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Govt asks for LA flight service to be covered by NZ
Grounded aircraft in Mangaia awaits engine
New $470,000 fire engine for Aitutaki
Runway project makes progress
Cook Islands at Bula Exchange
No conditions on $30,000 grant
Health opens clinic for influenza checks
New commissioner for FSC
PERC asks for fuel facility purchase plans
Chamber supports govt on LA flight
Maths teachers catch up with NCEA changes
Women in science reach out
Visitor numbers up and ahead
Health conference embraces Pacific
Lagoon Day rescheduled June 17-18
NZ rethinking Pacific engagement
Still no sewage permit for new sports complex
Schools need electrical upgrades
Arrival of materials speeds up work
Infrastructure work moving slowly
Coral report – depth of course an issue
EU to fund water job
Outlook remains poor says new ADB report
Food and wine tasting on today
Dengue declining
Rights for disabled celebrated
New excavator for taro growers
New pineapple plants for Atiu
Food and fun at CITC expo
Leaders query seabed issues
Radio link improves OI communications
Queensland University course planned for Rarotonga in 2010
Govt asks for LA flight service to be covered by NZ
Thursday 4: Government has now officially requested that the New Zealand government help underwrite the Air New Zealand Los Angeles flights.
Tourism minister Wilkie Rasmussen has written to the NZ government to formally ask that it help maintain the flights, given that it has done the same on similar services from Samoa and Tonga.
NZ prime minister John Key said in March that it was important to help Pacific island countries such as Samoa and Tonga by underwriting Air New Zealand services, in the face of their possible discontinuation.
Currently the Cook Islands government has a risk share agreement with Air NZ to maintain the LA-Rarotonga route. Government has recently increased its allocation to cover any losses in the second year of operation from $2.9 million to $5 million.
Rasmussen told Radio NZ last week that NZ’s aid to the region has shifted and so it is only fair that it include the Cooks in this new focus.
“Because New Zealand aid had given funds to assist the Tonga-LA-Samoa route and we think if they are going to enter into assistance for tourism, then the Cook Islands has a perfectly legitimate case to put to the New Zealand government and say, well, you should also assist us,” he said. - HG
Grounded aircraft in Mangaia awaits engine
Thursday 4: Air Rarotonga is awaiting a replacement engine for one of its aircraft which is grounded on Mangaia.
Managing director Ewan Smith says the crew observed an engine defect on start-up, before its return trip to Rarotonga last Saturday.
“We despatched an engineer to investigate who found metal contamination in the propeller gearbox which requires the unit to be stripped for investigation,” says Smith. “The engine was recently overhauled and will be sent back to the United States for this. We are waiting for a replacement engine to arrive from the USA and will be changing it in Mangaia before flying the aircraft back to Rarotonga.”
Smith says the airline is keeping up with its scheduled commitments with its other aircraft.
The second Bandeirante which was despatched to Mangaia, returned to Rarotonga with students who are on the island for next week’s Career Expo.- AR
New $470,000 fire engine for Aitutaki
Thursday 4: Aitutaki Airport Authority will officially receive its brand new fire truck at a handing over ceremony at the island’s airport in Amuri today.
The brand new truck replaces the 34-year-old fire engine that has been based on the outer island since 2005.
According to Rescue Fire Chief Nga Jessie, who is in Aitutaki for the hand over ceremony, the retired fire truck on Aitutaki was originally brought to Rarotonga in 1973 prior to the official opening of the Rarotonga airport in 1974.
While the truck is reportedly still in good condition, it has slowed down in its old age and failed the speed requirement needed for an aviation fire safety vehicle.
Airport Authority chief executive officer Joe Ngamata says that a new fire truck for the Aitutaki airport was needed in order to meet Civil Aviation requirements.
The new fire truck is primarily for aviation safety but it also seconds as the island’s fire and rescue unit.
