Te reo o te KUKI AIRANI
$2 Monday, January 27, 2014
Asbestos soil being removed from Avarua Around 30 truckloads of soil are to be removed from Avarua School this week, after asbestos was found in the ground at the school. Beginning today, the Cook Islands Investment Corporation is co-ordinating the process of removing the soil before students can return to school. The aim is to complete the task by this Friday January 31, with students returning to class one week later than planned on February 3. Asbestos is only dangerous when it becomes airborne – such as when people walk across the soil or dig it up. Prolonged expo-
sure to airborne asbestos ibres – which are too small to be seen by the human eye – can cause respiratory illness later on. To remove the hazard, the soil will first be dampened before removal to ensure the asbestos ibres are contained within the soil. The soil will then be transported to a site within the landfill site at Arorangi where it is to be dumped from the trucks straight into a hole speciically prepared for the purpose of burying the contaminated soil. Around 300 cubic metres of soil will be removed, and will be back-illed with a mixture of
sand, gravel and soil which CIIC said is consistent with new Zealand practice. Stuart Keer-Keer – a quality and technician manager for new Zealand-based K2 Environmental Ltd, which specialises in air quality testing and advice – will be on hand during the removal to monitor air quality, measuring the effectiveness of dampening the soil as it it moved from the school to the burial site. Approximately 30 big truckloads of soil will be transported, with the trucks travelling from Avarua to Arorangi this week. In addition, around 30 truck-
loads of back-fill material will be transported from Arorangi to Avarua School during the same time period. road users are asked to be careful when using the side roads in particular, between Avarua School and the main road as well as those leading to the landill site in Arorangi. Avarua School will remain offlimits to everyone except those authorised to be on the site, who are to wear protective gear. The air around Avarua School was tested late last year, and was found to have levels high enough to be in the ‘red’ catego-
ry where there is a risk of exposure to asbestos. The school has since been closed by the Ministry of Education. 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. 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 previously that he will be taking more samples from these “amber” areas and it is possible the soil in these areas will also need removal. - Briar Douglas
Arson investigations ‘frustrating’: Heather MInISTEr of Police Teariki Heather says he is frustrated that a major investigation into three arson attacks in rarotonga has still not been solved. Two schools were hit by devastating arson attacks on october 20, followed by the burning down of Turoa Bakery and adjoining Saltwater Café two weeks later. Heather, who is also deputy Prime Minister, said it concerns him that the person or persons responsible are still running free. “I’m frustrated like all the public and I have made the challenge to police to produce some answers. I think it’s taken too long.” He said he cannot get in-
v o l v e d i n t h e d a y- t o - d a y operations of the police but he has expressed his feelings to police commissioner Maara Tetava. His most recent discussion with Tetava about the matter was at the launch of the Crime Stoppers ofice on January 17. “I have a lot of respect for the Cook Islands Police Service but it’s worth repeating, when are people going to get their answers?” Heather said. The attack on nukutere College resulted in the destruction of six classrooms, three resource rooms, a canteen and small side room. Later that day, six classrooms and a library were burned down at Avatea School.
An on-edge community then had to deal with the news that Turoa Bakery and adjoining Saltwater Café in Vaimaanga had been razed to the ground by an arsonist two weeks later. L a s t w e e k , Te t ava t o l d CInews the investigations are progressing “steadily”. He would not reveal how many suspects police are looking at or whether any arrests are on the horizon. “This will be revealed when the investigations are complete. Arrests will be made when we have sufficient evidence to prove our case or cases beyond reasonable doubt.” Asked whether there have been any recent breakthroughs in the case, Tetava said his team
is continuing to work hard on the investigations. Previously, police have said there are three main suspects, aged between 14 and 25. Some of them – it has not been conirmed how many - go to the attacked schools.
A number of search warrants have been executed in the case since october 20, both on homes and company premises. Two $10,000 rewards remain on offer for information or evidence which leads to the identiication and conviction of those
responsible for the ires. Anyone with information which could help solve the crimes is asked to call the police on 22499 or Crime Stoppers on 080022200. - Ben Chapman-Smith
Property dispute behind alleged home invasion A MAn, two women and a baby allegedly had a weapon pointed at them last Sunday after about five men entered a Matavera home. Senior sergeant Solomona Tuati said “approximately ive” men went into the home at 11:30am and one of them allegedly pointed a weapon wrapped in clothing. He said the altercation stemmed from a property dispute. A member of the public who
revealing that weapon right now may jeopardise the court proceedings,” he said. Earlier in the week, inspector John Strickland said the weapon may have been an axe. Two officers attended the scene on Sunday and a 21-yearold male was brought in for questioning. Tuati said that man has since been released and no arrests have been made or charges laid. He said the matter is still un- BCS der investigation.
knows the victims told CInews about nine to ten men entered the property and threatened to kill another man with a shotgun. “The shotgun was pointed at the man, two women and a four-month-old baby,” the person said. Tuati conirmed the weapon was pointed at a man, two women and a four-month-old baby. However, he said any suggestion of a shotgun being brandished is “just an allegation”. “It may end up in court and
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Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
worldnEWS nuti no TEIA nEI Ao False prophet faces death A court in Pakistan has sentenced a man to death for blasphemy for claiming to be a prophet of Islam. A special court rejected defence claims that the 65-yearold has mental health problems. “the man claimed to be a prophet – he confessed it in front of the judge,” said a government prosecutor. Blasphemy is an extremely sensitive issue in Pakistan, where 97 per cent of the population is Muslim, and insulting the Prophet Mohammed can carry the death penalty.
Anger over World Cup Brazil police arrest dozens after anti-World cup football protest SAo PAuLo – Police in the Bra-
zilian city of Sao Paulo have detained 128 people during clashes that followed a demonstration against this year’s football World Cup. on its Facebook page, the Anonymous rio protest group billed “operation Stop the World Cup” as this year’s first act against the football tournament. A car was set on fire. Shops,
world BrIEFS UKRANIAN OPPOSITION DEFIANT UKRAINE – Ukrainian opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk says protests will continue despite President Viktor Yanukovych’s ofer to appoint him as prime minister. Yatsenyuk said the opposition was generally ready to accept leadership, but several key demands must be met, including new elections. Meanwhile clashes have continued in Kiev, with activists trying to storm a building where riot police are based. The president’s proposal came amid new eforts to end the deadly unrest. He ofered the post of prime minister to Yatsenyuk and the position of deputy PM to former boxer Vitali Klitschko following talks on Saturday. Speaking to large crowds in central of Kiev late on Saturday, the opposition leaders did not explicitly say whether they accepted the ofer but repeated their demands.
CHINESE HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST JAILED cHINA – A chinese court has sentenced prominent human rights activist Xu Zhiyong to four years in prison. Xu, who campaigned for children’s rights and against corruption, was convicted of “gathering crowds to disrupt public order”. Rights groups have criticised President Xi Jinping – who pledged to ight corruption – over their cases. Xu was arrested in July 2013 and the trial began on Wednesday. Xu, who was also previously under house arrest, is a leading member of a group calling for oicials to reveal their wealth. He has also campaigned in behalf of inmates on death row and families afected by tainted baby milk formula, among other causes. In 2009 he was arrested on tax evasion charges that were eventually dropped after public outcry.
FRENCH PRESIDENT CONFIRMS SEPARATION FRANCE – French President Francois Hollande has conirmed his separation from his partner Valerie Trierweiler. He told the state-run AFP news agency that their “shared life” had ended. Two weeks ago a magazine published photos which appeared to show Hollande had been having an afair with an actress, Julie Gayet. Trierweiler spent a week in hospital after the revelations. Mr Hollande told AFP on Saturday that he was speaking in a personal capacity and not as the head of state. “I am making it known that I have put an end to my shared life with Valerie Trierweiler,” he said in a phone call to the agency. Trierweiler, who has continued to work as a journalist for the glossy magazine Paris-Match, is due to travel to India on Sunday in support of the work of the French charity Action Against Hunger.
21 DROWN AS TOURIST BOAT SINKS
PAKISTAN – A tourist boat has sunk of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, with the loss of 21 lives, oicials say. The boat, Aqua Marine, capsized on Sunday afternoon of Port Blair, the capital of the islands. The Indian air force is helping the coast guard and 13 people have been rescued, authorities say – but up to 11 people are unaccounted for. Most of those on board are believed to be Indians from Tamil Nadu and Mumbai. An investigation is looking at the cause of the sinking amid reports the Aqua Marine was carrying too many people when it capsized. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh “expressed shock over the boat tragedy”, said his oice in a statement. Every year thousands of tourists visit the coralreef fringed Andaman islands.
banks and a police vehicle were also damaged. The violence forced the authorities to cancel some of the festivities planned for the city’s 460th anniversary. Earlier, some 2500 people took to the street to complain about the costs of staging the World Cup in Brazil. They marched through central Sao Paulo waving lags, carrying banners and chanting: “There will be no Cup”. other Brazilians protested on Twitter, saying “Fifa go home”, in reference to football’s world governing body. There were similar small protests in rio de Janeiro and other cities. “We are against the millions and millions of dollars being spent for the Cup,” university student Leonardo Pelegrini dos Santos told the Associated Press news agency. “It is money that should be invested in better health and education services and better transportation and housing.” Saturday’s peaceful protest was marred by sporadic acts of vandalism which turned into clashes with the police. Some demonstrators attacked an empty police car and tried to overturn it, while others torched a small car. They also burned tyres and targeted banks and others businesses. The Sao Paulo state Governor Geraldo Alckmin condemned the violence. Fifteen people were also reported to have been detained at a protest near the World Cup stadium in natal, a city in northeastern Brazil. Last year, more than a million people took to the streets in dozens of Brazilian cities over poor public services, corruption and the high cost of the World Cup. The wave of protests prompted Brazilian President dilma rousseff to propose a referendum on political reform. - PNC
There have been violent clashes in several Brazilian cities as protests against this year’s football World Cup gain momentum. Brazilians are complaining about the costs of staging the event. AFP
Smoking ban unpopular AMMAn – In Jordan, a country
where smoking is a national pastime, the government wants to enforce a Western-style smoking ban in restaurants, cafes and other public places. The recreational pastime of smoking shisha – also known as nargile, hubbly bubbly, hookah or by other names across the Middle East – is ingrained in Jordanian culture. The ban, coming from a law passed in 2008 but not fully enforced, also would see the gov-
ernment revoke the licences of all 6000 coffee shops that serve shisha by the end of this year. But business owners and smokers are criticising the push, saying it goes against the culture of a country where smoking is seen as an attractive sign of manhood and elderly Bedouins roll their own cigarettes in public. “We are caught between a rock and a hard place whereby the government is trying to force a closure of our business-
es,” said Mazen Alsaleh, who owns 14 coffee and hookah shops around the country. “I am not defending the hookah or smoking, but we must defend our investments.” Health Minister Ali Hyasat, who is spearheading the effort to enforce the smoking ban, said the measure was meant to “save lives, not businesses.” Health Ministry statistics show that Jordanians spend the equivalent of uS$1 billion annually on tobacco. - AP
First shark caught and killed PErTH – The first shark to be
caught under Western Australia’s new catch and kill policy has been destroyed. The shark was caught on baited drum lines which were set off WA’s south-west coast at the weekend. Fishermen contracted to carry out the work have shot the animal after it was caught. The shark is more than three metres long, however its species has not yet been conirmed.
It is the first shark to be caught under the State Government’s new catch and kill policy, which was announced following seven fatal attacks off the WA coast in three years. The Premier Colin Barnett has defended the policy, arguing public safety is at risk. “When you have sharks that are three, four, ive metres long of known aggressive varieties, swimming in the water very close to beachgoers, that is an
imminent danger.’ “I get no pleasure out of seeing sharks killed but I have an overriding responsibility to protect the people of Western Australia.” The policy, which has outraged conservationists, states that all white, bull and tiger sharks more than three metres long can be caught and killed. drum lines are expected to be set off Perth beaches next week. - ABC
Earthquake topples mosque
THREE DEAD IN US MALL SHOOTING
USA – A gunman opened ire at a shopping centre in Maryland in the US, killing two people before apparently taking his own life, police say. The incident took place at a mall in the Baltimore suburb of Columbia. The man opened ire at a store in the mall, killing a man and a woman, both employees at the shop, Zumiez, which sells skate accessories and clothing. The man believed to be the shooter, who has not been identiied, was found dead near a gun and ammunition. Also said were a 21-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man. A further ive people were injured in the incident. Police said the motive for the attack was still unclear.
