Wednesday 22 January by Cook Islands News

Te reo o te KUKI AIRANI

$2 Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Asbestos delays classes at Avarua School AvAruA Primary School will open late this year after asbestos was found in the soil and air around the school. The Ministry of Education’s Anthony Turua said the school is likely to have the asbestostainted soil dug up from the school grounds this week, and to accommodate for the work the students will return to class one week later than scheduled, on February 3. The air around Avarua School was tested late last year, and was found to have levels high enough to be in the ‘red’ category where there is a risk of exposure to asbestos. With asbestos removed from

the rooing of schools on the island between seven and twenty years ago, the source of the hazard at Avarua was found to be the soil, with asbestos particles that were mixed with roofing materials washing off the roof with rain as the material around it degraded. Stuart Keer-Keer – a quality and technician manager for New Zealand-based K2 Environmental Ltd, which specialises in air quality testing and advice – said asbestos is only dangerous when it becomes airbourne, but once in the air can remain there for “months”. Asbestos can be released into the air when the soil is dis-

turbed, such as by people walking across it or digging it up, said Keer-Keer, adding that Avarua may have more asbestos in the air because there are large areas of exposed dirt at the school. To rectify the hazard, KeerKeer said the soil needs to be removed or covered up – but added that opting to cover it “leaves a legacy for future generations” who may unwittingly disturb the particles. Anne Taoro, property manager for the Cook Islands Investment Corporation, said the corporation has decided to remove the affected soil at Avarua School before classes resume. The digging is likely to take place next

week, and the soil will be bagged up temporarily while CIIC locates a place for its disposal. Keer-Keer said the removal of the soil will be a “logistically big exercise” that requires more samples to be taken, to ensure all the affected soil is removed. During the removal workers will set up a “red zone” around the school, with everyone inside the zone to wear protective clothing and masks. The air around the zone will also be tested, he said, for the peace of mind of those in the surrounding area. “You need to monitor the air to demonstrate it is contained – and that’s what you’d do in New

Zealand or anywhere else.” Avarua School, one of 11 areas where the air was tested in September and early October by Keer-Keer, was the only area found to have levels high enough to be in the ‘red’ category where there is a risk of exposure to asbestos. Three other areas – Avatea School, the community dental clinic in Tupapa and the Met Office – had asbestos levels in the ‘amber’ category – indicating levels above normal but not high enough to be considered hazardous. Keer-Keer said he will be taking more samples from these “amber” areas and it is possible

the soil in these areas will also need removal. “Avarua School has a lot of students, it’s a high-trafic area, and there’s a lot of exposed dirt. They’re stirring (the soil) up and moving it around,” said Keer-Keer of the reasons Avarua might have more asbestos in the air than other areas. Grass, by comparison, makes it harder for asbestos particles in the soil to be released into the air. However, he said it is best to remove the soil even if the asbestos is currently contained by grass or a lack of foot trafic, to avoid it causing a problem in the future. - Briar Douglas

Owners responsible for their dogs: police COMPLAINTS about stray dogs

in rarotonga should first and foremost be directed at dog owners themselves, say the police. Senior sergeant rebecca Hosking-Ellis, head of the community relations division, said people too often blame police for the number of stray dogs on the island. “Dogs have been a problem in the Cook Islands for a long time. People think the problem is with police but it’s not. It’s with the owners and the people that don’t feed their dogs.” She said the police are responsible for responding to dog attacks but the problem starts much earlier than that, with people not caring for their animals. The Esther Honey Foundation has made it clear to the public that they can take their dogs in for a free spay operation, she said.

“But do these people listen? I don’t think so. Our people and the community have to take the responsibility, not police.” She said owners of dogs that chase people have been warned to tie them up but, again, many do not listen. Halatoa Fua, chief executive of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, expressed concern last week that rarotonga’s reputation is being tainted by reports of tourists being attacked by stray dogs. “When they (tourists) go for walks in the morning they’re getting attacked. It’s now affecting the reputation of rarotonga and it’s something we really need to address.” The police had a dog controller until he retired a few years ago and the problem seems to have increased since then, Fua said. Police commissioner Maara Tetava said since the dog war-

den retired, the responsibility has fallen on vaka constables and the community relations team. “For the past few months, they have visited homes in their vakas to determine the number

of dogs in each home and to establish whether these have been registered.” Tetava said dog owners were advised there should only be two dogs per household and those that had more than two

“were warned to do something about it”. Constables in Puaikura are visiting homes in their vaka again this week, he said. “Stray dogs and unregistered dogs will be captured and may

be destroyed. Owners who continue to breach the law will be prosecuted and the dogs destroyed.” vaka constables in the other vakas will commence their own - BCS campaigns soon.

Mark of respect

Esther Honey ofers a free spay operation but many dog owners have still not taken their animals in. 14012009

Brothers (left to right) Reon, 5, Reeshan, 8, and Ropata Skeen, 13, stopped beachgoers in their tracks as they performed a haka at Muri on Monday. The Kiwi trio did the haka as a mark of respect for the staf at Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruises during their holiday in Rarotonga. Kiwi brothers burst into haka to show respect, page 8. 14012108

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Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

worldNEWS nuti no TEIA NEI AO Man read that he was dead A SwediSh man read his own obituary in a newspaper. Sven-Olof Svensson, 81, was admitted to hospital on Christmas eve because he was feeling “unwell”. while Svensson’s 90-year-old sister was speaking with his doctor on the phone, she was somehow given the impression that her brother actually had died. She prepared an obituary for her brother, which was published in the local newspaper on New Year’s eve, who read it over breakfast in his hospital bed on New Year’s morning.

EU sends in troops european Union to send military into fractured African country

BANGuI – The European union has agreed to send hundreds of troops to the Central African republic in a rare joint military mission aimed at ending months of sectarian violence. Saying Europe was “deeply concerned by the extreme insecurity and instability” in the impoverished nation, Eu foreign ministers gave “political approval” to the rapid deployment of a force expected to number

world BrIEFS EVIDENCE OF TORTURE AND EXECUTIONS SYRIA – There is clear evidence that Syria has systematically tortured and executed about 11,000 detainees since the start of the uprising, a report by three former war crimes prosecutors says. One of the authors told the BBc there was evidence of government involvement. Damascus has denied claims of abuse. The investigators examined thousands of images of dead prisoners reportedly smuggled out of Syria by a defector. The report comes a day before peace talks are due to begin in Switzerland. The Guardian – which along with CNN irst unveiled the report – says the latest claims of torture and executions appear to have been timed to coincide with the conference, in the resort town of Montreux.

MILITARY LAUNCH AIR ATTACK ON TALIBAN PAKISTAN – Pakistani military aircraft have bombed suspected Taliban positions in North Waziristan, following a wave of attacks against security forces. A military oicial said 25 militants had been killed in the air strikes in the tribal area, which borders Afghanistan. On Sunday, 20 Pakistani soldiers were killed in an ambush on an army convoy. The Pakistani Taliban have vowed to step up attacks after their leader was killed in a drone strike. It was not immediately clear if there were civilian casualties. The Pakistani Taliban claimed both attacks, which follow weeks of relative calm since their leader, Hakimullah Mehsud, died in a US drone strike in November. The new leader, Mullah Fazlullah, has vowed to continue attacks against Pakistani forces.

MINISTER’S WIFE OVERDOSED IN HOTEL INDIA – The death of the wife of Indian minister Shashi Tharoor may have been caused by an overdose of drugs, doctors who carried out the autopsy say. Sunanda Pushkar was found in a hotel room in the Indian capital, Delhi, on Friday. The couple became embroiled in a row on Wednesday after Twitter messages suggested he was having an afair. The autopsy also found “injury marks” on Pushkar’s body, but did not say if they were linked to her death. Dr Amit Gupta, spokesperson of Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where the autopsy was conducted, said that the “preliminary report shows there was drug overdose”.

MAID TORTURED BY BOSS IN HONG KONG HONG KONG – Hong Kong police have interviewed an Indonesian maid who was allegedly tortured by her female boss, as the Indonesian president phoned the helper to express his sorrow at the “tragedy”. It came a day after police in Hong Kong arrested a woman accused of abusing the maid, Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, and a second Indonesian helper, as she attempted to board a light to Thailand at the city’s airport. Sulistyaningsih, 23, was reportedly abused over a period of eight months while employed by the woman. Media reports said she was unable to walk due to her injuries when she lew home from Hong Kong this month. The case has renewed concern about the treatment of maids in Hong Kong and follows a spate of domestic helper abuse cases.

between 400 and 600. An Eu-uN donors’ conference in Brussels meanwhile gathered uS$496 million in pledges this year for the country, where almost one million people, or 20 per cent of the population, have been displaced by ighting. As the European foreign ministers discussed what will be the EU’s irst major ground operation in six years, uN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned the country was in “a crisis of epic proportions” and urged the world “to pull CAr back from the brink of further atrocities”. “We face a political and humanitarian emergency in the Central African republic,” said Sweden’s Foreign Minister Carl Bildt. “We clearly need to do something.” The uN’s World Food Program (WFP) said on Monday it was running out of food for a growing number of homeless people, with the spreading unrest hobbling distribution efforts. The WFP said 38 trucks carrying rice were stuck at the Cameroon border with the drivers refusing to cross because of the threat of attacks. “Suspending food distributions could lead to further tension, particularly among the 100,000 displaced people in the overcrowded Bangui airport camp,” the WFP warned. The military mission is to help establish a safe and secure environment around the capital Bangui. It will back up French and African forces and eventually hand over to African or uN peacekeepers after a four- to six-month period. The Eu “bridging force” is likely to be asked to protect Bangui’s airport, where about 120,000 people have led in fear of the inter-communal violence. - AFP

a family take shelter in a church in Boali, some 100km north of Bangui, as ighting continues in the Central african Republic gripped by violence that the un fears could turn into genocide. AFP

Dolphin hunt slated TOKYO – The daughter of uS president John F Kennedy has sparked a diplomatic spat after speaking out against the annual slaughter of dolphins in a secluded Japanese cove. Caroline Kennedy, the uS ambassador to Japan, tweeted her criticism of the annual killings of hundreds of dolphins that turn waterways crimson red with blood. Despite criticism every year, the controversial cull in the

town of Taiji is “lawful”, the Japanese government says. “Deeply concerned by inhumaneness of drive hunt dolphin killing,” Kennedy said in a tweet this week days before the annual cull. uS government opposes drive hunt isheries.” Conservationists say a rare albino dolphin is among the 250 of the animals who have been herded for the slaughter this year. “Babies and mothers will be

torn from each other’s sides as some are taken for captivity, some are killed, and others are driven back out to sea to fend for themselves,” the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said. The Independent says the cull is notoriously brutal, with ishermen herding the dolphins into the cove and attacking them with knives after separating the best-looking dolphins to be sold to aquariums. - The Independent

Corby out on parole soon DENPASAr – Prison authorities

in Indonesia say they are likely to make a inal recommendation on Schapelle Corby’s parole application within weeks. A spokesman for the Indonesian Corrections Department, Ayub Suratman, has conirmed Corby’s case is set to be heard before the end of the month, paving the way for the 36-yearold’s release, more than nine years after she was jailed for drug smuggling.

