetheless, the 32-year-old US Open champion was a powerful force as she modelled for a
celebrity fashion show held at the inter continental Hua Hin Resort near Bangkok. Serena’s pink creation was enhanced by a large gold necklace, chunky bracelets and heeled ankle boots that made the Grand Slam winner even taller. Renown for her unique fashion, Serena first hit the headlines for her attire in 2002 when she wore a black lycra catsuit on the court at the US Open, and has since launched her own collections with both Nike and Puma. The tennis star was in Thailand for the ‘Made in Thailand
Night With Serena and Victoria,’ with fellow player, Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka beat top-ranked Williams in straight sets in an exhibition match between the world’s top two women’s players. The second-ranked Azarenka defeated Williams 7-5, 6-3 in front of about 3000 fans at the Hua Hin World Tennis invitation in a match both players used as a warm-up ahead of the Australian open. Williams beat Azarenka in the U.S. Open inal this year. - Daily Mail
The more weird, the more hits PYoNGYANG – Rumours are
lying that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his uncle, Jang Song thaek executed by being stripped naked and placed in a cage with 120 attack dogs. this is all according to Singapore’s Straits times, which quotes a December 12 story in the chinese government-controlled paper Wen Wei Po. “The horrifying report vividly depicted the brutality of the young North Korean leader,” The Times comments. the telegraph’s tim Stanley cautions that this story is “tempting” – probably too tempting to be true. “The thing about North Korea is that it’s so mad, so gruesome that it’s difficult not to believe whatever tall story you hear about it,” he writes. “Kim Jong Un ate a baby? The army uses kittens for target practice? it all seems possible.”
He warns that it’s important to look at the agendas of the people who are spreading this story: the Straits times is a respectable and widely read publication, but it’s often been accused of being the mouthpiece of Singapore’s ruling party and is staunchly anti-communist – so political bias is possible. Finally, we can’t dismiss the possibility that china itself has fabricated or at least encouraged the story to send a message to Pyongyang. Kim’s uncle was the architect of closer economic ties between the china and North Korea and there is thought to be a lot of anger in china about his death. The Washington Post’s Max Fisher writes a ive-point takedown of the story that almost settles the question. “The fact that the Western media have so widely accepted a story they would reject if it came out of any other country
tells us a lot about how North Korea is covered – and how it’s misunderstood,” he writes. Fisher also says that the Western media have an incentive to cover these kind of bizarre stories, as they generate a lot of attention. He quotes NKNews.org editor chad o’carroll as saying, “As you know, North Korea stories tend to get a lot of hits, so it’s easy to see why editors will want to pursue these stories.” it would make things easier, writes Slate’s Joshua Keating, if the North Korean government commented publicly on stories like this - but it’s called the hermit kingdom for a reason. “So given the Internet’s insatiable appetite for weird North Korea stories, it becomes a bit of a free-for-all,” he writes. “The North Korean government does so many bizarre things we can conirm that a few of these dubious rumours must surely be true, right?” - BBC
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Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
regionalNeWS nuti no Te PA eNUA
Violence mars festive season Domestic violence on the rise in Fiji over Christmas and New Year SUVa – Domestic violence rates
in Fiji have spiked over the christmas and New Year period with more than 100 cases reported in the past week. Fiji Women’s crisis centre says it has received reports of
120 cases of violence against women in the past eight days. it comes less than a month after the centre released the results of a survey that showed 64 per cent of women in Fiji suffer from sexual and physical abuse.
paciic BRIEFS COMPENSATION FOR DEATH IN CUSTODY SOLOMON ISLANDS – Solomon Islands police have given shell money to the family of a man who died in police custody following his arrest on New Year’s Day. The Guadalcanal police commander, David Siosi, says police gave the man’s relatives shell money after the family gathered outside the provincial police headquarters in Henderson to demand compensation. Diosi says the situation was volatile and the police had to tread cautiously to resolve the matter. He says the death is under investigation. The Solomon Star reports the man, who was believed to be in his 20s, was arrested after police responded to a road block incident about 1am on New Year’s Day. The man was placed in custody but duty oicers later found him unconscious and he was declared dead at a local hospital.
islanders to defy beche-de-mer ban PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s Bougainville Islanders are warning the national government that they will defy an extended ban on harvesting beche-de-mer. In a letter to the National Fisheries Minister, Tauhu Pais of Tasman Island, who represents the province’s atolls, it was stated that communities have not been provided with any alternative arrangements to sustain their livelihoods. The 2010 ban on beche-de-mer collection was recently extended to 2017 to allow stocks to recover. The Post courier reports that the former provincial politician says the atoll communities have complied with the ban until now but have faced severe hardships as a result, including food shortages. Pais says the communities, except for the cartarets, intend to harvest the marine species, starting this month for six months.
MISSING SCIENTISTS NOW PRESUMED DEAD PAPUA NEW GUINEA – The Papua New Guinea government has set a tentative date of January 12 for a coroner’s inquest into ive scientists who went missing in the waters of West New Britain in August of 2011. Last week police announced that they have ended their latest investigation into the disappearance of the ive scientists and three crew, citing a lack of co-operation from West New Britons. The scientists had been undertaking research for the Medical Institute when they disappeared. Police at the time feared they had been kidnapped and most recently followed leads that the two women scientists within the group were being held captive in a remote area of West New Britain.
OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FUTURE FOR SUGAR FIJI – The Fiji ministry of sugar says chinese investors have shown interest in buying at least 100,000 tonnes of Fijian-grown sugar annually. The ministry recently met a team from china’s Reserve Bank in Lautoka to discuss a joint partnership with the Fiji Sugar corporation. The sugar ministry’s permanent secretary, LieutenantColonel Manasa Vaniqi, says Fiji’s sugar will have to openly compete in the European, and world markets, once the sugar quota system expires in 2017. Lieutenant-Colonel Manasa Vaniqi says he feels very optimistic about the future of the industry and Fiji is now targeting new markets including the Middle East.
ILLEGAL STRIKE RESULTS IN EXTRA PAY FIJI – Fiji media reports say the management of the Sheraton hotels in the Nadi area has agreed to pay workers who were on strike on New Year’s Eve despite the strike being declared illegal. The Fiji Sun says within two weeks, the management will sort out all the grievances, which relate to pay and maternity leave. The paper says should a resolution fail, the workers have said they will strike again. About 300 employees took part in Tuesday’s strike, which the labour minister declared as unlawful because it breached Section 175 of the Employment Relations. It is not known if action will be against those who broke the law.
Us$14.6 million for climate adaption SAMOA – The World Bank is to give Samoa US$14 .6 million to help coastal communities adapt to climate change. The Bank’s Paciic country director, Franz Drees-Gross, says it wants to help secure the future of Samoa’s coastal communities by investing in climate change adaptation measures for today and for the longer-term. The project will help strengthen the capacity of targeted communities to update and implement local coastal Infrastructure Plans and will focus on increasing the resilience of coastlines, near-shore areas, and coral reefs. Additionally, the project will work with civil society groups and local leaders to improve the national climate information services, create public awareness of issues relating to climate resilience, and increase the availability of data for risk analysis, hazard mapping, and knowledge sharing.
The crisis centre’s coordinator, Shamima ali, said her organisation is shocked by the grim statistics. “We often find it starts just before christmas and then between christmas and New Year’s Day it really peaks,” she said. “This is because there’s a lot of alcohol consumption, there’s a lot of conflicts about the inancial constraints caused by this. “People stay away from home and drink, go clubbing, and perhaps don’t get back home, all this under the influence of alcohol. “There’s a lot of family tensions, this is a time when families get together in the country – and often the most vulnerable are the women.” Ali says many incidents of vi-
olence against girls and women are not reported to authorities. “The national survey actually showed that only about 10 per cent of women ever report to either police or social welfare,” she said. “only five per cent ever get help from shelters and organisations like ours. “Many of them go unreported, particularly given the inaccessibility of areas like the interiors of the two big islands and the maritime islands where these services are not available.” Ali says the cases that are being reported come from across the country. “Suva has got the highest because it covers a wider area, but we have also had high rates from Nadi and also labasa and Ba,” she said.
“if you look at this problem globally, it is such an entrenched problem. “To bring about any change you have to have a total change in mindset, attitudes and thinking, and cultural change. “You can have the best of laws, but if the people who are implementing those laws, if they don’t get it then i’m sorry, we’re not able to make a deeper stand in eliminating violence against women.” Ali says there are risks and benefits for women brave enough to speak publicly of their experience of violence. “i believe that it does help the cause but what we need is that if women go public they need free counselling, they need to be prepared to face the repercussions which in some cases can be quite
a lot,” she said. Ali says women who do tell their stories publicly require ongoing counselling and that the Paciic’s record of providing appropriate counselling is mixed. “There are counselling centres all around the Paciic,” she said. “We work in about thirteen countries but sometimes the centres don’t actually respond appropriately if they are not well trained. “if they haven’t had the experience, then often they can do a lot more damage. “i would say in the Pacific there are some centres that are providing a very good service and there’s a lot more work that needs to be done in providing appropriate services for women and girls that are being violated in this manner.” - ABC
Boat owners ‘abandoned’
PAGo PAGo – A spokesperson for american Samoa ishing operators says the time for talking is long gone and the only hope for local longliners is for the federal government to buy them out. Boat owner Carlos Sanchez, who has been appointed to handle affairs for the Tautai longliners Association, has today supervised the posting of for sale signs on about 18 vessels. The signs list a number for interested buyers to contact. The governor has said the government’s priority is the canneries and the drop in ish prices helps them survive. But Sanchez says this shows the governor’s lack of understanding of the ish business. Some boat owners cite competition from chinese fishing vessels leading to low ish prices, and a lack of government support as just some of the reasons why they have to sell up. other boat owners say that
american Samoa tuna boat owners say they have to pay port charges every time they have to move to make way for visiting cruise liners. government charges for every time they dock and move to clear the way for cruise liners and freighters have also hurt them. RNZi correspondent, Monica Miller says the local ishing operators feel abandoned by the government and believe they have no choice but to sell
their boats. “We were told there are about 20 boats and the for sale signs are on the longliners with the contact number of the person to call if anyone is interested in buying them.” Miller says a group set up by the governor to look into the needs of the longliners has de-
scribed the situation as “complicated”. the american Samoa governor lolo Matalasi Moliga says he is sympathetic and wants to help local ishing boats but he says the canneries are the government’s main focus. - RNZI
Fatal crash into looded river APiA – Two people are missing
and two others have been conirmed dead in Samoa after the vehicle they were travelling in was swept down a looded river which had destroyed part of the road. The police say the family of seven did not realise the road at Ti’avea Aleipata had collapsed due to looding. They say the two people confirmed dead are the driver’s three-year-old son and his male cousin who was 37. The owner and driver of the
vehicle, iakopo Paiaaua Peteru, who is 33, his 22-year- old brother and a 29-year-old female relative have been admitted to Motootua Hospital and are in stable conditions. Teams from police search and rescue, emergency services and villagers at Ti’avea Aleipata were yesterday still searching for the driver’s missing parents who are both over 60. A main road in the east of Upolu in Samoa has been closed for repairs after sustaining damage from looding.
Disaster Management officials say heavy rain has caused widespread looding in low lying areas and all rivers across the country. The assistant chief executive of the Disaster Management Ofice says the worst looding is affecting the Vaisigano river in Apia and the Mali’oli’o and lano rivers, both on Sava’ii. Filomena Nelson says the most damage occurred on part of the main road to Aleipata in Ti’avea village, where the minivan accident occurred early on
Thursday, which left two dead and two missing. “The road is now closed for several days until we get it ixed by a contractor. “The land Transport Authority has closed the road and they’re going to have a contractor to have it fixed before it is open to the public.” Nelson says residents in Samoa are being advised to boil water before drinking and to avoid playing in the floodwaters. - RNZI
Governor in prostitution scandal KoRoR – in Palau, a state governor, a business executive and two Filipino nationals are facing charges in relation to prostitution and money-laundering operations. The Peleliu governor, Temmy Shmull, is charged with soliciting prostitutes at a karaoke bar in Kororin a scandal involving people trafficking of Filipino
women for prostitution. The Marianas Variety reports the man running the establishment is facing employment restriction charges and failing to obtain a foreign investment approval certiicate needed when operating a business with a foreign national. The owner of the bar, Grace Baconga, who is a Filipino na-
tional and a local sponsor, Jeryl Blas, who is also originally from the Philippines, are facing charges of people trafficking, advancing prostitution, proiting from prostitution and money laundering. The bar closed after a police raid a month ago. According to the paper, there have been reports that three fe-
male workers led from the bar, saying that the DJ assaulted one of them. The workers say they were recruited in the Philippines to work as waitresses or cashiers at a ine dining restaurant, but were shocked to ind they were to work as so-called “guest-relations oficers” at the karaoke bar. - RNZI
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Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
Can you spell that for me please Mrs Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele gets her name in print HoNolUlU – A Hawai’i woman
whose last name is 36 characters long has inally gotten the whole thing to it on her driver’s license and state identiication card. Janice “lokelani” has a full surname that consists of 35 letters plus an okina, a mark used in the Hawaiian alphabet. She received her new license and iD after her campaign to get her full name on the cards prompted the state Department of Transportation to change its policy to expand the number of characters that can appear. Keihanaikukauakahihuli-
heekahaunaele, 54, said Monday that she’s happy she was able to help ix the problem of identiication cards lacking suficient space for long names. “Now, in the state of Hawai’i, we are no longer second class citizens because of the length of our name,” she said. Hawai’i driver’s licenses and iD cards previously had room for names totalling up to 35 characters. The new policy allows 40 characters for last names, 40 for irst names and 35 for middle names. Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele got the name
when she married her Hawai’ian husband in 1992. He used only the one name, which his grandfather gave him after it came to him in a dream. The name has layers of meanings. one, she said, is: “When there is chaos and confusion, you are one that will stand up and get people to focus in one direction and come out of the chaos.” it also references the origins of her and her husband’s family. Under the old policy, Hawai’i county issued Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele her driver’s license and state iD with the last letter of her name chopped off. And it omitted her irst name. She told news media about
Health checks needed PoRT Vi lA – The electoral
commission in Vanuatu wants the country’s political candidates of the future to undergo medical checks, because of the rising number of by-elections caused by MPs dying in ofice. The government is struggling to ind funds for yet another byelection after the internal Affairs Minister, Patrick crowby, died at the end of December. chairman of the electoral commission, John Taleo, says it’s very, very concerned about the need for a health requirement as it is very hard to locate the money required to fund an election after the death of an MP.