Today’s daily Bread The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
read: read: PsalmMatthew 18:30-3 7:21-29
Text: Matthew 7:26 Text: Verse 2
a man walks past a collapsed mosque in Kranggan village after an earthquake in Banyumas, Central Java. a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck of Java on Saturday, the US Geological Survey reported, sending panicked residents running from their homes. AFP
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Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
worldnEWS nuti no TEIA nEI Ao Third time lucky for Li Na
China’s Li Na won the inal of the Australian Tennis Women’s Open with a straight-sets defeat of Slovak Dominika Cibulkova. AFP
a hurting rafael nadal congratulates stanislas Wawrinka at the end of the dramatic australian Open Mens’ Tennis inal. AFP What transpired on centre court Sunday was one of the more unusual Grand Slam finals in recent history. not only did nadal lose, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, but he was loudly booed after taking a medical time out in the second set. As he struggled and pushed the match to four sets, it became clear that the 13-time major winner had become the underdog. The crowd rallied behind him chanting “ra-Fa! ra-Fa!” to show their respect because he refused to quit. When nadal accepted his runners-up trophy, he apologized to the crowd and to Wawrinka,
“Thanks to my husband, now so famous in China. You do a lot a lot of jobs,” she said. “Thanks a lot, you are a nice guy. You were lucky to ind me.” It was a gutsy effort by Li, who overcame the pressure of having lost twice before while bearing the weight of expectation from her homeland of 1.3 billion people. The victory helps Li, the poster girl for a huge push by women’s tennis into Asia, make up for the misery of losing the inal twice before. She was a set up before falling to Kim Clijsters three years ago, and in 2013 was also ahead against Victoria Azarenka but rolled her ankle twice, banging her head hard on the court the second time. despite her defeat, Cibulkova, who has impressed at Melbourne with her relentless energy and eye-catching shots, will move up to 13 when the new world rankings are released on Monday. Cibulkova had trouble ighting back the tears but gave credit to Li for her victory. “These were just the most fantastic two weeks of my life and I think I’m going to cry,” she said. “I would like to congratulate Li na, she had a fantastic tournament, she deserves to be here as a winner.” - AFP
‘Greed driven rampage’
Nadal's injury jinx continues
MELBournE – Before the tournament had even started, rafael nadal described the Australian open as his unlucky Grand Slam. But this year it seemed like the injury jinx that had plagued him in previous years — 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013 — had inally lifted. Aside from a badly blistered and bandaged left hand, he was injury free. That was until he got to the final — a match that nadal was the clear favourite to win against Stanislas Wawrinka. The top-ranked nadal had beaten Wawrinka in all 12 of their previous matches.
MELBournE – China’s Li na stormed to her second major singles title, battling past brave underdog dominika Cibulkova 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 to win the Australian Open women’s inal on Rod Laver Arena. In doing so, she became the oldest winner of the women’s title, surpassing Margaret Court who was 30 when she became champion in 1973. The Chinese star also joins an exclusive list of just seven other players to win a grand slam at 30-plus, with her name now in the history books alongside greats such as Martina navratilova, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert and Serena Williams. The win pushes her one place higher in the world rankings to three, just 11 points adrift of Victoria Azarenka in second behind Williams. Li paid tribute to her coach Carlos rodriguez, admitting it was his guidance that made her stay in the sport and ignore retirement. “Before Wimbledon, I talked to Carlos and said ‘I think I have no conidence. I want out’,” she said at the presentation ceremony. “Life always has a challenge. You just have to face up to it.” Li also showed her sense of humour, poking fun at her husband Jiang Shan for his role in her career.
a friend since they were teens. “I’m sorry to inish this way,” nadal told the crowd in the 15,000-seat rod Laver Arena, which erupted in cheers that made him blink back tears. “This year was one of the most emotional tournaments in my career.” “right now, I still don’t know if I’m dreaming or not,” Wawrinka said after Sampras presented him with the norman Brookes Challenge Cup. “We’ll see in the morning.” nadal was gracious in defeat, congratulating Wawrinka for his victory . - ABC/TVNZ
TAIJI – The dolphin hunters in Taiji have kicked off 2014 with a murderous and greed-driven rampage, their dolphin drive hunt in mid-January being one of the biggest in recent memory. On January 16, ive separate pods of bottlenose dolphins, totalling an estimated 250 individuals and including one baby albino, were brutally driven into the killing cove, made famous by the oscar-winning documentary The Cove. Over the ive harrowing days in captivity, families were torn apart as the ishermen collected a reported 52 “show-quality” dolphins to be shipped to the highest bidding aquariums around the world. Another two to three dozen were inhumanely slaughtered for human consumption, reports Laura Bridgeman for Earth Island Journal. The remaining dolphins were then driven back out to sea, where it is expected that their physical and emotional trauma will leave permanent scarring at best, or at worst, lead to an agonising death. In other words, it was business as usual in Taiji. This dolphin hunt attracted international condemnation. uS Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy tweeted her opposition to the hunts and was later backed by the uS State department. The united Kingdom and German ambassadors to Japan also tweeted their concern, along with a host of prominent celebrities including William Shatner, Susan Sarandon, Yoko ono and many others. ono, who is usually a staunch defender of Japan, wrote an
The albino bottlenose dolphin ‘angel’ caught in the dolphin drive. open letter of opposing the hunt and asking the Japanese ishermen to stop the hunts for the good of Japan. undoubtedly, the sheer number of dolphins driven into the cove drew the ire of people around the world and was responsible for the significant international media attention. However, it was one special member of that ill-begotten group of dolphins that irst captured the hearts of many. dubbed “Angel” by ric o’Barry and Karla Sanjur of Earth Island Institute’s dolphin Project, the albino dolphin is a baby girl, first spotted swimming closely beside her mother as they were driven into the cove. Angel has become an unwitting icon of the Taiji tragedies – a pure white, possibly soonto-be martyr, whose photos have gone viral on social media. Animal welfare groups have long been arguing that dolphins ought to be considered non-human persons. Personhood status for dolphins is the first step in what will likely be a long journey to confer better protections onto dolphins, and perhaps many other nonhuman species as well. If we can get this important legal designation conferred onto dolphins, they will go from being considered “marine
resources,” as Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, likes to think of them, to beings who are intelligent, emotional, and who matter to one another. Personhood could open the door for us to give them the right to exist in the oceans in peace. A right they do not currently have. Sadly, the unique lack of pigmentation makes Angel a highly prized show exhibit for the Taiji Whale Museum that’s run by the town government of Taiji. The museum brokers the sale of many of the dolphins caught in the cove to aquariums around the world. For the time being, Angel remains locked within the Taiji Whale Museum along with the rest of the dolphins. Lying ahead of her is a lifetime of being an outlandish spectacle for human entertainment. Provided she can survive the trauma she has endured. Last week, another dolphin pod was driven into the cove and slaughtered. The ishermen have not yet illed their annual quota. They have not enslaved or chopped up enough dolphins yet. But they have ample time for that since the hunting season officially ends in March. And in September, the dolphin hunts will begin all over again. - Earth Island Journal
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Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
regionalnEWS nuti no TE PA EnuA
‘They’re stealing our teachers’ territory recruiting teachers from Samoa despite local shortages APIA – American Samoa has
been accused of attempting to “steal” teachers from Western Samoa. Samoa’s Minister of Education did not mince words in response to concerns about local teachers being recruited by
American Samoa. In parliament Magele Mauiliu Magele said: “About the representatives from American Samoa who are in the country, it appears that they have come to steal, in a respectful manner, teachers from here.”
paciic BRIEFS ARMY TO PROMOTE SCHOOL EDUCATION AMERICAN SAMOA – The US Army Corps of Engineers in Honolulu is helping promote science, technology, engineering and math education in American Samoa schools. The corps’ Honolulu district says it formalized a partnership with the US territory’s government on Friday. District commander Lt col Thomas Asbery says the partnership helps keep America “technologically strong” by inspiring young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Collectively, the subjects are known as STEM. He notes that helping American Samoa strengthen STEM studies will also beneit the military. He says 1,600 students in the island’s six high schools participate in the Junior ROTC programme and many of them join the military. The Department of Education says careers in STEM ields will increase 14 per cent between now and 2020.
PNG POPULATION GROWS TO 7.8 MILLION
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s population is estimated at about 7.8 million people. That is the assumption of the planning minister, Charles Abel, who has just released census data from 2011, which showed at that stage that the country’s population had reached 7.3 million. Abel says since the year 2000, PNG’s population has grown nearly 40 per cent with an annual rate of growth of 3.1 per cent and he believes that rate would have been maintained through to 2014. The census shows the rate of growth is signiicantly higher than in 1980, when it was 2.2 per cent. It also shows that the populations in the highlands and island regions are growing faster than the national average.
NIUE REFUGEE CENTRE ‘STILL ON AGENDA’
NIUE – The leader of opposition MPs in Niue believes the government still has ideas about housing Australia’s asylum seekers, despite the proposal being rejected by parliament. Premier Toke Talagi raised the prospect last month but in a pre-emptive strike by opposition MPs, a motion that his proposal not be considered was passed with a 10-3 vote. A number of MPs and cabinet ministers in the 20-member parliament abstained. The opposition MP, Togia Sioneholo, says he will not be surprised if the premier raises it again. “I think the government, because we have a general election due this year, is trying to avoid the issue, but I believe very much that it’s still on as a government policy.”
HEALTH OFFICIALS IN FRAUD ALLEGATIONS MARSHALL ISLANDS – Bribery allegations in the Marshall Islands have prompted the government to appoint the government’s chief secretary as interim secretary of health. Seven ministry of health administrators and one ministry of inance oicial have been put on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of fraud. The public servants are suspected of taking bribes in exchange for awarding contracts. Oicials in both the auditor general’s oice and the attorney general’s oice have indicated that criminal charges are expected to be iled in the High Court in the next few days. The extraordinary appointment was approved by president christopher Loeak and the public service chairperson Marie Maddison.
FARMER DROWNS WHILE SPEARFISHING FIJI – A 37-year-old farmer of Ligaulevu village, Mali Island is latest drowning victim in Fiji’s waters. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the victim had gone out diving alone at around 8am however failed to return later in the afternoon. A search was conducted by four fellow villagers in a iberglass boat and the victim’s body and his spear gun were discovered loating in open sea. He was brought back to shore after which oicers at the Labasa Police Station were alerted. Investigations continue. The current drowning toll in Fiji stands at ive compared to six for the same period last year.
FIJI AND LITHUANIA FORMALISE RELATIONS FIJI – The Republic of Lithuania and Fiji formalized diplomatic relations at a ceremony at the Fiji Mission to the United Nations in New York on Friday. The Permanent Representative of the Lithuania to the United Nations, Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaite, and her Fijian counterpart, Ambassador Peter Thomson, signed a joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between the two nations. The communiqué calls for the promotion and strengthening of friendship and cooperation between the two States in political, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other ields. Ambassador Thomson reported on the steady progress being made towards Fiji’s 2014 general elections.
A teacher recruitment drive by American Samoa started in Samoa last week. Several Members of Parliament voiced their concerns about the impact of having teachers from Samoa recruited for jobs outside of the country when Samoa already faces a teacher shortage. Most particularly science and math teachers – which American Samoa is short of too and the main target of the recruitment campaign. They are also targeting teachers who can teach in English and Samoan given Amercian Samoa’s recent shift to use more of the Samoan language as education delivery in the classrooms.