The hearing would be held behind closed doors in Jakarta, after which a recommendation will be sent to Justice Minister Amir Syamsuddin for inal approval. Syamsuddin has already said publicly he could see no reason why Corby’s parole bid should be rejected, so the hearing looms as the last major obstacle to her release from Kerobokan jail. The convicted drug smuggler has already been issued with a

new passport and has been given written approval from the Indonesian immigration department to be released into the community to serve out her sentence. “As long as she fulils requirements in its regulation and has finished her obligation, and didn’t break any rules, no one can prevent her to get her parole,” Syamsuddin told AAP in October. - AAP

Presidential luncheon

3-YEAR-OLD KILLED IN MAFIA EXECUTION ITALY – A horriic triple murder in southern Italy in an apparent score-settling between rival maia drug gangs has shocked the country, with a chorus of outrage over the youngest victim – a three-year-old boy. The boy, a man believed to be his grandfather and a woman believed to be his 52-year-old grandfather’s Moroccan girlfriend were found in a burnt-out car in an isolated spot in the Calabria region on Sunday. “How can you kill a small human being like this? This goes beyond any limit,” prosecutor Franco Giacomantonio was quoted by Italian media on Monday as saying. “This is something unprecedented, horriic. In many years of work I think this is the most vicious murder I have ever been faced with,” the prosecutor said.

Today’s Daily Bread The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.

Matthew 7:21-29 Read: Read: 2 Chronicles 5:7-14

Text: Matthew 7:26 Text: Verse 13

uS President Barack Obama and his youngest daughter Sasha take part in a community service project, making burritos at a city kitchen for the homeless and poor, in celebration of Martin Luther King Junior day on January 20 in Washington dC. AFP

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

worldNEWS nuti no TEIA NEI AO City mayor given job of saving the nation

The newly elected transitional president of the Central african Republic Catherine Samba-Panza, has pledged to form a government based on skills rather than religion as she seeks to end months of Christian-Muslim bloodshed. AFP

BANGuI – Central African republic leaders have elected their capital city’s female mayor to become interim president and lead the country out of months of sectarian killings, as the European union agreed to send in 500 troops to help restore order. The change in leadership and deepening international involvement in the former French colony follow waves of killing and looting that have forced one million people to lee. The landlocked nation, impoverished for all its mineral reserves, descended into chaos when mainly Muslim rebels, known as Seleka, seized power in March. Abuses by Seleka fighters triggered revenge attacks by Christian militia known as ‘antibalaka’, fuelling unprecedented violence between communities that had lived side-by-side. “I am the president of all Central Africans, without exception,” said Mayor Catherine Samba-Panza, succeeding Seleka leader Michel Djotodia who stepped down as interim president this month under international pressure over his failure to end the bloodshed. “I appeal to my anti-balaka and Seleka children to listen to me and lay down your weapons,” said the Chadian-born politician, who moved to Central African republic when she was 18. - Reuters

Thai capital in state of emergency BANGKOK – The Thai govern-

ment has imposed a 60-day state of emergency in the capital, Bangkok, and the surrounding provinces, from Wednesday, to cope with unrest. The decree gives the government wide-ranging powers to deal with disorder. Anti-government protesters have been blocking parts of the capital to try to force PM Yingluck Shinawatra to resign. They accuse the government of being run by exiled former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, the brother of the current prime minister. Yingluck has refused to resign and has called an election on February 2 to pacify the protesters. The state of emergency was announced after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday and comes after a spate of attacks with explosives and irearms on the antigovernment protesters blockading central Bangkok for which the government and the protesters blame each other.

On Sunday, 28 people were injured when grenades were thrown at one of several protest sites set up at major road sections in the city. “The cabinet decided to invoke the emergency decree to take care of the situation and to enforce the law,” Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said. The emergency decree gives the government power to censor the media, ban public gatherings and detain suspects without charge. Emergency rule is supposed to be administered by the police and the army, but the police have until now been told to avoid any confrontation with the protesters, and military commanders have made it clear they do not want to be drawn into the increasingly bitter conflict between the government and its opponents. Yingluck said the police, not the military, would mainly be used to maintain control under the decree. - BBC

as anti-government protesters continue to attempt to shut down the Thai capital Bangkok, the government has put in place a 60-day state of emergency providing police with wide-ranging powers to deal with civil disorder. AFP

Millions laundered through Vatican rOME – A senior Italian cleric has been charged with laundering millions through the vatican bank, police say. Monsignor Nunzio Scarano is already on trial and under house arrest on separate charges of plotting to smuggle uS$26 million into Italy. The former vatican accountant and two other people were

served with arrest warrants on Tuesday. Last year, Pope Francis set up a commission to review the bank’s activities after a series of scandals. Traditionally the vatican has opposed the right of the Italian judiciary to investigate alleged crimes committed by its oficials on the grounds of diplomatic immunity and privilege.

But under Pope Francis, increased co-operation between the vatican and Italian authorities led to the arrest of Monsignor Scarano last summer. On Tuesday, police seized some 6.5 million euros in bank accounts and real estate, including Monsignor Scarano’s luxury apartment in the southern city of Salerno.

Authorities said the latest charges against the cleric related to “false donations”, which he allegedly recycled from offshore accounts through the vatican bank. Prosecutors allege that Monsignor Scarano got dozens of people to make contributions to a home for the terminally ill in Salerno, and used the money

to pay off a mortgage on one of his properties. Another Catholic priest has also been arrested on charges of laundering and making false statements, oficials say. Monsignor Scarano worked for two decades as a senior accountant in a vatican department known as Apsa – the Administration of the Patrimony

of the Apostolic See. The division manages the vatican’s real estate holdings and stock portfolios. The cleric was suspended from his position last year, after he was accused of conspiring to smuggle millions from Switzerland into Italy with the help of a secret service agent and a inancial broker. - BBC

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

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Deputy PM should ‘step down Samoa’s second-in-command asked to ‘do the right thing’ APIA – The leader of Samoa’s

opposition Tautua Samoa Party, Palusalue Fa’apo II, has reiterated a call for the deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, to stand down while he ights a police charge against him. Palusalue did not discuss the

specifics of the charge against the deputy prime minister, noting that the matter is before the District Court. However, he said Fonotoe should have removed himself from his seat as deputy prime minister for the sake of good

paciic BRIEFS TONGA OFFICIALLY REQUESTS CYCLONE AID TONGA – The Tongan government has oicially requested international help for relief following cyclone Ian. The director of the National Emergency Oice, Leveni Aho, says it has become clear that the lasting impact of the storm is greater than the capacity, expertise and resources of Tonga. He says while it has received aid through donor partners on the ground, it has now made an oicial call for help so that other agencies like the UN can be activated. Aho says it needs international expertise in food, water, sanitation and shelter. “Obviously the capacity here is limited and there’s some areas that we need to cover that we don’t have the local expertise and resources to do that. So that’s why we are now seeking international assistance, to ill up those gaps.”

UN RELIEVED TO BE ASKED TO PROVIDE HELP TONGA – The United Nations says it is pleased to be oicially asked by Tonga to ofer cyclone relief as some immediate needs of the people are not being met ten days after cyclone Ian hit the northern islands of Ha’apai. The UN resident co-ordinator, Osnat Lubrani, says there are gaps in health, sanitation and food security in which action by humanitarian groups is needed. She says in the past week, there was a lack of understanding by some key ministries as to what humanitarian help could achieve. “There was a need for clariication on how humanitarian assistance comes. There was a lot of efort invested in collecting very detailed information rather than putting out the request for assistance so that we could come in earlier.”

LEGALITY OF CURRENCY TO BE TESTED FRENcH POLYNESIA – A court in French Polynesia is to hear the case of the king of the self-styled Pakumotu republic, Athanase Teiri, after police last year arrested him over the possession and distribution of illegal money. Police had seized millions of illegal “patu” at his home and a woman belonging to his group was given a two-month jail sentence for trying to pay for petrol with an illegal 100 patu note. As the territory this week put new Paciic franc notes into circulation, a citizen, Rene Hofer, is challenging their legality, saying the monetary and inancial code for France only lists the euro as its currency. He says the status of the French Paciic territories is not clear. “Are they France or are they not France? If they are France, it is the euro. If they are not France, the French judges have nothing to do with this case.”

SACKING OF JUDGE ‘NOT A GOOD LOOK’ NAURU – A law professor in Auckland says Nauru’s expulsion of a magistrate and barring of its chief judge is a terrible look that needs explanation. Magistrate Peter Law was sacked on Sunday and deported back to Australia while Chief Justice Geofrey Eames’ visa has been withdrawn. Bill Hodge, of Auckland University, says the telltale signs of a good rule of law system is the independence of a country’s judiciary. “It would appear that in this case that not only does the Nauru government not want judges to do their job but also they do not want anyone outside to see that. So it is, in appearance, an absolutely terrible look and I am awaiting some explanation.”

BAINIMARAMA’S CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY? FIJI– Fiji military oicers have been told by their commander and prime minister, commodore Frank Bainimarama, to not be swayed by the lies, deceit and dishonesty of politicians, as he prepares to launch his own political party. FBc reports Bainimarama as telling a commanders parade in Suva that this is the time that dirty politicians will try and inluence Fijians, adding that they will be easily swayed by politicians if they are weak. He said that when the regime released its constitution last year, it was attacked and criticised by politicians. Bainimarama said that the soldiers’ votes may go to waste as the politicians will only “think of themselves and not those who made it possible for them to sit there”.

