Te reo o te KUKI AIRANI
$2 Friday, February 7, 2014
Tuna report slams China THe IssUe of subsidies and its
effects on south pacific fisheries has once again crept up, with renewed concern according to a report by one regional organisation. In a recent statement, the pacific Islands Tuna industry Association (pITIA) said subsidised fishing vessels – with China’s industry being singled out – are causing the collapse of various domestic fishing industries in the South Paciic. The association further argued that experience at sea is showing weaker catches yielding smaller ish. “The ability of the domestic industry to compete in the southern long-line albacore ishery has hit the point of no return,” reads the statement. “American samoa with the support of the richer more powerful United states has recently put its leet on the market. More than 50% of the Fijian leet has been tied up. Tonga has one domestic vessel left – down from a high of 26. similar stories come from samoa and the once vibrant PNG domestic long-line ishery is history long since gone.” Through multiple statements issued last year, Paciic tuna industry association chairman Charles Hufflett said Chinese vessels are being heavily subsidised by its government, at one
time claiming over 1,300 Chinese ishing vessels are unfairly advantaged due to a Us$500 a tonne fuel subsidy. Ministry of Marine Resources secretary Ben ponia said there is a history of subsidised fishing vessels in the pacific, involving the european Union and states such as the United states, Japan, and more recently China, which “pursue their national interest for food security and economic development”. ponia pointed out how subsidies facilitate a current arrangement that has the Chineseowned Huanan ishing company ofloading frozen albacore tuna in Rarotonga – one of the only nations doing so currently ishing in the nation’s eeZ. “The fuel subsidy provided by the government of China is one reason why Huanan is able to both fish in our waters and offload its catches for onshore processing,” he said. Ponia said an MMR commissioned report estimated the additional costs for a ishing vessel to ofload its catches in Rarotonga compared to ofloading into Pago pago, American samoa is $60 thousand dollars per trip, or over $300 thousand dollars a year. “Most of the additional costs to ofload into Rarotonga is the extra fuel needed to travel from the fishing grounds up north,”
he said. pago pago is also the site of many tuna canneries, and closer to the fishing grounds in the Northern Cook Islands. In 2013, Huanan made four trips and ofloaded 340 tonnes of ish into Rarotonga. This year, he said the company plans to have two to three vessels offloading each month beginning in the second quarter. ponia said the most urgent issue currently facing the albacore fishery is for limits to be set on ishing levels on the high seas – international areas not bound to any nation’s eeZ. “At the same time pacific Island states need to set their individual EEZ zone based limits,” he said. “The level of ishing effort
needs to be coordinated to ensure that the high seas and eeZ catches when added up together do not exceed the maximum sustainable yield (MSY).” “My own view is that the government should provide a subsidy to reduce the fuel costs of our artisanal local fishers,” added ponia. Last June, former MMR offshore division director Josh Mitchell – now with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – said in a subsidised environment, vessels can still maintain profitability even when catches are low due to a ishery with stresses population levels. “It can contribute to overishing,” he said at the time. - Emmanuel Samoglou
Dispute delays relief barge Hopes of a barge leaving for pukapuka this weekend have been dashed by a last-minute disagreement over the cost of work materials. The barge carrying machinery and workers to repair pukapuka’s rundown airport was scheduled to leave Rarotonga in the next few days but it is now heading to Atiu irst. No planes can land on pukapuka until the runway – which has been deemed unsafe by Air Rarotonga – has been repaired. Yitiri Akama, from Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), said the barge was on track to leave until leaders in pukapuka asked the ministry to pay for soil to be used in the project. “They want us to buy the soil being taken off their motu to be put on the airport. That would cost a lot of money and we don’t have the budget allocated for these extra costs.” Akama said the ministry thought the soil would be free because its workers were going
there to assist the community with an urgent need. “Usually when we go to the outer islands they don’t charge us because we’re there to help the people. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that.” He refused to say who was making the requests in pukapuka, only that it was “a few people” in leadership. “We’ve been negotiating with the people up there not to charge us. It hasn’t been solved yet.” In the meantime, the barge will be taking water tanks and cables up to Atiu – an instruction which came from Cabinet. Akama said the barge will leave for Atiu this weekend and return next week. He hopes the disagreement will be resolved by then so the barge can head up to pukapuka next. The delay means a group of teachers, who have already missed the start of the school year, will have to keep biding their time in Rarotonga.
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Toothbrush time!
BTIB ofices also raided TH e oFFICes of the Busi-
ness Trade and Investment Board were raided by police on Wednesday. Three local officers along with a law enforcement oficial from New Zealand presented
a search warrant before entering the premises at about 2pm in the afternoon, according to chief executive Terry Rangi of the BTIB.
Story continued page 7
The school bell signalling the end of morning tea break at Arorangi Primary School also means ‘toothbrush drill’. These boys from the Puaikura district school had no problems lashing their pearly whites as brushing their teeth is a daily process at school. Armed with a toothbrush and water bottle the students quickly brushed their pearly whites before returning to class for more learning. 14020623
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Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
worldNeWs nuti no TeIA NeI Ao Giant blob causes stir scientists in australia are working to classify a new species of giant jellyish that washed up on a beach in tasmania. scientists had known about the species for a while but had not yet classiied it. they described the specimen as a “truly magniicent animal”. the jellyish looks like a dinner plate with a mop hanging underneath. recent years had seen “huge blooms” of jellyish in tasmanian waters.
Migrants besiege Italy
More than 1100 African migrants rescued of Italy in just one day LAMPEDUSA – Italy’s navy has rescued 1123 people from inlatable boats in the space of 24 hours, as clandestine migration from North Africa reaches record levels. The latest migrants were found in eight boats and a barge about 222km south-east of Lampedusa. They included 47 women, four of them pregnant, and 50 children, all probably from sub-
world BRIeFs BREAKTHROUGH IN TREATMENT OF MS AUSTRALIA – Australian scientists are showing promising results with a new treatment for advanced multiple sclerosis (MS). It’s early days, but it has changed the life of Dr Gary Allen, a 43-yearold academic with secondary progressive MS who agreed to be a guinea pig. He was given six weeks of treatment, which resulted in a sustained boost of energy, reduced pain and increased productivity at work. “It’s impossible to overstate the improvements,” said Dr Allen. The study on the treatment is a high point in the career of Professor Michael Pender, who has been researching MS for 33 years. In 2003 he proposed a new theory that people with MS have impaired immunity to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
CHEMICAL CASTRATION FOR PAEDOPHILES MAcEDONIA – Macedonia’s parliament adopted a law yesterday introducing chemical castration for repeat paedophile ofenders and increasing jail sentences to life imprisonment. Social Policy Minister Dime Spasov said the chemical castration – drugs administered to reduce libido and sexual activity – would be “performed in specialised facilities every six months” for repeat ofenders. Under the bill, irst-time ofenders could be sentenced to between 15 and 40 years in prison or opt for chemical castration in exchange for reduced punishment. Russia, Denmark and Poland are among other countries that have introduced chemical castration. Since 2004, more than 230 people in Macedonia have been convicted for sexual abuse of minors.
CORBY FREEDOM DECISION IMMINENT INDONESIA – Schapelle corby should late yesterday have learned whether she will be released on parole from a Bali jail, after more than nine years locked up for a crime she insists she didn’t do. Indonesian Justice Minister Amir Syamsuddin was expected to give a media conference in Jakarta late yesterday. The minister was petitioned by Indonesian MPs not to be lenient in the case of corby, who was convicted with smuggling 4.2 kilograms of cannabis into Bali. But he insists the Australian will be treated in the same way as the other 1700 applicants for parole whose cases he is considering. Farid Junaidi, the governor of Kerobokan Prison where corby is jailed, says if the minister grants parole, he will receive the decree by post. Australian media are camped outside the jail in anticipation of the event.
TALIBAN SHOW OFF CAPTURED DOG AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban has released footage of what they claimed was a dog they captured from US troops. Oicials in Afghanistan have conirmed a military dog went missing during a mission in December last year. US military sources say the dog belonged to a coalition partner and was working for British forces. They said the dog, apparently called colonel, was wearing a GPS tracking device, a torch and small camera. Looking rather mournful, on a lead being held by a long-haired Taliban ighter, the small reddish-brown dog was paraded for a Taliban cameraman. The Taliban said the dog was taken during a night raid in Laghman in eastern Afghanistan in late December.
saharan Africa, the navy said. Meanwhile, at least seven migrants have drowned trying to reach the spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa. The dead migrants were among hundreds of people who tried to enter spanish territory on Thursday. The Moroccan coastguard said it had picked up 150 of the migrants, while the rest swam back to shore. According to el pais, the migrants were making “a desperate attempt to escape Moroccan authorities”. None of them succeeded in reaching Ceuta, spanish news agency efe reported. some 2000 migrants landed on Italian shores last month, nearly 10 times the number recorded in January 2013. According to the government, last year saw an “incessant and massive inlux of migrants” with a total of 42,925 arrivals by sea, or more than three times as many as in 2012. The true number of migrants who died attempting the perilous crossing is unknown, but in October more than 400 people drowned in two shipwrecks near Lampedusa, the closest Italian territory to North Africa. Navy ships and helicopters began the latest rescue of Lampedusa at 8am, continuing after darkness fell. The migrants were put aboard an amphibious assault ship, the San Marco, and were due to arrive at the sicilian port of Augusta on Friday morning. once in Italy, the migrants will be assessed to see if they have legitimate grounds for claiming asylum. They have to satisfy the authorities that they are fleeing persecution and would face harm or even death if sent back to their country of origin. Nearly three out of four asylum applications in eU states were rejected in 2012. - BBC
Over 1100 African asylum seekers have been rescued from a lotilla of barges and inlatable boats of Italy’s Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. AFP
Plan to evacuate civilians DAMASCUS – The syrian government says a deal has been reached to allow what it terms “innocent civilians” to leave besieged areas of the city of Homs. Women, children, the elderly and the wounded would be allowed to leave, according to an agreement between the city’s governor and the UN, the foreign ministry said. parts of Homs old City have been under army siege since June 2012. The United Nations welcomed reports of a humanitar-
ian pause in the ighting. Farhan Haq, spokesman for the UN secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said the UN and its partners had pre-positioned supplies on the outskirts of Homs “ready for immediate delivery as soon as the green light was given by the parties for safe passage”. Aid staff were also on standby, he said. The syrian Red Crescent told the BBC that the hope was for an evacuation to take place on Friday, and for supplies to be
taken in to remaining civilians the following day. peace talks in Geneva last month between the syrian government and the opposition failed to reach a deal on a potential evacuation. There has not yet been a statement from the rebels in response to Thursday’s reports. In a separate development, syria said that accusations it was delaying the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile were “absolutely unjustiied”. - BBC
Peace talks with Taliban start
ISLAMABAD – The irst formal meeting between pakistan’s government and a Talibannominated team has been held in Islamabad, oficials say. The talks are aimed at charting a “roadmap” for negotiations that will try to end a decade-long insurgency. The government set out ive conditions, including ending hostilities, saying a “journey for peace” had started. The irst session lasted about three hours at Khyber pakhtunkhwa House in Islama-
bad. The head of the Taliban team, Maulana Sami ul-Haq, read out a joint statement afterwards. It listed ive basic conditions that had been set out by the government side: - All talks be held within the framework of the constitution. - The scope of the talks should remain confined to areas affected by violence, not the whole country. - All hostilities should cease during talks. - The Taliban should clarify
the role of a separate nine-member committee that they have established. - The talks should not be protracted. The Taliban team agreed to travel to Miranshah in the north-west to take the conditions to the leadership and pledged to report back to the government committee as soon as possible. Both committees agreed that neither side should initiate an act that might damage the talks process. - BBC
Putin gets pole vaulting tips
‘KEN BARLOW’ CLEARED OF RAPE CHARGES ENGLAND – coronation Street actor William Roache has been cleared of rape and indecent assault charges by a jury. Roache, 81, who plays Ken Barlow, was found not guilty of two rapes and four indecent assaults after a trial at Preston crown court. Five women had claimed he assaulted them when they were aged 16 or under between 1965 and 1971. Outside court, he said: “In these situations there are no winners. we should be much kinder to ourselves.” He added: “If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.” His family, who had accompanied him to court throughout the trial, cried with relief as the verdicts were read out. During the three-week trial, Roache denied knowing any of his accusers and said he had never had a sexual interest in under-age girls.