They are looking for up to thirty teachers to take back to the territory, offering to double the pay the recruits get in Samoa. Education Minister Magele said it presented a challenge to his ministry. He told parliament he was “not fully aware” about what’s being offered by the American Samoa recruitment drive to lure teachers over. “But we are looking into it,” he said. on the other hand, Magele said if Samoa “had many teachers, this would be one of the good markets” for our people to ind work. Earlier this week, Fa’auifono
Vaitautolu, the deputy director for the department of Education in American Samoa, told the Samoa observer that the recruitment is not new. As for why the recruitment is necessary, Faaiufono said: “Every year there is a shortage of teachers in American Samoa because they would either resign, retire or transfer to other countries.” According to Fa’auifono, American Samoa lacks qualiied teachers for basic subjects such as English, maths and science. The territory also needs teachers for vocational subjects such as carpentry, plumbing, electricians and mechanical engineering.
“These are the teachers, which we are seeking for and we’re hoping to ind them here in Samoa,” Fa’auifono said. Assistant director of Secondary Schools in the department of Education, American Samoa, Samasoni Asaele said the recruitment drive offers good opportunities for teachers in Samoa. But why is American Samoa recruiting in Samoa? “Instead of going to overseas countries like India, Philippines and America for help, we thought that Samoa is close by. Samoa is our neighbouring island and teachers from here are familiar with the language.” - Samoa Observer/PNC
PM sick of the ‘blah, blah, blah’
APIA – Samoa’s outspoken prime minister has told potential overseas investors he is tired of people who “talk and nothing happens”. He made the comment after a group of “palagi” businessmen came to him last week with a proposal to burn Samoa’s waste to generate electricity. He told them to put in a proposal and he would give the goahead. Tuilaepa said liars will always
get caught by “administration” processes in place. The meeting took two minutes, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi told parliament. “They opened their laptop and wanted an hour to make a presentation. “I told them the only thing I want to see is action,” he said. He was used to it, he said. “Many come here and ‘blah, blah, blah’ and that’s the end
of it.” He then gave the example of investors who proposed to build a hotel at Taumeasina, near Apia. He said the ground was dug, then there was a halt as the investors said they were off to get some money and they went bankrupt. He said the same thing happened to the next group of investors interested in the site. “next came a new Zealander
with the same idea, Tuilaepa said. “A ground breaking ceremony took place followed by the drinking of much beer.” He later heard the Kiwi sold sand in the search for money. The Prime Minister also mentioned an overseas Samoan who came to see him about a project in Salelologa, Savai’i. Then the investor asked him for $10 for his boat fare, he said. - Talamua
Four dead in Papua shootout JAKArTA – Indonesian army
oficials say a soldier and three armed “radicals” have been killed in two shooting incidents in the country’s Papua region. Army spokesman, Pandika Perkasa, said a group of soldiers was conducting a raid in the mountainous Puncak Jaya area in Papua’s western central
highlands, a known hideout for armed Papuan separatists, after receiving intelligence on a “radical group”. Perkasa said the soldiers coniscated a rile from the gunmen and three of them were killed during an extended shoot-out. “The team of soldiers had called for back-up,” he said.
“The reinforcement team of 25 people were then ambushed by gunmen on the way to the site. They killed one soldier in that incident.” Police say the gunmen belonged to the separatist Free Papua Movement. However Perkasa says it is too early to speculate on the gun-
men’s connections or motives. Attacks on security forces are common in Papua, where poorly armed militants have for decades fought an insurgency on behalf of the mostly ethnic Melanesian population. Jakarta keeps a tight grip on the region with a heavy military presence. - ABC
Murder witness changes his story APIA – A police witness who dramatically rescinded his initial statement while giving evidence at a murder trail in Samoa last week – then broke down and admitted police has coached him to change his story. The witness was a prisoner at Samoa’s Tafaigata Prison who shared a cell block with a mentally ill new Zealand man who was found dead in the prison, upside down in a water barrel, in 2012. In his irst statement given to police in the prison the day after the man’s death the prisoner said he what he had witnessed was a suicide. But in a second statement, made at police headquarters in Apia two weeks later he gave a different account, implicating another prisoner – which he repeated in court last week. Then, when cross-examined,
the witness broke down and admitted police had coached him to make the second statement. Aucklander Hans dalton, 28, had been taken to Samoa’s Tafaigata Prison on Christmas day 2012, news website Talamua reports. Talamu describes dalton as a “mental patient”. He was later found dead, upside down, head irst in a water barrel. His death was initially treated as suicide. Since then, a fellow prisoner Jonathan Patrick Crichton, 21, of American Samoa, has been charged with dalton’s murder and is now on trial in the Supreme Court in Mulinu’u, Apia. Prisoner and police witness, Siliva Suitupe, 20, was called by the prosecution to give evidence when the trial began last week. Suitupe said he shared a cell block with dalton and Crichton.
“That boy did not commit suicide,” he said repeatedly while giving evidence. The court heard that after dalton’s body was removed from prison, Suitupe made his irst statement to police saying that he had heard Crichton call for help. He said he ran to where Crichton was standing and saw dalton’s body in the drum of water. “I called out ‘this boy has killed himself, help is needed’,” Suitupe said. But then in a second statement two weeks later he gave a different account, stating that he had looked into the cell where dalton was held. “I saw Jonathan (the accused) standing next to the drum of water and the palagi (Dalton’s) body was in the drum,” Suitupe testiied. “I saw the palagi’s legs were
moving as if he was trying to kick something.” He said he had not told the truth in the irst statement because he had feared he might end up dead like dalton. defence lawyer rosella Papali’i put it to Suitupe that police had told him what to say. “did the police tell you that you would be their star witness and that you will be a star?” The witness then replied “yes”, and broke down. Talamua said Judge Lesatele rapi Va’ai adjourned the court. As a weeping Suitupe left the witness box dalton’s mother, who travelled from new Zealand for the trial, hugged him as he continued to cry. The trial continues. Samoa has a mandatory death penalty for murder but it has always been commuted to life imprisonment. - Fairfax NZ
Tonga refutes claims it took too long to act nuKu’ALoFA – The Tongan
government has refuted claims it has been ineffective in responding to the peoples’ needs following Cyclone Ian. Two weeks after Cyclone Ian, the Tongan government for-
mally requested humanitarian aid, saying its capacity, resources and expertise are too limited to deal with the storm’s lasting impact. The leader of the opposition People’s democratic Party, Akili-
si Pohiva, says the government was too slow to act. But the deputy Prime Minister and chair of the national Emergency Ofice, Samiu Vaipulu, says he and other members of government travelled to Ha’apai
on army ships the morning after the storm. Vaipulu says the government waited nine days to request international humanitarian help because it needed to assess what the needs were. - RNZI
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Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
regionalnEWS nuti no TE PA EnuA
Tiny island ravaged by cyclone Island community determined to rebuild despite devastation HA’Ano – While the damage Cyclone Ian afflicted on the main Ha’apai island of Lifuka has been the main focus of news coverage, the population of a smaller island in the group has only just been able to tell their story. Communications were cut off during the cyclone. now, as people get their cell phones working again, their stories of survival are continuing to come out of the isolated islands in the Ha‘apai Group of central Tonga. Terrified, and huddled together inside two church halls, the entire population of tiny Mo’unga’one Island – around 100 people, fearfully endured the destruction of their village by Cyclone Ian during the afternoon of Saturday, January 11. “We did nothing but listen to the full force of the cyclone’s destruction outside,” Sione Taumata told Matangi Tonga from Ha’ano, one of the larger islands in the group. “At one point during the battering, the doors at the hall got smashed open by the wind, but because there were many of us there we managed to bolt it up. It was scary.” Taumata said that he was thankful to be alive after the two
hours battering from the frightful winds around the powerfully-intense eye of the Category 4-5 storm, which passed very close to the exposed and lowlying island. All except two of the 30 buildings in the islands only village were destroyed or severely damaged. Cyclone Ian left only the two halls standing. It is the island where Taumata was born and was living with his elderly parents who are over 70-years old. “I have never seen or experienced such a powerful cyclone in my life,” he said. “ When the full force of the cyclone hit the island around 2 pm on Saturday, approximately 60 people, including myself, had already taken shelter inside the Free Wesleyan Church Hall. “The other residents were at the Church of Tonga Hall. We huddled inside and heard the cyclone roaring loudly and it was terrifying because I could hear everything being demolished or thrown around outside,” he said. Taumata said they were lucky because after hearing the cyclone warnings on the radio, the villagers had managed to move all of their seven elderly people
‘We huddled inside and heard the cyclone roaring loudly and it was terrifying because I could hear everything being demolished or thrown around outside.’ to the halls to take shelter. Sione said that the Mo’unga’one people remained in the hall throughout the storm and overnight. on Sunday when they came out they realised the full extent of the destruction. “Most of the homes were destroyed and to show how powerful Ian was, the big trees were snapped and broken,” he said. The Tongan navy patrol boat VoEA, arrived at the island soon after the storm passed. “We received immediate relief supplies last week that included tents for temporary shelter and food,” said Sione. Taumata who is currently volunteering for the Tonga red Cross relief effort, said the pressing need now is for clean drinking water.
The population of tiny Ma’unge’one huddled in two church halls as Cyclone Ian ripped across the Ha’apai group island on January 11. The island was among the worst afected with just two buildings left standing. GOOGLE EARTH There remained only two water tanks for drinking as the other tanks were either dirty or had no water. The food items were nearly running out so they needed more supplies while they were trying to rebuild their communities. “We are ine now, everyone is
just managing to clean up the destruction to their homes. The most important thing is we are alive and we now need all the assistance we can get to get back on our feet,” he said. Tonga’s national Emergency Management office reported that Mo’unga’one suffered 73 per cent destruction of its build-
ings making it one of the worst affected island communities. The island has an area of just 1.17 square kilometres. Cyclone Ian, left one person dead in Lifuka and injured 14 when it passed across central Tonga, causing millions of pa’anga in damage to infrastructure. - Matangi Tonga
Saving Easter Island’s marine life SALAS Y Gó M EZ – You’ve heard of Easter Island, but you may not be familiar with its uninhabited neighbour. Salas y Gómez Island has been called one of the world’s last untouched marine places. A recent expedition and new documentary demonstrates the stark contrast between these two islands – and the need for new conservation measures in Easter Island to protect its sharks and marine life. Last year, conservation group oceana and the national Geographic Society, in an unprecedented collaboration with the Chilean navy, launched a scientific expedition to the waters that surround Salas y Gómez Island and Easter Island, over 2000 miles west of the Chilean coast. The expedition was the team’s second; the initial journey brought back such powerful
scientiic and photographic evidence of its ecological value that the Chilean government created a marine reserve around Salas y Gómez. The team found a glaring difference between Easter Island and Salas y Gómez. Although the two islands have identical environmental conditions, years of overishing around Easter Island has taken a toll – the team found that Salas y Gómez has approximately three times as many ish as its neighbour, and many more sharks. Sharks in particular are a key sign of a healthy marine ecosystem as they indicate that there are enough ish to support the apex predators. diving in Salas y Gómez was like going back in time in Easter Island – before the damage was done. The team found an incredible amount of marine life in the ma-
rine park, including scores of Galapagos sharks, large amberjacks, huge lobsters, and colourful corals that covered the sea loor. The discovery of abundant sharks around Salas y Gómez was a hopeful sign. While the divers discovered healthy corals near Easter Island, they found very few ish. Enric Sala, Explorer in residence of national Geographic and co-leader of the expedition, compared it to “a perfect house that no one lives in.” As Easter Island’s overfishing problem became clearer, so did the solution – expand the marine park to give the ecosystem a rest and allow the ish and sharks to come back. Broadening the current borders of the Salas y Gómez Marine Park would also ensure the protection of the seamounts between the two islands, which are
The waters of Salas y Gómez have approximately three times as many ish as its neighbour Easter Island and many more sharks, a sign of a healthy marine ecosystem. OCEANA extremely important habitats for a variety of marine life. oceana and national Geographic have formally proposed the expansion of the marine re-
serve around Salas y Gómez Island, both to Chilean President Sebastian Piñera, and to the indigenous rapa nui community on Easter Island.