MEDIA SPINNING OUT REGIME’S MESSAGES FIJI– The co-ordinator of the political group, the United Front for a Democratic Fiji, says the country’s media is still running endless amounts of government spin unquestioned. Mick Beddoes says the story above was run unquestioned with no right of reply by those it criticised as liars, which shows a media bias in favour of the government, which is running a campaign of attacks against the opposition. “Anyone that has any doubt or tends to suggest that we have a free, independent and fair media is fooling themselves. Even the statements that they print, which according to their own decree are supposed to be balanced and fair, and should relect the views of all sides – it’s never done. And we have lots of examples.”

governance, transparency and accountability. “It is best for him to do that while the process is being addressed by the court and also by the police,” said Palusalue. At the beginning of the week, Fonotoe told the media he would not step down and vowed to ight the charge against him. In illustrating his point as to why he would not step down, the deputy prime minister used examples of other ministers and members of parliament who carried out their duties while facing court. “In my Samoan version of my press statement I referred to previous members of parliament who were charged last year,” Fo-

‘This is the second highest position in our government, so he should do the right thing.’ notoe told the Samoa Observer. “One is awaiting the result, the outcome of his court case, so I don’t wish to say anything further. “But none of those members have stepped down or resigned. “Even in the previous parliamentary term there was also a cabinet minister who was charged before the court and I

believe he pleaded guilty, I could be wrong, but he was ined. “But he still maintained his ministerial portfolio right throughout. He did not step down.” Palusalue countered these examples saying you cannot compare the deputy prime ministe to an ordinary member of parliament facing charges in the same situation. “This is the second highest position in our government, so he should do the right thing,” he said. “We are not saying for him to resign as a member of parliament no, that is not what we are saying. “But just for him to step down while there are court proceed-

ings. If he is cleared then he can always go back to his position.” On Tuesday, Fonotoe and Associate Minister Muagututagata Peter Ah Him pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Fonotoe, of vaoala, is accused of inciting or encouraging the obstruction of a police oficer from executing his duty. Muagututagata, of Leiiii, is accused of making an illegal uturn and wilfully obstructing a Police oficer from executing his duty. Both cabinet ministers are charged in relation to an incident on Beach road last year where the associate minister was unsuccessfully breathtested for alcohol. - Samoa Observer

Just a ‘bunch of Pharisees’ APIA – Samoa’s prime minister,

Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has taken the defence of his troubled deputy prime minister to a Biblical level. Tuilaepa has rejected a call from the opposition party for his deputy, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, to step down over an alleged incident involving police oficers last year and the now famous late-night breathlayzer incident on Apia’s Beach road. He described the people making the call to sack his deputy as a “bunch of Pharisees,” saying they were “full of unrighteous behaviour.” referring to the Biblical story of a sinful woman whom the Pharisees wanted to have stoned to death, Tuilaepa said: “You know why that ruling from the Bible is wonderful? “Because all these people who are screaming to kill the deputy prime minister, if you go and investigate them, then you’ll ind that they are full of unrighteous behaviour.” The prime minister did not

‘That’s why I’m saying, such a decision cannot be made especially against people whom the workers of God say were divinely appointed.’ elaborate on what “unrighteous behaviour” he was referring to. The call for Fonotoe to step down was irst made by the leader of the Tautua Samoa Party, Palusalue Fa’apo II, last week. It follows the charges filed against Fonotoe and the associate minister of education, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, over an incident involving police oficers on duty last year. For the sake of accountability, transparency and good governance, Palusalue said Fonotoe

should step down the position of deputy Prime Minister. However, Prime Minister Tuilaepa strongly disagrees. “Leave it to God to make a decision,” Tuilaepa said. Asked to explain, he said: “The first thing is that an appointment like that – according to church leaders who interpret the Bible – is a divine appointment. Perhaps the people who came up with these conclusions and such a recommendation want to be like God.” Tuilaepa said the police have filed charges against Fonotoe and Muagututagata. “If a matter has been taken to court, then we should be patient to await a court ruling, then we will see if it’s appropriate.” Tuilaepa then reminded local media about a “court hearing” in the Bible he described as the “mother of all cases”. “I’m talking about that hearing where the Pharisees told Jesus that he should make a decision to put that woman to death. “But what did Jesus say?

“He said ‘to all of you, if you know that there is one person among you who is clean, then come and carry out your recommendation for this woman to be put to death. “Now, do you know what happened?” Tuilaepa asked. Answering himself, he said: “The woman lived because they were all sinners.” The Prime Minister said Jesus Christ’s decision was such a “beautiful ruling”. “That’s why I’m saying, such a decision (to ask them to step down) cannot be made especially against people whom the workers of God say were divinely appointed.” Deputy prime miniser Fonotoe has also personally rejected the call for him to step down while facing a police charge. Said Fonotoe: “It wouldn’t warrant stepping down at this time. I believe the nature of the charges are minor compared to other serious charges, criminal charges in existence.” - Samoa Observer

Charges possible after fatal crash APIA – Police in Samoa are con-

tinuing their investigation into the road accident at Ti’avea-uta that claimed the lives of at least three people at the start of this month. Acting Police Commissioner Misa Tala’imanu Keti said it was possible the driver, Iakopo Peteru, would be charged with careless driving. However, police were looking at all the factors that could have contributed to the crash, he said. “It was 3.30am,” Misa said. “It wasn’t possible for him to see that the ford had collapsed until the vehicle fell in.” The accident resulted in the

deaths of two people including the driver’s three-year-old son and his 37-year-old male cousin. His parents, both in their 60s were missing after being swept away by strong currents. An extensive search in heavy rains and bad weather carried on for a week. The body of Peteru’s father was found on Namu’a Island by tourists the same day the search was inally called off. Two others, his female cousin 29 and his brother, 22 were hospitalised for severe injuries from the accident. Peteru sustained a cut on one of his legs and was also admitted

The wreck of the car that crashed into a washed out culvert in Samoa killing at least three people. One person is still missing. SAO to hospital. He was released a day after the accident. “We haven’t finalised any charge yet because we have to

consider everything and that is why there is a delay in this area,” said ACP Misa. - Samoa Observer

Aussie ‘visas-on-arrival’ scrapped POrT MOrESBY – The office

of Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has conirmed that the government has banned the arrangement for issuing of visas on arrival for Australians coming to Port Moresby. The newspaper, The Nation-

al, reports that the National Executive Council reached the decision at a recent meeting. The NEC decided that the ban would only be lifted if Australia agreed to allow PNG citizens a similar visa-on-arrival arrangement when travelling there. For many months, the gov-

ernment has been urging Australia to reciprocate the arrangement given to its citizens coming to PNG. An oficial in the Prime Minister’s Ofice says the ban is expected to take effect when the Chief of Immigration signs it. He says it would mean that

Australian passport holders would have to obtain a visa before arriving in Port Moresby. But the ban does not apply to Australians travelling to other PNG ports by ship. They would still be given visas on arrival. - RNZI

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

regionalNEWS nuti no TE PA ENuA

Discord in Melanesian bloc west Papuans says visit by MSG leaders ‘hijacked’ by indonesia POrT VILA – A group of Paciic

Island nations has agreed not to interfere in Indonesia’s administration of West Papua, despite earlier pledging their support for the West Papuan independence push. But a member of the vanuatu parliament has accused the Indonesian government of “hijacking” a visit by a delegation of Paciic Island foreign ministers to the troubled Indonesian province last week. representatives of regional power bloc the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), including foreign ministers from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the

Solomon Islands, visited West Papua last week to assess an application by a West Papuan pro-independence group to join the MSG. vanuatu pulled out of the delegation at the last minute, saying Indonesia blocked the group from meeting with indigenous West Papuans. vanuatu’s special envoy for decolonisation, Joe Natuman MP, told Guardian Australia: “When we received the programme last Friday we realised the visit meant we would only talk with the Indonesians and do business with the Indonesians, it had nothing to do with

West Papua.” “We decided we are not going to take part in this exercise once we realised that the programme and visit had been hijacked by the Indonesian government,” he said. The trip was supposed to involve meetings with West Papuan leaders, human rights groups and civil society, Natuman said. He told Guardian Australia the carefully stage-managed visit was part of a campaign by Indonesia to discourage Paciic island leaders from allowing West Papua to join the MSG – a move sought by the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation that would bring the province one step closer to independence from Indonesia.

In June last year, MSG leaders at the leaders’ summit in Noumea, New Caledonia, passed a motion in support of West Papuan self-determination. But in a meeting with the Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in Jakarta on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Fiji, PNG and the Solomon Islands signed a pledge of “non-interference” in Indonesia’s “internal affairs”. The joint statement committed the parties to supporting each other’s “sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity”, and pledged greater trade and development co-operation between Indonesia and the MSG countries. vanuatu’s foreign minister, Edward Natapei, told radio Australia on Thursday that it was now unlikely the West Papuan group would obtain full membership of the MSG. “Considering that the three other leaders of MSG have been in Indonesia and they have entered into some agreements with the government of Indonesia, I believe it’s going to be a lot more dificult this time to try and push this agenda forward,” he said.

He said vanuatu would continue to advocate on West Papua’s behalf. Natuman said Indonesia regularly offered development assistance to Paciic countries to buy political support. “I think they expect that when they are helping us we will turn a blind eye to what’s happening in West Papua,” he said. vanuatu would not sign the agreement because “West Papua is a different country from Indonesia”, he said. In Jayapura, local activists say the Indonesian military and police blocked them from meeting with the delegation when it arrived in the West Papuan capital last Monday. Dozens of people were arrested and an elderly woman manhandled by police when West Papuans gathered in the streets to protest against their exclusion from the meeting, student leader Markus Haluk told Guardian Australia. Haluk said West Papuans had prepared flowers, music and dancing to welcome the MSG delegation, but the group was secreted in under armed guard. “We carried banners saying things like ‘Welcome MSG del-

egation’, ‘We the Papuan community request political sovereignty and independence’. “The police ordered for us to stop as we didn’t have a letter of authorisation to hold a rally,” said Haluk, who was detained by police but later released. Local media reported that police said the protest was dispersed on the grounds that the protesters did not have a permit to demonstrate. West Papuan police could not be reached for further comment on their handling of the delegation’s visit and the protests. Haluk said West Papuans were very disappointed that Indonesia had conducted the visit “in secret”. “We urge the member states of the MSG to return to the recommendation of summit in Noumea on 21 June 2013,” he said. “That decision stated that the MSG supported the right to self-determination of West Papua and were concerned at the human rights violations occurring in West Papua. “We’d like to say to the MSG member states – don’t be fooled by the trickery tactics of the Indonesian government.” - Islands Business

Log ship abandoned MAJurO – There are few fresh

The Melanesian Spearhead Group’s campaign to have West Papua included in the Melanesia political bloc has gone of the rails with it’s leaders, with the exception of Vanuatu, signing a pledge of non-interference in indonesia’s internal afairs.