Today’s Daily Bread so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew Read: Read: Matthew 6:1-6,7:21-29 16-18
Text: Matthew 7:26 Text: Verse 4
Russian President Vladimir Putin gets up close with Russian double gold pole vault champion Elena Isinbayeva at the Olympic village in Sochi ahead of the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics. AFP
Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
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Athletes ready but is the venue? soCHI – Is sochi ready for the
Amid a media buzz about the apparent unpreparedness of the Sochi Winter olympic Games venue Czech Republic’s Vendula Kotenova practices during a women’s Luge training session second run at the Sanki Sliding Centre in Rosa Khutor, on the eve of the opening ceremony. AFP
2014 Winter Olympics? No, according to journalists who have been pounding Twitter with reports of unfinished rooms, odd plumbing, bad water and other issues. Russia spent $51 billion preparing for the Games, which oficially opens Friday. But reporters arriving there this week found only six of the nine media hotels fully ready. While bad water is a problem in the Third World, the brown stuff issuing from taps in sochi seems more likely to have been caused by bad plumbing, making it a real problem. so are reports of broken ixtures and lobbies without loors. Unappealing food and warnings to discard toilet paper in special receptacles rather than down the toilet are also raising worried eyebrows. But whether these are firstworld issues raised by spoiled Westerners or fundamental problems is under debate. some critics say the incomplete venue seemed almost tailor-made to distract journalists from the pressing social issues such as gay rights, security, freedom and safety. It’s almost as if Russian president Vladimir putin planned the whole thing, stealing the toilet paper and the light bulbs and the shower curtains himself, just to distract reporters from the stories that worry him far more. - PNC
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Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
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Castaway too unwell to travel Survivor’s health deteriorates as dead man’s family want answers MAJURO – The health of the castaway who claims he spent more than a year adrift in the Paciic has deteriorated, delaying his repatriation. Jose salvador Alvarenga has returned to hospital in the Marshall Islands capital of Majuro.
In the meantime the family of his young crewman who died some months into the ordeal have stepped into the media maelstrom saying they want to speak to Alvarenga to ind out more about how their son and brother perished.
paciic BRIEFS REMEMBERANCE FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS SOLOMON ISLANDS – A service has been held in the Solomon Islands’ province of Te Motu to remember the people who lost their lives following a magnitude eight earthquake and tsunami in the region. Ten people were killed and thousands displaced after last year’s quake in February, which generated waves that tore through coastal settlements, destroying homes and essential infrastructure. The premier of Temotu province says a year on from the disaster some residents are still living in makeshift shelters made of tarpaulins. Father charles Brown Beu says the government is yet to roll out phase two of its rehabilitation programme for the area, which includes housing assistance. Father Brown Beu was unable to attend the remembrance service as he was in Honiara.
Stand-off oVER minE dEVElopmEnt FIJI – Landowners from a district in Fiji near Suva where a gold and copper mine is planned say their relationship with the company behind the venture has gone from bad to worse. The Namosi Joint Venture is a partnership between the Australian mining company Newcrest and Japanese interests and has been held up at various stages due to environmental concerns. A landowner, who wishes to remain unnamed, says they don’t know whether the Environment Impact Assessment has been completed yet, and says it’s hard to get any information from the developers. “Our relationship is not too good at the moment, lots of miscommunication is happening. We told them to listen to landowners, they did not want to listen. We won’t give Namosi to be mined, no.” The man says the developers have reneged on promises during the exploratory stage and landowners don’t trust them any more.
MINISTER FACES WIFE BEATING CHARGES KIRIBATI – The Kiribati minister of labour is facing criminal charges in relation to beating up his former wife. The minister, Boutu Bateriki, and his former wife appeared in court yesterday, but their case has been adjourned until February 18. Two MPs, Patrick Tatireta and Tetaake Kwong, have called on the minister to step down, saying he has broken the law. Tatireta says government has supported the family bill to protect children and women from abusive men and the behaviour of the minister undermines the conidence of people in the government. The MPs say they are sure the president will deal with the matter accordingly.
CONCERN OVER DENGUE OUTBREAK VANUATU – There is concern about how well health oicials are managing a dengue outbreak in Vanuatu. Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health says the number of conirmed dengue fever cases in the country has climbed to 313. At the end of last month the number of cases of the disease was just 20. Health oicials have also conirmed the disease has spread to the island of Santo in the north, with 71 cases conirmed in the town of Luganville. The Ministry of Health has ordered all households and schools there to trim their lawns and destroy any areas where mosquitoes are likely to breed. The acting president of the National Nurses’ Association, Anne Pakoa, says the Health Department has been restructured and stripped back so far, that a lot of expertise has been lost.
Alvarenga has stated that the young man who accompanied him was a “teenager” who starved to death because he could not stomach raw ish and birds Alvarenga caught and ate during the ordeal. But the victim’s family said from their home in the southern Mexico state of Chiapas that the victim, Ezequiel Cordoba, was a 24-year-old man and that they can not believe that he would refuse to eat to save himelf. “We want him to come here, for the government to bring him here,” said Ezequiel’s brother, Romeo Cordoba Rios, adding that his mother had made the request to the Mexican foreign ministry. The family, however, does not want a criminal investigation against Alvarenga. “It’s a miracle that La Chancha (Alvarenga’s nick-name) survived at sea for 14 months, and we feel no anger towards him. “We understand this was an accident and how dangerous the sea can be. But we need conirmation from him before we can accept his death. “It was a work accident,” the brother said. “The only thing we want is to know what was the last thing that he told this man and what he did with my brother’s body.” He said that his mother was “still crying for her son.” Cordoba’s parents live with their eight children in the village of el Fortin, close to the Mexican coastal village from where he and Alvarenga set out on a shark ishing expedition 14 months ago. The family said Ezequiel Cordoba did not really know Alvarenga and decided at the last minute to join him for the short ishing trip aboard a small motorized boat in late 2012. Alavarenga said this week that Cordoba died four months into the ordeal and that he pushed the body off the boat. The family of the victim had help out hope that he was still alive following his disappearance more than a year ago. “We imagined that he was in a hospital, in prison or in a remote location, so far that he could not get help,” the brother said. Cordoba Rios refused to be-
Jose Alvarenga, after a haircut and his beard shaven, appears younger and less robust that he did in earlier photos on his arrivial in Majuro from Ebon Atoll. The castaway’s health has deteriorated enough to postpone plans to ly him back to Mexico. AFP lieve that Ezequiel was unable to eat. “I think that when you’re out there, you want to survive. I can’t believe that he refused to eat. He was healthy.” In the Marshall Islands, doctors at Majuro Hospital have decided survivor Alvarenga is too dehydrated to travel. “We must consider his health, that he is fit to travel, and get the doctor’s recommendation. We’re hoping in the next three or four days,” said Mexican embassy oficial Christian Clay Mendoza. Alvarenga made a brief public appearance on Thursday, and correspondents say he looked weaker than when he made his first media appearance on Monday. An unnamed oficial told AP that he looked much less animated. “He looked exhausted, frankly. Like someone who has run two or three marathons.” Alvarenga told media in Majuro that while adrift at sea he mostly thought about food, family and death. “There were times I would think about killing myself. But I was scared to do it,” he added, raising his arm, pointing to heaven and declaring: “God! Faith!” “The hardest thing I had to do to survive was to drink my own
urine,” he told AFp, adding that he was forced to take the drastic measure during a period when for three months it didn’t rain. When it inally did, he used the hull of his dilapidated 24foot fiberglass boat to store water. He said he would often hear sea turtles bump his boat. “I was able to reach over the side of the boat and grab them,” he said. “I caught many turtles over the course of my drift.” Alvarenga, who is originally from el salvador, said he had spent the last 15 years prior to his ill-fated ishing expedition catching sharks in Mexico. The Marhsall Islands’ minister of foreign affairs, phillip Muller said: ‘The investigation is ongoing to verify the story of how he, Alvarenga, got to the Marshall Islands. “I won’t give you all the details, but we will eventually tell everybody. so far the story has been substantiated.’ Oficials said it was likely that Alvarenga would not be able to travel until at least Monday – and there was the added problem of inding an oficial to ly with him. It is understood he will fly from Majuro to Honolulu, then on to LA before lying direct to el salvador. As Alvarenga does not have
a passport, he will need special paperwork to be allowed to enter Us territory en route to el salvador. It has emerged that Alvarenga led his home on the Paciic coast of el salvador 12 years ago after he was stabbed in a brutal bar ight. While out drinking in the village of Garita palmera, Alvarenga got into an argument with four men and was stabbed, punched and kicked to the point his family feared he would not survive. After 15 days in hospital he made an incredible recovery. But, terriied his attackers, who lived locally, would target him again, he fled the country for Mexico, deeming it too dangerous for him to stay. He left his family – wife Arely Barrera and the couple’s 18-month-old daughter Fatima at home. Fatima, who is now 13 years old, has no memories of her father and said meeting him would be “awkward” having spoken to him for the irst time on the phone a few days ago. After crossing the Guatemalan border by bus, Alvarenga settled in the Mexican State of Chiapas where he worked as a isherman. - PNC/sources
SAMOA CHIEF AUDITOR’S TERM ExTENDED SAMOA – Samoa’s Prime Minister has defended last week’s constitutional amendment to extend the chief auditor’s term from three to 12 years. Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi says the chief auditor will be responsible to parliament and not be inluenced by the government of the day. He says at the end of a 12-year term, there is no chance of a contract renewal and the oice holder is prohibited from working in the public service. In 1995, the Samoan government changed the costitution in orfer to suspend the then auditor general, Sua Rimoni Ah chong, after he refused to authorise illegal payments to government ministers.