The conservationists hopeful that their expedition will pave the way for a brighter future for the rapa nui people and their waters. - OCEANA
Corals surprisingly resistant to ocean acidiication Koror – Marine scientists
working on the coral reefs of Palau have made two unexpected discoveries that could provide insight into corals’ resistance and resilience to ocean acidiication. The team collected water samples at nine points along a transect that stretched from the open ocean, across a barrier reef, into a lagoon, and into the bays and inlets around the rock Islands of Palau in the western Paciic Ocean. With each location they
found that the seawater became increasingly more acidic as they moved toward land. “When we first plotted that data, we were shocked,” said chemical oceanographer Kathryn Shamberger of the Woods Hole oceanographic Institution (WHOI). “We had no idea the level of acidification we would find. We’re looking at reefs today that have levels that we expect for the open ocean in that region by the end of the century.” The national Science Foun-
dation (NSF) funded the research through its ocean Acidiication Programme, part of the agency’s Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability Investment. “This important study documents a coral reef system that’s apparently resistant to the effects of ocean acidiication,” said david Garrison, programme director in nSF’s division of ocean Sciences. “understanding what factors account for this will be critical follow-on research.”
While ocean chemistry varies naturally at different locations, it is changing around the world due to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The ocean absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide, which reacts with seawater, lowering the water’s overall pH and making it more acidic. This process also removes carbonate ions needed by corals and other organisms to build their skeletons and shells. Corals growing in low pH conditions, both in laboratory
experiments that simulate future conditions and in other naturally low pH ocean environments show a range of negative effects. These include juveniles of various species with difficulty
constructing skeletons, fewer varieties of corals, less coral cover, more algae growth and more porous corals with greater signs of erosion from other organisms. - PACNEWS
We cover the Paciic
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Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
LETTErS reta
Film Raro ‘scrapped without even a glance’ dear Editor, I don’t wish to get in a “tit for tat” situation with Tourism chief executive Halatoa Fua about Film raro’s request for funding, but I would also like to set the record straight on a couple of very signiicant points. When we revised down our budget and our application to tourism it was to create a mutually usable marketing product: six ilms that showed location (film) and destination (tourism). It was a completely new proposal. We used the sensationally successful model of the film industry and tourism working in co-operation in nZ with government support. That model has resulted in multimillion dollar beneits for tourism – think Lord of the rings showcasing (marketing) New Zealand’s magnificent scenery and all of the visitors that were drawn to “middle earth” just to experience that. That is only one prime example. Guess what? now the Hobbit is having the same support from nZ Tourism, oh and James Cameron has moved to nZ to focus on the next three Avatar ilms. now don’t you think that nZ Tourism will be capitalising on that and making mileage out of it? of course they are... they get it!
nZ tourism doesn’t hide the compared with Vaka Eiva in fact that it has enjoyed huge its tenth year! What about the benefits from the develop- cross island walk project, how ment of the ilm industry; the many bums on seats will that nZ government invests in it be drawing? What about the because of the economic ben- Aitutaki Fishing Club? Huge efits. It celebrates it! There is investment from tourism.... no “compromise” by nZ tour- er, how many bums on seats ism because they have had the will that draw to justify the vision and capability to recog- big spend? The Bowling Club nise a good thing, hop into it, $100,000 – how many bums on support it and reap the beneits seats so far? Exactly how much economic return from it. Halatoa says “It ‘If CI Tourism had are we looking at is not the role of the a product to offer, so far from destination develop tourism authority they would have ment funds? It to build the film to pay to put it seems that the 94 industry...” How on uS television, bums on seats that short- sighted. We they couldn’t Film raro brought haven’t asked tourafford it – we’ve in has only earned ism to build the inprovided that a contemptuous dustry, they don’t marketing for our “s n i f f ” f r o m C I have the capability. country for free.’ Tourism. our small industry Marketing of the partnering with nZ can do that. We asked for Cook Islands is something that tourism to support it and work Film raro has done extremely with us to become established well so far. PBS channel in the for the long-term beneit of the united States will air the Film country. When all the evidence Raro ilms this year. I’d love to is presenting itself in our nZ know what single marketing neighbour and we have done product generated by CI Tourthe work to join in their success ism can get the same airtime on and have the Cook Islands also US television. Our ilms have marketed by nZFilm, CI Tour- been sought out by festivals, TV ism stubbornly refuses to see stations, universities, libraries the merits. What’s that about? and we have been asked to take Apparently it’s about the our product “Film raro” and number of bums on seats on re-create it in other countries. aeroplanes. Interesting that If CI Tourism had a product to the fledgling Film raro is offer, they would have to pay
to put it on uS television, they couldn’t afford it – we’ve provided that marketing for our country for free. referring to the projects they asked us to work with them on, he failed to include the $5000 we were offered to make THREE commercials (I thought it was a joke), and as for the archive project, they didn’t supply the information that was needed to catalogue their ilm in keeping with their already catalogued still images, so the ilm went back to them. What’s not “sustainable” is us digging into our own pockets to create and run a unique marketing product and a unique social and economic project (yes, providing employment, preserving and enhancing culture, building skills and talent, generating national pride) and having tourism reap the benefits for no investment... that would be just plain stupid. What is unfair is being given the “bum’s rush” and scrapped without even a glance at our new proposal. I don’t know why Halatoa would invite people into Tourism to discuss our one and only proposal for the destination development Fund ... he’s never seen it! We realised early that Film raro was an “out of the box” concept. It’s what makes it
Taxing NZ pensions is ‘breaking tradition’ dear Editor, richard neves’ letter to the editor on Saturday January 18 (‘Reliable tax base crucial – Neves’) in part reads: “I believe most people would not like to be in a society where someone fulfils their tax obligations in a timely manner and others
don’t.” Mr neves, from 1996-2010 when Sir Geoffrey of the Cook Islands Party was Prime Minister, followed by democratic Party Prime Ministers – 17 years altogether – by the grace of those great Cook Island leaders, nZ-paid pensioners were never
taxed – I repeat, never taxed! And there was no animosity among the people toward us non-tax paying mamas and papas. We were respected as was Maori custom toward the elderly. However, your illegal, desperate, kamikaze style of tax collecting has labelled us bludg-
ers and tax-dodgers! You broke a Cook Islands government tradition (in respect of the elderly) not to tax them. now that you are going to tax the local pensioners, Papa Arapati rolls in his grave. dennis Tunui Turangi
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
unique in the world. What we haven’t been able to do is help CI Tourism understand that occasionally some expanded thinking (vision) is called for when unique situations present themselves and “don’t meet the criteria”. Leading an industry calls for vision as well as capability to manage risk. All of the projects funded by Tourism have an element
of risk, none can guarantee sustainability. In order to gain the competitive edge over every other tropical holiday destination, thinking outside the box should be a must for CI Tourism’s staff and board, not just seat-warming. Alexis napa Wolfgramm General Manager drum Productions CI Ltd
‘CIP not deserving of another 4-year term’ dear Editor, Just to add my voice of concern to the opposition Leader's in that PM Henry 'Elvis' Puna embarks on far too much unnecessary and unimportant travel rather than remain in the country and provide the vital leadership and guidance needed to run an effective government. Prime Minister for the past three years, Puna's political leadership has been a complete
disaster. Indecisive and displaying a lack of genuine interest in the running of the government, the voters of this country will demonstrate their dismay with Puna's hopeless leadership by sweeping the demos to power in 12 months’ time. Botching up on almost everything they do, CIP is deinitely not deserving of another 4-year term at the helm of government. disgusted ex-CIP supporter (name and address supplied)
‘I’d demand a trial by a jury of elderly Cook Islands peers’ dear Editor, I’m an older Pr that does not have his pension sent to the Cook Islands. I have been following the Grey Power overdue tax saga regarding their new Zealand old age pensioners. My irst thought was the stupidity of government. Any serving government oficial in most free countries would consider such negative action as potentially political suicide. I recognise the earlier government passed the current administrators a financial bag-of-worms, but this action is petty and does little to solve the Cook’s inancial woes. From what I understand, Grey Power, in reality, only wants to pay their fair current and future taxes regarding their new Zealand pensions collected in the Cook Islands. They just don’t want to pay the old back taxes. Grey Power states many of those involved had personally contacted the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) and were told that no tax would be assessed against their new Zealand pensions … and over time this became “common knowledge” among those involved. Makes sense to me! now MFEM, under new leadership, says these elderly folks must pay back taxes regarding these hard-earned pensions. Then, after several pensioners did not respond to MFEM notices to come meet with them, MFEM forced the banks to withdraw funds from pensioners’ accounts and give them to MFEM. This draconian action was uncalled for and I suspect illegal. I am not a lawyer but I believe
that “due process” is recognised in most democratic nations and was not followed in this case. In my opinion, if MFEM was unhappy with this situation that caused the bank withdrawals, they should have taken the alleged elderly pensioners to court to determine what, if any money is owed for back taxes. At this point both MFEM and the pensioners would have their say in court, and possibly a jury of elderly Cook Islands peers would make fair decisions. This key element of democracy was bypassed to MFEM’s beneit. Also, to a lesser degree, the banks were also to blame as they allowed MFEM to bully them. If I were Grey Power I would find a “good” lawyer and sue government for the return of those funds already taken plus damages and lawyer fees. Also I would sue banks for damages and legal fees as well. Further, I would demand a trial by a jury of elderly Cook Islands peers. In my opinion, Grey Power would have a good chance to win this case. If Grey Power wins, MFEM will reimburse the taken funds, damages and fees and change the way they apply the tax law(s) to new Zealand pensioners. Also, the banks will pay the required damages and legal fees and if they were smart, would also sue MFEM for the same fees and damages. After all, they were “forced” to remove and give money to MFEM from those personal accounts that their respective banks were entrusted. An interested old guy, name and address supplied
Managing Editor John Woods john@cookislandsnews.com Financial Controller Liz Woods lizw@cookislandsnews.com General Manager Tony Fe’ao tony@cookislandsnews.com Deputy Editor Matariki Wilson matariki@cookislandsnews.com Online & Social Networking Editor Briar Douglas briar@cookislandsnews.com Reporters Emmanuel Samoglou emmanuel@cookislandsnews.com Ben Chapman-Smith ben@cookislandsnews.com Rachel Reeves rachel@cookislandsnews.com Court Reporter Merita Wi-Kaitaia merita@cookislandsnews.com Advertising adverts@cookislandsnews.com Advertising Assistant Peka Fisher peka@cookislandsnews.com oice Manager Tere Joseph tere@cookislandsnews.com Accounts Manager Tangi Tauira tangi@cookislandsnews.com Reception Kura Tauira reception@cookislandsnews.com oice Staf Apii Tua apii@cookislandsnews.com Graphic Design & Layout Mahai Daniel mahai@cookislandsnews.com Adam Tutuvanu adam@cookislandsnews.com Web Developer Daniel Rolls dan@cookislandsnews.com Print Manager Dan Johnston danj@cookislandsnews.com Printers Dennis Campos, Lai Gukisuva
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Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
Resident says Te Mato Vai master plan “lacks depth” An ATTEndEE of the recent Te Mato Vai consultations believes the draft of the project’s master plan fails to take into account many previous reports on the island’s water infrastructure. Arorongi resident Sam napa – a local grower who has studied agricultural engineering at Auckland’s Massey university – said over a dozen studies have been done on rarotonga’s water and sanitation sector. Napa said the Te Mato Vai (TMV) master plan, written by global engineering irm AECOM, fails to acknowledge and build upon many of those earlier reports and studies. Additionally, he said a condition of the master plan’s original tender was to “review all previous reports and data and produce a gap analysis on data still required to produce the master plan”. “To me, the (master plan) lacks depth,” he said. napa provided a list of eight reports – prepared by local government, the Asian development Bank (ADB), and SOPAC - the Secretariat
of the Paciic Community’s Applied Geoscience and Technology division – not mentioned in the bibliography of AECoM’s master plan. He also produced a March 1992 report on rarotonga’s water supply by Sakura Tsuchiya, a civil engineer from the united nations Volunteer Service, which appears to include details on water lows in litres per second (LPS) for nearly every pipe in rarotonga. That report also fails to be mentioned in the bibliography, and napa asked if authorities were aware of the data, as water meters are currently being installed on the island to monitor and record information on water lows. “These reports get done, and nobody reads them,” he said. napa said he would be willing to offer his insight to project oficials, and spoke about the importance of input from Cook Islanders. “You can’t beat local knowledge,” he said. “We have so many skilled and talented people on the island, but they get passed.” In attendance for a number of the
recent consultations, napa said he thought the information presented by project oficials was too technical for a public audience. At Wednesday’s public consultation in Titikaveka, he said he noticed some people started to leave halfway through the presentation. “You have to come down to their level, and tell them what you want to do,” said napa, adding a more visual depiction of the project, including aids and diagrams, could help future consultations. His criticism aside, napa said the effort was an improvement from the past when there was little consultation on “big-spending projects.” “The government is doing the best they can, but there is always room for improvement.” napa said his interest in the Te Mato Vai project is a tribute to his friend, the late Ken Brown – a former director of Water Works. “A lot of people didn’t recognise his contribution to the current system,” he said. - Emmanuel Samoglou
arorongi resident sam napa says the Te Mato Vai master plan lacks depth. He recently attended several consultation meetings, and thought the information was too technical for public consumption. 14012104
The public have had the opportunity to air their views on concerns they may have with the Te Matao Vai project.