“it’s costing government a lot of money which is why we want to change the law so that in future political candidates will have to undergo medical checks, and importantly those medical checks have to be done in Australia,” said Taleo. As a group, politicians are affected just as much as any other in Vanuatu by diabetes and high blood pressure, two of the biggest health problems in the Paciic. “it’s a person’s constitutional right to stand for elections, even if they are sick or disabled, said Taleo, but we have to be very careful. “it took us three months to secure the budget for the last
by-election. We managed to get through but cash flow for the government is very tight.” The commission chairman concedes that medical testing in Australia will be very expensive but he says there is no choice. “A lot of medical testing, particular blood tests, is already being done outside the country. “We need to get this law passed soon, because we have no powers to impose medical checks on sitting MPs. “elected representatives have to be very it to do the job. the affairs of the country have to be healthy and you need healthy people to ensure that is the case.” - ABC
the issue earlier this year after a policeman gave her a hard time about her driver’s license during a trafic stop. the police oficer suggested she could use her maiden name. “i said wait a minute, this is not my fault. This is the county’s fault that i don’t have an iD that has my name correctly,” she said. “i said, ‘‘how disrespectful to the Hawaiian people because there’s a lot of meaning behind this name’. i’ve had this name for over 20 years. i had to grow into this name. it’s very deep spiritual path,” she said. She wrote to Honolulu television station KHoN for help, and her story started getting more attention. last month, the state Department of Transportation announced it expanded the character limits. Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele is now hoping to get the Social Security administration to allow more characters on its identiication cards. The agency’s cards have two lines for names. The first line has 26 spaces for irst and middle names while the second line has 26 spaces for a last name and sufix. Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele, who practices shoreline fishing in the Hawai’ian tradition as a profession, said she’s happy the publicity about her situation has
Janice Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele and the Hawaian driver’s license that started her campaign to have long Hawaiian names spelt in full on oicial IDs. prompted many people to have badly needed discussions. “if you’re going to require people to have picture iDs to identify them, they have to be correct,” she said. in case you’ve been trying to
get your tongue around it, the name is pronounced: KAY’-eehah-nah-ee’-coo-coW’-ahKAH’-hee-Hoo’-lee-heh-ehKAH’-how-NAH-eh-leh. - PNC
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Meteorology has conirmed that 2013 was Australia’s hottest year since records began in 1910. Here are some of the standout hot weather events from across Australia as the nation turned up the heat in 2013. A heatwave which began in the south-west in December 2012 spread into southern and eastern Australia in January. Temperatures spiked on January 7, delivering the nation its hottest day on record. The national temperature – the average of hundreds of daily readings across Australia – hit 40.3 degrees celsius. it was 47°c in oodnadatta. This was the hottest month on record, and the January 2-8 period was the hottest week. Sydney endured its hottest day on January 18, with the mercury hitting 45.8°c.
And the highest temperature recorded during 2013 was 49.6°C at Moomba in South australia on January 12 – the highest temperature in Australia since 1998. The month also saw major bushires in south-eastern tasmania, devastating towns in the Tasman Peninsula, and across Bass Strait in Victoria. Heat returned in March, and again later in the winter. Persistent heat returned to the south-east corner in March, with Melbourne experiencing nine straight days above 30°c and even launceston managing eight straight. There was also what the bureau calls “unusual warmth” across much of Australia in late august and into September, with the August 31 daily average maximum of 29.92°c marking a winter record.
The period’s warmest day was September 26, when central and southern inland parts of Queensland had their hottest September day on record. Adelaide had its hottest May day in more than 90 years on May 8 when the temperature peaked at more than 31°c. The reading was more than 10 degrees above the May average. Spring bushfires raged in New South Wales, with major blazes in areas including the Blue Mountains destroying dozens of homes and blackening the skies over Sydney. The Federal Government rejected claims the fires were linked to climate change, but the climate council said climate change was increasing the probability of extreme ire weather days and was lengthening the ire season. - ABC
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Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
leTTeRS reta
‘Shame on the government’ for raiding pensioner bank accounts
Grey Power vice-president dennis tunui rallies members of the pensioner activist group at a rally at MFEM’s oices last year. 13102423
Grey Power members ‘deserve better’ Dear editor, i really feel for the Grey Power papas and mamas. They have worked hard all their life and have earned their dues and should be able to sit back and collect their pensions, whether it be in NZ or the cooks. From what i gather of the situation they found themselves in, it was the cook islands government’s error that got them
into this – therefore they should own up to their mistakes and find a better solution to the problem. These people deserve better than what they got from the government. Taking money out of their bank account is outrageous. As for one of your writers suggesting that these ci NZ pensioners have not contributed to the cook islands economy
through tax, they need to think. The aid money that the cook islands government receives every year from the New Zealand government, to pay for your healthcare, teachers, police, education system and much, much more… these funds didn't come from the money tree behind the Bee Hive in NZ. it comes from those very same ci NZ pensioners’ sweat-and-tears tax money
that is collected in NZ and sent to the cook islands as aid money. Yes, the same people that you are accusing as tax dodgers. The tiny minuscule amount of tax collected in the cooks doesn't cover all of the spending needed to run the country. Thanks Grey Power for your service over the years to NZ and the cook islands. Name and address supplied
Searching for family in Cook Islands Dear editor, i am writing this letter on behalf of my mum. Her name is Merapi Ringiao estall. About two months ago my mum had a massive stroke that left her brain dead on her left side. The doctors had giving her 48hrs to live, but she is still here
with us this day. Because of our long years living in New Zealand we have no connection to any of the family there in Rarotonga. our great concern is if anything happens to our mum, we need to able to contact families over there. i have a cousin who is a po-
liceman there in Avarua. His name is Taruia Ringiao (Nana), my Aunty Makarita Taripo in Takuvaine. Aunty Nane estall – i don't know where she is in Rarotonga – and Aunty Mere Tuka … these are a few that i can remember because i was only 8 years old
when i came over here to New Zealand in 1960 with my grandparents and my brother on the Moana Roa. So please, I'm asking if you could advertise in your local newspaper my plea to any of my mum’s family there in Rarotonga. Gladys cope
Dear editor, Shame on this Cook Islands Party government for taking $3000 of Mama Nancy Simiona’s pension. its timing in secretly taking the money out of Mama Nancy’s bank account, given the ‘spirit of giving’ at this time of the year, appears to be intentional to maximise the effect on Mama Nancy. Shame on the government, its desired effect had no effect. Typical cook islanders, are we not? We appoint certain persons to some prominent positions in government, for example financial secretary, and empower them to advise government and then what do we do? We accept their advice and pass draconian laws empowering them exclusively to do
‘Don’t complain’ about NZ pension Dear editor, To reply to the so-called ‘cofin dodgers – tax dodgers’ letter (ciNews December 31), the question i want to ask you is why didn’t you put your name at the end of your newsletter? To cut the story short i have worked and owned a business in Kingsland, New Zealand and paid a whopping tax of $750,000. i have been back in the cook islands for 15 years and the New Zealand government allowed me to bring my New Zealand pension to the cook islands to look after my well-
Maraerenga Avarua Rarotonga PO Box 15 Rarotonga Tel (682) 22999 Fax 25303 Email: editor@cookislandsnews.com or adverts@cookislandsnews.com
www.cookislandsnews.com Daily Monday to Saturday
being. Now you are moaning about taxation – maybe you are one of the beggars relying on the cook islands government for support. Don’t complain about our New Zealand pensioners’ ine. Get off your bloody bum and go out and look for work. Finally i wish to congratulate the cook islands News about the street poll which indicated that 100 per cent said do not tax the New Zealand pensioners. teariki Simiona (Tamaiva Mataiapo)
Pesticide workers alive and well - agriculture Dear editor, i am responding to Remi Tumu’s accusation on the statistics of the employees affected by the use of pesticides (Pesticide in 80s ‘contributed to ill health’, ciNews December 23) to control especially Black Sigatoka Disease in the Banana industry in Aitutaki from the mid-1970s to the 1980s. During that era of booming banana export activities, the department of agriculture employed three gangs of six men per team, a total of 18 men altogether. That time these boys were in their prime years between 17 to under 20 years old. Today, most of these men are in their late 40s and early 50s. The good news is that 98 per
Cook Islands News Building
whatever they deem necessary or appropriate against our Pa Metuas like Mama Nancy and Papa teariki Simiona. While these advisers sit around and laugh at us, some cook islanders in government, the Prime Minister and the finance minister included, sit around accepting all that nonsense against our Pa Metuas and thinking it’s the best ever laws that we have put up against our own people. What a bunch of wallies. Mama Nancy and Papa Teariki, stand up tall, there are a number of cook islanders in New Zealand and Australia, myself included, keeping a watchful eye on the situation back home and supporting you two and others, from abroad. Tony Hakaoro
cent of these good guys employed in the Sigatoka Spray Teams that time are still alive today and living with their good wives, children and families and are still considered in pretty good shape with very healthy living standards. eight of these good guys are still in Aitutaki, the rest living overseas, in Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. Next time Mr Remy, you visit Aitutaki come and see me and i will only be too happy to escort you personally to meet up with these brave comrades, alive and not in marked graves as you have lavishly falsiied in the media. Fred charlie, Senior agriculture oficer
Managing Editor John Woods john@cookislandsnews.com Financial Controller Liz Woods lizw@cookislandsnews.com General Manager Tony Fe’ao tony@cookislandsnews.com Deputy Editor Matariki Wilson matariki@cookislandsnews.com Online & Social Networking Editor Briar Douglas briar@cookislandsnews.com Reporters Emmanuel Samoglou emmanuel@cookislandsnews.com Ben Chapman-Smith ben@cookislandsnews.com Rachel Reeves rachel@cookislandsnews.com Court Reporter Merita Wi-Kaitaia merita@cookislandsnews.com Advertising adverts@cookislandsnews.com Advertising Assistant Peka Fisher peka@cookislandsnews.com Oice Manager Tere Joseph tere@cookislandsnews.com Accounts Manager Tangi Tauira tangi@cookislandsnews.com Reception Kura Tauira reception@cookislandsnews.com Oice Staf Apii Tua apii@cookislandsnews.com Graphic Design & Layout Mahai Daniel mahai@cookislandsnews.com Adam Tutuvanu adam@cookislandsnews.com Web Developer Daniel Rolls dan@cookislandsnews.com Print Manager Dan Johnston danj@cookislandsnews.com Printers Dennis Campos, Lai Gukisuva
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Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
New Year’s honours announced
FoUR cook islanders have been
announced as recipients of New Year’s Queen’s Honours. The Medal of the British empire (MBe) is to be awarded to composer Jon Tikivanotau Michael Jonassen, for services to the cook islands culture and the public service. a professor of Political Science, Dr Jonassen is a former secretary of Foreign Affairs, secretary of cultural Development, and High commissioner to NZ, Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea for the cook islands. He was also a member of the Betela Dance Troupe. Jonassen has composed more than 500 songs, including the famous cook islands love song ‘Mou Piri’, and ‘e Tai Roimata’. He also penned several articles and books on cook islands culture.