REPORT ON ILLEGAL PASSPORT HOLDERS VANUATU – A Vanuatu MP says ministers have received an independent report into the illegal sale of passports, which includes a list of people who have acquired them incorrectly. The lands minister, Ralph Regenvanu, says the council of ministers has yet to decide on the fate of the people who have obtained citizenship outside due process. An opposition MP and the former ambassador to china, Willie Jimmy, says ministers won’t act on the report as there are many non-citizens working for them. He says the leaders are “cowards” and have a conlict of interest as they employ expatriates and non-citizens, which is in itself unconstitutional.
The survival of Jose Alvarenga after 14 months adrift in the Paciic appears even more remarkable when you see the seven-metre open boat he loated 12,500 kilometres in with nothing but a large ish box for shelter from the sun. AFP
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Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
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Palau bans commercial ishing MELEkEOk – palau is to become the irst Paciic nation to ban all commercial ishing in its exclusive economic zone. The president of palau declared Tuesday that his Paciic island nation will totally ban commercial ishing and become a marine sanctuary. president Tommy Remengesau Jr said in a keynote address to a UN meeting on “Healthy oceans and seas” that once current ishing contracts with Japan, Taiwan and some private companies expire – only ishing by island residents and tourists will be allowed in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Remengesau said establishing “a 100 per cent marine sanctuary” will enable palau to preserve “a pristine environment” and promote snorkelling, scuba diving and ecotourism as an alternative way to grow its economy. “It would make a difference if it’s just a matter of feeding ourselves and feeding the tourists,” he told a news conference. “As it is right now, we’re feeding the tourists and ourselves plus millions of people outside the territory.” palau’s population of about 20,000 people is spread across 250 islands. It shares maritime boundaries with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Micronesia. The country announced in 2009 it was creating the world’s irst shark sanctuary by banning all commercial shark ishing in its territorial waters. It has also adopted the most restrictive law against bottom
trawling. In 2012, its Rock Islands southern Lagoon was named a UNesCo World Heritage site. Remengesau, a fisherman, said he has seen fish stocks dwindle and the size of fish grow smaller around his island nation. With a marine sanctuary, he said, “we will do our part of making sure that there’s a healthy stock of fish in palau that then can migrate to other places.” Remengesau said snorkellers and scuba divers come to palau to see sharks, which can live up to 100 years. According to a study, he said a live shark is worth $1.9 million as a tourist attraction compared to a dead shark which is worth several hundred dollars for its ins for shark in soup, which is an Asian delicacy. To enforce the ban on commercial fishing, Remengesau said palau is working with potential partners to obtain radar equipment and drones to monitor its waters. Remengesau said climate change and global warming have been having a serious impact. “For us in palau and the pacific islands, there’s been a tremendous amount of what we call unpredictable weather patterns that brings typhoons and storms and all kinds of destructive forces to the islands,” he said. “We have other problems of sea level rises.” palau is also urging the United Nations to adopt a new goal
‘We’re a fragile and small island. The only way to sustain ourselves is to put our environment irst for our people and economic opportunities that come from the environment.’ to clean up the world’s oceans, restore fish stocks and bring some equity to resources being taken by others. Remengesau said “the ishing revenue has been breadcrumbs it’s been nothing compared to, or in fairness to the billion dollar industry that this whole ishing industry is”. soon after taking office for his third tour-year term president Remengesau announced his plan to ban commercial ishing and established a working group to review the plan. His announcement caused a stir in the isheries and business world in large part because it is unprecedented in a region where most countries depend heavily on revenue from foreign ishing nations. Remengesau’s long-term focus on environment, dating back to his first two terms in ofice from 2000-2008, underscores his belief that palau’s resources are of value beyond dollar signs.
Palau has banned all commercial ishing with only island residents and tourists allowed to enjoy the rich marines resources in its exclusive economic zone. AFP Remengesau is blunt about his plan for a total marine sanctuary: “It is in our best interests to do this. It is for the long-term sustainability of palau and our contribution to the region – no commercial ishing.” palau is a frequent target of illegal ishing by foreign leets and with only one patrol vessel, the government is hard-pressed to conduct effective surveillance. “The enforcement side is very important,” Remengesau said. palau conduct its first drone tests in August last year, similar to those being used by the Us government in the war in Afghanistan and elsewhere. “We’re working with an Australian drone manufacturer,”
he said. “They’ve done preliminary assessments and test lights and said it can work.” The plan is to relay information about illegal ishing activity from the drones to the patrol vessel. other details, such as the use of drone photographs for prosecution are part of the plan. Remengesau sees creating a total marine sanctuary as the obvious next step in palau’s effort to conserve its resources. “We will be making our contribution to sustaining the migratory tuna stock as well as within palau,” he said. With palau now attracting in excess of 100,000 tourists annually, the country sees the beneit of maintaining its beauty and
conserving natural resources that in turn attract visitors. “palau is very fortunate to be bestowed with natural resources not found elsewhere,” he said. “This comes with a responsibility to ensure these are here for the next generation.” Remengesau said the concept of people inheriting their islands from previous generations needs to be revised . “We are borrowing our environment from our future children. We’re a fragile and small island. “The only way to sustain ourselves is to put our environment first for our people and economic opportunities that come from the environment.” - NZH/PNC
Tuna ishery has hit point of no return NUKU’ALoFA – The ability of the domestic industry to compete in the southern long-line albacore ishery has hit the point of no return, according to Tonga’s online news site Matangi Tonga. Tying-up vessels and sending employees home is now the reality that is faced by the Paciic Islands Tuna Industry Association members that have an interest in this ishery. scientists have warned for years that increased catches will come at the expense of economic viability. The domestic industry has called for stronger management to mitigate the impact of the inlux of subsidized vessels. The political force that sub-
jects pacific islands governments to other considerations have prevailed and the economic downfall of an industry of some 30 years is the result. stock assessments continue to produce relatively healthy results, however, actual experience at sea tells otherwise. Recent trends have shown not just decrease in Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) but ish size. Practice shows that there has been fast local depletion regardless of the perceived overall state of t he stock. Do we only step up to manage when over-ishing is already occurring?, Matangi Tonga asks. American samoa with the support of the richer more powerful United states has recently
put its leet on the market. More than 50 per cent of the Fijian leet has been tied up. Tonga has one domestic vessel left – down from a high of 26. similar stories come from samoa and the once vibrant pNG domestic long-line ishery is history long since gone. The delegate from China announced at the Western and Central Paciic Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) 10, in December 2013, their intention to cap its leet in the region at 400 vessels. That is an estimate of 150 highly-efficient and heavily subsidised more vessels into a ishery where those of domestic lags are tied up and crew is sent home to seek alternative income
earnings, the news site reports. even those subsidised vessels join the growing leet of tying up vessels, which dominate the scene in suva harbour today. Yet Paciic islands countries will consider further issuing licenses. something is fundamentally wrong with that scenario. As Dr Aqorau, of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (pNA), told ABC in a recent interview, “the albacore crisis is in the hands of the southern states”. pITIA has many times in the past urged relevant governments to take control of the ishery. Ultimate control does lie with the Paciic islands countries given that some 70 per cent of the albacore catch is taken within
exclusive economic Zones (eeZs). so presumably, the income from licenses will compensate for a domestic industry that has collapsed? Has this theory been properly appraised? Or is this the short-term gain outweighing long-term rational and sustainable development? A couple of governments have now stepped up to react, whilst this is a step forward – we believe “the ship has sailed”. With the correct approach, government support could possibly result in protecting future investment but not so fortunate for current stakeholders. pITIA has always advocated managing the ishery. The reality is, the subsidised
Chinese vessel sector is the only party operating at Maximum Economic Yield (MEY) in this ishery. Not the licensing authority and deinitely not the unsubsidised domestic vessel, nor the isherman that is now seeking employment. It is paradoxical that a once economic domestic ishery existed before the establishment of the WCpC. Despite two conservation and management measures (in 2003 and 2005), designed to curtail increased fishing capacity, the heavily subsidized fleet has grown exponentially. It is a sad indictment of “isheries management” if ever there was one. - Matangi Tonga
'Flying Coconut' an inspiration soCHI – Tongan luge star Bruno Banani has been oficially welcomed to the sochi Winter olympics. The 28 year-old, nicknamed “The Flying Coconut”, is the only pacific islands athlete at the Winter Games and begins his competition on saturday. Tonga’s luge team has been welcomed by the vice-mayor of sochi at a ceremony which included the raising of the Tongan lag. The secretary general of the Tonga Luge Association, Leafa Mataele Wawryk, says it was an emotional experience. “I got a bit teary to see the Tongan lag and to have the Tongan national anthem played. “We’ve come a long way and, again, it’s so surreal. We’re so proud of this young man. We brought him when he was just journeying from a boy to a man. “He has become an idol and a great example to all the polynesian youth to believe in themselves and if you do there’s no limit, the sky is the limit.” - RNZI
The athlete from the Paciic islands they have dubbed “The Flying Coconut”, Tongan luger Bruno Banani at practise in Sochi. AFP
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Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
$63M solution without a problem? A SMOkE signaller writes: “We are told we need Te Mato Vai
because 60-70 per cent of the current water pipes are leaking. Where are those leaks and why not ix them irst before deciding on future needs? I can’t see any leaks on the main road and I would have thought someone would have reported leaks elsewhere. so is this just a case of a digger driver with no work to do, looking for something to keep him busy? Meantime when will we know what we will have to pay for the water? There may be a ive year moratorium, but we don’t want to ind out then that we could be paying a dollar a litre.”
of the recycling plant at Ngatangiia? Has Public Health turned a blind eye to the mosquito breeding site and overgrowth of weeds that hides the vast refuse beneath it? Out of sight, out of mind?”
WHERE’S THE EIA? A SMOkE signaller writes: “The environment service Website, where we are told we can view the purported environmental impact assessment for Te Mato Vai Project, pops up as ‘unavailable’. Is the EIA such a whitewash that it’s best to keep it under wraps?”
‘FREEDOM OF SPEECH’
LATE DEVELOPERS “HAVe THe geniuses got something back to front?” a smoke signaller asks. “Is peter Tierney leading a forum to assure that we use local expertise to plan Cook Islands development? Shouldn't we have had that forum before we let China plan $63,000,000 worth of development? We've had a debate for decades on whether or not to change the name of our country to a reo Maori name. Looks like we have settled on ‘The Tinito Islands’.”