14011309
Cabinet in country this week ALL MEMBErS of cabinet will
be in the Cook Islands for the coming work week. Prime Minister Henry Puna returned last week from Abu dhabi last week, where he attended “The Blue Economy Summit’ – a meeting that aimed to help island states pursue “more appropriate” models for sustainable development. At the meeting, discussions were held on renewable energy, fisheries, tourism, and shipping. This week, Puna resumes his normal schedule and will be in the country all week.
Finance Minister Mark Brown, on personal leave last week in new Zealand, returned yesterday and will be in ofice all week. This week, education minister Teina Bishop hopes to continue with an initiative that sees the ministry distributing laptop computers to schools in the Pa Enua. Bishop is working out plans to make it to Atiu to deliver the computers on Wednesday, with further trips in the works for Mauke and Mitiaro. deputy Prime Minister and minister of infrastructure Tea-
riki Heather will be resuming his regular ministerial schedule after completing the last of nine consultation meetings on the $64 million Te Mato Vai water infrastructure project last week. Last week, the infrastructure ministry was formally rebranded to ‘Infrastructure Cook Islands’ (ICI), during an event held in Arorongi. Minister of health nandi Glassie and agriculture minister Kiriau Turepu will be in the country all week attending to their ministerial duties. - Emmanuel Samoglou
"Multiple Ways of Knowing – Integrating Māori Knowledge and Science for new solutions"
WEEKLY TRAVEL DIARY FOR CABINET MINISTERS MINISTER PORTFOLIOS TRAvEL Prime Minister, Attorney General, Energy, Justice, EMCI, Public Service, Commission, Marine Resources, Transport, Foreign Afairs and Immigration
Monday, January 27 to Monday, February 3: COOK ISLANDS
Kiriau Turepu
Agriculture, BTIB, NES
Monday, January 27 to Monday, February 3: COOK ISLANDS
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga - NZ's Indigenous Centre of Research Excellence The University of Auckland
Teina Bishop
Education, Tourism
Monday, January 27 to Monday, February 3: COOK ISLANDS
Mark Brown
Finance and Economic Management, Head of State, Commerce, FIU, Pearl Authority, Telecommunications, Financial Supervisory Monday, January 27 to Monday, Commission, Superannuation, PERCA, February 3: COOK ISLANDS Financial Services Development Authority, Minerals and Natural Resources.
After leading a geology mapping expedition for the British Antarctic Survey for his PhD, Dr Dan Hikuroa undertook research on how the world’s oceans and biota responded to naturally driven climate chan ge in the ancient past. Since then he has worked almost exclusively with Māori communities, focusing on the integration of mātauranga Māori and science to reach solutions that neither body of knowledge can yield in isolation. In this seminar Dan will discuss the similarities and differences between indigenous knowledge and science and how their integration can yield new solutions to old problems.
Henry Puna
Teariki Heather Nandi Glassie
A public lecture by
Dr Dan Hikuroa
Deputy Prime Minister, Infrastructure and Planning, Cultural Development, House of Ariki, Police
Monday, January 27 to Monday, February 3: COOK ISLANDS
Health, Parliamentary Services, Ombudsman, Internal Afairs
Monday, January 27 to Monday, February 3: COOK ISLANDS
Research Director
Wednesday 29 January 2014 at 7pm at
USP Cook Islands, Takamoa
Everyone welcome – light refreshment afterwards
8
Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
The University of the South Paciic Cook Islands is ofering the following courses in distance mode in Semester 1, 2014 • If you wish to commence studies with the University for the irst time, please complete an application for admission before 31 Jan, 2014. • If you are continuing your studies, please complete reenrolment before 20 Jan, 2014. • Semester 1 will commence February 17, 2014. PRELIMINARY (EQUIVALENT TO FORM 6) courSE coDE
COURSE TITLE
courSE coDE
Admissions and re-enrolment can be completed at our oice - call in and complete the relevant forms or the forms can be sent to you by email (phone 29415 or email nataliajoseph26@gmail.com) or enrolment can be completed online at http://www.usp.ac.j/index. php?id=12540
COURSE TITLE
courSE coDE
COURSE TITLE
ed 170
LANGUAGE FOR TEACHERS
Ma 102
MATHEMATICS FOR SCIENCE
aF P01 PrELIMINArY AccouNtING I
ed 191
EDU DECISION-MAKNG/PROB SOLV'G
Ma 112
cALcuLuS II
BI P02
ed 205
MATHS SCIENCE &THE ENV. IN ECE
Ma 221
LINEAr ALGEBrA II
cH P02 PrELIMINArY cHEMIStrY A
ed 206
ARTS,CRAFT,MUSIC & MOV. IN ECE
Ma 321
ABStrAct ALGEBrA
eC P01 PrELIMINArY EcoNoMIcS
ed 210
ED. INDV.WITH BEHAV.DISORDERS
INtroDuctIoN to MANAGEMENt
GE P01 PrELIM GEo A:PHYSIcAL GEoGrPHY ed 215 Hy P01 THE PACIFIC & WORLD WAR I I ed 216
MG 101
LANGuAGE AND MAtHEMAtIcS I I
MG 201
ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR
SC & SOC STUD FOR PRIM TEACHER
MG 206
MARKETING:PRINCIP.& STRATEGIES
PrELIMINArY BIoLoGY A
Is P21
INTRO TO INFORMATION COM & TEC
ed 250
currIcuLuM StuDIES I
MG 302
HuMAN rESourcE MANAGEMENt
LL P13
PrE-tErtIArY ENGLISH
ed 252
ED PSYC & TEACH-LEARN PROCESS
MG 309
StrAtEGIc MANAGEMENt
ed 254
EVALUATION IN SCHOOLS
MG 316
COMPARATIVE EMP.& IND.RELATION
Ma P11 PrELIM MAtHEMAtIcS Soc.ScIENcE ed 300 MA P12 PrELIMINArY MAtHEMAtIcS A ed 304
PrActIcuM
MM 101
ENGINEERING GRAPHICS & DESIGN
WRKG WITH INFANTS & TODDLERS
Ms 201
INtroDuctIoN to ocEAN rES.MGt
Ma P13 PrELIMINArY MAtHEMAtIcS B
ed 321
EDCTNG INVD WITH INTL'CT DISAB
os 101
OFFICIAL STA.& NATN.STAT.SYS
PH P02 PrELIMINArY PHYSIcS A
ed 354
ASSESS+ MEASURE STUDENT PERF.
os 202
NATIONAL ACC & ALLIED STAT I I
so P01 PL. cuLturAL ANtH. IN tHE PAc.
ed 359
EDucAtIoNAL rESEArcH
Pa 402
PAC,THOUGHT, PHILOSPHY & ETHIC
ed 391
ED LEADERSHIP & SUPERVISION
PH 102
cLASSIcAL PHYSIcS
CLIMATE CHNG:IMPACT,VULNE.ADAP
PL 100
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
LL P14 PrEMLIMINArY ENGLISH A
Te P02
PrELIMINArY tEcHNoLoGY
FOUNDATION (EQUIVALENT TO FORM 7) eV 414 courSE coDE
COURSE TITLE
eV 424
DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT
PP 101
coNt.ISSuES IN PAc.PoLIcING
aF F01
BASIc AccouNtING A
eV 428
troPIcAL MEtEoroLGY
PP 201
COMPARATIVE & INT'L POLICING
AG F01
FOUNDATION AGRICULTURE
GE 102
HUM GEO: PEOPLE, PLACES & ENV
PP 300
ActIoN rSH IN A PoLIcE coNtEXt
BI F02
FN BIO A-EVOLUTIONARY PATTERNS
GE 201
BIOGEO:PLANTS,ANIM &HUMAN ENV.
Ps 103
rESEArcH MEtHoDS IN Soc.Sc. I
CH F02
FOUNDATION CHEMISTRY A
GN 400
CONTEMP FEMINISM:THRY,MTHD& GN
Ps 203
rESEArcH MEtHS IN Soc.Sc.I I
eC F02
FOUNDATION MICROECONOMICS
GN 401
GENDER,GLOBAL CHNGE& DEV. COMP
Ps 304
PYSCHOLOGY OF PERS & ABNL BEHV
GE F01
PACIFIC ISLANDS GEOGRAPHY I
Hy 102
WrLD HISt:coNtEMPorArY HISt
Ps 305
PSYCHOLOGY OF INDV & COM HEALT
Hy F01
INtroDuctIoN to PAc. HIStorY
Hy 202
PrE-coL. PoW StrGLS N WSt PoLY
Ps 407
CLINICAL & COUNSELLING ASSMNT
Is F21
coMPutEr LItErAcY
Hy 305
WRLD HIST:BRITISH EMP & COMWL
so 100
THEMES & PERSPECTIVES IN SOCIO
LL F11
COMMUNICATION & STUDY SKILLS I
Is 122
INFORMATION SYSTEM II
so 200
MoDErN SocIAL tHEorY
LL F14
FOUNDATION ENGLISH A
Is 224
ADVANCED DATABASE SYSTEMS
so 201
SOCIETY CULTURE CHANGE:PACIFIC
LL F21
COMMUNICATIONS & LANGUAGE
LL 108
INTRO TO CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
so 300
RES PRJCT OR FLDWK PL IN SOCIO
Ma F11
FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS A
LL 162
FIJIAN ORATURE/LITERATURE I
so 301
SOCIOLOGY OF PUB POLICY/ADMIN
Ma F21
FN MATH FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE
LL 171
INtroDuctIoN to HINDI
sW 100
INTRODUCTION TO FIELDWORK
PH F02
FOUNDATION PHYSICS A
LL 241
INTERMEDIATE FRENCH STUDIES I
sW 201
SOCIAL & COMMUNITY WORK PRAC I
so F01
THE STUDY OF SOCIETY & CULTURE
LM 112
PRINCIPLES/PROB'S:LAND TENURE
sW 301
SOCIAL & COMMUNITY WK PRAC.I I
so F01
THE STUDY OF SOCIETY & CULTURE
LM 311
PROPERTY VALUATION METHODOLOGY Ts 106
INtro to tourISM StuDIES
Te F02
INtroDuctIoN to tEcHNoLoGY A
Ls 101
INTRO TO LIBRARY/INFOR STUDIES
Ts 108
DIMENSIONS OF HOSPITALITY
Ls 204
LIBRARY SOURCES & SERVICES
Ts 207
MARKETING FOR TOURISM & HOSP.
COURSE TITLE
Ls 205
MGNT LIB/INFO CENTRES
Ts 209
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aF 100
INT TO ACTG & FIN FOR NON SPEC
LW 110
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Ts 217
FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPRS I PRAC
aF 102
INTRO TO ACCTG & FIN MGMT I I
LW 111
COURTS & DISPUTE RESOLUTION I
Ts 218
ROOM DIVISION PRACTICAL
aF 201
MANAGErIAL AccouNtING
LW 201
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Ts 303
FOOD & BEVERAGE OPS II PRACTL
aF 205
LAW OF ASSOCIATION
LW 203
tortS I
Ts 304
FRNT OFFCE & SALES MARKTNG PRA
aF 208
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
LW 205
CRIMINAL LAW & PROCEDURE I
Ts 310
TOURISM IN LESS DEV.COUNTRIES
AG 111
INtro to AGIcuLturAL EcoNoMIcS
LW 300
ProPErtY LAW I
Ts 311
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEV.