Special meeting called NOuMEA – The director general of the Melanesian Spearhead Group has conirmed a special Leaders meeting will be held in vanuatu next month. Peter Forau says the agenda is still being consulted on but it will address issues of importance to MSG co-operation, notably the West Papua issue. The MSG Chairperson victor Tutugoro, who is also spokesperson of New Caledonia’s in-

digenous FLNKS movement, is calling for the meeting, just days after a controversial MSG mission to Indonesia and Papua. Foreign ministers from Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Solomon Islands took part in a delegation last week, which was meant to learn more about the bid by the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation to become a member of the MSG. Instead the group signed an

agreement not to interfere with Indonesia’s internal politics. The group was unable to meet with any representatives of West Papua’s indigenous independence movement. vanuatu’s foreign minister, Edward Natapei, pulled out because the itinerary did not include meetings with groups concerned about alleged human rights abuses in West Papua. - RNZI/PNC

reports to update the situation of a log ship which was abandoned in the Western pacific near Guam last weekend. The Coast Guard received a report of looding on board the 172-metre ship rich Forest on Sunday morning. Two Coast Guard vessels, Assateague and Sequoia, took 18 hours to get to the ship some 720km west of Guam. The Coast Guard identified and alerted four merchant vessels to provide assistance under the Automated Mutual Assistance vessel rescue System by which merchant ships volunteer to provide assistance to people in distress at sea all around the world. The Coast Guard says shortly after 1pm on Sunday the 24

The exact fate of the log ship Rich Forest, formerly Fu Wang, is not clear but is thought to be drifting and partly submerged. crew members of the rich Forest abandoned ship. About three hours later, AMvEr vessel CS Sunshine rescued the survivors from the life rafts. Once the Assateague arrived on scene, the crew of the rich Forest were be taken aboard and the CS Sunshine continued on to its next port of call in Japan. The future of the drifting

cargo ship is not clear, the vessel is powerless and adrift. The Coast Guard is taking the necessary measures to warn all mariners and ships in the area for the location and the condition of the adrift vessel. Mariners have been asked to report the location of the drifting vessel if they come across it. - PNC/sources

Challenges as Tonga heads into election year There are big challenges ahead for Tonga’s government as the nation prepares for elections this year. Matangi Tonga editor Pesi Fonua looks at the issues the More-democratically-elected Government Party (Mde) government must embrace while also dealing with problems inside its ranks. NuKu’ALOFA – 2014 started off with a bang for Tonga. On January 6 Prime Minister Lord Tu‘ivakano sacked his Minister of Finance, Lisiate ‘Akolo over a disagreement on how to fund a ive per cent salary rise for public servants. Five days later on January 11, Cyclone Ian struck a devastating blow on the northern islands of Ha’apai, inlicting damage that

is running into multi-millions of pa’anga. The impact on the Tongan economy of the cyclone and the salary rise for civil servants at this point of time is a matter of great concern. Tonga’s More-Democratically-Elected Government (MDE) has been struggling during the past three years to cope with the national foreign debt and to balance the national budget without cutting back on its expenses or increasing its revenue. Tonga’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) growth is expected to drop below its current ignominious 1.3 per cent percent unless there is a signiicant increase in remittances and tourism earnings. Eleven months from now, in November, Tongans will go to

the polls to elect new members of parliament. As Tongans are preparing to pick their teams to find solutions to Tonga’s many problems, it is important to look at some of the immediate challenges that are confronting Tonga. - 44% COLA The 44 per cent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of the salaries of civil servants that was initially proposed by the Public Service Commission may be viewed as a measurement of the decline in Tonga’s standard of living since the last COLA in 2009. The value of the Tongan pa’anga is continuing its current decline. - Cabinet reshufles The continued reshufling of the cabinet ministers during the

past three years rolls on – even to the point of recruiting ministers from the so-called opposition. The latest new minister ‘Aisake Eke, is not a member of the socalled party – in fact, he has been very much part of the opposition in the House. The rapidly revolving door to Cabinet proves that the new system of government does not provide Tonga with a pool of capable candidates for cabinet minister selection. - Medical costs Tongan taxpayers carry the burden of the medical bills for cabinet ministers. It is alarming to know that cabinet ministers, civil servants and members of parliament do not have medical insurance. - unemployment There is a clear absence of

industries that might employ many people, and boost exports to bring in foreign earnings. There is a lack of technical skills in Tonga to maintain a reasonable standard of living. - Obstacles to investment The taxation liabilities on new investments, and also the taxation liabilities on injections of donor aid funds for private sector projects, continue to be obstacles to growth for local businesses, which are surviving in a declining economy. - reduced spending in local economy The impact of the well-intentioned new National retirements Beneits Fund has taken millions out of the spending power of wage-earners and put it into bank deposits. When commercial banks cannot lend

locally their investments, surely, must be placed overseas where our savings will help to drive the turnover in other economies – not ours. - Agricultural exports It remains a challenge to boost exports particularly of Tonga’s abundant agricultural products to our island neighbours Fiji, Samoa, Niue and the Cook Islands. - vava‘u and Ha‘apai tourism setbacks Outer islands tourism has suffered serious setbacks from political posturing over domestic airlines, even before Cyclone Ian blew in. The challenge now is for the voters to ind a new MDE government that can effectively lead Tonga under the current electoral system. - MT

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

LETTErS reta

Water should be free to public Dear Editor, I think it is fair to have an expectation that a government, which collects taxes to manage society, is able to distribute a common resource, in this case water, without charging for that service. Despite the rhetoric, the core of the Te Mato vai project is about the establishment of a user pays system, in other words, the commercialisation of our water resources. Call it distribution or whatever you like, charging to supply users of water, be it commercial or private. I believe this is against the

fundamental nature of our society, one where many live in a subsistence manner. I believe water should remain a collective resource, that government distributes it free of charge, paid for from the general budget, to every household able to connect. If abuse of water use is a problem, there are other ways to deal with it, without establishing a user pays system. The New Zealand government and Asian Development Bank (ADB) should not be using an aid for policy approach to instigate social engineering. If a new ring main is necessary,

and we have already committed It may be a concessional loan, but we are still rethe Chinese to do ‘I would rather see quired to pay for this work, then it. And we should so be it. If the esthe outer islands therefore expect timates of water supported with the lost through the type of water stations to receive good value for what we aging system are rarotonga currently spend. correct, then fixhas for providing regarding the ing this alone may potable water, than intake upgrades end rarotonga’s spend millions so and treatment, water problems. I can lush treated let’s see how the I only hope water down the new ring main that in regard to toilet or wash my changes the systhe Chinese loan clothes with it, all tem, and go from and contract, we there. the while paying are getting equal We do not need value for money, for the pleasure.’ to commit adas if it were a competitive tender for the works. ditional monies to treatment,

especially when the proposals in place have huge establishment and ongoing costs, and are not supported by virtually every sector. Throughout the Te Mato vai project I have not heard a mention of the outer islands. This project as it is designed does more to distance the gap between the outer island communities and those of rarotonga than any other, effectively stating that while the biggest infrastructure programme in the Cook Islands history is required for rarotonga, it is not a national priority to provide the same service to the rest of the

nation. I would rather see the outer islands supported with the type of water stations rarotonga currently has for providing potable water, than spend millions so I can flush treated water down the toilet or wash my clothes with it, all the while paying for the pleasure. This project was designed by aid donors and loan agencies (ADB, China) and not by the people that it will affect. We need to be heard now, otherwise we will be saddled with a system we can’t afford to run, that we never needed in the irst place. Stephen Lyon Ngatangiia / Titikaveka

‘Too many public servants’ Dear Editor, My grandfather, Patu uritaua, was an early supporter of Albert Henry and the new Cook Islands Party in the 1960s. I grew up respecting the efforts of that early group to push for self-government and then to establish our own government. Now, nearly 50 years later, I look at our present government with embarrassment, shame and disappointment. A single government is not to blame for everything that has or hasn’t happened over 50 years, but the government is the irst to say that, by way of excusing a performance that would humiliate a small town council, let alone a national government. Their announcements today are phrased as “we’re working on it, so wait until next year (or

the year after that) and you’ll see.” Meanwhile, nothing gets done except empty boasts, more talk, useless reviews and travel to yet more useless meetings in foreign countries. The problems begin with our constitution; the populations of the islands since the constitution was passed in 1965 have changed. The 2011 government census report conceals the true tiny populations of each of the outer islands by grouping them as “southern” and “northern.” Everyone knows that the outer island seats in parliament now represent tiny clusters of voters. As a group, those tiny clusters and their elected members control parliament. Everyone knows too that the main population (74 per cent) and almost the whole economy of the Cook

Islands are here on raroton- decline, the number of electorga. About 1000 people (6 per ates in other southern islands cent) live in the whole north- should be reduced so that all ern group, and about 3000 (20 electorates in the country have per cent) in the other southern roughly the same number. What happens with this group islands. rarotonga elecimbalance? An torates each have example; because many hundreds of ‘So-called voters. On Mangaia investigations and our Prime Minisand rakahanga, inquiries are made ter represents the 180 odd people the seats have deliberately longon Manihiki and about 25-45 voters. running in the wa n t s t o b e r e It’s time the govhope people forget elected in Novemernment faced realor lose interest. ber, large sums of ity and changed the way in which outer Nobody is brought our tax money (not to account.’ foreign aid money) islands are repreare being spent on sented. The best example is the oldest – Palmer- developing a second basic port ston is linked to Avatiu. There there. They already have one. is no reason why the tiny popu- The populations in the north lations in the northern islands are so small, shipping is rare could not also be represented and the new harbour will be by electorates in rarotonga. Be- hardly ever used, except this cause of the same population year – election year – when