Mou Piri, composed by Jonassen in the 1970s, was the focus of a Film Raro documentary by the same name directed by NZbased Karin Williams last year. it screened in ilm festivals in Hawaii and Melbourne, Australia, and was picked up by Air New Zealand for its in-light entertainment programme. William John Hosking has been named the recipient of the order of the British empire (oBe) award, for public service and services to the community. Hosking, now retired, was secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture for 12 years before taking up a position as the chief extension oficer at the totokoitu Research Station. Two cook islanders were also named as recipients of a British empire Medal (BeM) – Manila Matenga for public service and
a screen shot from Karin williams’ 13-minute documentary deconstructing Jon Jonassen’s Mou Piri. 13061104
services to the community, and Vaine Noopuapii (Mrs Teao) for services to the community. New Zealand’s New Year’s Honours list included cook islander Kiki Maoate, who was named an officer of the New Zealand order of Merit for his work in Paciic Health. Maoate is the chair of the Pasiika Medical association and has been an executive Board mem-
ber for 10 years. A board member of Pacific Trust canterbury – acting as chairperson for 10 years – and the New Zealand Health Research council for seven years, Maoate has led the development of Paciic Health Research guidelines and Paciic health research strategy. He was a board member of the Regional Paciic Health Research council for six
years, developing the Paciic research network. He is an executive member of the cook islands Health Network and has been a trustee of the McMillan Brown Research centre at canterbury University and a council member of the university from 2009 to 2013. He has been a member of taskforces and advisory committees for the Ministry of Health
and Ministry of Pacific island Affairs over the past 15 years, including the Paciic Health Reference Group and the cancer control committee. He is currently a board member of the Pacific Prostate Foundation. Maoate is director of the Paciic Island Project, a collaboration of Aus aid and the College of Surgeons to deliver specialised services to the Paciic Region. - BD
Jon Jonassen, who composed Mou Piri in the 1970s, explains the song’s multiple levels of meaning on-camera in the Film raro documentary by the same name.
PHoto KarIn wILLIaMS and MuLtIneSIa ProduCtIonS 13061106
Early Christmas for Pa Enua ishers CHRIStMaS came early for the
Manihiki and Rakahanga artisanal fishers as they were provided with six new blast freezers during a recent workshop. The six-day workshop was run by the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) senior isheries oficer, Sonny tatuava. assisting was the senior officer from Manihiki, Tangi Napara, who provided inputs from the fishery course he recently completed in Vanuatu. the aim was for ishers to illet and clean their ish, pack, wrap and store it in the minus 35 degree blast freezers for 24 hours and then transfer it to their freezers at home. The rapidly frozen ish has signiicantly better quality product and has an extended shelf life. The event was held in both
villages in Manihiki, Tukao and Tauhunu, with over 40 participants attending regularly. The same workshop was held in Rakahanga where a large number of the community attended. The workshop was a follow up to one held by Tatuava in May last year. “The community was very keen throughout the workshop sessions to gain more knowledge and look forward to continuing this practise to assist them with their artisanal catches, said Tatuava. “it’s a fantastic feeling to see the community getting involved for the betterment of their own livelihood.” Past attempts to set up blast freezers in the outer island failed, as the units were too large and expensive to operate. The modern blast freezers provided hold
approximately 1.5 tonnes and are able to operate at low cost. It is hoped that the frozen illets can be transported to Rarotonga by the foreign longliners ishing around these islands. Fish processing and transportation are seen as two of the main bottlenecks to developing small scale fishing enterprises in the outer islands. This venture will also provide ishers with an alternative means of livelihood during the period that they are waiting to harvest pearls. Tangi Napara said: “The community support is there, this is quick revenue compared to the time frames for pearls. People understand the importance of ish quality and if you process your product properly, other people will purchase it.”
Manihiki’s new blast freezers being installed at the community centre. 13123023 Tatuava reports that there has been constant use by the ishers of the blast freezers, which are housed at the island council’s community centres. in addition,
there has been positive feedback of taste tests of individual trial shipments sent to Rarotonga. Small scale commercial trials are planned for 2014.
The freezers were funded by government through crown payments (PoBoc) deducted from MMR’s foreign fishing licence fees. - MMR release
ON THE STREET
- Staf Reporters
Do you know what te Mato Vai is and what do you think of spending $64 million upgrading rarotonga’s water system?
Danny Tangata
Emile Okotai
No. improving the water No idea. There’s nothing system sounds like a you can do to make it good idea. rain more but it would be nice if everyone had their own drinking water at home.
Jocelyn Ballantyne Terepai Samuel
Alanna Smith
Martin Mitchell
Jimmy Ford
Michelle Chaloner
Yes, it’s the water project. i’m not really sure what it involves though. is it worth $64 million? That seems an awful lot of money.
No i don’t know what that is. We’re a tourist destination so we need to be providing the things tourists need, like good drinking water.
i know it’s all about water. it’s a good idea but i think we should build a dam irst before spending money going through people’s land.
No. i feel uncomfortable about borrowing money from the chinese. i think they have to be selling something to give us that money. You don’t get something for nothing.
No. is this the thing with the chinese coming here? i’m not happy with it because of the quality of work they’ve done with other projects in the past, like the courthouse and police station. if they don’t do a good job, we’ll be left having to go back and ix it.
it’s the water project. it’s a good idea but expensive at the same time. Hopefully this will make a big difference to the water supply.
8
Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
Economic outlook 2014: Strengthening family development economist Vaine wichman has worked extensively throughout the Paciic. She began writing these columns at the request of women and men asking her to explain the working of their economy. Here, she looks at the impact of the global inancial crisis, what it means for the Cooks, and the role of the family unit. FIVE yEaRS on from the global credit crunch, the mood is cautious optimism as neighbouring economies’ growth curves slowly move northward. New Zealand’s outlook advises more build up of robust economic activity after the crash, a prolonged drought period and the recovery activities since the earthquake hit. The forecast is that 2015 will see growth figures at moderate levels again. The forecast for Australia confirms a slowing down as the mining investments are revised, suggesting a period of transition as productive activities move to other non-mining bases of growth. The prediction is people will not invest signiicantly for a good 18 months at least when balance sheet restructures have stabilised. The expectation is for recovery to come through in building and construction activities and export volumes. As the private sector restructuring plans take hold in the United States there is concern and monitoring of public sector debt and spending. This pattern is also mirrored in our economy, as government spending needs
to be constrained but isn’t, and as a result tax levels are being revised for 2014 as government attempts to balance our books. This ongoing spending can lead to limited growth in the private sector as some of government’s activities either crowd out or delay productive activity. The Asian block will continue to tick along with prudent management and high productivity levels unmatched. Some say demand for food and fuel will keep this trading block untamed. But it is in the arab Spring (Egypt, Libya, tunisia, Syria, lebanon, iraq, Jordan, Algeria, Yemen) where forces that uphold peace and justice will be challenged to ind a middle ground as their leaders ight to rebalance their lives, transitioning their people to a democracy that works for them. Much needed stability in this region translates into stable oil and global energy prices including supply-chain continuity. As a country aiming to be 100 per cent solar energised by 2015, we have two years before we can measure this yardstick. in two years many things can happen. especially with general
Vaine with Maeu ariki/Mitiaro and Leni Hill. 13123014 elections an important hurdle to jump, global warming more evident this christmas than any other in the shortage of water in spite of water works underway, and Pa enua populations now below critical levels of operation. our economic outlook for 2014, however, is above the red line with growth projected at 3.5 per cent due to tourism receipt increases. The pick up
in private investment and construction in the economy that heralds robust growth seems to be picking up, but it’s still early days. The scene is a New Year family feast, where grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren etc. are all together celebrating. The strength of their presence and commitment is translated into their steady presence in the community (church, ngati
obligations) and their commitments to their island and nation (in the work and investments they choose to make here). The primary unit in any economy is the family. When the family unit is strong and healthy, in mind, body and spirit, it shares this energy in the wider community and island. You look around and see which families are still standing strong throughout the cooks making ends meet
in family and community obligations and you will understand what i mean. Maybe this could be an important growth strategy for the next ive years, to make those and other families stronger so they can share their obligations outwards and touch and make other families stronger. That is how economies have grown in the past, and will grow (with some adaptations) in the future.
Changes in the wind – political storms ahead THe cooK ISLaNDS is not just undergoing climate changes such as drought, sea rise and potential big storms, we are currently poised to face severe political storms ahead. After three years under the cook islands Party (ciP) government the jury has returned with a verdict. The verdict is that the ciP government is guilty of incompetence, maladministration, an astronomical amount of overseas travels, underperformance in parliament, poor legislative programme, over-taxing our pensioners, and disregard for public opinion. A guilty verdict of economic mismanagement, for example – the budget is now $2 million in deicit. The government’s economic plans have shifted us into a consumer based economy and not one based on productivity. Minister Teina Bishop’s voluntary stepping down from his ministerial post epitomises the failure of Henry Puna as a Prime Minister and the staggering level of his incompetence. i now speak with remorseless candour. Nearly ive months ago when it was announced that the Minister of Marine Resources Teina Bishop was under police investigation for corruption in his handling of the marine resources portfolio, i publicly stated that the PM should suspend Bishop completely in relation to all of his portfolios on full pay. True to his inexperience and dismissive nature, the PM brushed aside wisdom and good governance to announce that the suspension was to be
partial for the MMR portfolio only. Minister Bishop was allowed to continue to attend cabinet despite public misgivings about the arrangement. Public opinion is something Henry Puna is so dismissive and scornful about. He and his cook islands Party will live to regret this soon. Not far away in New Zealand, a similar incident occurred with Minister Peter Dunn of the United Party when it was alleged that he might have leaked sensitive information to the media, and when an investigation was ordered, Minister Dunn offered to “step down” from all his portfolios while the investigation was under way. The reason is obvious; a minister under investigation should not be privy to cabinet discussions about his case. That is the reason why i suggested a total suspension for Teina. What happens when the police commissioner or the crown Law ofice seek permission from cabinet for funds or additional staff needed for the Bishop investigation? By his inclusion in cabinet, Teina becomes a participant in his own demise. But because of our novice Prime Minister’s arrogance and ledging experience, he persisted to keep Teina in cabinet. The Prime Minister’s blemish on this critical issue falls below the standards of good governance. in New Zealand Peter Dunn was eventually cleared and reinstated to his cabinet post. i am not at all surprised with Puna, since he made an earlier mistake with the Mayor
A column by Atiu Member of Parliamet for Teenui Mapumai norman George. of atiu taoro Strickland. Mr. Strickland resigned from his post but changed his mind well after the period of his resignation had come into force. Despite my public and private approaches to the Prime Minister, he again brushed the issue aside and invited me to go the High Court to ile another declaratory application. No regrets, no sense of responsibility, and no care in the world about what is expected of a Prime Minister. i must applaud my Honourable friend Teina Bishop for doing the right thing and stepping down as minister. He could not correctly be said to have suspended himself. A suspension is a two party act where a superior suspends a subordinate. Teina’s action can appropriately be described as voluntarily stepping
down. Worst news is to come. Since Mr Bishop’s public announcement in this newspaper on December 31, extensive attempts have been made by the PM, Deputy Prime Minister and ciP heavies to bring Teina to his knees and recant. What started off as a quiet persuasion, developed into threats and severe bullying! Not very nice, i am advised. The fallout for Teina is that the PM will recommend his dismissal; they will most likely call it revocation of his cabinet post by the Queen’s Representative. Whatever they say, however they disguise it, it is still “dismissal from the cabinet”. Replacement for Teina Bishop creates another dilemma: who should it be? if one chooses by professional qualiications it must be ata Herman, a qualiied engineer. But it cannot be. Politics do not always go for qualiications. Other contestants are the ‘action man’ from Tupapa, George Maggie. The other will have to be Moana ioane, the MP for Tautu-Vaipae. Maggie has the reputation and numerical power of the largest electorate in Rarotonga, Tupapa-Maraerauga. in politics, these always do not count! Maggie has a criminal past and this is stuck with him like an irremovable plastic surgery. it does not matter how good he is, and how hard he works, he remains the Ronald Biggs of the cook islands. He will end his days with his criminal reputation intact. The real winner in the contest is Moana ioane, the one vote ciP winner from Tautu-Vaipae. The
ciP hierarchy will choose Moana to break up the Aitutaki tripartite (threesome) powerhouse of Teina Bishop. in reality Teina Bishop is worth three guaranteed MPs and that means three votes in caucus or parliament. By promoting Moana ioane to cabinet, Teina Bishop is left with only one other supporter, and that is Toa isamaela, ciP MP for Amuri-Ureia. i have been told that the ciP hierarchy has been working around the clock to tear Toa isamaela away from Teina. if the ciP is unsuccessful, Teina will have two MPs with him plus the potential to recruit George Maggie. The most critical prospect is the Murienua by-election on February 19. All of the ciP disarray will count against them at this by-election. other factors can affect the outcome of this by-election, but this article is not intended to provide the ciP with useful intelligence. i know exactly what the ciP should do and not do, but i know that their telon leader will be dismissive of anything helpful, his pride will lead him to another big mistake. if the demos’ James Beer wins the Murienua by-election, it will give the Democratic Party 10 seats, with me making it 11 seats. That leaves the ciP with 10 seats and Teina Bishop with three seats. if that happens, Teina Bishop will become the power broker. Henry Puna will be out and so will the ciP government. Down, out and finished! The Democratic Party, while not directly involved, should
not be standing by with expectations of Santa Claus bearing them political gifts. Far from that. The demos’ parliamentary performance is pitiful. i am told by caucus members that they suffer from excessive domination and control by party general secretary eddie Drollett and leader Wilkie Rasmussen. No caucus member is allowed to outperform the party leader or general secretary. competition and freedom of debate is outlawed. initiatives and fresh thinking are discouraged. The end result is too much concession given to the ciP government, no heavy artillery to bring the government to its knees, and not enough irepower. The demos need a major review for the 2014 election year. They need to review the party president, the general secretary, and the leader. Review and replace, if there is a will and desire to give the electors something good to be excited about. Stay complacent at the cost of staying in the opposition. Those unhappy with the present ciP government should seize the moment in this election year and vote for quality MPs instead of being stuck with deadbeat parties. it is up to both major parties to prove that they are not deadbeats, but simply suffering from bad leadership. My closing message is that you cannot be strong without sacrifice, you cannot be good without discipline, and you cannot be humble without sincerity. May you all enjoy your politics for 2014.