AG 124
FUNDAMENTALS OF SOIL SCIENCE
LW 302
EQuItY AND truStS
uu 100
COMMUNICATIONS & INFO LITERACY
AG 164
INtroDuctorY AGrI BIoLoGY
LW 306
LEGAL EtHIcS
uu 114
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES
AG 172
ANIMAL NutrItIoN
LW 307
EVIDENCE
uu 200
ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE
AG 221
SOIL FERT AND PLANT NUTRITION
LW 308
coNStItutIoNAL LAW
uu 204
PACIFIC WORLDS
AGrIcuLturAL EXtENSIoN
LW 310
FAMILY LAW
DEGREE LEVEL courSE coDE
AG 251
CVCE LEVEL courSE coDE
AG 273
MONOGASTRIC.LIVESTOCK PRODUCTN
LW 334
SERIOUS FINANCIAL CRIMES
AG 363
PESt AND DISEASE MANAGEMENt
LW 341
cuStoMArY LAW
CeC 31
BASIC CONCEPTS OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CH 101
cHEMIcAL PrINcIPLES
LW 353
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRON.LAW
CeC 32
THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Cs 112
DATA STRUCTURES & ALGORITHMS
LW 356
MArINE LAW
CeC 33
COMMUNITY PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Cs 214
DESIGN & ANALY.OF ALGORITHMS
LW 370
COMPANY & PARTNERSHIP LAW I
Ce e31
EXPLorING EArLY cHILDHooD EDu
DG 100
INTRO TO LEADERSHP,GOV HUMAN R
LW 392
CIVIL PROCEDURE
Ce e32
GROWING UP IN A PACIFIC FAMILY
DG 100
INTRO TO LEADERSHP,GOV HUMAN R
LW 400
ADVANCED PAC.LEGAL SYSTEM
Ce e33
MANAG YOUR EARLY CHILDH'D CENT
DG 101
PRINCIPLES OF GD LEAD'SHP, GOV
LW 410
FAMILY LAW
Ce L41
INTRO TO LIB SYSTEMS&SERVICES
DG 101
PRINCIPLES OF GD LEAD'SHP, GOV
LW 434
SERIOUS FINANCIAL CRIMES
Ce L42
BuILDING our LIBrArY rES
eC 100
INtroDuctIoN to EcoNoMIcS
LW 441
cuStoMArY LAW
Ce L43
SUPP THE INFO NEED OF OUR USER
eC 101
PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
LW 451
COMPARATIVE ENVIROMENTAL LAW
eC 202
INtErMEDIAtE MIcroEcoNoMIcS
LW 453
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRON.LAW
eC 301
MAcroEcoNoMIcS ANALYSIS
LW 470
COMPANY & PATERNERSHIP LAW I
ed 453
PoLIcY StuDIES IN EDucAtIoN
eC 306
INtErNAtIoNAL EcoNoMIcS
LW 495
SPEcIAL toPIcS: cLIMAtE cHAGNE
ed 455
ADVANCED CURRICULUM
eC 307
RESOURCE & ENVIRON ECONOMICS
LW 495a ST:INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES LAW
ed 457
ADV STUDIES ED:SMALL IS/STATES
ed 152
ed 461
EDU FOR SUSTAINBLE DEVELOPMNT
ed 153
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT-LIFESPAN APP LW 495B ST:CHILDREN'S RIGHTS LW 495C St:INtErNAtIoNAL crIMAL LAW SCHOOL & SOCIETY
ed 468
GENDEr AND EDucAtIoN
ed 158
INTRO TO NON-FORMAL EDUCATION
ed 491
ADV.STDS IN EDUCATNAL LEADSHP
Ma 101
MATHEMATICS FOR SOCIAL SC
COURSE TITLE
Motu2Motu – $180k boost to Aitutaki enua PAddLErS and supporters who
headed to Aitutaki for the Motu2Motu event in december contributed about $180,000 towards the island’s economy. The fast-growing Motu2Motu race is gaining a reputation for being the most stunning paddling location in the world. Cook Islands Tourism Corporation said 134 people went to Aitutaki for the one-day event in december, although the average length of stay was six days. noeline Mateariki from the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation said each visitor spent an estimated $228 per day, using the latest annual AuT visitor satisfaction survey.
Based on 134 people staying an average of six days, total spending amounted to $183,312. “The data used to calculate this igure is based on a preliminary report supplied to the corporation by the organising committee of Motu2Motu,” Mateariki said. There were other positive spinoffs from the event for the people of Aitutaki, with visiting teams donating educational and sports equipment to junior schools. The stunning Motu 2 Motu course is a 36km race consisting of seven legs and six changeovers. next year’s race is expected to be the biggest yet, with 144 paddlers already registered. - BCS
Surveillance facilities inadequate: MMR MArInE resources secretary
Ben Ponia says its current facilities in Avarua are hindering the ministry’s ability to monitor the nation’s waters for illicit ishing activity. Ponia said the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) has observed an increase in the numbers of ishing vessels operating on the high seas – international waters falling outside the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zones (EEZ) assigned to Paciic Island nations. He says the increase in vessels is causing concern, in the belief that the vessels encroaching on the Cook Islands EEZ may affect catch rates within local waters. Ponia said its current office in Avarua is “inadequate for the modern surveillance and compliance regime that is required to control ishing”. “... Staff are crammed into separate spaces instead of a centralised hub where they can feed multiple streams of live vessel movements and catch data,” he said. “If we are to get serious about controlling our waters and the high seas then we will have to invest more in upgrading the surveillance infrastructure and office facilities for both MMr and maritime police services.” MMr’s current office space houses 25 staff members, including one temporary student staff member, along with consultants and occasional staff from their Avatiu ofice. In december, Ponia said the ministry recorded a snap-shot
showing 165 ishing vessels concentrated in the high seas areas east of French Polynesia’s border. By comparison, several vessels were reported to be ishing in the Cook Islands EEZ during the month. “I’m told that those fishing vessels operating east of French Polynesia were getting good albacore tuna catches,” said Ponia. “These are the same tuna stocks caught in our waters, and so one has to wonder if this means that there will be less catches for the Cook Islands in the 2014 season.” With the reported increase in high seas ishing, Ponia said there is more activity for MMr to monitor. Some of the activity observed by MMr officials in december included monitoring the entry and exit of roughly a dozen vessels into the eastern high seas pocket – an international area north-east of the Cook Islands. Another occurrence took place before Christmas, when MMr was alerted by Chinese authorities of a broken-down longliner which had drifted into the Cook Islands EEZ before being rescued and towed out by other ishing vessels. Additional events cited by Ponia included monitoring a purse seiner setting its nets close to the nation’s border, locating a vessel which had stopped reporting its position, and investigating an unregistered longliner, which appeared in the middle of the nation’s EEZ. - Emmanuel Samoglou
POSTGRADUATE LEVEL courSE coDE
COURSE TITLE
University of the South Paciic Towards Excellence in Learning and Knowledge Creation
MMR’s current oices in Avarua, which have been described by secretary Ben Ponia as inadequate for monitoring the nation’s EEZ and adjacent international waters. 14012439
9
Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
Mosquito-ighting supplies heading to Pa Enua ouTEr island communities are being given about $40,000 worth of spraying equipment and chemicals to help them tackle mosquito outbreaks. Each island will be receiving aircraft spray, pesticide, spraying equipment, and personal protection gear consisting of hats, goggles, face masks, boots and overalls. Stationery like pens, paper and calculators are also being sent to the Pa Enua so health protection oficers can record the details of their work. “The main aim is to reduce the mosquito populations so we won’t have an outbreak of
dengue fever,” said senior health protection oficer Charlie Ave. Funding for the new stock has come from the office of the Prime Minister’s Climate Change division. An official handover to the Ministry of Health took place on Friday, with health minister nandi Glassie expressing his gratitude. “Thank you so much for such an important gift of generosity. This will make our lives much easier.” The new supply also includes tubs of rat poison, which Glassie said would be very useful.
“rats destroy a lot of our birds in the outer islands,” he said. robert Matapo, from the Climate Change division, said providing the equipment is about trying to help the outer islands adapt to the effects of climate change. “When it rains there’s a huge increase in mosquitoes flying around so we provide funding for certain projects in the Pa Enua.” Matapo said he hopes the equipment will go a long way towards assisting people in the outer islands. - Ben Chapman-Smith
Proposed hike in harbour dues THE CooK ISLAndS Port Au-
thority is proposing an increase in harbour dues for the irst time since 2012. The proposed hike in fees is meant to take into account increases in the consumer price index – a method of measuring the changes in price levels for goods and services. “We don’t increase fees at our own discretion,” said Ports Authority general manager Bim Tou. The average increase is roughly 3 per cent he said, while some fees see no change. under the fees outlined in
the Port Authority’s proposed new price schedule, local charter vessels and pleasure charge will be charged $0.01 per metre, per day. Inter-island vessels will be charged $0.16 per gross registered tonne (GRT), per day, while in port. International single-hull yachts will be charged $2.14 per metre, per day, with multi-hulls at a rate of $2.95 per metre, per day. Keeping an international fishing vessel in port will cost $2.69 per metre, per day. All prices are exclusive of
today?
value added tax (VAT). Full copies of the proposed price schedule – which included cargo dues, vessel movement charges, cruise ship charges, and goods wharfage charges are available for inspection during ofice hours at the ofice of the board of the Ports Authority at Avatiu wharf. Queries or comments on the planned changes should be addressed in writing to Ports Authority general manager Bim Tou, and delivered personally to their Avatiu wharf ofices. - Emmanuel Samoglou
“ Where the conversation begins.”
Health inspector Roger Nehemia shows of the new spraying equipment and safety gear being sent to the outer islands. 14012412
Your
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10
Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
classiieds pupu kite ngai okotai EMAIL
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adverts@cookislandsnews.com
Fax 25303
PUBLIC NOTICES
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.
1pm sharp. Material deadline for display adverts 24 hours prior.
casual ads must be prepaid. cancellation fee $6.40 incl. VAT. Quotations on request.
PUBLIC NOTICES
SERVICES
FOR SALE
SITUATIONS VACANT
Hulanesian Fitness Now on the Rock! Saturdays - 8am Muri Meeting House. Tuesdays - 5pm Top Shape An hour of awesome fun workout.
Action Man Mowing Services All jobs big or small, free quote. Also introducing coconut tree de-nutting services. Give Clint a call on 52074.
Kite Naish Fky 2013 Size 15, $900 Party Walker. Ipod portable PA System $300. Phone 78081.
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.
76543 /36103 /1931
Personal Man looking for girl born 1982, 1986 or 1988 to settle down in Tahiti. Please write to van Arii, PO Box 11882, Mahina, Tahiti. 76329 /35030 /1931
A meeting for landowners of Raropua 190M1, Kiikii Rarotonga is scheduled for 6pm on Tuesday 28 January 2014 at the Tupapa Meeting House to discuss a right of way to adjoining land Raropua 190L. Refreshments provided afterwards. Thank you, Rohan & Hinano Ellis 55686/27590.
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.
76508 /36081 /1969
76445 / /1915
76475 / /1795
RATES Minimum $5.80 incl. VAT for 1-15 words.
DEADLINES Deadline for next day’s classiieds is
22999
preferred
76548 /36106 /2561
Mower Grasscutter chainsaw repairs As well as chainsaw sharpening Phone 71733. 76549 /36107 /2561
76563 /36108 /1931
Brand New Aluminium Rooing tiles. 350 tiles Size 300 x1320. Phone 57381. 76433 /36019 /1931
VEhICLES FOR SALE
3 bdrm house, fully furnished, water tank & solar hot water in Matavera. Ph 51153.