TYRE GARDEN A SMOkE signaller writes:” Regarding the ‘Ship out’ those old tyres’ smokie in Monday’s paper, it was interesting to read that ‘If it were such a good idea, he would have buried the tyres in his own backyard’. Quite ironic is the fact that he has buried a substantial number of tyres in his ‘own backyard’ by building a retaining wall around the perimeter. I was invited by the owner back then to view this creative design (which is not a new one), and how he planned to put the recycling initiative to good use. so two years on and a quick visit after the recent publicity hype, it is a pleasure to see that the wall of tyres is now a beautiful back drop of rauti, ferns and lowers. I’m sure if you approached the owner he would happily show you the result of what can be done from turning a negative into a positive. Incidentally, what has become
“THe HIGH Court just made a landmark decision about Article 64(1)(c) of the Cook Islands Constitution,” a smoke signaller writes. Although it is about people’s right to own property and not be deprived thereof, the same principle can be extended to sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) of that Article. They are about freedom of thought and freedom of speech and expression. A smoke signaler in Monday’s paper pointed to Wilkie Rasmussen’s opinions about a politician and a company director in his Cook Islands Herald columns pontiicating that the Leader of the Opposition should know better and not express his views in the public arena. The assertion that they are untrue needs to be tested in the courtroom. So far, Mr Rasmussen offered no apology and nor did the publisher. That’s because Wilkie believes, as would the Court, that the expression of an opinion through writing is a fundamental right entrenched in our robust Constitution.”
TAx FIGHT ‘UNTIL DEATH’ “GReY poWeR in their dwindling numbers and frail, sickly bodies sincerely want to pay their taxes whether here or in New Zealand,” a smoke signaller writes. “But they have an issue with this government and for certain the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management got caught in this ruck with the issue of back taxes. Grey power’s prime goal is to pay their tax as of today
Battery stench appalling Dear Editor, on our recent regular trip to Rarotonga where we stay at Muri, the same old problem made itself known. I refer to the stench which comes from the battery farm that's nestled right in the midst of prime Muri tourism places. I f R a r o wa n t s t o u r i s t s, there's no point in putting an industrial factory which stinks out the area day and night in the same environment. In fact, it’s downright madness.
The stench is appalling, and no doubt extremely unhealthy for anyone with respiratory problems. To try and sleep surrounded by a miasma of ammonia and who knows what else is almost impossible. eating food with ammonia wafting up the nostrils is distinctly unappealing. I know local tourism has complained. And complained. so have tourists. Now it’s time the government took some action unless the relevant min-
Letters isters support battery farms rather than tourism. There's really no excuse in the 21st Century for subjecting not only tourists but locals to put up with this nightmare. When will the Minister for Tourism and the Cook Islands government do something? sue Arnold Byron Bay, Australia
and not be back taxed. They are willing to pay tax and they are willing as well to ight – and literally die – to stop the back taxes. This storm in a tea cup has exposed government and is becoming a thorn in its side that will not go away quietly. The more this issue is not resolved by this month, the more it will cost Prime Minister Henry Puna and his government at the polls. The solution? Stop the back taxes and the bank raids now!”
‘TAx THEM’ oN THe issue of Grey power demands on taxation of their overseas pensions, a smoke signaller texts to 188: “The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management should investigate pensioners’ assets here and overseas, and tax them also. Maybe this will stop them from complaining about paying their taxes.”
TRAVEL SUSPENSION A SMOkE signaller writes: “Here is a suggestion to perhaps help with the crime situation that is affecting tourism and becoming quite well commented on in New Zealand and Australia. Any Cook Islander convicted of a crime should be not permitted to leave the country for New Zealand for a period of 10 years after which time if he/she has led a crime free period, then the suspension could be lifted.” Keep the smokies rolling in! smoke signals and interesting island photos will be accepted by email (smokesignals@cookislandsnews.com), or text to 188 or a phone call to the newsroom on 22-999.
Speak up and be banned! The banning of three longtime supporters of football in the Cook Islands by oFC and CIFA is a sad day in our football history. Any member of the football community should be allowed to voice his or her opin-
ion on the state of the game in the Cook Islands without the threat of being banned. The oFC charges had no substance and were based on the visit of an investigator that CIFA requested be sent to Rarotonga. The investigator: Dr Sahu khan, is a disbarred lawyer who fled from Fiji after stealing clients’ money from his trust account. It seems unusual that an “ethics” committee investigation should be based on the report of an investigator with such a history. A healthy debate is good for the game and CIFA should not try to stop people question-
ing them by accusing them of breaching the “ethics” of the game. Instead, CIFA should answer the questions and deal with the issues that are raised. By giving the oFC decision to the media first, it showed a lack of consideration by CIFA for its people. Brian Baudinet, Cameron Robertson and Tony Jamieson have mostly not only played for Cook Islands clubs but have also coached and sat on club committees. They have the “good of the game” at heart. Raymond Newnham Vice-president Matavera Football Club
KiiKii robbery - the facts Dear Editor, I refer to the letter in C I News Thursday February 6 re: Kiikii Robbery. Facts: 1. she was employed as Resident Caretaker responsible for after-hours duties. 2. As the proprietor/owner I am responsible to our Guests irst and also for the termination of all staff. 3. The robbery is still under
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
investigation by the police who, I might add, have done a tremendous job in recovering the safe two days after the robbery. 4. This has caused our guests a great amount of stress and disruption to their travel plans and costs. Next time I would appreciate you contacting me for the correct information. Harry T Napa proprietor/owner
Managing Editor John Woods john@cookislandsnews.com Financial Controller Liz Woods lizw@cookislandsnews.com General Manager Tony Fe’ao tony@cookislandsnews.com Editor Mark Ebrey mark@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 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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Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
Outer islands want their share of pie oUTeR Islands are not getting a
big enough slice of the tourism pie because air fares are too expensive and marketing efforts are lacking, says a member of the industry. Roger Malcolm, who owns Atiu Villas, said the majority of visitors to the Cook Islands are New Zealanders and few of them venture further aield than Rarotonga or Aitutaki. “We have this huge number of Kiwis coming to Rarotonga that don’t take the extra step to the outer islands. It’s a huge market and we don’t get any of it.” Malcolm was part of a panel discussion - looking speciically at growing tourism in the sister islands - at the Tourism stakeholders Forum yesterday. A recent visitor survey shows only two per cent of people who come to the Cook Islands visit
an island other than Rarotonga or Aitutaki. Malcolm said one “stumbling block” is that lying to the outer islands costs about the same amount as getting from New Zealand to Rarotonga. “The biggest outer islands business in the room is Air Rarotonga. All its revenue comes from the outer islands. That money comes from our work in the outer islands but it’s spent in Rarotonga.” He asked for the government to subsidise airfares to the outer Islands and to cut taxes on Air Rarotonga. “Bringing tax down would bring the airfares down,” he said. Malcolm also asked the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (CITC) to step up its marketing of the outer islands, at least in Rarotonga.
Dogs need new approach: PC poLICe Commissioner Maara
Tetava says a new solution is needed to bring Rarotonga’s dog problem under control. The issue of dogs intimidating and attacking visitors was raised at a tourism forum on Wednesday and many of the questions were directed at Tetava. “We’re not quite sure how we got to be handling dogs but the law says it rests with police.” Tetava said police have been trying to manage the issue but none of his staff are speciically trained to handle dogs. The police have not had a full-time dog controller for two years, he said. “I don’t think the police have been successful. perhaps what we need to do is look at the whole dog issue and come up with a new solution.” Tetava said he intends to revive the dog control committee – which ceased to exist several years ago – comprising representatives of police, Ministry of Agriculture, spCA, Chamber of Commerce and Koutu Nui. This group would put their heads together to ind ways of tackling the problem. Tetava said police have been carrying out home visits in the past month to check each household has no more than two dogs. Many dogs have been put down as a result, although Tetava said shooting dogs is not the ideal solution. “We are starting to get complaints from people for picking
up their dogs. We used to get blasted in the media for that.” His comments come after an Austrian tourist was attacked last sunday by a pack of three dogs while walking along the beach near the edgewater Resort. The man suffered severe bites to his right leg and was treated at hospital. spCA president sharon Reichardt, who also spoke at the forum, said the answer will require teamwork and will not come quickly. “shooting the dogs is not the solution. The solution is we need to increase the number of dogs being de-sexed. We can’t be gun-happy.” others attending Wednesday’s Tourism stakeholders Forum suggested people should have to pay for a licence to become dog-owners, rather than paying to register dogs themselves. - Ben Chapman-Smith
“ When customers come through Rarotonga Airport, where are the outer islands? There needs to be a really strong presence of the outer islands.” Halatoa Fua, chief executive of CITC, agreed that the corporation could be doing more to promote the outer islands on its website. He said the corporation is marketing the outer islands overseas, particularly in the european market. pushing the outer islands in Rarotonga is somewhat ineffective though because most people who visit have pre-booked their holidays and cannot afford
add-ons, he said. “Coming from the Northern Hemisphere takes a lot of planning.” He said New Zealanders – referred to as a “fly and flop” market – simply want to land in Rarotonga, lie on a beach all week and then go home. He suggested tourism operators in each island work more closely with overseas travel wholesalers and get them to promote the island destinations. ewan smith, managing director of Air Rarotonga, agreed that most tourists pre-book their holidays and getting them past
“Bringing tax down would bring the airfares down,”
The raid was in relation to the ongoing investigation of Cabinet Minister Teina Bishop, he said. Bishop has been under investigation by authorities for roughly six months, who are looking into allegations of bribery and corruption against the minister. During the visit, Rangi said the officers confiscated
MORE tourists like lagoon cruising than any other local activity, according to a survey of more than 1000 visitors to the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s online survey – carried out between July and september last year – asked visitors to rate their level of satisfaction with about 30 different activities. The highest scoring experience was a lagoon cruise, followed by going to the beach, attending church on sunday, having a meal at a Cook Islander’s home, island celebrations, and cultural tours. one respondent said, “I absolutely enjoyed watching the cultural events and how it is instilled into the younger generation at such a young age”. other popular activities included kite suring, swimming, an island night feast and show,
sightseeing, and dance, language and art classes. The survey shows that of the relatively low number of visitors who go ishing, many get off the boat feeling unsatisied. Deep sea and bonefishing activities received the lowest scores, with 3.9 and 3.8 out of 5 respectively. Arts and crafts shopping were also ranked lower than most activities, although both still scored 4.2 out of 5. Cycling and public transport scored 4.3 each, also putting them further down the list. “Bus service appeared to be sporadic. I waited for 30 minutes for a bus and eventually a local driving past stopped and offered me a lift into town,” said one tourist. The survey of 1178 people also showed the most and least appealing elements of the Cook Islands.
a number of files on Huanan Fishery (Cook Islands) Company and documents relating to last year’s purchase of samade Beach Bungalows in Aitutaki by Bishop and businessman Thomas Koteka. “In relation to the Teina Bishop investigations, we provided them with a couple of iles,” said Rangi. “I think we’re just one of a number of companies they are looking at.”