It is a category 4 fire fighting and rescue appliance which indicates its water carrying capacity – the retired truck is a category 6.
The water tank carries just under 3000 litres of water and weighs nearly 12 tonnes with a full tank.
It reached Aitutaki at the weekend and before its dedication to the Aitutaki airport authority today, it underwent final safety tests and checks.
Jessie says that tests have been done on the truck since it arrived on the island by members of the aviation fire service company that built the vehicle.
The new truck cost $470,000 and was paid for by the Airport Authority. - Matariki Wilson
Runway project makes progress
Thursday 4: Stage one of the runway project to upgrade water pipelines between Blackrock and the Avatiu intersection is expected to be completed by August.
Work began last week and water works officer Adrian Teotahi says that they are digging and laying 500 metres at a time, with the area inland from the golf course to Avatea school having been covered.
Power cables are being laid first, covering soil compacted, and then water pipes are being put on top. Teotahi says workers are covering the trenches up to Tepuka and have started digging on the next stretch towards Tereora College.
Teotahi says they have encountered a few problems while digging and he would like to express his appreciation to those living around the area, who are being inconvenienced by the works. He also asks that those who do not need to travel around the back road, to use the main road so as to minimise the traffic flow in the area.
The runway project is part of the water submains upgrade which was the number one priority on an infrastructure list approved by cabinet late last year. The upgrade was estimated to cost $3.2m. - MM
Cook Islands at Bula Exchange
Friday 5: The Cook Islands is attending Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange (BFTE) in Fiji again this year with 18 local companies investing in the event to promote the country and their businesses.
Deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate and financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti are pictured at the Tourism Cook Islands booth with Stuart Henry, Karla Eggelton and Glenda Tuaine and Kura Lusby of CI Tourism.
The 14th BFTE is being held in Nadi this week and hosted by the Sheraton & Westin Resorts, Denarau Island. BFTE is the region’s main way of marketing to the key sellers of South Pacific, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate and financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti took time out from their Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre regional aid conference, also being held in Denerau, Fiji, to visit the Cook Islands booth on the second day of the show. - Helen Grieg
No conditions on $30,000 grant
Friday 5: No conditions were put on a $30,000 grant to help the Cook Islands agriculture sector with the upcoming Pacific Mini Games.
Agriculture secretary Nga Mataio was responding to an article in a weekly newspaper (see letters, page 4) that claimed that the grant – $20,000 as reported – was only for vegetable seeds and had been spent on “wrong items” such as tractor wheels and waste bins.
Mataio says the $30,000 grant was donated by the Land Resources Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in Fiji, and there was never any requirement that all the money be spent on vegetable seeds.
He says it was agreed that the ministry would spend $20,000 on vegetable seeds and $10,000 on other things related to the mini games.
“We also decided that the seeds should benefit growers in the other southern islands as well and not those on Rarotonga only,” says Mataio. “So far seeds have been sent to Aitutaki and Atiu, and sowing will commence this month and into July to coincide with the mini games.”
The order for seeds was placed last year before the changeover of ministerial portfolios from Ngamau Munokoa to Kete Ioane, and these arrived in March. The supplier in New Zealand was paid $19,759.38.
A fridge was purchased for $2183 from CITC to store the seeds, and Mataio says the fridge will continue to serve as seed storage after the mini games.
Payment of $3580.64 was made to a New Zealand parts supplier for four tractor tyres and tubes for the ministry’s tractor.
“The ministry’s budget was a bit tight for this necessary expenditure if we are to serve the farmers effectively in as far as land preparation for the mini games is concerned,” says Mataio. “Again this investment will last well beyond the games.”
Two other administrative costs were paid from the package – $443.25 import entry for the tyres and tubes, and $127.20 for wharf handling.
“The balance of the package currently is $3866.53 and part of this balance will be used to buy seeds required by the Titikaveka Growers Association.”
Mataio says that the seeds are distributed free of charge to members of the TGA or any other farmer who may need them for the purpose of the mini games.