2012 White Toyota Hilux petrol, Aluminium Tray Rust proof, 29,500 ono contact Joan on Mobile 51063 or Home 20295.
76516 /36099 /1931
76485 /35033 /1931
FOR RENT
Blackrock cottage, 2br, furnished, aircon etc., beach access, no smoking, available 23 Feb long term, $1500 per month, email to arrange inspection, deepblue@oyster.net.ck
Classiieds • Phone 22999
777
• adverts@cookislandsnews.com
FOR SALE Tiare Taina blooms, $10 a bag. Phone Joyce 20201. 76547 / /1917
PUBLIC NOTICES
PORTS AUTHORITY 1994-95;HARBOUR DUES
PUBLIC NOTICES
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
Proposed By-laws imposing new price schedules for harbour dues and other charges made by the Ports Authority in rarotonga have been printed and a 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. 76345
TENDERS
76470 / /1969
The Shipwreck Hut at Aro’a Beachside Inn is looking for Part time help (4pm to 10 pm) 4 or 5 days a week You must be computer literate, honest, sober, friendly, happyhappy with yourself and proud to be a cook Islander, showing the visitor the charisma of living and visiting the cook Islands. 24 to 30 hours a week, lexible, open minded with abilities, willing to learn, willing to share new ideas, willing to do bartending, cooking for good pay. (Could work into a full time job). Stop by and pick up an application, and make an appointment for an interview. Aro’a Beachside Inn, Betela Bridge. See Jim or Jan, call 22166. 76531 / /1997
SUPPLY OF WATER TANKS AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FOR THE ISLANDS OF AITUTAKI, ATIU AND PALMERSTON CONTRACT NO. SRICCC C01/13 Strengthening the Resilience of our Islands and our Communities to Climate Change (SRIC - CC)
An exciting opportunity is coming up to work at Rarotonga’s premium entertainment facility Te Vara Nui Village, including our Spectacular Over Water Night Shows. We are looking for an experienced Food and Beverage Supervisor to manage our 3 Restaurants. Working closely with our Operations Manager and in the capacity of Head Maître d’ on our Island Nights. Your job will be to manage the F&B Department and lead your team to eiciently deliver total guest satisfaction, ofering 5 star service. This is a permanent 48hr /wk position with a combination of daytime and evening shifts. Only those with experience in a similar role used to a fast paced busy environment need apply. Please send your expression of interest along with your cv to mananger@tevaranui.co.ck or call into our main oice at Muri Beach to ill in an application and drop of your CV. 76558 / /2512
Netball Cook Islands is seeking applicants for the following position: 1. Coach - National team Applications with cv should be forwarded to: Louis Enoka Chief Executive Netball cook Islands EMAIL ce@netball.co.ck Applications close 4pm, 31 January 2014. 76540 /36101 /2113
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINSTER
SITUATIONS VACANT
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 being 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
PUBLIC NOTICES
MINISTRY OF MARINE RESOURCES
Small Grants Scheme (Fisheries Development Facility)
The Oice of the Prime Minister through the Climate change coordination unit wishes to seek tender proposals from Suppliers for the Supply of Water tanks and construction Materials for the Islands of Aitutaki, Atiu and Palmerston. Tender documents including speciications can be collected during work hours from the Oice of the Prime Minister in Parekura. tenders close 12.00pm 7th February 2013 and must be submitted to the Oice of the Prime Minister in a sealed envelope and clearly marked “Supply of Water Tanks and Construction Materials for the Islands of Aitutaki, Atiu and Palmerston Contract No. SRIC-CC C01/13” and addressed to: Chief of Staf Oice of the Prime Minister Private Bag Avarua rarotonga A non-refundable payment of $150 will be required for a copy of the tender Document All enquiries to Daryl rairi, SrIc-cc technical Assistant, telephone 55-064, or email: daramide@oyster.net.ck
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.
76488
76311
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
11
Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
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
Retail Manager Raromart is looking at relocating in a few months time and is now looking at hiring an experienced shop manager. This is a career position and we are looking for someone who can successfully implement the expansion projects that we have planned for Raromart over the next 24 months. Email sunny@paciicapprel.co.ck or call 21060
Infrastructure ministry undergoes rebranding THE GoVErnMEnT ministry that over-
sees the nation’s harbours, roads, water distribution, sanitation, and other major public works is now oficially known as Infrastructure Cook Islands. during an event last Friday afternoon in Arorongi, deputy Prime Minister Teariki Heather marked the oficial rebranding of the nation’s public works ministry, which is now known as Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) - previously known as the Ministry of Infrastructure and
Planning (MOIP). The event attracted traditional leaders, government members, and other dignitaries, along with ICI staff who were seen at the event in new grey and orange shirts with the ministry’s logo. Speaking afterwards, deputy PM and ICI minister Heather said the new name is more simpliied an all encompassing – taking into account the outer islands and the various public works being run and developed by the ministry.
Also on hand at the event was Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI) director Owen Lewis, who presented CITTI certiicates to ICI staff who had re-
cently completely infrastructure-related programmes. - Emmanuel Samoglou
76495 / /1741
Paciic resort Hotel Group A Great Place to Work… We are currently seeking the following: • Restaurant & Bar Staf • Chefs, Cooks and kitchen hands • Team Leaders & Supervisors • Project Coordinator • Housekeeping Staf • Beach Activities Staf • Carpenter/ Handyman • Groundsmen To apply email: work@paciicresort. com or contact Ani thompson on 53731
www.paciicresort. com 76521
For the sake of your family
GET HELP Call AA - 71744
Various dignitaries, including (L - r) Puaikura Paramount Chief Tinomana Tokerau ariki, deputy Prime Minister Teariki Heather, Minister of agriculture Kiriau Turepu, Minister of Health Nandie Glassie, ,and ICI secretary Mac Mokoroa. 14012449
SITUATIONS VACANT
FRONTLINE SALES PERSON We are looking for a well presented person with an outgoing personality to join our frontline team at Avis Cook Islands. If you enjoy meeting people from all walks of life, then this customer service position could be for you. You need to have some basic computer knowledge. You must have excellent communication skills. You must be available to work in the weekends. This position requires a clean current driver’s license with experience in driving a range of manual & automatic vehicles and motorbikes. For more details please call Phillip on Ph 22833. 76512 / /1648
Teariki Heather at the naming ceremony for Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) – which was previously known as the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MoIP). 14012447
SITUATIONS VACANT
SITUATIONS VACANT
COOK ISLANDS SPORTS & NATIONAL oLYMPIc coMMIttEE
JOB VACANCIES As part of the restructuring process within cISNoc, the following full-time positions are available; • Sports Manager • Administration Oicer • Finance Oicer Based in rarotonga, the appointees will report to the cEo / Secretary General of cISNoc and will be responsible for the daily business conducted and coordinated through cISNoc. For a full listing of the Job Description, please contact the CISNOC Oice, or email, Robert Graham on rgraham@ cisnoc.org.ck All applications will be in strict conidence. Application close Friday 14 February 2014, at 12 noon.
SITUATIONS VACANT
76559
HEAVY DIESEL ENGINEER to maintain 36 tonne excavators, trucks, generators, water pumps, hydraulic systems etc. top rates of Pay. Must be able to start work mid- March 2014. Send CV to Landholdings Ltd landholdings@oyster.net.ck or drop of to oice in Panama 76562
Job Opportunities Due to a growing demand within our resort, the Edgewater Resort & Spa, are currently seeking full time and part time staf. If you are a team player and are looking for an enjoyable yet challenging role we would encourage you to come and join our team. All applicants must have: Good communication skills, be honest and reliable, have conidence and personality, the ability to work well under pressure, know how to multitask. Full training will be provided for the right applicants, currently we have these positions available: • Restaurant cleaner (6-12midday) • Waitress / waiter...full & part time • Demi chefs • Kitchen hand • Laundry runner (male) • Housekeeping supervisor • Housemaids Please contact Jef - 58008 or Lynn - 55469 for any inquiries. Application forms can be obtained from the Front Oice. 76550
Expressions of Interest! Newspaper Delivery Contract An opportunity exists for a team to work handling folding, collating and delivery of cook Islands News. this is a night time job that follows printing of the daily newspaper. It ranges from two to four hours per night. Ideally, this contract would suit a family or team to work without supervision, to handle of-site folding and collating of the newspaper, then delivery to shops and homes around rarotonga. the successful applicant(s) will start with supervised training for several weeks from February 2014. collation can be done in your own home. two company vehicles are available for deliveries however a team that will have their own means of transport is an advantage. Applicant(s) families or teams must have mature and experienced drivers with a good clean driving records and be of sober habits. For more information about duties and remuneration, phone Tere Joseph on 22999 or visit our oices at taputapuatea to convey expressions of interest. Applicants who are selected for an interview will be required to provide character references. Please contact Tony Fe’ao, General Manager Email: tony@cookislandsnews.com or Oice Manager Tere Joseph on 22999
www.cookislandsnews.com
OverseAs AdvertisinG we can place your message in newspapers around the world. we will get quotes for classiied advertisementsandpre-billing. contactouradvertisingdepartmentphone22999email:adverts@cookislandsnews.com
EXCITING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES!! NZQA Accredited training – Earn while you learn! We ofer great career opportunities, great staf beneits and a great team to work with.
SALES & MARKETING Sales Manager - Trade – Great communication skills a must! • this role is a challenging, exciting opportunity to assist in the preparation and implementation of sales & marketing plans, develop strong working relationships with our wholesale customers and suppliers and drive a small dedicated team to provide the best customer service. You will need strong organizational skills, the ability to prioritise and work to deadlines, supervisory experience and strong communication and interpersonal skills.
PHARMACY Sales Assistant – Variety packed! • Exciting opportunity to join a small motivated team. the position involves assisting and advising customers on pharmacy and beauty products, displaying and ordering of stock and completing point of sale transactions. Suit someone who is responsible, keen, motivated and willing to learn.
BUILDING CENTRE Sales Assistant/Hardware – Great customer service skills needed! • Helping and advising customers with their purchases and making sure your department is fully stocked and displayed well. You will need to be customer focused and have good attention to detail.
SUPERMARKET Butchery Assistant • Involves cutting of meat for retail and wholesale customers. Suit someone who is reliable, keen and motivated. Talk to us today about starting a career in Retail! For further details and a full job description contact Eileen or Kai on phone 23-191, Email: KLouis@citc.co.ck 76530
12
Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
CITTI open day attracts tertiary hopefuls “I think it’s very important to teach our young people these things, and the cost isn’t an arm and a leg. And what you learn is recognised overseas – then at least if you go to new Zealand, you’ve got that (qualiication).” The institute was launched in June, bringing the Cook Islands Trades Training Centre and the Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre under the same body. The institute is now a ‘stand-alone’ training facility, with more than 300 people enrolling annually in its nationally and internationally recognised qualiications and courses – which range from ‘statements of attainment’ to certiicates and diplomas. - Briar Douglas
ProSPECTIVE tertiary students got a taste
of life at the Cook Islands Tertiary Institute on Friday. CITTI held its open day ahead of the start of the irst semester on February 17, with both its hospitality school in ngatangiia, headed by Taa Pera, and the trades campus in Arorangi, headed by Alister Anderson, open to potential students. director owen Lewis said the day was about informing new recruits about the training that is available at the institute’s campuses – including a diploma in nursing that will initially be taught at rarotonga hospital. Tutors were available to speak to prospective students on Friday, and former students were also invited along to share their experiences and knowledge of the courses. Food safety tutor John Taripo, who began teaching the subject two years ago at nukutere College and Titikaveka College, said he is pleased to see affordable and practical education options on offer to tertiary students.
Violet Hosking (left) with baby Jamie Hosking and natalie Hosking with baby Kiara Jubilee attended the open day to ind out more about the courses available.