Wednesday’s search of BTIB’s ofices follow earlier raids this week of Bishop’s Aitutaki home, his ministerial ofices in Avarua, and a unit in Nikao rented out by the Aitutaki MP. Authorities are investigating the Cabinet Minister in relation to his connection with Huanan, a subsidiary of Luen Thai Fishing Venture. - Emmanuel Samoglou
barge will be carrying heavy machinery, a grader, and ive workers to the northern island. He said the journey will take
about six days and the repair work about a month. - Ben Chapman-Smith
Dispute delays relief barge Continued from page 1 The new principal, two new teachers and returning tertiary programme co-ordinator have
been stranded in Rarotonga waiting for the runway to be ixed. Akama said last week that the
roger Malcolm has been running Atiu Villas with his wife since 1980. 14020638
Lagoon cruises top choice for tourists
BTIB offices also raided Continued from page 1
Rarotonga and Aitutaki is dificult. “These people when they get here don’t book outer islands experiences.” He said selling package trips – such as the Aitutaki/Atiu package – has been the most successful technique. off the 1200-1300 people who visited Atiu last year, about 700 booked the trip with the Aitutaki light, he said. smith said the reality is that big hotels and development will be needed on the outer islands before they become major tourist destinations. He questioned whether people in the outer island communities would want that. - Ben Chapman-Smith
Top of the list were the unspoilt environment, the friendly local people and the peacefulness of the destination. The least appealing elements were the quality and cost of public services, facilities and infrastructure, the numerous stray dogs and the poor quality and value for money of tourism services. The overall satisfaction level was high, with 93 per cent of those surveyed saying they want to return and 98 per cent say-
ing they would recommend the country to friends and family. started in April 2012, the international visitor survey is conducted by the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute and Auckland University of Technology. Its purpose is to help the Tourism Corporation form a clearer picture of visitors’ characteristics, expectations and spending patterns. - Ben Chapman-Smith
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Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
TAU offers help to Tonga Power poWeR authority Te Aponga Uira is lending a helping hand to get power and lighting restored to homes in Tonga that were lattened by Cyclone Ian last month. Most of the power network in the Ha’apai group of islands was
damaged by Ian on January 11 and 12, with many cables torn down by debris and wind. Tonga power Ltd asked for help from Te Aponga Uira (TAU), which has readied 100 straining clamps and 4000m of aerial
Weather buoy will provide better data A BUoY that monitors weather
and water quality will be assisting pearl farmers in Manihiki. The equipment, which can give hourly reports on things that can impact pearls such as water temperature and dissolved oxygen, is funded by the european Union through the secretariat of the pacific Community (spC). The buoy is currently in Rarotonga, and was the focus of a workshop organised by the Ministry of Marine Resources where participants – including some from Manihiki – learned how the buoy works, how it is assembled and how to interpret the data it offers. SPC team leader Peni Musunamasi and electrical engineer from sound ocean systems Inc Matt Casari conducted the workshop, showing participants how the buoy operates and answering questions. The equipment is being sent to Manihiki as part of an SPC project called Global Climate Change Alliance for Small Paciic Islands states. The regional project includes nine countries including the Cooks, which had previously chosen pearl farming as a focus. Manager of the project for SPC Gillian Cambers said the buoy will improve pearl farmers’ ability to respond to environmental changes that may impact their pearls. “It will be real-time informa-
tion every hour. At the moment they’ve been getting some information every week, but with dissolved oxygen you have about a day to take whatever action is necessary.” This may include raising or lowering the ‘lines’ attached to the farms, altering the position of the pearls. Cambers said there are about 20-30 active pearl farmers on the island, so spC will be monitoring how well information spreads by word of mouth – with another option being to send an alert to people’s mobile phones. The buoy is to be dismantled and shipped to Manihiki, and is likely to arrive in April. Musunamasi will be travelling to the island to oversee the buoy being re-assembled and put into - BD the water.
bundled cables to be sent on the container ship Liloa V22. Chief executive Apii Timoti said Tonga power’s recovery effort has been stalled until equipment arrives from overseas. That equipment will not arrive in Tonga until at least the end of February so TAU decided to help out its fellow Paciic power company, Timoti said. “They asked us if we might help them out with materials which they would replace once
their own stock arrived. We all know and support each other because of our Paciic Power Association affiliation and we all share the same experiences and challenges.” TAU checked its cyclone stocks, found it could accommodate the request and gained approval from the Board. Timoti said the Liloa’s schedule works well; the ship arrived in Rarotonga yesterday and will be in Tonga on February 14.
Electrical itters Romeo Keu (left) and Makara Murare with a drum of cable that was among the consignment of materials sent by TAu to Tonga. 14020629` In an email, Tonga power chief executive John van Brink conveyed his heartfelt thanks to TAU for its support.
“It’s great knowing we can lean on others in the neighbourhood when in strife.” - Ben Chapman-Smith
Workshop participants, including SPC team leader Peni Musunamasi (left), SPC project manager Gillian Cambers (second from left) and electrical engineer Matt Cassari (fourth from right) with the buoy that will be monitoring weather and water quality in Manihiki. 14020604/05
Vaka TV case back before High Court AN UNRESOLVED court case between an Australian investor and local television station Vaka Television has been brought back to the attention of the High Court. Vaka Television chief executive David Reuther, his wife Vina Reuther and their daughter Malina Reuther were each called
APPRECIATIONS
to court yesterday each charged with failing to cause proper books of account to be kept. Defence counsel Tony Manarangi asked for an adjournment as two of the defendants were in New Zealand. The case will recalled on February 20. The dispute dates back to 2011, where Australian investor Christine Backer lost a court case to close Vaka Television after her business relationship with Reuther soured. she then sought to sue Reuther personally for around $112,000; however the case did not proceed to trial. - MWK
Demo party candidate James Beer (left) and the CIP’s Kaota Tuariki (right) are busy campaigning in the lead-up to the February 19 by-election. 14020639 / 14020640
Murienua outcome less than two weeks away A HoTLY-anticipated by-election set for the constituency of Murienua is less than two weeks away. The February 19 vote will see Kaota Tuariki of the Cook Islands party square up against the Democratic Party’s James Beer in a re-run after last september’s controversial by-election. Chief electoral officer Taggy Tangimetua said the electoral office has received eight advance votes. Three postal votes have also been processed in advance,
out of 14 issued. When Murienua voters went to the polls in the initial byelection – won by Tuariki but eventually petitioned by the Democratic Party which made allegations of bribery and treating - a total of 517 eligible voters were registered on the main roll, indicating a 71 per cent voter turnout. In the lead-up to the vote, Tuariki and Beer have both been on the campaign trail attempting to garner support.
Tuariki has held rallies over the past two weekends, attended by currently-serving Government ministers who spoke on various topics such as agriculture and seabed minerals. A rally last weekend featured a speech by Prime Minister Henry puna, along with entertainment provided by a live band. Beer has been campaigning on a new tax policy being offered by the Demos, which includes a requirement for a High Court order for government to with-
draw funds from a citizen’s account – apparently in reaction to the recent account raids by the treasurer on seniors collecting the NZ super. Additionally, Beer is highlighting the party’s offer of back tax relief to members of pensioner activist group, Grey power. The pledge was previously mentioned by demo leader Wilkie Rasmussen during a Grey power rally at the Cook Islands parliament in early December. - Emmanuel Samoglo
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Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
churchTALK te AKoNoANGA
Anger should be answer ANGeR is not a sin. And that is good news. Well, am I sure anger is not a sin? Absolutely Yes.Throughout the Bible God presents himself as full of love, full of grace, full of forgiveness, but also from time to time, angry (Deuteronomy 29: 27 That is why the LORD's anger burned against this land, bringing down on it all the curses recorded in this book 28. In great anger and fury the LORD uprooted his people from their land and exiled them to another land, where they still live today!') And while we may prefer to emphasise the ‘gentle Jesus’ we cannot ignore that our muscular Carpenter raged through the temple overturning tables.
In Mark 3:5 “He looked around at them angrily, because he was deeply disturbed by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, "Reach out your hand." The man reached out his hand, and it became normal again!” We are presented here with a Jesus who is angry, this time at the hardness of the pharisees’ heart. And even in paul’s writings on all things faith and grace, he states God’s anger is directed against those who suppress truth (Romans 1:18 “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves.”) And it is hard to read Christ’s mocking accusation and not detect anger (Luke 17: 2 “It would
be better to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck than to face the punishment in store for harming one of these little ones.”) It makes sense that a God of love expresses anger. Anger is the appropriate reaction when those we love are mistreated. It’s one thing to turn the other cheek when we suffer wrong; it’s quite another to look on with silent indifference when someone else is wronged. If we see evil committed against the innocent, we are designed to feel anger. The anger should motivate us to action. Not confused, ineffective, out of control behaviour, but effective action designed to end, or at least relieve, the wrong.
When I pick up our newspaper it’s full of news which reminds me we live in a wicked world in which evil people infiltrate all facets of live, even in our faith communities. sadly, I do not have to look far to realise that even here in our paradise there are certain activities happening slowly rotting our fabric of life away. I read court reports to see the type of unwanted behaviour on the rise. The demands placed on our people because of the pressures, all in the name of economic development. What have we learnt from our past? Are we able to match up with the pace change is forced upon us? What about the vulnerable in our communities - children, widows, the
Elder Lowry on mission MISSIONARY service for The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday saints seems to be a tradition in the Lowry family of Takuvaine. Recently elder John Lowry departed for his two-year mission service for the church to the Toronto, Canada Mission. His first stop on route was the Missionary Training centre in provo, Utah where he will spend a few weeks
before going out to start his mission proper in Canada. “He was overly excited when he received his call via a letter from the president of the Church in salt Lake City,” his mother Lori said. “He had been waiting for his call for a long time - about 12 months.” elder Lowry's father Thomas served as a missionary when he was 19 in New Zealand. Elder
Lowry's older sister Teremoana served in New Zealand and his older brother served in south Australia. elder Lowry was born in Alberta, Canada and arrived in Rarotonga when he was ive years old. “It has always been my desire to serve a mission,”he expressed at a gathering held prior to his departure.