9
Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
Palmerston: The island at the end of the earth thomas Martienssen travelled to one of the most isolated communities in the world – Palmerston island. His experience on the tiny island in the Cooks was published in BBC news Magazine on december 30, and today we share his story with our readers. It IS one of the most isolated
island communities in the world. the tiny Paciic island of Palmerston is visited by a supply ship twice a year - at most - and the long and hazardous journey deters all but the most intrepid visitors. What's more, most of its 62 inhabitants are descended from one man - an englishman who settled there 150 years ago. Nine days of constant movement. Nine days in a boat, unable to stand. Nine days with the fear of being hit by a tropical storm, thousands of miles from rescue. the Paciic Ocean is big. Far bigger than one would imagine. This is the journey to the island at the end of the earth. Part of the cook islands, Palmerston is one of a handful of islands connected by a coral reef which surrounds the calm waters of a central lagoon. But within this entire area the reef sits too high in the water for sea
planes to land – and outside it the ocean is simply too rough. it is also too far from anywhere for a normal helicopter to ly to. The sea is the only access. So getting there is not easy. after two days of lying - from london via los Angeles - we set off by boat from Tahiti. after ive days of sailing in our small yacht, the clouds turn a menacing black. The strength of the sun has gone and a worrying chill hangs in the air. A sudden clatter of heavy rain hits the side of the boat. A bolt of lightning strikes the sea. With the sail at full height, the strength of the wind pushes the boat over a full 60 degrees, dragging us sideways through the water. There's very little that can be done once the sail has dropped - the boat is at the complete mercy of the elements. And there is no-one to help. During nine days at sea we see nothing. No other ships, no wildlife, and no aircraft – not even at 50,000 feet. Nothing. This extreme journey prevents all but the most determined of visitors from ever reaching Palmerston, a tiny patch of green surrounded by thousands of miles of ocean. The height of the island means it is not visible until
just two miles away and in bad weather it's simply impossible to see. over the years, tens if not hundreds of boats have hit the reef hiding just below the waves, leaving the sailors stranded. The latest wreck, brought down just three years ago, sits on the beach with a gaping hole in its side. The parts of these ships - engines, wooden planks and masts have been salvaged by the islanders and re-used. Nothing goes to waste here. learning how to safely navigate the natural barrier takes years of practise. even the boat we arrived in - a mere 34ft (10m) long - had to be moored 500m off the beach to avoid striking the coral. As we finally near Palmerston, a small boat, shining in the sun, roars towards us, swerving left and right through the reef, the little outboard motor screaming. "Hello, hello, i'm your host. Hook your boat up here, we'll get you over and you can grab lunch. i'll look after you from here," shouts Bob Marsters, his blue-green Hawaiian shirt an almost perfect match to the crystal clear water. Bob is the head of one of only three families on the island. They compete for the handful of yachts which pass every year,
there are four main islands in the atoll - Palmerston is the only inhabited one. PHOTO EWAN SMITH 14010210
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10 and the winners of this race cater for the needs of the visitors. The islanders pride themselves on their kindness and revel in the extra company. This generosity, and the island’s etiquette, legal system and traditions have all been passed down through the generations by word of mouth. And they are all the legacy of one man born in the english county of leicestershire, 10,000 miles away. William Marsters was Palmerston’s irst permanent inhabitant 150 years ago. i was told - with some conidence - that he had sailed with captain cook’s ship as a carpenter. But while the famous explorer died in 1779, William wasn’t born until at least 1830. Marsters lived in the cook islands from the 1850s and in the early 1860s, he was appointed caretaker of Palmerston by its then owner, a British merchant, John Brander. He moved there in 1863 accompanied by his wife, a Polynesian woman, and two of her cousins. He covered the island with palm trees and for the irst few years Brander’s ships stopped by every six months or so to collect the coconut oil he produced. But then the visits slowed - six months between visits became three years and eventually they stopped altogether. John Brander had died. Marsters was granted possession of Palmerston by Queen Victoria. His wife’s cousins became his wives too, and together the three couples had 23 children. Before his death in 1899 he split the island into three parts, one for each of his wives. Today, all but three of the residents are direct descendants of William. Approaching the beach, the revs of Bob Marsters’ small craft drop and we drift quietly towards the white sand. it is absurdly beautiful. Fish in their hundreds swim below the boat and, as the clear water ripples, a shark glides past with stingrays in tow. “Welcome to my world, a land of white sands and coconuts. Nothing goes wrong in Palmerston,” says Bob as we arrive at his tin-roofed home. “eh boy, grab these fellas a coconut - drink, drink.” Bob’s son knocks off the top of a coconut using a machete and i sit down on a plastic garden chair and drink. “You know i love this place, all the people fighting wars should just come to Palmerston and go for a swim, play some volleyball,” says Bob. “No need for all that fighting and killing everybody, no-one ighting here.” i listen to the wind rippling through the leaves of the palm trees. Then, in one of the most surreal moments of my life, surrounded by 3,000 miles of open ocean, i hear one of the islanders listening to her favourite song. Not a gently lilting melody but rather, “Boom, boom, boom - Vengaboys are coming” - the distinctive sound of cheesy euro dance pop. officially a New Zealand
Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
protectorate, Palmerston receives many of the modern amenities that we take for granted. Housing, power (for a couple of hours a day), the internet (for a couple of hours a day), even - for a lucky few - a mobile phone signal. Yet the people of Palmerston have no shop, just two toilets, and rainwater is collected for drinking water. Money is only used to buy supplies from the outside world - not from each other. “That’s one thing i’m so proud of with the families living on Palmerston - we work together, we love each other and we share,” says Bob. “For instance, when i’m out of rice or flour i can just go next door and if they have - they give. “i’m really happy people don’t sell things here. The supply ship hasn’t been for six months but we don’t cry over rice or steak, we just manage with our coconuts and our ish. But the day the freighter arrives it’s like christmas Day,” he laughs. Bob is the mayor of Palmerston and lives at one end of the main street. it is a strip of sand no more than 100 metres long and is home to just half a dozen buildings. “This is the main road, no bus stops here, no buses to wait for in Palmerston,” says Bob with a hearty chuckle. Sitting proud on the righthand side of the road is the church. it is the centre of community life. it is also one of the newest - and sturdiest - buildings on the island. The painted white bell that hangs in the porch, another of those things salvaged from a wreck, is the only part that remains of the previous church. With no land for thousands of miles, Palmerston takes the full force of any storm. So the islanders tie their buildings to surrounding trees. in 1926 a typhoon crashed into the island - and the waves, they say, swept the old church off its foundations. “The waves came crashing over the building here,” Bob explains, pointing to William Marsters’ old house, which is more than 20ft tall. “The church was sitting on coral, stone, and it was moved 200m inland - the whole building. our fathers and mothers went to move back the building. They rolled the building on coconut logs. They rolled it all the way back.” There is an established rhythm to life on the island on Sundays. the bell rings to summon this christian community for a service at 10:00 and there’s no work or play allowed until after 14:00. After church it is time to eat. As a guest, i am given a table to myself. Four pots are lined up in front of me - there is ish, rice, chicken and a sweet pastry. Bob’s four children look longingly at the table. The entire family must wait until the guest has had their ill before the rest of the family are allowed to eat.
today?
residents on Palmerston only use money to purchase goods from the outside world – not from each other. 14010205 But after about 30 seconds, Bob breaks into the food. “Normally i’d wait, but you’re my friend. We know each other too well to wait.” And before he finishes his sentence he is chewing profusely. “eat, eat,” he says, swinging his arm across the table. “i want to make you too fat to it back on your boat! You have to get thin again before you can leave. Stay on Palmerston longer.” Food is a huge part of life. Fishing takes up most of the day for many Palmerstonians and as a visitor it is virtually impossible to walk anywhere without being offered four separate lunches. Bob’s brother Bill is a serial offerer of lunches, a member of the council - and a proud isherman. “The fish are declining,” he says. “Before, there would have been hundreds of ish in schools, but not today. it’s not easy.” The previously-bountiful stocks of their favourite parrot ish are being depleted quicker than others. So standing on the back of his tiny, patched up aluminium rib, Bill heads out past the reef and into the towering waves in search of other fish, the pockets of his favourite camoulage trousers illed with line and hooks. After two hours with four long lines dragging in the water, we have just two - a barracuda and a wahoo. “The previous councils in the 90s put a ban on the parrot ish for two years,” says Bill, “but six months later someone said, ‘We need money for christmas.’ And it just opened from there. “We can’t really do anything because we’re going to get a lot of objection. Anything we say to the people - they just ignore it. Fish is the islanders’ staple food and their only export. one or two tonnes of parrot fish are frozen and collected by the supply ship which comes twice a year to deliver essential supplies such as rice and fuel. or, that is the theory, at least. Sometimes the ship
“ Where the conversation begins.”
doesn’t turn up at all. Just two years ago it didn’t come for 18 months. The island’s remoteness presents other challenges, too. Something as simple as going to the dentist becomes a major expedition. When the island’s oldest inhabitant, 92-year-old Mama Aka, went for dental work on Rarotonga, the capital of the cook islands, it took her four days to get there. But after the short procedure, she had to wait six months for a ship to bring her back. While some see this isolation as one of the attractions of life on Palmerston, in other ways it is a menace, particularly as everyone - except two teachers and a nurse - are related to each other. Bill had six children with his irst wife, a woman he thought was his second cousin. But when she was very young, she had been handed to another family to bring up - a common practise in Palmerston if parents need help. in fact, she was Bill’s irst cousin. “i heard that if you marry a close family cousin, it will have an effect on the baby,” he says. “But i didn’t believe it until our second-to-last child. He was a normal child right up
to six months... we headed off to New Zealand for treatment, but there was nothing they could do. “Her father and my father were brothers. i didn’t know it, but by the time we found out it was too late and we already had kids. There’s nobody on the island, that’s why the intermarriage is going on.” For some, Palmerston’s isolation is a reason to leave. Between 1950 and 1970 the population was as high as 300, but now it is just 62. A third of the population are children and all look healthy and happy as they attend classes at the island’s school. But many of them are hoping to leave for the cities hundreds of miles away, where amenities are better, wages are higher and where - perhaps most importantly - there is a bigger choice of potential spouses. When Mama Aka was growing up, some people used to marry their half-sisters or half-brothers, she says. But the children of today are “looking further ahead”. “Maybe they plan to marry away,” she says. “only a few of them come back. They don’t really get in touch with the families.”