14012422
Jan 27
what’soN ld B Co sail ckt
“B
phone 22166
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@ Aro’A BeAchside inn
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shipwreck hut
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The
sUnset bar-b-Q western menu
atthesUnsetresortarorangi
shipwreckhUt
@ aroabeachsideinnarorangi
ph 22 166
ph 23004
YoUng tUesdAYs 6pm with -garth Reservations Required on the Piano
avarUa town open mondaY to sUndaY
Tues Seafood Night – Entertainment Tani and Rose Thu Pub Night – Entertainment Tara Kauvai Sun BBQ – Entertainment Local String Band
THU SAT
Our food our passion 6pm till late Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday Reservations recommended Ph: 27619
E
restaUrant
from tUesdaY 21st Jan we will be closed for our annual holiday break open from thursday 13th Feb
open dailY for breakfast 8-10am and lUnch 12-2pm
live entertainment!
ph 20 002
F
ph 26 860
A
FRI SUN TUE
Tani and rose or Tara Kauvai 5-8pm a la carte dinner from 6pm Lincoln Mail 5.30-8.30pm BBQ dinner from 6pm Lincoln Mail 6.00-8.00pm a la carte dinner from 6pm
openeverYothernightforalacartedinner6-9pm
LUNch
avarUa town ph 22 279
Try our whole grill lobster! ed
sunset BBQ w/ GARTH YOUNG - PIANO 6PM sunset Cocktails w/ W/RUDY AqUINO 5.30PM – 7.30PM sat seafood BBQ w/ JAkE NUMANGA - UkULELE 6PM
TUE
LeBonVivant C
new bartending and cocktails tutor Putara Putara (left), food safety tutor John Taripo (right) and former hospitality student Josie rattle-Wichman attended the open day to answer the queries of potential students. 14012421
dinner
11am to 2.30pm
5.30pm to 10pm 7 days
Mon to Sat $7.00 Lunch pack takeaway
Mon-tue: $12.95 specials thursday: Indo Chinese Specials Friday: Bufet Nite ($19pp) All you can eat Sunday: Tandoori night other nights: A-la-carte
$10.00 Dine in special
ma r k wa h l b e r g
LoNe sUrvivor A step-by-fateful-step study of human endurance, of desperation, of resolve, and resignation.
Cruise ship survey launched A MAJor cruise ship survey has been launched to give a clearer picture of what visitors think of the Cook Islands and how much money they spend here. The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is aiming to survey about 480 tourists over the next six months, starting two days ago with the Columbus 2’s arrival. Surveys will be carried out in rarotonga and Aitutaki and the target number is 30 respondents per cruise ship. Before they return to their ship, passengers will be asked to complete a ive-minute questionnaire and their answers will be entered onto an iPad. noeline Mateariki, tourism destination development coordinator, said the survey will look at each tourist’s country of residence and whether they have
been to the Cook Islands before. It will also cover how much they spend on excursions, transport, food and shopping while on the island. “We’ll also be asking whether they’d recommend the destination to other people and what their overall opinion is of the Cook Islands,” Mateariki said. Funding for the project – which includes hiring four enumerators – has come from the South Pacific Tourism organisation. Halatoa Fua, chief executive of the tourism corporation, said the cruise industry in the Cook Islands has suffered multiple cancellations in the past due to bad weather conditions. “This issue is alleviated through the construction of the Arorangi jetty as an alternate site.”
A key step towards growing the industry will be developing a Cook Islands Cruise Strategy, something that is currently underway. Fua said that strategy could offer opportunities for the outer islands. other short-term goals include improving the availability of pre-arrival information for cruise ships, and boosting marketing and promotional activities by tourism. He also wants to address congestion at the port area and to carry out formal research and analysis of the cruise sector. “Some of the long term goals would be to review the cruise infrastructure in all the Cook Islands and prospecting for increased cruise ship visits,” Fua said. - Ben Chapman-Smith
Jack rYan:
shadow
recrUit
A stylish and exciting action thriller — www.mattsmoviereviews.net
— PhiladelPhia inquirer
mon-wed 6pm STARTING THU 30 JAN
mon - wed
8.30pm
WALKING WITH DINOSAURS 3D & PHILOMENA
ph 189 for Updates on the movie hot line
“what’son”
every Monday & Thursday - call Advertising on 22999 or adverts@cookislandsnews.com
a tourist from the Columbus 2 walks along the main street of avarua, as the 180-metre cruise ship sits anchored in the background. 14012224
13
Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
FLIGHT
FROM
ARRIVES
International Flights
MONDAy jAnuAry 27 VA163/162 AKL 11.55PM NZ19 LAX 7.00AM tuesdAy jAnuAry 28 NZ746/748 AKL 2.10PM VA163/162 AKL 11.55PM
TO
DEPARTS
AKL AKL
1.05AM 8.15AM
AKL AKL
3.10PM 1.05AM
Air Rarotonga
Flight Times | Voyage details RARO TO ARR MONDAy jAnuAry 27 0800 AITUTAKI 0850 1030 AITUTAKI 1120 1530 AITUTAKI 1620 1800 AITUTAKI 1850 0900 AITUTAKI 0950 0900 MANGAIA 0940 1100 ATIU 1145 1330 MAUKE 1420 1600 MITIARO 1650
DEP
TO
ARR
0910 1140 1640 1910 1010 1000 1205 1440 1710
RARO RARO RARO RARO ATIU RARO RARO RARO RARO
1000 1230 1730 2000 1055 1040 1250 1530 1800
DEP
TO
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
1115
RARO 1200
GOT A STORY? text us on
or call us at Cook Islands news
Su-Do-Ku EASY
Su-Do-Ku HARD
Crossword
Instructions
Instructions
Place the numbers 1 to 9 in the blank squares so that no digit is repeated in each row, each column or each 3 x 3 square.
Place the numbers 1 to 9 in the blank squares so that no digit is repeated in each row, each column or each 3 x 3 square.
Answer to saturdays puzzle
Answer to saturdays puzzle
hÄgar the horrible
By Dik Browne
®
the phantom
By Lee Falk & sy Barry
®
naringaiakarongo
Me kai kava auraka e akaoro Weather Forecast to Midnight
A Cook ISlANDS NEWS PublIC SERVICE MESSAGE
Forecast Map 2pm Monday
Tides
Issued at 2pm at Rarotonga
Situation: An easterly wind low prevails Mon High 5.43AM 0.83M 6.00PM 0.94M over Southern cooks. A trough of low Low 11.35AM 0.41M pressure with associated cloud and showers remains slow moving over Tue High 6.53AM 0.85M 7.14PM 0.96M Northern cooks. Forecast to midnight for the Southern Low 12.43AM 0.38M 12.46PM 0.40M Cooks: Fine apart from brief showers. Moderate easterly. Moderate seas. Further outlook: Fine apart from brief showers. For Rarotonga: Fine apart from brief showers. Further outlook: Fine apart from brief new Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter Jan 30 Feb 6 Feb 14 Feb 22 showers. 11.39AM 9.22AM 1.53PM 7.16AM For the Northern Cooks: occasional showers, heavy at times and few ArApo - AkAoti tAngAroA mon 27 thunderstorms. Moderate north to northeast winds. Moderate seas. Moderate Tanu (Planting) TauTaI (Fishing) northerly swells. Poor visibility in areas of Tanu i te kumara, taro & Po no te o’onu. akarava heavy showers and thunderstorms. Further outlook: rain and thunderstorms u’i. Plant kumara, taro to tautai Koura te ika. continuing. & yams. night for the lagoon.
Rarotonga Monday, January 27, 2014 0.9m Se
27
0.8m nW n
28
29°
Sun, Moon & Arapo
Netting and ishing for crayish and ish.
Humidity Mon
27
Tue
28
Morning
80%
Mon sun rise 6.18AM sun set 7.25PM
night
76%
27
Moon rise 3.00AM Moon set 4.34PM
Morning
82%
Tue
night
78%
Forecast thanks to Cook Islands Meteorological Service.
28
sun rise
6.19AM
sun set
7.25PM
Moon rise 4.02AM Moon set 5.33PM
eSe
Sunshine hours
8
0.7m SW Front Key:
Cold
Warm
Occluded
0.7m SW
y
Stationary
Swell direction and size
outer Islands Weather outlook Monday, January 27, 2014 Aitutaki
Mangaia
28° E 11kts
27° Se
Mitiaro
27° E 12kts
Atiu
Penrhyn
27° E 12kts
29° n 04kts
Mauke
27° E 12kts
14
Monday, January 27, 2014 cook Islands News
Optimist sailing update
tarekareka
SPorT
—APOPO
Football CI members called to oFC THE CooK Islands Football As-
sociation (CIFA) recently tried to have three members of the football community ‘charged’ by the oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Ethics Committee. Tony Jamieson, Brian Baudinet and Cameron robertson were all ‘summoned’ to appear in Auckland in december before the oFC Ethics Committee. By trying to improve governance and accountability of
CIFA, the three got ‘offside’ with the local oficials. Instead of addressing the issues of concern, CIFA tried to have them banned from the sport for raising the issues and giving them public proile even though the sport is played largely on public facilities. Football Cook Islands (FCI) continues to work for the betterment of football in the Cook Islands. FCI want to try and work with the Cook Islands Football
Association (CIFA) to address the many issues that affect the game here, but CIFA have instead chosen to attempt to have three of its members suspended. The four-yearly elections will be held this year for the CIFA executive. FCI would like to urge all the clubs on rarotonga and the outer Island associations to give some consideration to who they want to work for them on the Executive for the next four years. - FCI/MW
Hash Trash/Strayer Day run no 1744 will be set by Guzzle and Plonk from their abode in Vaimaanga (not far from Wigmore’s Superstore). This is the Hash Trash run (doubling as the Australia Day Run – no coincidence there!), so all are requested to bring a bucket to collect any trash you ind while on the trail! As well as that,
those of Australian decent are most welcome to dress in their best ozzie garb to show their love for their country. Please no hash hounds this week as the hash base has several dogs and some nearby dogs that are not happy with other dogs! See you there! Aussie Aussie Aussie! oi! oi! oi!
Football Cook Islands are urging all local football club members to give some consideration to who they want to work for them on the CIFa executive for the next four years. 14012602
New equipment to spruce golf green presented THE rAroTonGA golf club last Saturday held the oficial presentation of golf course equipment sponsored by the golf governing body ‘r and A’ for the rarotonga and Aitutaki Golf Clubs. Minister of Sport Mark Brown was on hand to present this equipment on behalf of r and A. r and A is the governing body for the sport of golf with about 130 afiliated members which the Cook Islands is an afiliate. The other governing body is the uSGA which governs the sport in the uSA and Mexico. In his speech, president of the rarotonga Golf Club ned Howard explained that the r and A sponsorship was the beneit of his attendance at the 9th r and A World Golf Conference held in St Andrews, Scotland last year in early May. The course equipment consists of one gang-mower and two green mowers, one fringe mower, hole cups, pins, hole cutter and spare parts for the equipment
costing over 24k pounds sterling (NZ$47,994). Howard says the equipment is the last of the four programmes r and A was committed to providing for the development of the sport in the Cook islands. The other 3 projects included approval by rand A for a Cook Islands World Amateur Golf ranking event. This started in 2013 with the rarotonga Amateur Golf open being the designated event. 2014 event will be on the June 12 to 14. Another project was having a golf coach visit the Cook Islands 3 times over a period of 18 months. This programme started last year with nZ coach Jay Carter making his irst visit during the Interisland Constitution Cup. Coach Carter will be making his 2nd visit sometime in March or April. The third project randA provided in June were 10 sets of junior golf equipment ( for ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 13) where four sets were given to the Aitutaki
Golf Club and 6 to the rarotonga Golf Club. After the dedication prayer conducted by the club chaplain Papa Aratangi, minister Brown presented the equipment to the representatives of the Aitutaki Golf Club, patron Munro Hockin and patron and president natini Samuel. Minister Brown also presented to the Aitutaki Golf Club sponsored lags, pins and cups sponsored by Coach Jay Carter. The Committee of the rarotonga Golf received the rarotonga Golf Club equipment on behalf of its members. In their speeches, speakers representing the Clubs including patron Ewan Smith and club captain Jimmy Teokotai for the rarotonga Golf Club and Munro Hockin. natini Samuel on behalf of the Aitutaki Golf Club thanked the minister and especially ‘r and A’ for the course equipment as well as the sponsorships received from r and A. - Rarotonga Golf Club
Rarotonga Golf Club president Ned Howard with treasurer Rowena Newbigging, club captain Jimmy Teokotai, vice-president Bruce Manuela, club patron ewan smith, sports minister Mark Brown, deputy club captain daniel Webb and handicapper steve simpson at the presentation of new club green mowers. 14012601