As part of his preparation he saved as much as he could as an employee at CITC Foodland for four years to help inance his mission. Recent correspondence from elder Lowry indicates that “he is very happy to be out in the mission ield, that he is doing well and enjoying the experience,” said his mum, Lori. - LDS PA
disabled, homeless, those sexually abused - are they receiving a fair go at life? Are they receiving the love and support needed for their sanity, sense of belonging and self-worth? How have we been internalising the challenges we are facing now; are we still sweeping these challenges under the mat. There are some who would rather protect a reputation than to protect victims of abuse. We are still confused about forgiveness and grace, with stupidity and the freedom for offenders to re-offend again. Definitely everyone, no matter how serious their sin is, can repent and receive forgiveness. But that does not mean we put people back again in positions to re-offend. You do not employ a person with a history of petty thieving in charge of the inances of your company. You obviously do not put anyone who is short tempered to be in a managerial position. And you most certainly do not put someone who has sexually exploited
children or church family members and others in the wider community to be in positions of power and opportunity. To do so is not showing grace, it's showing gross disregard for the safety of vulnerable people. I fear we lack the level of anger required to motivate every one of us to overcome our contentment and move ahead of our comfort levels to confront head on the problem of abuse in our schools, churches and communities. We are still prone to valuing community peace and unity over confronting evil when it occurs and dealing firmly with community members who offend. I wish we could hear the pain and anguish of abused victims. It would, I believe, make us so angry we would never let complacency reign again. Anger is, in this case, the answer. And we need an awful lot more of it. Have a safe and a happy weekend. pr eliu SDA Church Media
Celebration
on the Rock APOWERFUl,ExCITINGCHURCH Join us this weekend for our Sunday morning service 10am.
School farewells Sister
Aere mai, aere mai te katoatoa, te Atua te aroa! ACROSS THE ROAD THE AIRPORT, NIKAO
Assemblies Of God Church
14020512
14020516
ABOVE LEFT: Sister Celine says she will miss her beloved students at St Joseph School. ABOVE: St Joseph School students at the ready to entertain former principal Sister Celine at her farewell function. LEFT: Gifts of ei were showered on Sister Celine by her students who, in return, received warm hugs and kisses from the former St Joseph School principal.
Sunday School: 9am -10.15am
Apostolic Church Weekly Programme Sunday to Friday Rarotonga Apostolic Church Bishop Tutai Pere - 23778/55177 Dial-A-Prayer 26777 Church Services on Sundays at 10am and 7pm Radio and Television Ministr y at 11am and 4.30pm. Mid-week services on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm. Aitutaki Apostolic Church - Pastor Noo Mataiti - 31269. Atiu Apostolic Church - Pastor Nikau Tangaroa - 33778. Mangaia Apostolic Church Pastor Ngametua Papatua - 34065. WE PREACH GOD IN JESUS AND JESUS IN GOD 14020509
FOCUS 2014
“AHEAD OF TIME GOD” “JESUS” “TE ATUA MOMUA I TE AU MEA RAVARAI” “KO IESU” “Iamhethatliveth,andwasdead;and, behold,iamaliveforevermore,amen; andhavethekeysofhellanddeath...Ko auteiaeoranei,imateanaraioki:eina,e oraaturaiauetuatauuaatu,amene!Tei iakutetaviriotemateetoade” Revelation/Apokalupo 1:18
All services cater for both Maori and English speaking brethren. Contact: Bishop Pere on email: tpere@oyster.net.ck
JESUS IS TRUE GOD
10
Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
classiieds pupu kite ngai okotai EMAiL
PHONE
adverts@cookislandsnews.com
Fax 25303
DEADLiNES Deadline for next day’s classiieds is
22999
preferred
PuBlIC NOTICES
PuBlIC NOTICES
Rarotonga Netball Centre inc. Annual General Meeting Date - Wednesday 26 February 2014 Venue - NCI Oice Time - 6pm Agenda 1. Opening Prayer 2. Previous AGM Minutes 3. Matters Arising from Minutes 4. President’s Report 5. Treasurer’s Report 6. Election of Oice Bearers 7. Other Matters 8. 8. closing Prayer President.
Titikaveka Rugby League Club notice Our village will be hosting the Aitutaki Sharks to a spread after the Premier game. Friday 7 Feb 2014 Starts 7pm @ Kent Hall Please bring a plate Meitaki Maata President, club captain and Aronga Mana. 76766 / /2557
Autism Cook Islands PH 24065/55976
tiateura@oyster.net.ck
76654 /36182 /1931
PuBlIC NOTICES OffICE Of THE PRIME MINISTER Cook Islands Government The Cook Islands Government and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Afairs and Trade have issued tender documents for the construction of a 900kw Photovoltaic Array at Rarotonga International Airport. The site is to the west of the terminal and on airport land. Planned total output will be 900kw and energy generated will provide approximately 5% of Rarotonga requirements. The project is funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme. Tender documents are available both on the website of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (www. mfem.gov.ck) and the New Zealand Government Electronic Tenders website (www.gets.govt.nz). Tenders close February 20. Interested Cook Islands companies should access the tender documents on the website. Queries can be addressed to the Project Manager, Mr John Youdale at email john.youdale@beca.com or Rob Hills at email – Rob.hills@beca.com Those interested in tendering should register with the project manager to ensure they receive any additional notices to tenderers. 76753
1pm sharp. Material deadline for display adverts 24 hours prior.
PuBlIC NOTICES
Renewal of Liquor Licences and Manager’s Certiicates for Year 2014 To all Liquor Licence and Manager’s Certiicate holders, you are reminded that your licences and certiicates expire on the 31 March 2014. Anyone who wishes to renew their existing liquor licence or manager’s certiicate are requested to contact the Liquor Licensing Authority on phone 28810 or email: liquor@transport.gov.ck or come in person to the Ministry of Transport oice to uplift an application pack. Your applications must be lodged to the Liquor Licensing Authority by 19 March 2014. Failure to lodge your application before the expiry date may result in the suspension of your licence or certiicate. Secretary Liquor Licensing Authority 76797 / /1764
HULAnesian Fitness! Hour of awesome workout Topshape Tuesdays 4.30pm Muri Meeting house Saturdays 8am. Info 72996.
GET HELP Call AA - 71744
casual ads must be prepaid. cancellation fee $6.40 incl. VAT. Quotations on request.
PuBlIC NOTICES
PuBlIC NOTICES
TO: THE LANDOWNERS OF PAUA SECTION 8D1, LOTS 13 AND 14, NGATANGIIA The Vendor of a Deed of Lease of the above land situated in Ngatangiia, Rarotonga in the area of 2,206m2 has entered into an agreement for the sale of the remainder of the term of the Deed of Lease by way of assignment. The sale is subject, among other things, to the landowners residing in Rarotonga waiving their right of irst refusal in respect of the sale and (in the event of them waiving that right), the consent of the majority of the landowners residing in Rarotonga to the sale by way of assignment. Should you wish to exercise the right of irst refusal as a landowner and purchase the leasehold interest you have one month from Friday, 7 February 2014 to notify us in writing. Details of the proposed sale, including the price and purchaser are available to landowners whose names appear on the Register of Titles, on request to: charles Little at Little & Matysik P.c., cook Islands Lawyers, Avarua, Rarotonga. Tel 21619, Fax 21615 or email: charles@lawyers.co.ck
Araura Enua Public consultation on the Biosecurity Draft Regulation 2014. The Ministry of Agriculture will be conducting a Public consultation Meeting on the Draft Biosecurity Regulations 2014 on the island of Aitutaki Tuesday 11 February 2014 10.00 am in the Island council chamberOrongo. The regulation covers New Quarantine Requirements for Plant and Animals on Import, Export, Fines, Fees and charges. The meeting is open to the General Public. Please make every efort to attend as this is very important for us to know and protecting our Nation at all times. Ka rave atu Te Tipatimani o te Pae Tanu i tetai uipaanga no runga I te Ture ou koia oki ko te Draft Biosecurity Regulations s 2014. Tei roto I teia Ture nei tetai au akatuke anga ou no runga I te turanga o te apai ua rakau mai mei vao ake I te Basileia, mei te ua kai, atava tiare e te vai atura. No reira te pati akaaka ia atu nei ki te katoatoa rava kia tae mai tatou kia akarongo I te au tumu manako puapinga no runga I teia Ture te ka riro i te tauturu i to tatou Ipukarea. Dr Matairangi Purea Secretary of Agriculture.
76816 / /1780
VEHIClES fOR SAlE Motorcar Primacy, $7000. Phone 20813 or 58313. 76761 /36250 /1931
76722 /36216 /1931
For the sake of your family
RATES Minimum $5.80 incl. VAT for 1-15 words.
2012 White Toyota Hilux petrol, Aluminium Tray Rust proof, 29,500 ono Contact Mariana 55286. 76777 /35033 /1931
TENDERS
76823
COOK iSLANDS GAME FiSHiNG CLUB WEIGHMASTERS cOMP The annual weighmaster’s comp will be run on Saturday 8 February between the hours of 0600 and 1700 with prize giving at 1830. This comp is open to inancial members of the club and $20 boat registration must be paid at the bar before 2330 on Friday 7 February. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The AGM of the cook Islands Game Fishing club will be held on Saturday 1 March at 1400.
PuBlIC NOTICES
Ministry of Transport Boat Master Certiicate Course. A cook Islands Boatmaster certiicate Course will be held over two weeks from 10 February to 20 February. Hours are 5pm to 8.30pm Monday to Thursday each week. All boat operators and interested parties, male or female, over 18 years of age are encouraged to attend. Numbers strictly limited so enrol early. Payment of course Fee of $50 will secure a place. Application forms may be obtained from the Ministry of Transport in Avatiu. Phone Steve Simpson on 28810 or Mobile 55605 for details. 76703 / /1764
SERVICES Saturday Morning Tennis Ages 4-7 years Starting Saturday 8 February 9am-10pm Still accepting enrolments for term 1 coaching Ages 4-12 years For enquiries phone 22033 or 75614. 76815 /36357 /2506
Grounds Maintenance Services Need your lawns and hedge trimmed and/or maintained? No job is too big or too small for us to handle. Give us a call at T&S Ltd on 29069 or 70716/52914 for a free quote. 76707 /36208 /1931
Classiieds • Phone 22999
• adverts@cookislandsnews.com
76716 / /1956
SITuATIONS VACANT
ENViRONMENT SERViCE PUBLiC NOTiCE
ENViRONMENTAL iMPACT aSSeSSMent (eia) repOrtS
OFFice OF the Prime minster
Government Departments, Agencies and the General Public are hereby advised that the Environment Service has received the following application for a Project Permit as required under Section 36 of the Environment Act 2003. application: 1.ElIZABETH WIND Project: reclamation of a low lying estuarine along foreshore Land: Ukarerenui Pt Sec 6B2B, Avana Tapere, Ngatangiia District – rarOtOnGa. 2. NGATuPuNA AND NGAPOKO DAVID Project: Backilling on Swampland Land: Aremango Pt Sec 7B2B2B, Muri Tapere, Ngatangiia District – rarOtOnGa In accordance with subsection 5 a) and c) of Section 36 of the Environment Act 2003, any person, Government Agencies or Organisation who wish to make a written submission for or against the granting of a Project Permit by the Environment Service for this applications, may do so within 30 days commencing on the 10th day of January 2014. Written submissions may be in Cook Islands Maori or English be submitted to the National Environment Service no later than the 10th day of February 2014. EIA Reports for the above applications may be viewed at the following venues, • National Environment Service Oice • Takamoa Library and Museum • National Library or on the National Environment Service Website: www.environment.org.ck Director Environment Service 76276
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) 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 12pm, 7 February 2014 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 55064, or email daramide@oyster.net.ck 76488
Applications are invited from qualiied, motivated and experienced professionals for the following curriculum advisory and administration positions: 1) Director of Planning and Development Responsible for supporting the development of mid-term and annual business planning, policy development, school reviews, compliance and annual reporting. 2) planning and policy Oicer Policy review, research and development, including consultation with stakeholders. 3) Learning and Teaching Curriculum Advisors (2 positions) Provide advice on current pedagogical practice aimed at improving student achievement preferable at the secondary level, state major and supporting subject areas. An application pack is available from the Ministry website at: www.education.gov.ck Please send completed application forms with CV and references to: Director - human resources management Ministry of Education P O Box 97 rarotonga Cook Islands Ph (682) 29357, fax (682) 28357 or email vacancy@ education.gov.ck applications close on Friday 14 February 2014. 76728
11
Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
PuBlIC NOTICES
fOR RENT
GARAGE SAlE
in the matter of the cook Islands Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1986. Take note that under section 57 of the above Act, I, Mr Jaret Moore on behalf of Go cook Islands have applied to the Motor Vehicle Licensing Authority for a Licence to carry on business as a motor vehicle dealer, at Vaimaanga, Rarotonga. The application will be heard after 28 days of the irst appearance of this notice. Any person who desires to object to the application may serve notice of his/her objection to the Motor Vehicle Licensing Authority at the Ministry of Transport, P O Box 61, Rarotonga. The person giving the notice of objection shall also cause a copy of the notice to be served on the applicant within 7 days after giving it to the Licensing Authority.