The main street is the hub of island life and the setting for community celebrations. one of the most important is for the Duke of edinburgh, Prince Phillip. Mama Aka, the island’s oldest resident, remembers the day in the early 1970s when the Royal Yacht Britannia arrived off Palmerston reef. The duke (pictured on a later trip to the cook islands) went for a swim, and the place he took a dip - a deep pool where the beach falls steeply towards the water - has since been known as the Duke’s Pool. “When he came ashore we celebrated,” says Mama Aka. And every year, on 28 February everyone takes the day off to repeat those celebrations. “We start with a church service and then every family prepares a table of food. We have a feed and we have singing,” she says. Sixteen-year-old Shekinah Marsters wants to become a lawyer. She may be the first pupil from the island’s school to go to university and may even have the chance to study at Harvard. “i wanted to go to New Zealand for university, but now i hear there are some opportuni-
Palmerston is one of a handful of islands connected by a coral reef which surrounds the calm waters of a central lagoon. 14010206
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Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
ties in America,” she says. “i want to pursue my career but i also want to come back and Palmerston will always be my home, i’ll want to come back whenever i can, but i think my career would come irst.” She currently studies English, algebra, American history and the basic life of christ next year she’s adding law. All of these are part of a christian home-schooling programme taught at the school. She has also studied in New Zealand: “You have a lot more opportunities [there], a lot more stuff to do, more friends. ever since i went to New Zealand i’ve wanted to go back. “i don’t get bored here, but I get discouraged. I swim, ish, play guitar, talk - that’s about all.” Palmerston has always been a place where people come and go - but while some intend to visit, others have the experience forced upon them. in the 1950s, lt cdr Victor clark’s boat was shipwrecked and he lived on the island for nine months while it was repaired. This experience features heavily in his book, on the Wind of a Dream: a Saga of Solace. When he died aged 97, his daughter Rose made the long journey to Palmerston from her home in Devon to scatter his ashes. “it was his favourite time of life,” she says. And a year after she irst arrived, she is still here. “My adventure here’s been great, not what i planned. i thought i was coming over for a short visit before heading off to carry on with the rat race of life.” During her visit, she was asked to look after the school’s only special needs pupil, a child who has ADHD. “i initially turned it down because i could not imagine living on a tiny atoll hundreds of miles from the nearest life. But then i realised - that’s what i was doing in the UK, it’d be pretty selish to leave this little eight-year-old that couldn’t be at school. “They’re such a family-orientated community - it’s very
beautiful. i’ve learnt a lot about their closeness while i’ve been here.” on the days when there is no school, Rose joins other women to make traditional hats or baskets from palm leaves. More often than not, the group can be heard singing and laughing together. it is a social gathering, but it also highlights the lack of young adults. While the young children do the lifting and unskilled tasks, the older women do the intricate weaving, a skill perfected over many years. But there are no young adults here for the women to pass on their knowledge and family stories to. Nevertheless, the Palmerstonians seem to have a good life. The days are long and the working hours short. As Bob says: “You are free to do what you want to do.” in the evenings, the schoolchildren go swimming or play volleyball, while some of the men gather around the island’s only TV to watch the rugby highlights. The women relax on hammocks, laughing and joking. in all this, alcohol plays no real part. Until the next supply ship makes an appearance, the island is dry. Beer is sometimes brewed, but only for special occasions. edward, the island’s policeman, is probably the least busy police oficer in the world. i ask one of the islanders what would happen if someone was to steal a coconut. “I’d ill a wheel barrow [with coconuts] and take it round,” he tells me. “They’re obviously desperate but too proud to ask for one.” So with his spare time, Edward makes things. He’s particularly good at making ukuleles. He uses a piece of wood from the tree they call the mahogany tree, a coconut and ishing line for strings. He also plays them, very well as it happens. As we sit outside his squat house, his brother Simon runs over with a plate of food. “No one fed you lunch yet, eh?” he says, placing it on the table. And so, surrounded by
the sea is the only way to reach Palmerston, which cannot be accessed by planes or helicopters. 14010207 engine parts, coconuts and my third lunch of the day, edward and his brother Simon sing the Farewell song. it tells of William Marsters’ trip to Palmerston a century and a half ago, when he “sang farewell to happy london town”. And farewell was what we had to say to the beautiful island and its people. As we prepare to leave, Bob appears with a basket of ish. He has been luckier than Bill with his catch and shares it across the whole island. “We share everything with our family,” he says, handing us two fish for the return leg of our journey. Bob turns and looks out across the lagoon. “We were made to enjoy the world, enjoy the fresh air, enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the things God put us on the earth to enjoy. He didn’t put us on the earth to kill other people or hate other people.” With Bob’s words in our ears we weave our way out through the reef. it is a journey that many young islanders will do in the years to come. The question is, how many of them will return? - Thomas Martienssen, BBc News
edward: Policeman, musician and brother to Bob and Bill. 14010209
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Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
‘Sensible’ approach to isheries needed in 2014 Retired lawyer and amateur isherman Reuben Tylor, has been a frequent critic of MMR on isheries issues. Today he discusses his views on the events in the industry during 2013, including purse seining, the investigation into teina Bishop – who has stepped aside from his ministerial duties voluntarily until the investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption are complete – and the shark sanctuary. Dear editor, As we begin the new year, it is a good time to look back over the events affecting our isheries to see where we have gone wrong, and where we might be able to do better in 2014. The biggest issue for the people of the cook islands has been the Ministry of Marine Resources’ (MMR) plans to invite the Spanish fleet of super seiners in to fish our skipjack. There are many, many people concerned by this proposal, and it hasn’t helped when MMR presents misleading information to the public. Most attention has focussed on the large quantities of juvenile big eye tuna being scooped up around fads by purse seiners when ishing for skipjack. the Secretariat of the Paciic Community (SPC) scientists are now saying juvenile big eye has comprised more than 20 per cent of the Spanish leet’s historical catch, and not the previously estimated igure of approximately 2 per cent. SPC would like to see purse seining on fads stopped alto-
gether because big eye tuna stocks are now in serious trouble. the Spanish boats can only operate profitably if they fish on fads, so the selection of the Spanish leet by MMR is a real problem. MMR seems to be determined to go ahead despite this, despite widespread public opposition, and despite Prime Minister Henry Puna making it quite clear the proposal is on hold. However, there is another significant problem with the Spanish boats, and that is their track record. A quick look at one of the Spanish super seiners, the “Albacora Uno”, shows what i mean. in 2010, Albacora Uno was charged with illegally deploying 67 fads in US Paciic waters. the case was settled with its owners paying a ine of US$5,000,000 (about NZD$6,500,000), the highest civil penalty ever imposed by the United States authorities. Did it learn? Apparently not because in August 2011, the Albacora Una was being investigated for illegally
dumping 1 tonne of skipjack, and in 2012 it was caught shark ishing in Marshall Islands waters and fined again. Then in 2013, Albacora Uno was caught again, this time illegally ishing in Nauru waters and ined US$1 million (NZ$1.2 million). Why does MMR want to enter into agreements with boats like this? Any agreement requires some trust, and there is no way you can trust boats with this type of track record. in my opinion the only way of really controlling this very damaging form of ishing is to ban it completely, and i have to congratulate the opposition for its clear policy statement to ban the issue of any new licences to purse seiners in the cook islands. The next major issue is the fate of the ex-Minister of Marine Teina Bishop. The criminal investigation into his conduct, as well as luen Thai and its local company “Huanan”, is continuing with the NZ police now involved. There is a parallel criminal investigation by the Finan-
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reuben tylor with one of three large yellow in caught in december 2009. 13123104
cial intelligence Unit for possible money laundering offences. And there is a new investigation into offences under the customs Act, involving luen Thai and MMR secretary, Ben Ponia. These investigations have led to the police executing search warrants on various ofices and departments, coniscating computers, and interviewing several people, including several senior civil servants. investigations are also being carried out overseas. certainly Teina is entitled to be treated as innocent of any crime while these investigations continue, but by mixing personal business with his job as a minister he deinitely breached parliamentary conventions and in other countries such as NZ and Australia, this alone would have been sufficient to require his resignation. Because of this, and because Teina has said he would do it all again, i am not that he continues to be involved in all cabinet meetings (including those involving isheries), and continues to represent the cook islands overseas. (editor’s note: Bishop recently announced that he has handed in his portfolio of ministerial responsibilities and removed himself from cabinet). i am also not comfortable that the licences issued to Huanan in these circumstances continue to be renewed. However, the most important thing is the investigations need to be completed, and if there are charges to be laid these need to be dealt with before the next elections are held. That is less than 12 months away and for once i agree with Teina, the police do need to get a move on. otherwise, we go into an election not knowing if a government has been corrupt or not. There is also the on-going subject of transparency, the official information Act and the ombudsman. Transparency is our best protection against corruption and bribery, but it depends on the ombudsman and
other government watchdogs doing their jobs properly. This isn’t happening. i still have no decision from the ombudsman on any of my appeals, both for 2012 and 2013. i also have heard nothing further from Perca, Audit, or MFeM. i have decided the best way to ix this problem is to apply to the High court to review the ombudsman’s inaction, and i will file these proceedings early in the new year. The importance of transparency and danger of corruption is brought home to us clearly in recent explanations by Ben Ponia. He has explained how he settles offences by fishing
There is no logic to allowing MMR to have its own system of dealing secretly with offences under the MR Act, while all other crimes and offences are dealt with by the police and the courts. boats, rather than letting the courts deal with them. He also makes the point that these settlements are confidential! He then told us about letting a Spanish boat with shark ins on board go free. We don’t allow the police to do this with ordinary criminal offences, because among other things, it creates an opportunity for bribery. it makes no sense at all to allow it in an industry where i am told bribery is commonplace. i can imagine a situation where the offending boat owner is sitting at the negotiating table with two envelopes in his hands. one envelope is for the government ine, and a larger fatter envelope is for the government official. The secretary has been doing
conidential settlements of offences by ishing boats for some time. initially he was acting independently, but now involves the Ministry of Finance and economic Management and crown law in these negotiations. That is meant to have stopped, but in my opinion, offences under the Marine Resource Act need to be dealt with through normal channels, and ines as well as identity of offenders need to be published. There is no logic to allowing MMR to have its own system of dealing secretly with offences under the MR Act, while all other crimes and offences are dealt with by the police and the courts. Next up is the conflict between our local ishermen, and Huanan, who are dumping cheap ish on the local market. i know there are methods of resolving this problem. i also know you don’t do it by bludgeoning the local fishermen to death with a billy club. These guys don’t drive around in big flash cars, they don’t own big flash houses – they work hard in dangerous conditions and barely survive. MMR has much to be ashamed of for its support of Huanan in this sad business. This leads on to Vaine Wichman’s report on the value of the local ishing industry. MMR was never happy with her report, which said the local ishing and game ishing industry produced two times the value of the foreign fishing boat licence fees. MMR immediately announced they would produce another report showing she was wrong. MMR got their report from SPC in early 2013, but “forgot” to release it until late in the year when they claimed it challenged Vaine’s conclusions. That is utter rubbish; it does not negate her report and instead supports it. Vaine’s report still stands, and MMR continues to deny what is staring it straight in the face. the ban on shark ishing was a major victory and a real credit
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Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
to the people who fought hard for it despite considerable pressure from the fishing companies. The problem is that there have been no more searches of boats at sea since the ban came into force. The secretary of MMR made it clear he was not keen on the ban, and we now have him making conidential settlements (or no settlement at all) for alleged offences. i suspect the ban on shark fishing may turn out to be an empty victory. Another area of real progress is the advance of the marine park. The outer islands are sending a clear message in favour of the park, and against allowing purse seining. The park excludes the northern group islands and in three or four years the northern group may have to buy their ish from the southern group, unless of course they can afford to buy Teina’s “Golden tuna” brand tinned ish. The Western central Pacific Tuna commission (WcPTc) is the regional fisheries organisation meant to manage our Paciic region stocks of tuna in accordance with advice from SPC scientists. this organisation is important because there are two separate stocks of tuna important to us. First up is our local resident stock. These tuna spend most of their life around the Cook Islands. Second is the Pacific regional stock. These tuna migrate across the Paciic each year and “top up” our resident stocks. if we allow foreign boats to fish our own resident stock of tuna, the sustainability of our tuna fisheries relies on these migrating tuna to “top up” our resident stocks. if the Paciic regional stocks are damaged , then there is no topping up, and we have to be very careful not to overish our resident stocks. i have always doubted the effectiveness of WcPTc because its decisions require approval by not just Pacific islands nations, but also by the deep water
fishing companies. i have also watched similar organisations fail dismally, the best example being the organisation managing blue in tuna in the northern hemisphere. in 2010 their scientists recommended total allowable catch of 15,000 tonnes because bluein tuna stocks were in danger. instead, the organisation agreed on 30,000 tonnes. The reported catch came in at 60,000 tonnes and no one is sure what the actual catch was. However, the bluein tuna is now on the edge of extinction. i believe we should expect the same to happen with our regional tuna stocks in the Paciic. the focus
The secretary of MMR made it clear he was not keen on the ban, and we now have him making conidential settlements (or no settlement at all) for alleged offences. i suspect the ban on shark ishing may turn out to be an empty victory. at 2013’s WcPTc meetings has been on reducing by catch of big eye tuna, in particular reducing if not stopping completely purse seining around FADs. The December meeting collapsed with failure to reach agreement on these and other controls. in my opinion, WcPTc will be successful only in slowing down the eventual extinction of our regional tuna stocks. i believe it is time to adopt another strategy, parallel to WcPTc. We should be concentrating on protecting our resident stock of tuna, just as Tahiti has done, by immediately reducing, and eventually
eliminating, all fishing in our waters by foreign boats. Some good news? Over the last two years i, together with other fishermen, have complained about the size of our tuna getting smaller and smaller. Finally MMR has admitted this in a roundabout way. in its quarterly report it says, “more smaller sized yellowin are being landed by (local) ishermen.” MMR tends to ignore what our local fishermen tell them, but treat as gospel the information given to them by foreign fishing boats which everyone else knows is usually total bull. So it will be interesting to see how MMR is going to respond to this problem, because inviting purse seiners into cook islands waters certainly isn’t going to help. in closing, over christmas i did manage to catch a few baby skipjack, the same ones MMR wants to turn into canned ish. i used one, (about 800 grams, compared with 5 kilograms upwards only two years ago) to make sashimi for my family from Aussie. They ate the whole lot up, and told me it would cost $80-$100 for this much sashimi at a restaurant in Sydney. there is something seriously wrong with MMR selling 30,000 tonnes of our baby skipjack for 4 cents a kilo, when a) there is obviously a problem with the resource and b) there is so much more value we can get from them. For a start, we could let them grow to adult size of 12-14 kilo, we could catch less, and we could sell them to tourists for dollars, not cents. We are not so desperate for a few dollars that we have to give our heritage away like this for a plate of beans. let us all wish and pray for a more sensible and reasoned approach by MMR and our government to the development of our isheries sustainably during 2014! Reuben Tylor Vaimaanga
The WeekEnd Crossword A NEW ONE JUST BEGUN ACROSS 1. 1 January (3,5,3) 5. Cigarette residue (3) 8. Shoot forth (6) 10. add to (8) 11. It is (poetic) (3) 13. Spaceman (9) 14. Maker of the best Indian food on raro (4) 16. Cofee and steamed milk beverage (10) 19. Muslim religion (8) 21. yellow clay used in painting (5) 23. Compromise, _ and _ (4,4) 25. Pantry (6) 26. Hot, brewed drink vessels (7) 27. of no purpose (7)
DOWN 2. Sayings (11) 3. Craftsperson (7) 4. orange light (5) 6. Mind altering substances (15) 7. Promote growth (6)
9. aquatic mammal (5) 12. Halts (5) 15. Friend (Fr) (3) 17. Large gathering (5) 18. See 23 across (4)
anSwerS On page 17
19. Small piece of gold (5) 20. Stupid person (5) 22. 2014, Chinese year of the _ (5) 24. through (3)
* Maori-English: English-Maori
PUBLIC NOTICES
CAUTIONARY NOTICE TRADE MARK – COOK ISLANDS notice is hereby given that
RICEGROWERS LIMITED Yanco Avenue, Leeton, New South Wales 2705, Australia is the sole owner and proprietor in the COOK ISLANDS of the trade marks shown below:
SUNRICE
SUNWHITE
which are used upon or in connection with the following goods: “rice and rice products” notice is also hereby given that THE ABOVE OWNER CLAIMS ALL RIGHTS IN RESPECT OF THE ABOVE TRADE MARKS AND WILL TAKE ALL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION COUNTERFEITING, IMITATING, VIOLATING OR OTHERWISE INFRINGING THE SAID RIGHTS OF THE OWNER IN THE COOK ISLANDS.