Cook Islands News Building 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

solar power panels paid for by foreign taxpayers will be delivered and installed on several northern islands, including Manihiki and rakahanga, with about 70 people, and another CIP seat. Our home power bill is about $300 a month. The northern group islands will soon get almost free power to add to free Sky Tv and new free freezers. This mentality spills over into the public service. Are there any public servants who don’t have a government car? We have too many chiefs and not enough Indians. About 60 per cent of the government’s funds go to pay our 1700 public servants. Blatantly using public money for election purposes and the serial absences for travel and otherwise, represent just two examples of a pervasive and corroding corruption of public life in the Cook Islands. The government’s book of rules on tendering is sidestepped, ignored, and manipulated to produce contracts for those in a position to inluence the outcome. Conlicts of interest are put aside quite openly by the Tourism Corporation board, Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning, Business Trade Investment Board and Ministry of Marine resources to produce a favourable result for those involved, whether ministers, members of parliament, public servants, or their friends. I say ‘corroding’ because the temptation for everyone who hears the stories and knows it goes on, is to join in, or try to. Beginning as it does at the top, corruption migrates downwards. “If it’s okay for Minister X, or Secretary Y (particularly as he got away with it) it’s OK for me.” So-called investigations and inquiries are made deliberately long-running in the hope people forget or lose

interest. Nobody is brought to account. Those in a position to tell the truth are ignored or, in the case of the certain news organisations, bought off with fat advertising contracts. And so it goes on and can only get worse, with the bad driving out the good. Faced with what we all know, and given that it’s election year, the opposition should be in full light, but they’re not. Is ignoring self-interest part of their wardrobe too? After three years of false boasts about economic progress, endless travel by the Prime Minister and corrupt contracting, the mindless waste of public funds has to be addressed. Are we to be swamped by debt as in the mid1990s? With the Chinese water loan, our national debt will be about $100 million. How do 12,000 people pay that much back? The answer surely is that we can’t. A country with our population should be simple to govern and administer, if government concentrated on the things that matter to Cook Islanders. Chasing after foreign aid money has turned this government into a group of shameless begging bowl dependants. We have a phone book full of government services and facilities, but very little substance behind it. In the end, and at the top, the Prime Minister and his cabinet must take responsibility for the loss to our society of the virtues and moral code I grew up with. But as we know after three years of his style of leadership, he can be relied on to ignore comments like these, or have his propaganda man iercely attack me if he thinks voters might be thinking along the same lines. In my humble opinion, they should be. Mata-Atua McNair Muri

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

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

Public questions costs of water project THE PuBLIC had the chance to voice concerns about a major water infrastructure project in rarotonga, in a meeting in vaka Puaikura this week. Held in Arorongi’s Aroa Nui Hall, roughly 100 people attended the consultation on Monday – the irst of three public meetings on Te Mato vai held

across rarotonga – and was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Teariki Heather. The public brought forth a number of issues, including the likelihood of water usage fees, the ability of the country to afford the project, what the annual operational costs would

be upon conclusion of construction, and whether the project was too broad in scope. regarding water usage fees, oficials said citizens are already paying for water through funds generated through the tax base and are being appropriated annually through the budget. Project manager Latu Kupa

from KEW Consult Limited – the company managing the Te Mato vai project – said this year’s budget allocation for water supply management is roughly $740,000, with the same amount slated for the 2014-15 iscal year. Additionally, it was said at the meeting there would be

no introduction of usage fees for five years for households, with commercial users given a three-year grace period before the implementation of charges. After those time periods, a certain amount of ‘free water’ would be allocated, with costs added for additional usage. Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) secretary richard Neves defended the introduction of user fees, saying charging for water will be more equitable and force those who overuse water resources to pay for the new infrastructure. “You can’t have the taxpayer paying it all back,” he said. rarotonga resident Hugh Baker explained why fixing the rings mains, at a cost of $23 million and to be paid through a

Chinese loan, wouldn’t be suficient to alleviate the island’s supply problems, while suggesting a more incremental approach in implementing all the goals of TMv. In response, oficials said additional leaks exist in the trunk mains connecting to the ring mains, and by combining replacement of pipes along with additional storage, treatment, and intake overhauls, the supply of water would improve considerably. Yesterday evening, residents in vaka Te-Au-O-Tonga had their turn to question oficials, with a final public consultation being held tonight for vaka Takitumu, beginning at 6pm at Titikaveka CICC Sunday School Hall. - Emmanuel Samoglou

BIRThDAy

Roughly 100 hundred people gathered on Monday to attend the public consultation held in arorangi’s aroa nui Hall. 14012104

TMV too expensive, says a consultation attendee A MEMBEr of the public who

attended the recent consultation meeting on Te Mato vai in vaka Puaikura said he doesn’t think the country can afford the price tag of the unprecedented infrastructure project. “It’s a lot of money,” said Charlie Strickland, one of roughly 100 attendees at the consultation. Project officials have stated the cost of Te Mato vai (TMv) could come in as high as $72.1m, however, Deputy

Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Teariki Heather said he’s not interested in “gold plated” options, and wants to see the project delivered at a cost of $60m. Cost has become a prominent theme in the consultations, being brought up by traditional leaders, landowners, and members of the public. reflecting on the dollar figures loated during the meeting, Strickland – a former aircraft engineer – said he believed cheaper

options are available to improve rarotonga’s water supply. Forty years ago, Strickland built a house in Arorangi with an underground water tank with a capacity of roughly 800 gallons. “I have never run out of water,” he said. Additionally, he said his daughter and her partner built a house in the hillside above Arorangi roughly a decade ago, and collect water from their roof which is stored in a water tank.

Like himself, he said they never run out of water. All around the island, Strickland said there are many opportunities for rainwater harvesting, including rarotonga’s hospital. “They should be collecting water off those roofs,” he said. “They’re doing the right thing, so people understand,” said Strickland of the consultation, adding he thought the presenters had done a good job. - Emmanuel Samoglou

From the CI News team PUBLIC NOTICE

As of Monday 20 January our oice opens from 7:30am to 2:30pm daily for enrolments, stationary lists and general inquiries. Ring Liz or Simon on 23509 or email teukiou@oyster.net.ck We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday 27 January.

“Akara Ki Mua – Learning for Tomorrow” - together at Apii Te Uki Ou.

BEREAVEMENT

Charlie Strickland, a recent attendee at one of the Te Mato Vai public consultations, says there are cheaper options available to improve Rarotonga’s water supply, such as collecting rainwater. 13112127

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

Crewofthemoment!

Tara ‘Captain Trouble’ Tairea (lying down centre) is the man of the moment after saving a passenger’s life during a cruise last Friday. 14012023

Captain Tama’s veteran proud of rescue A vETErAN member of Captain

Tama’s Lagoon Cruises says he is proud of the way his team handled the near-drowning of an elderly passenger last week. Tara ‘Captain Trouble’ Tairea, who has been on staff for 10 years, was instrumental in saving the 75-year-old Chinese woman’s life on Friday. The woman was snorkelling

with family members during a Tama’s cruise to Fruits of rarotonga when she had a mild heart attack. Her daughter started yelling, prompting one of the staff members to swim over and pull the woman’s body back on board. Tairea, who is experienced in First Aid, said the woman had stopped breathing but still had

a faint pulse. “Her whole face was turning black,” he said. He started performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPr) but only managed 15 compressions before she started coughing up water. “I stopped and put her in recovery position and she coughed up more water and

started breathing.” During this time, other staff members were trying to keep the woman’s seven family members back, calm down other passengers and communicate with emergency services. “I’m actually quite proud of all of us. All the crew knew what to do and it was good to see they didn’t panic. I don’t think I could

have done it without the help of the rest of the staff.” There was also a Kiwi nurse on board who measured the woman’s pulse and looked after her. Tairea said most of the crew know First Aid because Captain Tama Tuavera puts them through the necessary training. “I’ve had mine now for about four years but I do the refresher

courses.” An ambulance met the boat on shore and the elderly woman is reported to have made a full recovery. Tairea said he was thrilled to be able to help out in such a terrifying moment for the family. “I felt really happy afterwards. I’m just glad I still remember - BCS how to do CPr.”

Kiwi brothers burst into haka to show respect STAFF of Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruises were honoured on Monday when three young Kiwi boys performed an impromptu haka on the beach as a mark of respect. Brothers ropata, 13, reeshan, 8, and reon Skeen, 5, are from Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty and are holidaying in rarotonga with their mother and grandmother. After coming ashore from a

Captain Tama’s cruise outing on Monday, the boys turned around and laid down an emotionally-charged haka. “It’s a mark of respect. It’s their way of saying thank you. It’s a normal practice for them in New Zealand,” said mother Amy. The boys were in the country last October and were supposed to go on Captain Tama’s but a family member fell ill and

ended up in hospital. Now back in the country, Amy said the cruise was a big part of the family holiday. The boys simply expressed their gratitude in the best way they knew how, she said. Beachgoers and other passengers looked on at the powerful scene with smiles on their faces. - Ben Chapman-Smith

3 simple ways you can help your child learn better 1. Model being on time. They need to get to school on time every school day, all year. Set high standards for this by being on time yourself for work and appointments.

Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruises staf look on as the boys say their thanks with a new Zealand Maori haka. 14012110

2. Make home a safe place.

Children learn best when they know they are loved and secure.

3.Make sure they have a quiet place to do homework. It’s hard to concentrate on homework with the TV on.

It’s all free and you are the key!

Mother amy Skeen watches on with tears in her eyes as her sons perform the haka on Monday. 14012118

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

Rescue shows value of irst aid training THE rESCuE of a dying elderly woman last week shows why tourism operators should put their staff through irst aid training, says the Cook Islands Water Safety Council. A crew member on board Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruises successfully performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPr) on a woman after she had a heart attack in the water on Friday. Hero of the moment, Tara Tairea, said he and other staff members knew what to do because their boss ‘Captain’ Tama Tuavera had put them through irst aid training. Shannon Saunders, deputy chair of the Water Safety Council (CIWSCI), praised Captain Tama and his crew for their excellent response to the situation. “This lady can thank the quick thinking and actions of the Captain Tama’s crew. Tama should be proud of his crew and of himself

for putting his staff through the training. I have seen evidence of other incidences where these boys have applied first aid in a very professional manner. It is great to see.” She said other tourism operators and resort owners should think seriously about putting their employees through first aid training too. The red Cross runs courses and people should be taking advantage of them, she said. “We’re really lucky we have people here on the island who do that training.” She also encouraged more businesses to buy a deibrillator, a $3000 piece of equipment which is used during emergencies to deliver a dose of electrical energy to the heart. Although there are a number on the island – including at Sails restaurant, Avarua Wharf, and Lagoon resort – the more the bet-

ter, Saunders said. “The less time it takes to get one to someone the more chance they have of survival.”