Rooms $70 wk, suitable female with sober habits. Ph 20201 Monday to Friday, 9 to 5pm.
From 9am - 12pm. In Tutakimoa opposite Tav’s Ltd
76768 / /1917
Oppsite the New Avatiu Netball court across from the Rugby Field. Time: 8am -2pm Assorted Kids clothes, (New) Assorted girls clothing size 1014,(New) Shoes Size 9-10,Toys and other knick knacks. Phone 56767.
76801 / /1764
fOR RENT 2 bedroom modern house in Tikioki. Available for rent, fully furnished at $250 per week. Phone Mii 27258. 76760 /36251 /1931
Beach Front studio unit, Long or short term available as of the 12/2/14, Fully furnished, $200 weekly. Phone 71570. 76798 /36308 /1931
2 Bedroom House to rent. Phone 52979 or 27515. 76780 /36310 /1931
3 bedroom partly furnished home in Titikaveka $250 a week. Contact 51403.
fOR SAlE Stainless steel Oven - $600 for 5 burner cook-top with oven. In good working order. A great bargain. For inspections call 55366 - Minar or 55369. 76795 / /1758
76807 /36345 /1931
GARAGE SAlE Saturday 8, club Raro- Tennis court side. 8-11am. Fender USA Strat guitar, $1500, Conga set, $400 P.A system with speakers, 1600 watts, $1500 Plus mens clothes Bric & Brac. Enquiries call John mobile 79244. 76804 /36339 /1931
Saturday 8 February, 7.30am. The Art Studio main road Arorangi, Books, Women’s clothing, Household linen, crockery, fabric, art supplies, sewing machine $150 and other goods.
LEAVING THE ISLAND GARAGE SALE!!
Saturday 8 february 2014 8am – 12midday Kavera, Arorangi look for balloons and sign On the road next to Puaikura Reef lodges for more info contact 55912 or 52149
SITuATIONS VACANT
Assorted girls clothing, blankets, linen, puree dishes, ornaments, Aquawell water ilter, cofee perc, mincer, yoghurt maker. All Sorts. Saturday 8, behind Rangiura Meeting House no earlier than 7am.
We are currently seeking the following: 1. Assistant chef/cook 2. Pastry chef 3. Professional Bartender/ Supervisor All positions require skilled, experienced, mature and hands on person. To apply: Email CV to beachbar@waterline.co.ck or call 56214.
76810 /36346 /1931
76571 /36270 /2247
76791 /36289 /1931
76774 /36258 /1931
Production/Sales Position (Fulltime) We are looking for an energetic, well presented person to join our organisation. The successful applicant must also have a “can do” attitude and be a team player. Manufacturing experience will be an advantage. The role will require some heavy lifting at times. A current cook Islands driver’s license is essential. Application forms are available from our premises in Ruatonga. Application closes Monday 10 February. 76751 / /2107
Gardener part time, 4 hours, 1 morning per week. Phone 51143. 76785 / /2643
CHEF REQUiRED Full time position available. Must have at least 5 years experience in a head or 2nd chefs capacity. Applicant must be reliable, honest and able to work unsupervised. A knowledge of food costing and the ability to create and implement menu changes is required. Please email current cV to bullibaise@gmail.com or call 54668 for an interview. Female Waitress required for a restaurant. Training provided for the right candidate. Experience preferred. Phone 22279 or 75422.
SITuATIONS VACANT
The following opportunities now exist for motivated, enthusiastic and energetic people to join the team at the Business Trade investment Board. 1. Business Development Manager 2. trade and Marketing oicer 3. Senior Finance & administration Oicer. Applicants must be self motivated, proactive and have the ability to take a project through to completion. Computer literacy with exceptional organisational abilities complemented with experience and qualiications an advantage. Contact Agnes Teiti for job descriptions on phone 24296 or email; agnes.parker@cookislands.gov.ck Written applications with a current CV may be sent in conidence to: BTiB private Bag, Rarotonga or email the above mentioned. Applications close 3.00pm Friday 14 February 2014. 76822
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. Applications close Friday 14 February 2014 at 12noon. 76559
Support Staf Vacancies exist for the following part time positions: 1. Teacher Aide (Inclusive Education) • Apii Te Uki Ou (2 positions) • Rutaki School (1 position) • Takitumu School (1 position) 2. Teacher Aide (ECE) - 2 positions • Arorangi School • Omoka School, Penryhn 3. Grounds/Maintenance position: Avatea School 4. Receptionist (fulltime): Ministry of Education, Nikao applications close on Friday 14 February 2014. Job Descriptions available from the Ministry or at: www. education.gov.ck Please submit a cover letter with Curriculum Vitae and references to: Director hrm Division P. O. Box 97 rarotonga Cook Islands Ph (682) 29357, Fax (682) 28357 or email: vacancy@ education.gov.ck 76740
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 toa Landholdings Ltd landholdings@oyster.net.ck or drop of to oice in Panama. 76562
We are on the move Front oice Looking for energetic with a good personality positive person to join our reception operation. Fulltime work available and must be keen and willing to learn. Experience deinitely a bonus but not essential.
Carpenter / Handyman Full time work for the right applicant who is versatile and able to help our small team complete our renovation project. Contact Louis 55369 or email: Louis@clubraro.co.ck 76733
76786 / /2592
76723 / /2199
SITuATIONS VACANT
SITuATIONS VACANT
HEAVY DiESEL ENGiNEER
76811 /36347 /1931
76819 /76819 /1931
2x Bed side cabinets, 3 drawer $150 ea, 1 wardrobe unit suit lat $80, 1 pantry unit suit lat $80. Phone 2241.
SITuATIONS VACANT
te tanGO tUtara O te tUre (MINISTRY OF JUSTICE)
VACANCY A vacancy exists within the Ministry of Justice for;
Court Stenographer Applications for the above vacancies should be addressed to: secretary (Vacancy) Ministry of Justice PO Box 111 rarOtOnGa Or via email to chenry-anguna@justice.gov.ck Copies of Job Descriptions can be obtained at the Ministry of Justice. Applications close on Friday 7 February 2014 at 4pm. 76602
Job Opportunities Kia Orana! - The Edgewater Resort & Spa is currently seeking full time and part time staf. If you are a team player and have the ability to work under pressure and multitask - then we are looking for you! All applicants must have: Good communication skills, be honest and reliable, conidence and personality - full training will be provided for the right applicants. The positions available are: • Restaurant cleaner (6-12midday) • Waitress / waiter (full & part time) • Demi chefs • Kitchen hand • Housekeeping Supervisor • Housemaids For further queries, please contact the HR & Training Manager Jef TIKITAU on ph 58008 or Lynn MATAIO on ph 55469. Application forms are also available from reception. Look forward to meeting you! 76629
Advertising assistant Cook Islands news has a full-time position available to assist our Sales and Marketing Manager at the daily newspaper. You will be working with our Sales & Marketing Manager and assisting with the newspaper’s regular clients & daily advertising requirements. Supporting with all advertising promotions and features, maintaining our client database, along with general oice duties that go with selling and booking advertising. You will be expected to work well in a team situation, be well presented and organised, and a have a positive attitude. Remuneration will be based on your experience. Applications with resume and references should be sent to tony@cookislandsnews.com or lizw@cookislandsnews.com
We deliver.
Get your news delivered to your home or business daily.
every edition, (almost) anywhere on the island, rain or shine Phone our oice on 22999 for delivery rates and conditions
12
Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
SITuATIONS VACANT
SITuATIONS VACANT
WANTED TO Buy
fOR HIRE
paciic resort Hotel Group
Fridge freezer, in good condition. Phone 58888 or 20201.
TAMARUMARU TENT HiRE Phone 23787, 78103,79171 or 51188 jeralee@oyster.net.ck
A Great Place to Work…
Finance Oicer – Cook islands As the Finance Oicer you will support and work closely with the Finance Manager, Westpac Cook Islands to ensure the administration of the Westpac business is streamlined and eicient. Your role is responsible for accounts payable including liaising with suppliers for conirmations and updates on balances. Additionally you will prepare and analyse various inancial reports. You have core personal principles that see you behave as a dynamic, focused and disciplined professional. Your ‘can do’ attitude allows you to be nimble yet operate with a sense of accuracy and urgency in all that you do.
Knowledge and Experience: •
Evidence of being a strongly organized and structured person, with a ‘can do’ attitude to all activities and challenges
•
Strong Oice Administration experience
•
Proven skills in written and verbal communication
•
Exemplary technology skills using applications related to the Administration Function of a business
•
Proven track record in contributing to business performance through operational eiciency
•
Ideally you will be tertiary qualiied with a relevant Accounting Degree
Tell us why you think you are the right person for this job by submitting your written application along with your CV, by 10 February 2014, to: Nick Rous, Finance Manager, Westpac Cook Islands, Email: nickrous@ westpac.com.au or deliver to Westpac Branch, Avarua. 69221
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
76806 / /1917
Exercise rowing machine in good condition. Phone 22411.