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14
Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
PUBLIC NOTICES
CAUTIONARY NOTICE TRADE MARK – COOK ISLANDS notice is hereby given that
PVH Corp 200 Madison Avenue New York NY 10016 United States of America is the sole owner and proprietor in the COOK ISLANDS of the trade marks shown below:
IZOD
IZOD PERFORMX
IZOD PFX
which are used upon or in connection with the following goods: Class 14: Watches. Class 18: umbrellas. Class 24: Towels, namely, golf towels. Class 25: Clothing, dress shirts, neckwear, underwear, sportswear (shirts, trousers, jeans, shorts, leece, sweaters, jackets, active wear, swimwear and golfwear) belts, headwear, footwear and lip lops. Class 28: golf bags, golf gloves, golf ball gPs holders and golf ball markers. notice is also hereby given that THE ABOVE OWNER CLAIMS ALL RIGHTS IN RESPECT OF THE ABOVE TRADE MARKS AND WILL TAKE ALL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION COUNTERFEITING, IMITATING, VIOLATING OR OTHERWISE INFRINGING THE SAID RIGHTS OF THE OWNER IN THE COOK ISLANDS.
15
Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
classiieds pupu kite ngai okotai EMAIL
PHONE
adverts@cookislandsnews.com
Fax 25303
preferred
PUBLIC NOTICES
Ministry of Transport Boat Master Certiicate Course A cook Islands Boatmaster certiicate Course will be held over two weeks from 13 January to 23 January. Hours are 5pm to 8:30pm Monday to Thursday each week. All boat operators and interested parties, male or female, over 18 years of age are encouraged to attend. Numbers strictly limited so enrol early. Payment of course Fee of $50 will secure a place. Application forms may be obtained from the Ministry of Transport in Avatiu. Phone Steve Simpson on 28810 or Mobile 55605 for details. 76144 / /1764
Home stay accommodation We are looking for people with warm hearts & comfortable homes to feed and accommodate students coming to Rarotonga for various courses in 2014 ( some for 1 week others up to 3 months.) $150 per week. Send an e-mail to studyinraro@gmail. com and register your interest & provide your phone number. 76100 / /1866
DEADLINES Deadline for next day’s classiieds is
22999
PUBLIC NOTICES
Sea, Sun & French - Summer Courses 3 week courses Monday 6 to 24 January 2013 Adult courses in Training center / Ngatangiia : *’conversation’ - Discovery Level 5 to 6:30 pm $80 / 2 hrs Monday and Thursday over 3 weeks *cooking workshop ‘French desserts’ / all level: 5 to 7 pm /$15 / 2 hrs each Tuesday / with a French cook Kid’s morning from 7 years old in Tupapa Art- craft- cooking / 9:30 to 12:30 pm $45 / 3 hours a day /over 3 days Tuesday to Thursday discount for 2 + siblings Place limited, Booking is essential by phone Lauriane (76556) or by e-mail afrarotonga@gmail.com 76145 / /1626
Baha’i Faith? Curious? Watch Baha’i on Air This Sunday at 5pm ‘’Auckland Baha’i Regional conference’’ and/or join us for devotions 10am at the Baha’I centre, Muri. This week’s theme: Kindness. Next week: Tact 76111 /35947 /1651
1pm sharp. Material deadline for display adverts 24 hours prior.
RATES Minimum $5.80 incl. VAT for 1-15 words. casual ads must be prepaid. cancellation fee $6.40 incl. VAT. Quotations on request.
PUBLIC NOTICES
TUATUA AKAKITE
LOST Lost around Inave, Arorangi Passport No. EB2636984 When found, please hand in to Police Station or ring 55518.
Cook Islands Rugby League AGM Date: Monday 20 January 2014 Venue: At the Masters HQ, Takuvaine Time: 5pm Agenda: Presidents report 2013, Financial report 2013 and election of Oicers. All club reps must be present at the AGM and meeting is open to anyone interested in getting involved with cIRL 2014. ‘Play League or What’ President cIRL.
E karere teia kia tatou te hiti Tangata Tongareva katoatoa I Rarotonga nei. Me e parapara Tongareva toou, me e tokete koe, hano mai, solo mai. E huihuihanga ta tatou ka rave hia ki ko to tatou ngutuhare Tongareva Hostel I Tupapa I te ahiahi I te marama, Manakai ra 4 Tianuare nei. Kave mai tau pata, Kave mai tana pata ei kaikai ma tatou. Ka hiimenemene tatou, akaitiiti, kia Mataora ai tatou. Kia mau te Selenga. Kia mau te Napenga I teia matahiti hou. Teia tuatua akakite na te Mema Paramani, te kumiti akatere ma o tatou Matua I Rarotonga nei. All Tongareva people and friends are asked to come to the Tongareva Hostel tomorrow Saturday evening starting at 6pm for a social get together at the start of the New Year. Bring a plate for all of us to share. We will gather to sing, chat and be happy. Be strong, be courageous in this New Year. This notice is issued by the Tongareva MP, Committee and elders of our people here in Rarotonga.
76130 / /2016
TUATUA AKAKITE Uipaanga Enua Te Ana 6R, Avana. Te pati akatenga iatu nei te au atu enua o te enua i runga nei kia tae mai ki tetai uipaanga patianga enua ei akatu are a teia Monite 6 January 2014 ki ko ite Avana Are Uipaanga ite ora 5pm. Meitaki Maata. Naomi Tavioni. 77776151 / /1931
76150 / /1808
AuTisM Cook islands
76086 / /1931
PUBLIC NOTICES
MInIStry oF FInanCe and eConoMIC ManaGeMent GoVernMent oF tHe CooK ISLandS
ATTENTION EMPLOYERS New PAYE tax tables applying from 1 January 2014 are available from the revenue Management Division’s public counter, or by telephone 29365, or you can visit our website to download them at www.mfem.gov.ck/tax
Ph 24065/55976
76024
tiateura@oyster.net.ck
PUBLIC NOTICES
ReCyCle
PUBLIC NOTICES
INFRASTRUCTURE COOK ISLANDS - WATSAN UNIT
TENDER REFUSE & RECYCLING COLLECTION SERVICE FOR RAROTONGA CONTRACT No. CW001/2014, CW001A/2014, CW001B/2014
Public notice Te Mato Vai - Consultation Meetings
The aim of Te Mato Vai is to provide clean water via an eicient and reliable distribution system with minimal loss, to the people who either live or are visiting rarotonga; and to manage that process and the system in a cost efective way. Any enquiries can be directed to either Daryl rairi 55064 or Jaewynn McKay 55486.
WAtsAN is the Water, Waste & sanitation Unit of the Ministry of infrastructure Cook islands (iCi) tasked with the development and management of Policies, strategies, Planning and Projects within the water, waste and sanitation sector. it is also responsible for the management of the rarotonga Waste Facility (rWF) that consists of the resource Recovery and Recycling Centre, Septage Treatment Ponds and the Landill. A key deliverable for the unit relates to improving waste management practises to promote sustainable cultural and recreational use of the lagoons, sustainable tourism and to safeguard public health. subsequently, one of the main responsibilities of the unit is the management of the Rarotonga landill and the refuse and recycling collection service with a view to alleviate the impacts on the environment and the well being of the community. ICI wishes to invite tenders for the collection and disposal of refuse and speciied recyclables from residential properties on rarotonga. the scope of works under this Contract will involve: • The collection of refuse (solid wastes) arising from residential properties on rarotonga. • The collection of speciied recyclables from residential properties on Rarotonga. • Transport refuse and recyclables to the RWF in Arorangi in accordance with all relevant policies, requirements and procedures and ‘best practice’ at the rWF. the term of the contract will be 5 years. A copy of the Tender document including speciications can be collected during work hours from the ICI oice in Arorangi, or can be requested by email below. tenders close at 4pm on Thursday, 9 January 2014 and must be submitted to the iCi Oice in Arorangi. Tenders must be submitted in hard copy inside a sealed envelope addressed to: Mr Mac Mokoroa secretary infrastructure Cook islands PO Box 102 rarotonga Cook islands and clearly marked with “REFUSE & RECYCLING COLLECTION SERVICE FOR RAROTONGA CONTRACT No. CW001/2014, CW001A/2014, CW001B/2014” and the tenderers name. Enquiries to: Jaime short WAtsAN Programme Coordinator P: +682 22648 E: jaime.short@moip.gov.ck
76079
75906
When te Mato Vai is completed in three years’ time it will provide healthier treated water to the people of rarotonga locals and visitors alike, and will be an encouragement to development on the island too. Water intakes will be refurbished, there will be an increase in water storage capacity, water treatment facilities will be constructed, all trunk and ring mains will be replaced and all piping to the boundaries of properties served by the current network will be upgraded. the inal stage will be the establishing the operation and maintenance of the new water supply. Supplying safe, reliable and afordable water for all is the overarching goal of the water partnership. Naturally before any of the physical work takes place the people of rarotonga, all of whom are stakeholders, will be kept informed through a series of Awareness and stakeholder communications activities including public meetings. The irst tranche of Te Mato Vai stakeholder consultations will begin on Monday 13 January and conclude on Wednesday 22 January. hon teariki heather, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for infrastructure will lead these meetings. there are meetings for every group of stakeholders as set out below and all residents of rarotonga with an interest in the te Mato Vai project are encouraged to attend a meeting. Audience/stakeholders Ui Ariki/Koutu Nui intake Landowners - te-Au-O-tonga (tupapa, takuvaine, Avatiu) Members of Parliament for rarotonga Consitituencies intake Landowners Puaikura (Ngatoe, rutaki, Muriavai) intake Landowners Matavera. turangi, Avana, totokoitu, taipara, Papua Vaka Puaikura Public Consultation Vaka te-Au-O-tonga Public Consultation Vaka takitumu Public Consultation
Date Monday 13 January Monday 13 January
time 10am 6pm
Venue Atupare sinai hall
tuesday 14 January
1pm
tuesday 14 January
6pm
Oice of the Deputy Prime Minister, Black rock Kavera Meeting house
Wednesday 15 January Monday 20 January tuesday 21 January
6pm 6pm 6pm
Wednesday 22 January
6pm
titikaveka CiCC sunday school hall Aroa Nui sinai hall titikaveka CiCC sunday school hall
16
Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
UNvEILING
SITUATIONS vACANT
CHURCH NOTICES
COOK ISLANDS TERTIARY TRAINING INSTITUTE
anoPeninviTaTionToalluPokoinaTeioTu&koRingoaTua RuaPoRo maRona TeioTu families, fRiends, and To The oRganisaTionsThaT ouR faTheR has been involved WiTh. you aRe all inviTed To WiTness The unveiling of TheiR headsTone on saTuRday 4Th of JanuaRy 2014 @ 4Pm aT TheiR son’s JunioR TeioTu ResidenCe in TuPaPa.