The woman who nearly died on Friday was 75-years-old but Saunders said everybody – not just elderly people – needs to

13012302

Stiff competition in marine park comp products, printing materials, clothing, media, websites and any other opportunities to promote the park. At the current stage of its development, the park will encompass over one million square kilometres of the south-

that we haven’t done before, like driving a scooter. It’s the same in the water, just know your limits.” - BCS

Cook islands Canoeing association president Fletcher Melvin, Water Safety Council’s Brent Fisher and former High Commissioner John Carter with a new deibrillator placed beside the avarua Wharf early last year.

The Cook islands Water Safety Council’s Brent Fisher and Shannon Saunders with life-saving equipment installed at the police station last year.

Crew members of Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruises put their irst aid training into use to save a customer’s life on Friday. PHOTO TOURISMCOOKISLANDS.COM 14012125

THE COMPETITION to provide the Cook Islands Marine Park with a uniquely local name has come to a close, with some great entries to be assessed by the judges. Launched by Prime Minister Henry Puna in early December, $250 is up for grabs and is open to everyone currently residing in the Cook Islands and all Cook Islanders living abroad. The competition closed on Friday afternoon with 135 entries, including a mixture of names in Cook Islands Maori and English, with “... some long some not so long”, according to Marine Park communications co-ordinator Jaewynn McKay. “I’m happy not to be the judge as there are so many worthy entries and it is obvious a lot of thought went into some of them,” she said. The Prime Minister, in consultation with cabinet and House of Ariki President Travel Tou Ariki, will be choosing the winning name within the next “10 or so” days, said McKay. Last year, Mauke resident June Hosking took home $500 in a similar contest when she produced the winning logo for the park. Officials say the winning name and logo will be used on

know their limits in the water. “Everyone has different abilities and skills and sometimes we do things, especially as tourists,

ern Cook Islands’ exclusive economic zone, making it one of the largest in the world. Officials hope to have the park fully legislated and zoned by the end of 2015. - Emmanuel Samoglou

Marine park researcher dr Teina Rongo holding up a Taramea – a Crown of Thorns starish - that feeds on coral in the lagoon. This type of ongoing research is contributing to the development of the 1 million square kilometre marine park. PHOTO TE IPUKAREA SOCIETY 13090502

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June Hosking with the bones of her design that started her quest to perfecting her winning logo for the Cook islands Marine Park in a prior competition. 13092734

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

Locals pick up high-tech gifts FIvE lucky locals received a new high-tech toy as part of a high-speed internet promotion yesterday. Telecom recently held the competition, where people were asked to write in describing how high-speed internet will change their life. Internet provider O3b will soon be switching on its new global satellite internet service and the Cook Islands will be the irst in the world to receive it. The company has four satellites in orbit and has recently allowed Telecom to offer a trial of the service to some customers in the Cooks, but O3b is waiting to send up another four before it can oficially hit go. The five winners – ronnie Si’ulepa, Nadia George, Inano McMurchy, Luana BosanquetHeays and Hoana Matapo – received HP Google Chrome Netbooks from O3b, via Telecom Cook Islands. In the competition that was promoted on Facebook, en-

trants wrote between 30 and 100 words on how high-speed internet will improve their lives, submitting their answers by email. Telecom chief financial oficer Helen Aoina said she was impressed with the calibre of entries, saying there was a wide range of reasons given for how O3b will impact people’s lives. Some said the new service will save them time, while others focussed on how it will allow them to better keep in touch with their family and friends overseas via Skype, said Aoina. One winner wrote about how highspeed internet will improve her experience with online study, and another wrote that it will allow her to reach more people via her online business. “It really will make a difference in people’s lives,” said Aoina of O3b, which aims to provide an alternative to internet delivered by ibre-optic cable by providing a high-speed service delivered via satellites.

nadia George is pleased to receive her new gadget from Telecom chief inancial oicer Helen aoina. 14012114

Around 30 competition entries were received altogether, with the ive winners required to provide at least three 300word blog entries focussing on

the O3b service, to go on Telecom and O3b’s websites. O3b wants to offer fast broadband speeds to the ‘other three billion’ people in the world that

cannot access ibre optic cable. Its constellation of satellites will orbit the equator at 8000km above the Earth. This is a quarter of the distance of Telecom’s

existing satellites, allowing the signal to travel more quickly between the satellites and the satellite dishes on the ground. - Briar Douglas

Five Cook islands’ residents were happy to pick up high-tech gifts from O3b yesterday, via Telecom Cook islands. 14012117

Telecom chief inancial oicer Helen aoina hands out the high-tech goodies to winning locals, including Terani-Maiana Matapo – who collected the prize on behalf of her mother Hoana Matapo. 14012113

Atiu community buys boat with aid money THE vILLAGE of Mapumai in

Atiu recently put some aid funding to good use with the purchase of a 16-foot ishing boat. After submitting a proposal in 2010 to the India Grant Fund – an aid programme administered by the government of India that aims to beneit local government and non-governmental organisations – the people of Mapumai finally received funding along with their boat in December. recently, the village gathered together to receive the boat and celebrate with a blessing endorsement ceremony. “The leaders and the people of Mapumai village extend their sincere appreciation to the Cook Islands government and the government of India for this assistance,” said Mapumai village project manager Maara Tairi. “This will beneit the village in terms of food security for the homes, assist in fundraising for small village projects and training of young men for skills of ishing the deeper ishery species.” Applications to the aid programme are evaluated against India Grant Fund criteria, which include social, economic, and

sustainable development factors. Eleven applications for funding were submitted last October, to a total of $150,414. Manager Peter Tierney from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management’s (MFEM) Development Co-ordination Division has said he expects approval for those project proposals to occur early in 2014. The previous round of funding, just under $200,000 was approved by the Indian government for a variety of projects, including $15,000 for the CocoX Youth Club, which used funds to construct tracks at the club site in Nikao and promote riding safety. Between 2006 and 2008, the Indian government provided grant funds of uS$100,000 for Pacific Island countries. In 2009 the fund increased to uS$125,000. Open to both government and non-government groups, the India Grant Fund is targeted towards socio-economic development projects, which aim to directly beneit local communities. - Emmanuel Samoglou

The people of Mapumai village on the island of atiu have purchased a 16-foot ishing boat, thanks to money received from the Government of india’s aid programme. 14012107

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

classiieds pupu kite ngai okotai EMAiL

PhONE

adverts@cookislandsnews.com

Fax 25303

FOR RENT

VEhICLES FOR SALE A 2013 red honda Wave motor bike is available for sale. The bike is in excellent condition and is less than a year old. It is for sale for $3,000 ono. Please call Lani on mobile 50187.

76462 /36034 /1931

Opening of Avarua Primary School Due to grounds maintenance work at Avarua Primary School, the opening of the school for the 2014 school year has been delayed until Monday 3 February 2014 at 8am. All teachers and Ancillary staf are to report to USP centre each day from Thursday 23 January Thursday 30 January 2014 at 8am for Literacy and Numeracy training. This notice is from the Ministry of Education. 76475 / /1795

CiSPCA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETiNG Date: 28 January 2014 Time: 5pm Venue: Puhoi Hut CIGFC Agenda: Minutes of previous AGM Matters arising President`s report Treasurer`s report Audit report Election of oice bearers General business All members and intending members please attend Secretary. 76445 / /1915

Kia Orana, Mama Mata’s cook Island Language class, To be held at the Ruaau Meeting House in Arorangi on Thursday 23 January 23/1/14 next to the Magic Reef Motel. Begineers: 5pm to 6pm continued lessons for former students: 6.30-7.30pm Please call 27156. E noo ra Mama Mata. 76463 /36028 /1931

Fitness @ Teimurimotia Kent Hall. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - Hupa, 5.30pm. Thursday - Zumba, 5pm. 76469 /36045 /1931

Apii Potiki Te Uki Ou (preschool) From: 2 1/2 years of age Hours: 8am-2 pm, Monday-Friday. Enrolling now for 2014 For more information phone 23510.

1pm sharp. Material deadline for display adverts 24 hours prior.

2 bedroom house for rent in Turangi for $190 furnished. Call 21282.

PUBLIC NOTICES

2 bedroom house in upper Tupapa. Fully furnished, available long term. Phone 55178. 76459 /36032 /1834

Available in March. 3 bedroom fully furnished Executive Home, including bathroom en-suite. Suitable for executive family. Longterm. Located upper Tupapa, backroad. Only interested parties please contact/ text Edith: 76424/74238. 76353 /35045 /1931

FOR SALE Bench Press 252mm swing, speed 230-2470rpm, 16mm chuck to clear $350, 305mm swing, speed 230-2470, 16mm chuck $450. Trader Don 22919. 76474 / /2058

New motorbike battery $50 2x new truck batteries $100 each 4x 195x60x14 tyres 185x70xR13 tyre 185x70xR14 tyre 2x 205x70xR15 tyre 185x70xR14 tyre $70 each. Phone 20147 anytime.

SITUATIONS VACANT Full time position for service manager, at least 5 years experience in the hospitality industry is required. Able to roster, Manage and motivate all staf. Send your brief CV to louis@ clubraro.co.ck 76484 / /1758

A position exists for 2 cashiers to work rotating shifts at Manea Foods. The positions would require a rostered shift at any of Manea Foods 3 outlets. The person would need to have a can do attitude, and be self motivated. Following programme systems and be task orientated would be a requirement. Training provided. Above award pay to start for the right person. Please contact Mum on 29806 for an interview. Application forms available from Manea Foods, Nikao. 76349 /36046 /1617

76473 /36048 /1931

SERVICES P&D Daycare - Matavera. Yes, we do baby-sit. Ages 2 1/2 yearts to 5 years. Inquiries phone 27300, mobile 55300. 76456 /36030 /1931

Action Man Mowing Services All jobs big or small, free quote. Give Clint a call on 52074. 76210 /35057 /2561

Pool Doctor * Water testing * chlorine * P.H down * Bufer Discounted rates FREE DELIVERY Phone Tony 56599. 76289 /35855 /1708

Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) FISHERIES OFFIcER (Part-time, Mauke, Mitiaro) The MMR has two vacancies for a part time oicer based on Mauke and Mitiaro. Applicants should be familiar with local isheries and able to work closely with traditional leaders, Island Council and the ishing community. Qualiications and skills are required. For further information contact Uirangi Bishop on telephone 28730. Please provide a letter of application and CV addressed to the Secretary, P.O Box 85, Avarua or by email (rar@mmr.gov. ck). Application closes 4pm on Monday 3 February 2014. 76365 / /1971

casual ads must be prepaid. cancellation fee $6.40 incl. VAT. Quotations on request.