76752 / /2463
76808 /36345 /1931
REAl ESTATE
3 long term rental units on 1 acre land with Pool. Plenty room for expansion.tenants in place. 33 year lease - Asking $275K Section (close to court house) 1082 sq meters. 52 yr lease –asking $120 (negotiable) Ph or TxT Carey 55678 for more info info@cookislands-realestate.com
76805
BIRTHDAy
www.paciicresort. com
76521
Local Charter Business looking for experienced Deckhand/Skipper. Experience in management, mechanics, engineering an advantage. Please apply in writing to PO Box 276, Avarua.
Wea (Nia)
76737 /36223 /1931
Male bartender/waiter needed, 3-6pm, Wednesday/Friday @ High Tide. Call Brett 70031 or 22088. 76821 / /2454
Caregiver required. Must have drivers license, experience and references. Phone 51767. 76763 / /2414
RECYClE
Overseas advertising We can place your message in newspapers around the world. We will get quotes for classiied advertisementsandpre-billing. Contactouradvertisingdepartmentphone22999email:adverts@cookislandsnews.com
13
Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
FLiGHT FROM ARRiVES FRIDAy FebruAry 7 VA163/162 AKL 11.55PM Nz46/61 AKL 1.55PM SATuRDAy FEBRuARy 8 NZ60/47 NZ18 VT33
SYD AKL PPT
5.30AM 10.30PM 2.50PM
TO
DEPARTS
AKL SYD
1.05AM 3.05PM
AKL LAx PPT
6.40AM 11.59PM 3.50PM
RARO TO ARR FRIDAy FebruAry 7 0800 AITUTAKI 0850 1030 AITUTAKI 1120 1530 AITUTAKI 1620 1800 AITUTAKI 1850 0900 AITUTAKI 0950 0900 MANGAIA 0940 1330 MAUKE 1420
air Rarotonga
International Flights
Flight Times | Voyage details DEP
TO
ARR
0910 1140 1640 1910 1010 1000 1440 1710
RARO RARO RARO RARO ATIU RARO RARO RARO
DEP
TO
ARR
1000 1230 1730 2000 1055 1115 RARO 1200 1040 1530 1600 MIT 1650 1800
TIARE MOANA 20 - ETD AUCK 04/02, ETA RARO 15/02, ETA AITUTAKI 17/02 OLOMANA 23 - ETD AUCK 15/02, ETA RARO 23/02, ETA AITUTAKI 26/02
Shipping TIARE MOANA 21 - ETD AUCK 24/02, ETA RARO 07/03, ETA AITUTAKI 09/03
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 toThursday’s puzzle
Answer toThursday’s puzzle
HÄGAR the Horrible
By Dik Browne
®
THE PHANTOM
By lee Falk & Sy Barry
®
DRINK then DRIVE IT MAY AS WEll BE MURDER
A Cook IslAnds news puBlIC servICe messAge
Weather Forecast to Midnight Situation: A southeast wind low prevails over Southern Cooks. Meanwhile, a weak trough lies to the far northeast of the group is expected to afect Aitutaki from later tomorrow. A trough of low pressure with associated cloud and showers lies slow moving over Northern Cooks. Forecast to midnight for the Southern Cooks: Today: Fine apart from brief showers. Tomorrow: Cloudy periods with some showers, possibly heavy at times about and north of Aitutaki. Fine apart from brief showers elsewhere. Moderate east to southeast winds. Moderate seas. Further outlook: Fine apart from brief showers. For Rarotonga: Fine apart from brief showers. Further outlook: Fine apart from brief showers. For the Northern Cooks: Occasional showers, heavy at times and few thunderstorms. Moderate north to northeast winds, fresh and gusty at times. Moderate to rough seas. Further outlook: Some showers.
Humidity FRI
7
SaT
8
Morning
77%
night
78%
Morning
78%
night
79%
Forecast thanks to Cook Islands Meteorological Service.
FRI
7
Rarotonga Friday, February 7, 2014
Forecast Map 2pm Friday
Tides
Issued at 2pm at Rarotonga
High 3.06AM 0.87M 3.30PM 0.93M Low
1.3m S
9.17AM 0.39M 9.55PM 0.40M
0.7m NW
N
SaT High 3.59AM 0.82M 4.23PM 0.88M
8
Low 10.07AM 0.44M 10.54PM 0.44M
26°
Sun, Moon & arapo
sE 05kts New Moon Feb 28 10.00PM
First Quarter Mar 8 3.27AM
Full Moon Feb 14 1.53PM
Sunshine hours
Third Quarter Feb 22 7.16AM
10
ArAPo - KoreKore TAi fri 7 TAnu (Planting)
7
Sun rise
6.25AM
Moon rise
-
Moon Set 12.37AM
SaT
Sun rise
6.26AM
Sun Set 7.20PM
FRI
8
1.3m S
TAuTAi (Fishing)
Tanu i te painapa, maniota Marie te marama. Kua e tae ua atu ki te 13 o te po. teitei Po ika. Moon is slow, Time to plant pineapple up high. Fish nights. and maniota right through to the 13th night (from Akaoti Amiama).
Sun Set
7.21PM
Moon rise 2.01PM Moon Set 1.23AM
Front Key:
Cold
Warm
Occluded
Stationary
1.3m S
y
Swell direction and size
Outer Islands Weather Outlook Friday, February 7, 2014 Aitutaki
28° E 06kts
Mangaia
27° sE 05kts
Mitiaro
27° sE 05kts
Atiu
Penrhyn
27° sE 05kts
28° NW 05kts
Mauke
27° sE 05kts
14
Friday, February 7, 2014 cook Islands News
tarekareka
spoRT
Sharks set to attack today soLe outer islands rugby league team the Aitutaki sharks will have all eyes on them this afternoon when they take to the ield for their irst match of the new season. The sharks bring their own brand of league to the competition and, with their band of vocal support team on Rarotonga, can cause an upset any day. Last season, the Aitutaki team stepped up their game and seemingly shook off the unwanted ‘easy beat’ tag that haunted them in their first few years of their involvement in the local competition. Rarotonga clubs now know the sharks are a threat and today the Bulldogs will want a stronger performance than their irst outing of the season at Happy Valley against the Takuvaine Warriors. While the Bulldogs beat the
Warriors – it was a last minute win with the Warriors controlling most of the game until when it counted the most. The Bulldogs, no doubt have a tighter game plan going into today’s game while the sharks will want to make a statement to start their season off. This highly anticipated match kicks off today at the Titikaveka ield at 5.15pm after the under 14 game between the Bulldogs and Bears. This weekend the Avatiu eels will host the Ngatangiia sea eagles at the swamp and the Tupapa panthers will be hosted by the Takuvaine Warriors. Both matches are expected to be bruising encounters. - MW Thursday February 6 Titikaveka Bulldogs vs Arorangi Bears at Titikaveka – 4.15pm-Under 14, Ref-paul peyroux, Touches JudgesDawn Crummer/Arthur Emile, 5.15pm-snr Reserve, Ref-Nga Takai-
ti, Touches Judges-paul peyroux / Arthur emile
Friday February 7 Titikaveka Bulldogs vs Aitutaki Sharks at Titikaveka – 4.15pm-Under 16, Ref-Arthur emile, Touches Judges-simiona Teiotu/Tutai Taurarii, 5.15pmpremier, Ref-Nga Takaiti, Touches Judges-Arthur emile/Tutai Taurarii (Sub Oficial-Simiona Teiotu).
Saturday February 8 Avatiu Nikao Eels vs Ngatangiia Sea Eagles at Avatiu – 2.30pm-snr Reserve, RefTuaitu Ngaputa, Touch Judges-paul Peyroux/Tutai Taurarii, 4pm-Premier, Ref-simiona Teiotu, Touch Judges-Tuaitu Ngaputa/Tutai Taurarii (Sub Oficial-Pio Mitchell). s aturday February 8 Takuvaine
Warriors vs Tupapa Panthers Takuvaine – 1.10pm-Under 19, RefNgavavia Tou, Touch Judges-Dawn Crummer/poto Ngaroi, 2.10pm-snr Reserve, Ref-Nga Takaiti, Touch Judges-Tangi Taomia/Johnny Hosking, 4pm-Premier, Ref-Arthur emile, Touch Judges-Bishop Bishop/Ngavavia Tou (Sub Oficial-Tua Dyer).
The Aitutaki Sharks will have their irst outing of the season today when they take on the Titikaveka Bulldogs at Titikaveka today with the match kicking of at 5.15pm. 14020643
Junior netball development on offer oN THe back of the highly success-
ful “Future Kukis Holiday Netball programme” the netball development team is preparing for the after school netball programme. over 30 girls aged between six and 14 took part in the holiday programme and – due to the popularity of the programme – it is set to be adapted and run after school. The aspiring netball players were put through their paces by Netball Cook Islands development officer and national netball player Luciana Matenga who was impressed with the skills she saw on the courts. “The girls all did very well and those who tried hard really gave it their best shot. The few newcomers
to the sport amazed us and showed that the other sports they played actually help them with netball, which was a positive for all the girls,” says Matenga. Not only did the young players learn new netball skills and brushed up on their old skills – they also learned the importance of keeping the environment they play in and around litter free. Matenga says during breaks from skills and drills on court – the players collected rubbish from around the Telecom sports Arena and learnt how littering impacts not only the environment but also the tourism industry. Matenga says that the players also
spent time talking about injuries and the various Maori medicines available to help alleviate various ailments. Two days of netball skills and drills on court was followed by fun games to give the players the opportunity to put their new knowledge to the test. To monitor the progress of the players, Matenga had drawn up a scale with each player named and scaled from one to 10 on various aspects of the game from footwork, passing and catching as well as their awareness of court balance and playing positions. Matenga has already sent out information to parents and netball clubs to canvas interest and has received great feedback and support for the
netball development programme to be delivered after school. “This programme will beneit your child’s health and wellbeing with active participation and improve their basic skills and understanding of the game,” says Matenga. The development team plan to deliver the netball programme each day after school at local club netball courts. Before inalising the programme – clubs are encouraged to share your thoughts and feedback with Matenga and the development team and to do that – contact the team on 22840 or email ndo@netball.co.ck and get involved in netball. - Matariki Wilson
Local clubs are urged to take part in the proposed after school netball programme to get future stars ready for the courts. 14020641
Memorieso f SUMMER
Entries close 12pm TODAY
HOlIDAYPHOTOCOMPETITION
R
eaders are invited to send us your summer holiday photos and capture the moment in full colour! The best photos will be published weekly in Cook Islands News. A weekly winner will be selected and recieve a blown up print of their photo. All winners will then go into the draw for a digital camera sponsored by CINews. PRINT. So share your happy holiday memories
with us! All you need to do is take your photos and email them to editor@cookislandsnews.com with your name and a caption describing the place, and full name of the people in your picture. PRINT UP TO A1 ON CANVAS, MATTE, VINYl OR HIGHGRADE POSTER PAPER. PH 22999
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