Classiieds • Phone 22999
• adverts@cookislandsnews.com
“2 minuTes dRive fRom The aiRPoRT”
Weekendspecials available 4-5 JanuaRy
simmons Chicken leg Quarters 10kg
Expressions of Interest Part time Tutors Hospitality & Services Faculty Calling for expressions of interest from experienced hospitality professionals who are interested in part time or casual teaching roles in the following areas: • Barista • Cocktails • Front of house • Culinary Arts & Cooking • Food safety Trades & Technology Faculty: Calling for expressions of interest from experienced trades people who are interested in part time or casual teaching roles in the following areas: • Automotive/auto body/auto electrical • Building & Carpentry • Electrical trades • Engineering trades • Painting & Decorating • Plumbing & Drain laying • Welding & Fabrication. to register your interest, please send an EOi letter and CV with references to: Director - human resources Management Ministry of Education P O Box 97 rarotonga Cook islands Ph (682) 29357, fax (682) 28357 or email vacancy@ education.gov.ck Applications close on Monday 6 January 2013. /
Sunday 5 January 2014 Focus 2014 ‘Ahead of time God Jesus’ - Revelation 1:18. 8.30am - children’s program with Minister Rebekah Daniel on Radio Matariki 9.30am - church updating news with Intern Tangaroa Uea on Radio Matariki 10am - Sunday School a Must for all ages, ‘Honoring the Sabbath’ - Luke 5:9. 11am - Worship - Bishop Tutai Pere, BA, LTh. - Alive for Jesus radio ministry 4pm - Nothing but the Truth TV Ministry with Bishop Pere 7.30pm - First New Year Holy communion Service Aere mai te katoatoa rava! Everyone most welcome! contact: Bishop Pere 23778/55177 Dial-A-Prayer 26777 Email tpere@oyster.net.ck 76146 / /1632
SERvICES Swimming Lesson Intensive Programme starting, Week 1 Monday 6 January - Friday 10th for January, Week 2 Monday 13 January Friday 17th January and Week 3 Monday 20 January Friday 24 January Starting from 3pm to be held at Papaaroa beach. Only $5 per child per 30 mins lesson. Please call 58811 Augustine if you would like to make other arrangements. 76103 /34729 /1931
For the sake of your family
GET HELP Call AA - 71744
$25
.99CTn
Tegel smoked Chicken 1.2kg
$9.99
eaCh
fresh n fruity yogurt Range 1kg
$9.99
eaCh
kiwi soft Toilet Tissue 12pk
$7.99
eaCh
oPen 24/7
foR youR ConvenienCe
BUSINESSES FOR SALE Market Vendor Kebab Business For Sale! Premium Vendor Spot at Punanga Nui Market. Available Now! Fully Equipped, Assets include; Van, Chest Freezer, BBQ, Tables, Marquee etc. Instructions on preparations on cooking will be provided. Gross turnover is $52k per year plus (it has the potential to grow) Price: $20,000 + VAT Genuine enquiries only Contact Tiare Mata Mobile 56850 or Phone 24027. 76128 /34759 /1931
FOR RENT 3 bedroom house for rent, unfurnished, back road Nikao. Available now, $250 per week. Call 55092. 76127 /35872 /1931
Furnished lat in town $180 per week, includes power. Phone 57460 or 55399. 777
FOR SALE Tiare Taina, $10 a bag. Phone 23803 or 77681. 76131 /34745 /2541
Yamaha scooter, $800. Good condition. Washing machine, $200. Phone 77107. 76122 /34740 /1931
Pigs 4 Sale Going cheap. Phone 20037 or 70047. 76113 /34683 /1931
vEHICLES FOR SALE Tractor 4 Sale John Deer 70 horsepower, rear wheel drive as is where is, $2300 ono. Phone 20037 or 70047. 76114 /34683 /1931
BUSINESSES FOR SALE
Part time Teller We currently have three positions available for “Part time tellers” to join our high Performing Branch team in rarotonga. All positions a great opportunity for someone who wants to begin their career in retail sales and service. ANZ recognises that our greatest asset is our people. that is why we are creating a unique climate of inspiration, leadership, values and opportunities by delivering continuous challenges, recognition and personal and professional growth opportunities. While training will be provided to successful applicants, the following preferred requirements for this role would be an advantage: • Secondary school qualiication • Cash Handling Skills • Computer skills (ie an understanding of MS Word, MS Excel & Ms Outlook) • Excellent Customer Service • Openness to take on challenges • Willingness to learn new skills and participate fully in staf training sessions Candidates with previous banking experience, especially with ANZ, will be given preferential treatment. All positions are for 10 hours per week as a base minimum. the expectation is that successful applicants will be available for additional hours as required, for up to 40 hours per week. if you think you are due for a challenge in your career then this could be it. Please submit your written applications including a detailed resume, certiied copies of academic qualiication and references from current and/or previous employer to: Lorraine Von-Hof head of retail ANZ Bank Avarua Application must be received by 10 January 2014, in order to be considered. For further information please contact Lorraine Von-Hof on 21 750ext 234 777
www.cookislandsnews.com
eachside In B a ’ o n Ar
FOR SALE
12 Units on the Best Beach for swimming, snorkeling, and sunsets With the shiPWrECK hUt Good Occupancy, Good Cash low, Good reputation. room to expand! Call Jim 55510 jimb@cookislands.co.ck 76084
SITUATIONS vACANT
SHOP ASSISTANT required for our 7 day operation. Must be good with numbers, have great customer service skills and be eicient and well presented. Honesty, reliability and of sober habits is essential. top rates of pay. immediate start. Please apply with CV to the shop in Panama or Tel 23415 75859
SITUATIONS VACANT • • • • • •
10 CARPENTERS 4 STEEL FIXERS 1 WELDER 1 MECHANIC (HEAVY MACHINERY) 2 MOBILE BATCHING PLANT OPERATORS 20 GENERAL LABOURERS PROJECTS: MANGAIA & MANIHIKI HARBOURS STARTING: 6TH JANUARY, 2014 “tOP rAtEs OF PAY” TEL: 23 415 75905
17
Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
vEHICLES FOR SALE
SITUATIONS vACANT
1994 Mazda Capella Station Wagon 4 W.D. $2500. 1996 Subaru Impreza auto 4 door hatchback $3500. Phone 79777. 777
SITUATIONS vACANT
COOK ISLANDS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION “Media Oicer” Applicants are invited for the above position. The successful applicant will have the responsibilities of writing football articles to the newspaper on a daily basis which will include football development and technical programmes, courses, match schedules & results, and other related football activities within the cook Islands and the Oceania region. The Media Oicer will also be required to ilm football matches to be screened on television. This person will also be required to provide daily updates on the cIFA website with stories, results, interviews and photographic images of cIFA’s football activities. Ensure accurate information on cIFA’s football activities is circulated to external media agencies and the football family. This person is required to also build and maintain positive relationships with media agencies, i.e. newspaper and television. Send your expressions of interest and CV to Mii Piri, General Secretary, cook Islands Football Association, P.O. Box 29, Rarotonga, or by email cifa@ cisoccer.org.ck or fax 28981. copy of job description is available on request to the General Secretary. Applications close at 4pm Wednesday 15 January 2014.
Netball Cook Islands is seeking applicants for the following positions: 1. coach - National team 2. Assistant coach - National team 3. Manager - National team Applications with CV should be forwarded to: Louis Enoka Chief Executive Netball cook Islands EMAIL ce@netball.co.ck Applications close:4pm, 6 January 2014. 75881 /34726 /2113
Mike Rennie Builders Ltd requires skilled carpenters, ring 20375 for Interview.
SITUATIONS vACANT Breakfast Chefs required for our super busy kitchen at crown Beach Resort & Spa. If you always wake up early, and enjoy cooking hot food for your family in the morning - we need to hear from you! Full training provided on the job. Good pay for good people. Call / text Chef Nazim on 56422 or email chef@crownbeach.com 76102 / /1969
WANTED TO BUY Restaurant Cleaner / Helper Needs to be able to work weekends, 6am to 12midday working hours, Sober habit, Please call Roland under 55077. 76140 / /1759
76055 / /1866
aNSWERS to crossword on page 13
Phone
MACPHERSON, Dr James Ramsay Late of Ashgrove, Brisbane Passed away peacefully - Tuesday 24 December 2013 - Aged 86 Beloved husband of Rangi Loved Father of the late Allen, the late Anita and James Loved Grandfather of Ellie, William, Elizabeth and James Sadly missed by all Funeral Service - 11.00am Friday 3 January 2014 Private cremation.
TUATUA TUMATETENGA Te tumatetenga nei te kopu tangata ite akakite atu e kua takake to matou Metua Tane ko Kaukura Upokotea tei matou ia te kapiki ko Kaukura Ponini i teia popongi ite 10 miniti i pati ite ora toru. Ka raveia tona pureanga a te Maanakai ra 4 o Tianuare ite ora 4 ite aiai. E oti tona tanumanga ki ko ite aua o te katorika i Panama.Ka apai tona kopapa ki roto ite Are Pura o te Katorika i Avarua ite ora toru i mua ake ite pureanga. Te Atua Te Aroa No Tatou Katoatoa.
76138 /34748 /1931
For the sake of your family
BIRTHDAY
GET HELP Call AA - 71744
Akameitaki anga maata ki te au ngutuare, te au metua e te au mapu, no te rima oronga ta kotou i oronga mai ei tauturu i ta tatou imene Xmas e te mataiti ou. Kia akamanuia mai te Atua ia kotou katoatoa i teia mataiti.
ANNIvERSARY Part-time Bar and Wait staf required for our busy restaurants during our Spectacular Over Water Night Shows on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Experience preferred, must be punctual and reliable with great communication and team work skills. Please email your CV to manager@tevaranui.co.ck Or phone Alan 24006/option 2, or call into our main oice at Muri Beach to ill in an Application.
happyWedding anniversary mum & dad!!
(mr & mrs emile John) 4 Jan 2014 Wishing you both the bestonyourspecialday. lots of love emile Jnr & leilene.
76072 / /2512
APPRECIATIONS
SITUATIONS vACANT
Rev. enua Totini snr. 2 february 1935 – 27 december 2013
m
Full time Tutor Vacancies
English Language Teachers Experienced teachers with cambridge cELTS required for a variety of courses being offered locally in the new year. Send application with C/Vs to James - tanemahuta78@hotmail.com
Wooden bookcase. 28889 or 21283.
BEREAvEMENT
TUATUA AKAMEITAKIANGA Tapere Tupapa
75874 /34612 /2371
COOK ISLANDS TERTIARY TRAINING INSTITUTE
76030 / /1796
Kitchen Staf wanted 6 days/week Applicants need to be employable, with a good attitude, turn up on time and be smartly presented. Phone 27460. 76101 / /2202
76129 / /1834
A vacancy exists within the Ministry of Justice for: 1. Finance Manager 2. Prison Oicer Applications for the above vacancies should be addressed to: Secretary (Vacancy) Ministry of Justice PO Box 111 RAROTONGA Or via email to itakaiti@justice. gov.ck Copies of Job Descriptions can be obtained at the Ministry of Justice. Applications close on Monday 13 January 2014 at 4pm.
SITUATIONS vACANT
Due to the expansion of Citti programs, the following tutor positions are required in our hospitality & services and the trades & technology Faculties, to commence in February 2014 through to December 2014. these are full time contract positions, casual work also available –see advertisement. Hospitality & Services Faculty: 1) Hair & Beauty Tutor – Level 1 City & Guilds accreditation (NZQA Level 3 equivalence) 2) Food & Beverage Tutor - Level 1/2 City & Guilds accreditation (NZQA Level 3-5 equivalence) Trades & Technology Faculty: 3) CapS (Certiicate in applied practical Skills – Construction, Automotive & Electrical) Tutor – Level 1/2 NZQA accreditation Applicants will need to have or demonstrate all of the following: • Hold a qualiication in Hospitality or Trades (whichever is applicable) • An adult teaching qualiication or be prepared to work towards one • Delivery and assessment experience • strong administration skills • Must be computer literate • the ability to work with a range of cultures and learning styles • A passion for helping learners Application packs are available from the Ministry at Nikao or the website: www.education.gov.ck Please send completed application forms with CV and references to: Director - human resources Management Ministry of Education P O Box 97 rarotonga Cook islands Ph (682) 29357, fax (682) 28357 or email vacancy@ education.gov.ck Applications close on Monday 6 January 2013. /
ama Terangi, enua Totini Jnr and families wish to express our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to all who lent a comforting shoulder, words of condolences and a helping hand through donation of cash, food, lowers and time that helped lighten our pain as we laid our Papa to rest. We thank the matavera sda, avarua CiCC and the holy spirit Revival Church for your words and songs of encouragement upon Papa’s passing. Thank you to the servants of god who performed Papa’s farewell rituals; President Rev. Tuaine ngametua, Rev. Tereora viniki, Rev. oirua Rasmussen, Rev. Papa aratangi, Rev. soatini Tinirau and Rev. Teremoana uea. Thank you to the Principal of Takamoa Theological College Rev. & mrs iana aitau and your students, the Pukapuka Community and theTeiotu family for assisting as pall bearers. We also thank the following who assisted in the background:
• Mauri Toa • Tia and Mata • George and Elizabeth Nicholas • Akairi Taiki • Maine Teauariki • Kiki Tereora • Tiri Toa • Tu Tutai Purua • Toutika Ioane • Frazer Nooroa, Annie Nicholas and CiTC liquor
• Matavera Boys • Keta Williams and the Muri Meeting house • John Engu and Roaster Hire • Avarua Bakery • James and Tangi Nicholas • Ioteva Kirikava • Tutai Teiotu • Hon. & Mrs Kiriau Turepu, Matavera MP • Hon. & Mrs Atatoa Herman, Ngatangiia mP
furthermore, we take this opportunity to thank various persons and organisations who have assisted over the past years in caring for Papa: • Dr Aung and the hospital staf • Te Vaerua Rehabilitation • Annie Fisher and the Hospital Comforts • Te Are Pa Taunga • Mereana Ngauru and Te Kainga
• Pat Farr and the caregivers; Metua and Nora • Matavera CICC, Ngatangiia CICC, SDA, Jehovah Witness, apostolic, holy spirit Revival and other religious denominations • Family and friends
We have neither silver or gold to repay you for your kindness except share with you the love of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ. may god bless you all.