SITUATIONS VACANT

Groomer Required We require an energetic person to assist with car grooming in our increasingly busy rental department. On the job training will be given. You must be punctual and keen to learn. Apply to Wayne 22060. 76395 / /1902

ChEF REQUiRED Full time position available. Must have at least 5 years experience in a head or 2nd chefs capacity. Applicant must be reliable, honest and able to work unsupervised. A knowledge of food costing and the ability to create and implement menu changes is required. Please email current CV to bullibaise@gmail.com or call 54668 for an interview. 76406 / /2592

Concrete Systems & Mike Rennie Builders Ltd, have a part time position for an Accounts Manager, must have work experience in MYOB & IMS Payroll. Hours and rate are negotiable. Ring 20375 for an interview. 76422 /36014 /2295

RECYCLE

Brand New Aluminium Rooing tiles 350 tiles Size 300 x1320. Phone 77060.

Super Brown 24hr Store Full time and part time Staf required for our busy 24hour store Hours 10pm-6am, 2pm-10pm Mature, reliable and trustworthy people required with sober habits. If interested, contact Marvic on 53141.

SITUATIONS VACANT Waiters & Waitresses, do you have a bubbly personality and a positive outlook on life and are happy meeting new people from all over the world? If yes, we need to hear from you. Join Mii and her team at Oceans Restaurant & Bar by looking after our guests during breakfast, lunch & dinner. If you have the right attitude, we will train you on the job. Good pay and beneits. Please text Mii on 78112 or pick up an application form at Reception. 76470 / /1969

WANTED TO BUy Wanted 20’’ or 40’’ shipping container to buy. Please call Deon 57894. 76376 /35110 /1931

FOUND Notices are FREE To encourage honesty and good citizenship. A Cook Islands News public service.

76446 / /2183

PUBLIC NOTICES

76433 /36019 /1931

Tiare Taina blooms, $10 a bag. Phone Joyce 20201. 76263 /34817 /1917

VEhICLES FOR SALE Mitsubishi Pajero Good condition great for a family. $5000 ono Phone 57813 76464 /314620 /1931

2012 honda Trail Bike XR 125 (White) $2000 ono in very good condition. Phone 27156 to view. 76447 /36028 /1931

Driver/Groundsman 6 days a week Applicants need to be employable, with a good attitude, turn up on time and be smartly presented. Phone 27460. 76355 /36047 /2202

Reefside Airport Cafe We are looking for a reliable, honest person to work with our team. International lights, Mon - Fri, Day lights only. Contact Karlene 78100. 76441 / /2508

PUBLIC NOTICES

MiNiSTRY OF MARiNe ReSOURCeS

76483 /36049 /1931

SITUATIONS VACANT

76468 / /1931

76174 /35054 /1952

Sea Eagles AGM To be held on Wednesday 22 January @ 6pm at the Muri Meeting House. See you all there. President, Ngatangiia/ Matavera Sea Eagles club.

RATES Minimum $5.80 incl. VAT for 1-15 words.

DEADLiNES Deadline for next day’s classiieds is

22999

preferred

Small Grants Scheme (Fisheries Development Facility) Fishing communities, enterprises or individuals in the Cook islands are advised that a limited number of small grants to support small scale and local ishing activities are available under the Fisheries development Facility administered by the MMR. For further information and to obtain an application form please contact Uirangi Bishop on email: (RAR@mmr.gov.ck), or telephone 28721. Applications close on January 27, 2014

Moni Tauturu no runga i te Angaanga Tautai

Public notice Te Mato Vai - Consultation Meetings 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 1

3 4

76311

Time

Venue

10am

Atupare

Monday 13 January

6pm

Sinai hall

Tuesday 14 January

1pm

Oice of the Deputy Prime Minister, Nikao

Tuesday 14 January

6pm

Kavera Meeting House

Wednesday 15 January

6pm

Avana Meeting house

Thursday 16 January

6pm

Titikaveka CiCC Sunday School hall

Vaka Puaikura Public Consultation

Monday 20 January

6pm

Aroa Nui hall

Vaka Te-Au-O-Tonga Public Consultation

Tuesday 21 January

6pm

Sinai hall

Wednesday 22 January

6pm

Titikaveka CiCC Sunday School hall

2 intake Landowners - Te-Au-O-Tonga

Te mataora nei te Tuanga O Te Pae Tautai i te akakite atu e, te vai nei tetai tuanga moni tauturu i te anaganga kimi puapinga note tautai. Me ka inangaro koe, tuku mai i taau patianga kia matou me kua manako koe e ka tau teia tauturu kia koe, me kore ki ta kotou putputuanga. Me ka inagaro koe tiki ia mai tetai “application form” naau i konei i to matou Opati, me kore, araveia atu a Uirangi Bishop na roto i te email: (RAR@mmr.gov.ck), me kore, taniuniuia atu aia i runga i te numero tereponi 28-721. Ka piri te patianga a te ra 27 no Tianuare 2014, i te ora 4 i te aiai.

date Monday 13 January

Ui Ariki/Koutu Nui

7 8 9

(Tupapa, Takuvaine, Avatiu) Members of Parliament for Rarotonga Constituencies intake Landowners Puaikura (Ngatoe, Rutaki, Muriavai) intake Landowners Matavera, Turangi, Avana intake Landowners Totokoitu, Taipara, Papua

Vaka Takitumu Public Consultation

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. 76079

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

Tongan woman ‘overwhelmed’ by support EvErY household in the cyclonebattered village of Holopeka will be receiving an envelope full of cash this week, courtesy of one woman in rarotonga. Tongan-born Kafo Tuteru cooked and sold 500 plates of food last Friday to raise money for loved ones in her home village, whose homes were destroyed by Cyclone Ian 10 days ago. Mama Kafo said she was left feeling “overwhelmed” by the love of people in rarotonga, who poured into her Puoromea Store all day. “Some people don’t even know me but they came in and donated money or bought food. I am so thankful for their love. I didn’t know there was that much love here.” Mama Kafo raised $5400 Tongan Pa’anga (NZ$3490) and has already wired it to the Holopeka village council, who will distribute $100 to each home and $500 to both churches. A village meeting will be organised so the money can he handed out,

she said. “Everyone will be called out by name to go and receive their envelope with money in it.” She hopes the people will use it to buy drinking water and other things they need to survive. Mama Kafo started cooking at 6am on Friday and her legs were aching by evening, she said. “I wanted to be sore so I could taste a little bit of their suffering. I took a hot bath and then I put my legs up and I was so happy because I’m there with them in support.” Although she has lived in the Cook Island for 40 years, the pain she felt was very real when Ian devastated Tonga’s northern Ha’apai Group. Her family home is one of only two in Holopeka that still has a roof. In this time of pain, her recipe for healing has been love, prayer and hard work. “My love for them makes me pray and the prayer and hard work bring healing and recovery,” she said. - Ben Chapman-Smith

PUBLIC NOTICES

Mama Kafo sold 500 plates of food at her store last Friday to help raise money for Cyclone ian victims in Tonga. 14011609

TUATUA AKAMEITAKIANGA

PUBLIC NOTICES

e akameitaki atu nei matou te nga metua, te nga metua pakari e te kopu tangata katoatoa ia kotou katoatoa tei orongo ua mai ito kotou au vaerua akapumaana, e pera katoa, no te au rima oronga ta to kotou au ngakau i oronga ua mai ei tauturu ito matou tumatetenga no te takake atu anga o

Exham Constantine Nga

INFRASTRUCTURE COOK ISLANDS - WATSAN UNIT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR RAROTONGA GROUNDWATER iNVESTiGATiON AND MONiTORiNG PROJECT 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. A key deliverable for the unit relates to improving surface and groundwater quality to promote sustainable cultural and recreational use of the lagoons, sustainable tourism and to safeguard public health. The wATSAN Unit is managing several programmes and projects that require: (i) The creation and/or reinstatement of a number of groundwater investigation and monitoring points around Rarotonga; and (ii) Assessment of groundwater quantity, quality and availability from selected groundwater monitoring points. iCi wishes to invite proposals from an appropriately qualiied, experienced and equipped irm to provide these services. A copy of the Request for Proposals document including speciications can be requested by email from the address provided below. Proposals close at 4pm on Wednesday, 5 February 2014, Cook islands time, and must be submitted via electronic copy to the email address below OR in hard copy to the ICI Oice in Arorangi inside a sealed envelope addressed to: Mr Mac Mokoroa Secretary infrastructure Cook islands PO Box 102 Rarotonga Cook islands and clearly marked with “RAROTONGA GROUNDWATER INVESTIGATION AND MONITORING PROJECT” and the applicants name. Enquiries to: Jaime Short wATSAN Programme Coordinator P: +682 22-648 e: jaime.short@moip.gov.ck 76467

Na te Atua kotou e tauturu mai. We, the family of Exham Constantine Nga would like to express our Appreciation and Gratitude to everyone who supported us during our time of grieving for our son, grandson, uncle, nephew.

777

SITUATIONS VACANT

SALES PERSON FANTASTiC OPPORTUNiTY iN SALES!

SITUATIONS VACANT

Teacher and support staf Applications are invited from experienced and motivated individuals for the following part-time positions to commence in the school year: 1. Avatea School (Two Positions) • Teacher Aide (Inclusive Education) • Grounds/Maintenance Person 2. Mitiaro School (One Position): Teacher Aide/Carer Person must be prepared to care for a child in the home and to work closely with parents, the Principal and Ministry of health personnel. 3.Corrective Services Education Programme, Arorangi: Teacher (part time) Working 3 days a week, teaching in the areas of mainly literacy and numeracy, applicants must have high expectations of students and student achievement, strong in behaviour management, able to access and create resources including online; lexible, with sense of humour and identiies well with the programme and its objectives. Applications close on Thursday 23 January 2014. Job descriptions are available from the Ministry or at: www. education.gov.ck Please submit a cover letter with Curriculum Vitae and references to: director hRM division Ministry of education PO Box 97 Rarotonga Cook islands Ph (682) 29357, Fax (682) 28357 or email vacancy@ education.gov.ck

foundation

Ph 22336

animal Clinic

• Phone 22999 • adverts@cookislandsnews.com

Proposed By-laws imposing new price schedules for harbour dues and other charges made by the Ports Authority in Rarotonga have been printed and copy of the proposed By-Laws is open to public Inspection during oice hours at the oice of the Board of the Ports Authority. Avatiu wharf, Rarotonga. Any queries or comments on the proposed By-Laws should be addressed in writing to the General Manager of the Ports Authority, Bim Tou, and delivered personally to the oices of Ports Authority At Avatiu Wharf.

May the Lord Bless you all.

76268

Classiieds

PORTS AUThORiTY 1994-95;hARBOUR DUES

For the sake of your family

GET hELP Call AA - 71744

The Motor Centre specializes in the sales of Motorcycles, Motor Vehicles, whiteware & Power equipment. we require an experienced Sales Person who is motivated, has some computer experience, enjoys learning the iner detail speciications of the products you will be selling, has some ability to efectively display products in a large showroom, and most importantly is able to converse easily with customers. A car and motorcycle license is essential. Remuneration will be based on previous experience. The successful candidate will enjoy working in a happy team environment with bonus incentive. Please submit your CV to: Attention: General Manager Cook islands Motor Centre Ltd PO Box 74, Rarotonga OR email: gm@motorcentre.co.ck Applications close Wednesday 22 January 2014 76173

VACANCY PART TiME CLEANER / ADMiN ASSiSTANT The New Zealand high Commission Rarotonga is looking for a committed, flexible team member to apply for the role of Chancery Cleaner / Administration Assistant. The successful applicant will be responsible for supporting the efficient and effective operation of the Post by providing cleaning, administration and errand services. This is a part time position of 17½ hours per week with flexible starting time during the working day. The Salary band ranges from $7-$8 per hour. For the full job description and application form please contact Joanna Rangi ph: 22201 ext 30 or email joanna.rangi@mfat.govt.nz Applications close 24 January 2014. Please send the completed application form, a current CV and cover letter to the Administration Manager, NZhC Building, Rarotonga or email to joanna.rangi@mfat.govt.nz 76271

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

International Flights

FLiGhT FROM ARRiVES ThURSDAy jAnuAry 23 NZ748/749 AKL 12.30AM NZ46/745 AKL 4.10PM VT35/36 PPT 2.50PM FRIDAy jAnuAry 24 VA163/162 AKL 11.55PM NZ46/61 AKL 1.55PM

DEPARTS

AKL AKL PPT

1.30AM 5.25PM 3.50PM

AKL SYD

1.05AM 3.05PM

Air Rarotonga

Flight Times | Voyage details RARO TO ARR DEP WEDNESDAy jANUARy 22 0800 AITUTAKI 0850 0910

ARR

RARO

1000

1030

1120

1140

RARO

1230

1530 AITUTAKI 1620 0900 MANGAIA 0940 1100 ATIU 1145

1640 1000 1205

RARO RARO AITUTAKI

1730 1040 1250

1410

RARO

1500

1300

AITUTAKI

MAUKE

1350

1410

MITIARO 1500

DEP

ARR

TIARE MOANA 19 - ETD AUCK 13/01, ETA RARO 26/01, ETA AITUTAKI 29/01 LILOA 21 - ETD AUCK 20/01, ETA RARO 02/02, ETA AITUTAKI 04/02

Shipping TIARE MOANA 20 - ETD AUCK 07/02, ETA RARO 20/02, ETA AITUTAKI 23/02

1310 ATIU

1355

1520 RARO 1610

GOT A STORY? text us on

or call us at Cook Islands News

Su-Do-Ku

Hard

Su-Do-Ku

Easy

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.

Answer to Tuesday’s puzzle

HÄGAR the Horrible

Answer to Tuesday’s puzzle

By Dik Browne

THE PHANTOM

Crossword

By Lee Falk & Sy Barry

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

IS NEVER OK A COOK ISLANDS NEWS PUbLIC SERVICE MESSAgE

GET HELP.

Weather Forecast to Midnight Issued at 2pm at Rarotonga

Tides

Rarotonga Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Forecast Map 2pm Wednesday

Wed High 1.19AM 0.92M 1.38PM 0.95M

Situation: A trough of low pressure lies over Southern Cooks. Associated cloud Low 7.27AM 0.35M 7.52PM 0.37M and rain afect the group. A trough of low High 1.58AM 0.89M 2.15PM 0.95M Thu pressure also afects the southern parts of Northern Cooks. Low 8.03AM 0.36M 8.34PM 0.38M Forecast to midnight for the Southern Cooks: Occasional rain and few thunderstorms over most places. Moderate northeast winds. Moderate seas. Further outlook: Rain continuing. new Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter For Rarotonga: Occasional rain and few Jan 30 Feb 6 Feb 14 Jan 23 thunderstorms. 11.39aM 9.22aM 1.53PM 7.19PM Further outlook: Rain continuing. ArApo - AkAoti rAkAu wed 22 For the Northern Cooks: Some showers about and south of Pukapuka. Brief Tanu (Planting) TauTai (Fishing) showers elsewhere. Moderate northeast Tanu i te meika. Plant Po ika. Fishing night. winds. bananas. Moderate seas. Further outlook: Brief showers.

1.7m SW

1.2m NW

26°

Sun, Moon & Arapo

humidity Wed

Thu

e 10kts

Sunshine hours

0.6

1.7m SW

Front Key:

Cold

Warm

Occluded

1.5m SW

Swell direction and size

Stationary

Outer Islands Weather Outlook Wednesday, January 21, 2014

Morning

76%

night

80%

Morning

79%

night

81%

Forecast thanks to Cook Islands Meteorological Service.

Wed Sun Rise 6.15AM Sun Set 7.26PM

Moon Rise 10.59PM Moon Set 11.44AM

Thu Sun Rise 6.16AM Sun Set 7.26PM

Moon Rise 11.39PM Moon Set 12.38PM

Aitutaki

28° e 08kts

Mangaia

25° e 10kts

Mitiaro

27° e 08kts

Atiu

Penrhyn

27° e 08kts

29° Ne 07kts

Mauke

27° e 08kts

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 cook Islands News

tarekareka

SPOrT

Star athlete heads to Kings College TALENTED young Aitutaki ath-

lete Leo roa is set for a bright future, which started this week when he lew to New Zealand to start learning at one of the country’s most prestigious schools. The youngest child of Aitutaki residents Nane and Davey roa, Leo has his eyes set on becoming the irst in his family to attend university after a twoyear stint at Kings College. Leo has received a full boarding scholarship for the prestigious school, which will open up a world of opportunities for the young golf, rugby union and league player. The 16 year old’s sporting talent was first identified in 2009 when he was part of the junior golf development team with Teariki Smith and Antony Turua Jnr. Since then he regularly commuted to rarotonga with support from Air rarotonga and managing director Ewan Smith and eventually became part of the Smith family. “We got to know Leo when he commuted regularly to raro-

tonga and he became another member of the family,” says Ewan Smith. “Aside from the academic and other opportunities at Kings, he obviously gets a chance at Auckland secondary school level rugby as well. It’s all very exciting.” Not only did Leo excel in sports in Aitutaki, he was a play maker for the Arorangi Bears under 16 league team and Arorangi Cowboys under 16 rugby union team while living in rarotonga. Although his golf has been on hold while he’s been on the rugby ield, Leo says he is keen to get back into the sport during his time at Kings College. Smith’s son Teariki is still attending Kings College and will be part of the support network for Leo when he begins school. The college has provided the major part of the funding, and a group of local sponsors have helped out as well. Young Leo is grateful for the support of businesses and family on rarotonga and Aitutaki that made it possible for him to

attend Kings College. Along with Air rarotonga, rarotonga businesses Pacific resort, Maritime Cook Islands and the Cook Islands Yacht Squadron have helped give Leo the inancial support to attend the prestigious school. Leo’s own family in Aitutaki, with the support of Aitutaki businesses, ran a golf Ambrose on the outer island to raise funds for Leo’s education. “I just want to say thank you to everyone for helping me,” says Leo, who adds that to show his gratitude to everyone that has helped he aims to do his best both on the sports ield and in the classroom. His eyes brighten as he reveals his goal to become the irst in his family to attend university after Kings College and likely study in the ield of sports. While the Arorangi sports club will certainly miss their star junior player – there is plenty of support behind young Leo’s next bright step into his future. - Matariki Wilson

Sunburst sailing in Rarotonga honored SuNBurSTS crafts have been

sailed in rarotonga from the beginning of the class in 1964. The club had been sailing mostly outrigger canoes but these were starting to disappear and the club needed a new class. The plans of the Sunburst appeared in a New Zealand paper and on this basis a decision was made to adopt the new class, with the irst three boats being built from the plans in the paper. Over the next few years the fleet increased to the point where the club had up to 25 Sunbursts sailing in several divisions. In subsequent years the fleet has reduced as boats got beyond the point of being repairable or boats were sent to other islands around the group. In rarotonga the club was destroyed by ire in 1998 and eight

Sunbursts were lost. Local club folklaw talks of collisions with swordish and the adventures of the round rarotonga races in prior years. With passing of the years, the oldest boats remaining are ‘Sunsational’ built in 1974 and ‘Tumutoa’ built in 1977. The later of these is sailed by the oldest of the club’s regular Sunburst sailors and the boats came 1st and 2nd in the 50th Anniversary regatta. The regatta was sailed over ive races on a triangular course of windward and leeward legs with a wing mark. The results were considered on line results and no handicaps were involved. There were no single handed sailors and spinnakers were ineffective. There were nine Sunbursts competing, which was the largest leet in recent times

Sixteen-year-old Leo Roa of aitutaki, pictured here leading the way for the arorangi Cowboys under 16 team last season, is set to be exposed to top secondary school rugby, sport and learning after receiving a full boarding scholarship to attend one of new Zealand’s most prestigious schools – Kings College. 13081539

– with some last minute repairs and innovation being required to get some of the boats seaworthy if not totally race-worthy. Winds were light and fluctuating somewhat but generally starts were reasonably true and sailing resulted in the regular race boats winning through. results were at times close, with the first six boats finishing in the space of 70 seconds in the last race. The final outcome was: 1st 304 Skipper-Jeff Hill/CrewKaren Grubb, 2nd 315 SkipperJohanna Kempkers/Crew-Beatrice Markwell, 3rd 339 Skipper -William Powell/Crew-Heather Aoina, 4th 326 Skipper- Wolfgang Losacker/Crew-Joseph Aoina, 5th 332 Skipper- Tim Markwell/Crew-Freddie Markwell. - RSC

Rarotonga Sailing Club’s junior members have fun learning to sail the Sunburst boats.

Close up action at the Sunburst 50th anniversary regatta at the Rarotonga Sailing Club.

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Sunbursts all lined up and ready to shoot of the anniversary regatta start line.

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