18
Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
APPRECIATION
Youth sailors receive president’s award
W
e extend today our sincere appreciation to each and every one who visited and consoled us during the sudden passing away of our youngest dearly loved son and brother
teBano nuBono your presence in our home brings comfort through your words of prayer and encouragement. from the bottom of our heart we say ko Rabwa, meitaki maata and Thank you very much. With sincerity we say thank you to: • Bishop Paul Donaghue and• Cluny Sisters the st. Joseph Parish avarua • Daughters of Charity • Avatiu & Ruatonga Oire sisters CiCC • Te Aponga Uira Staf • Arorangi SDA • Red Cross Staf • Hon. Wilkie Rasmussen & • Glassie & George Family family • Avarua Bakery • Mr & Mrs Tapi Taio & • Aunty Mau & family family • USP Staf • Ray Roumanu & Family • Crown Beach Resort Staf • Papa Andrew Turua & • Avis & Pickering Motors family staff • Papa Colin and Mama • Toakarawa & Aana family nikki Rattle in Pukapuka • Avarua School Principal, • Uncle Karika & Aunty Staf and Students mai • Nukutere College Principal • Funji Takeaway & staf and Staf • Friends and those who are • Avatiu Tapere Leaders not mentioned who came • Mr. & Mrs. John Henry alongandsupportourfamily. may god continue to walk with you all and bless you today and the many days to come. matthew 5: 5 “happy are the humble for they will inherit the earth.” from mr. & mrs. nubono Tebano, their children, family and the Rarotonga kiribati Community.
BeTTeR winds for sailing at the Australian laser National championships and a presidents award made for conident sailing for the cook islands sailors at the Australian regatta. Youth sailors Vanic Teina of the Rarotonga Sailing Club and Joshua ioane of the Aitutaki Sailing Club were presented with an award including new long sleeved sailing rash shirts from the Victorian Sailing Club president. The aspiring national sailors are joined at the regatta by New Zealand based sailor Teau McKenzie. Team coach Taua elisa reports back on day four of sailing. January 2 – Today the weather forecast is 15knots gusting 20knots. The two 4.7 boys are very excited today with better wind and both keen to get on the water. Teau is ready for a challenging day on the water! Today the key thing to remember is looking ahead for wind pressure and staying as long as you can in the wind pressure. Laser 4.7 leet (Race 1) – today there is big change in the boys’ racing; they were both very conident at the start line and sailing like champions! Joshua did a very excellent move starting at the pin end of the start line with 20 other boats ighting for the same spot. They both started the race in good positions and sailed really conidently in their tactic plan upwind. it was awesome to see the boys enjoying the racing more and
most of all enjoying themselves out on the water. it was tricky today with the wind swinging a lot so this makes today’s plan staying in the pressure longer around the racing course. Race 2 – Second start of the 4.7 leet and Vanic started at the pin end of the line and Joshua started at the boat end of the line and they both nailed the start really well! The wind was isolating and the leet separated in minutes off the start. Joshua sailed a really fantastic upwind to round the top mark at 13th place, while
his teammate Vanic was not far behind him. The boys really enjoyed this race because it proved that they are just as good as the Aussie top sailors – they can be at the top of the leet. laser Radial Fleet (Race 1) – teau had dificulties at the start and she recovered really well today with her downwind speed. Today she improved so much on her downwind sailing and was gaining a whole lot more people and this is a great feeling! She struggled a little bit on her up wind but just smoked the sailors
around her on the downwind! Race 2 –at the start of this race Teau got in between four boats that got out of control at the start line. She didn’t have a good start, but managed to sail as fast as she could to the top mark then she started to gain on people on the downwind. Her downwind technique today is incredible to watch – she was lying. She enjoyed the whole race because she was able to gain places and sailed a lot better, faster than her irst race. - SCI
new years sPeC i a l s !
youth sailors Joshua Ioane, teau McKenzie and Vanic teina ready to take on the aussies! 14010312
available Till Wednesday 8 JanuaRy
CRazy sPeCia l! Whole
lamb sQ CuT shouldeR
Whole lamb CaRCasses
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$9.00kg aussie beef Ribeye
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19
Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
FLIGHT
FROM
ARRIVES
International Flights
SATuRDAy jANuARy 4 NZ60/47 SYD 5.30AM NZ18 AKL 10.30PM VT33 PPT 2.50PM SuNDAy jANuARy 5 VA163/162 AKL 11.55PM NZ46/45 AKL 4.10PM MoNDAy jAnuARy 6 VA163/162 AKL 11.55PM NZ19 LAX 7.00AM
TO
DEPARTS
AKL LAX PPT
6.40AM 11.59PM 3.50PM
AKL AKL
1.05AM 5.25PM
AKL AKL
1.05AM 8.15AM
air Rarotonga
Flight Times | Voyage details RARO TO ARR SATuRDAy jANuARy 4 0800 AITUTAKI 0850 1030 AITUTAKI 1120 1530 AITUTAKI 1620 1800 AITUTAKI 1850 1100 ATIU 1145 SuNDAy jANuARy 5 1230 1730
Su-Do-Ku
AITUTAKI AITUTAKI
RARO RARO RARO RARO RARO
1000 1230 1730 2000 1250
1340 1840
RARO RARO
1420 1930
Situation: An easterly wind low prevails over Southern Cooks. A moist easterly wind low prevails over Northern Cooks. Forecast to midnight for the Southern Cooks: Fine. Moderate easterly winds. Moderate seas. Further outlook: Fine. For Rarotonga: Fine. Further outlook: Fine. For the Northern Cooks: Few showers. Moderate northeast winds. Moderate seas. Further outlook: some showers.
TO
ARR
LILOA 20 - ETD AUCK 23/12, ETA RARO 05/01/14 TIARE MOANA 19 - ETD AUCK 08/01/14, ETA RARO 19/01/14, ETA AITUTAKI 21/01/14
Shipping LILOA 21 - ETD AUCK 17/01/14, ETA RARO 31/01/14, ETA AITUTAKI 03/02/14
GOT A STORY? text us on
or call us at cook islands News
Instructions
Place the numbers 1 to 9 in the blank squares so that no digit is repeated in each row, each column or each 3 x 3 square.
Place the numbers 1 to 9 in the blank squares so that no digit is repeated in each row, each column or each 3 x 3 square.
Answer to Friday’s puzzle
Answer to Friday’s puzzle
Crossword
by dik browne
by lee falk & sy barry
®
Rarotonga Saturday, January 4, 2014
Forecast Map 2pm Saturday
SaT High 11.59AM 1.05M
4
DEP
Medium
Tides
Issued at 2pm at Rarotonga
-
-
1.3m nE
1.4m SE
Low 05.46AM 0.20M 06.06PM 0.22M
n
Sun High 12.14AM 1.06M 12.49PM 1.05M
5
Low 06.36AM 0.22M 06.57PM 0.23M
27°
Sun, Moon & arapo
E 10kts new Moon Jan 30 11.39aM
First Quarter Jan 7 5.40PM
Full Moon Jan 15 6.53PM
sunshine hours
third Quarter Jan 23 7.19PM
5.5
ARAPO - AMiAMA sat 4 tanu (Planting) tanu i te meika Plant bananas.
Humidity
5
0910 1140 1640 1910 1205
®
Weather Forecast to Midnight
Sun
ARR
Instructions
The PhanTom
4
TO
Su-Do-Ku
Hard
hÄgaR the horrible
SaT
1320 1820
DEP
1.4m SE
tautaI (Fishing) Marie te marama. Kua teitei Po ika. Moon is slow, up high. Fish nights.
Front Key:
Cold
Warm
Occluded
1.3m SE
y
Swell direction and size
Stationary
Outer Islands Weather Outlook Saturday, January 4, 2014
Morning
80%
night
79%
Morning
81%
night
76%
Forecast thanks to Cook Islands Meteorological Service.
SaT
4
Sun
5
Sun rise
6.03AM
Sun Set 7.26PM
Moon rise 9.40AM Moon Set 10.23PM Sun rise
6.03AM
Sun Set 7.26PM
Moon rise 10.40AM Moon Set 11.06PM
Aitutaki
28° E 10kts
Mangaia
27° E 12kts
Mitiaro
27° E 11kts
Atiu
Penrhyn
27° E 11kts
30° NE 12kts
Mauke
27° E 11kts
20
Saturday, January 4, 2014 cook Islands News
Sailing update
tarekareka
SPORt
—PAGE 18
Shark Force wins New Year’s bounce tournament FUN, CHEERS, some sore bones
and a whole lot of sweat were some of the results of a successful New Year’s Bounce Basketball Tournament on Thursday. With a full complement of teams and few disappointed groups that missed the cut, games got underway a little after the scheduled start time. Right from the outset, it was evident that the teams were not just coming along for a fun day out as there was some ierce competition and lots of jostling and committed bodies being put on the line. local team Avalicious 2, led by the experienced Strickland Upu and team elmon, a mix of locals and overseas players got the ball bouncing at the tSa with the major difference at the end being the elmon two pronged attack of Jason and Richelle Topui, 8 and 11 points respectively to close out the game for their team. With the mixed tournament format and some modiied rule changes, games were more evenly contested as the guys would either have to make their perimeter or 3 point shots or pass the ball to give the women the inside drive and lay-up – an area that is usually dominated by the taller males in the sport.
another modiied rule change that ended up having an effect on the players was the actual playing time, as more fouls were being registered later in the day than in the earlier stages of the tournament. Tournament pool play sorted out the top two teams from each pool to play in the cross over semi-inals. First semi saw local team Up and Go play the Warriors, a New Zealand-based side with Auckland Basketball stalwart George Savila. Up and Go literally had too many legs for the Warriors who struggled with the heat and also the loss of a couple of key players who had to return on the late afternoon light. an energised effort from Fano with 10 points and the sharp shooting of Nancy Teulilo 11 points being the difference in their side’s win over the Warriors 31-12. The second semi-final between Shark Force and Elmon was a tighter game, with a ‘tit for tat’ exchange of scores before a inal lurry of baskets from young guns Tama carr 6 points and Scott Cameron 7 points to win out over elmon 27-18. Finals time and game 15 of a non-stop, 10-hour playing day, still managed to produce some spectacular basketball.
team up and Go on the attack against Shark Force.
14010307
With both Up and Go and Shark Force unbeaten in their run to the final, baskets were still dropping and tenacious defense was still being applied. Up and Go hustled with Fano and Jedrick engu, and with clifford Atuatika guiding their team were able to re-haul in the lead after being down by 8 in the inal quarter of the game. Players were brought in off the Sharks’ bench to bolster the effort and through Brendon Heath and Max they were able to give their team a chance by tying up the scores with under a minute and a half to go. energiser man Fano was able to break the deadlock for Up and Go giving them the 27-25 advantage inside the last minute of play. However, with under 10 seconds remaining on the clock, and Up and Go needing to get and retain possession to hold out, Scott Cameron, one of the Sharks’ fortuitous acquisitions for the day slotted a big 3 pointer from about a half a meter outside the arc to steal the game 28-27. cameron also top scored the game with 14 points. Thank you to all teams, players, spectators, tSa management and most importantly the oficials for helping to get basketball off on the right bounce for 2014. - CIBF
tama Carr lines up a basket for winning new year’s basketball bounce tournament team Shark Force. 14010308
team Shark Force was crowned the new year’s basketball bounce tournament champions on thursday.
Everything looks better in colour
14010309
Book your colour advert today. Phone 22999