All documentation relating to expenditure is currently with the secretary. - MM
Health opens clinic for influenza checks
Friday 5: Secretary of health Dr Roro Daniel says the ministry wants to be cautious and prepared for the event of an Influenza A (formerly swine flu) case in the Cook Islands, especially given that there are close to 20,000 cases worldwide.
This is why it has now set up a separate location at Blackrock Clinic for the public to go to if they suspect they have the new, potentially deadly flu.
The clinic is open 8am-4pm Monday to Friday and run by Dr Lai.
Government has also provided an extra $50,000 for
protective medical supplies for the ministry of health, says Daniel.
Two days ago the official World Health Organsation update said 19,273 cases of influenza A(H1N1) had been officially reported from 66 countries, including 117 deaths.
While the majority of cases (10,053) have been reported in the United States, only 17 of the deaths have occurred there.
Mexico has reported the highest number of deaths at 97 and just over 5000 cases.
Closer to home Australia has 633 reported cases, NZ still has 10 and the Pacific is bracing itself for more cases.
The ministry here has scaled entry screening at the airport to just a few staff, following similar moves in other countries.
WHO is recommending against screening, simply because research shows Influenza A will spread regardless of measures including travel restrictions.
Daniel says at the recent WHO meeting he and associate health minister Terepai Maoate Jnr attended, Pacific countries rallied together to push for more medical supplies to be sent to the region to help prepare for Influenza A.
Daniel says the two-week meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, was cut to a week because of the threat of Influenza A worldwide and the need for health officials to monitor their own countries for the new disease.
He says there has been a lack of medical supplies to the Pacific and a very slow response from regional health bodies to provide equipment to the health ministries.
The Cooks are among the lucky Pacific nations to be able to test for Influenza A in-country, but others have no way to confirm tests.
“We pushed for more assistance,” says Dr Daniel.
At present the Cooks has a stockpile of 4000 doses of Tamiflu – most countries have a similar 30 percent popula-
tion coverage stockpile where health workers are given priority access. - Helen Greig
New commissioner for FSC
Friday 5: The Financial Supervisory Commission will have a new person in charge by the year’s end.
Commissioner Lorraine Allan has decided not to renew her contract when it expires later this year.
Allan cites family reasons for leaving at the end of her contract – she and her husband will return to Australia in November.
“By then I will have been here for three years and three months – originally I came here for two years. Therefore, we are looking for a new commissioner.”
And another new staffer is set to join the FSC.
The FSC has a team of four to look after the regulatory/supervisory side of the work and Allan believes that there is room to expand the team especially in relation to insurance and some other projects that the office has under way.
Allan says the office is looking for another analyst, preferably
a person with accounting/finance skills, who can be trained in analysis for prudential supervision.
The FSC is an independent body responsible for the supervision of regulated financial entities and financial services in the Cook Islands, and is the licensing authority for ‘licensed financial institutions’ being domestic and international banks, trustee companies and off-shore insurers. - Moana Moeka’a
PERC asks for fuel facility purchase plans
Friday 5: The Public Expenditure and Review Committee (PERC) wants government to advise it of plans to purchase fuel facilities before it goes ahead with any deal.
PERC says it still has concerns about the fuel farm scheme following its damning report on government’s lack of transparency on the scheme.
The committee has told government it wants to be advised before any purchase of fuel facilities takes place.
In a letter from PERC chair Marie Francis to finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate on May 28, the committee expresses concerns regarding the purchase of any facility related to the proposed fuel farm.
This letter is now part of audit director Paul Allsworth’s affidavit to the court in the Triad Petroleum case asking for declaratory orders on whether government has breached Cook Islands law in pursuing the scheme.
“Due to a number of issues including matters raised in the (PERCA) special report dated 6 February, the current case before the court, recent valuations for the Toa facility and overall government expenditure, we have concerns regarding the purchase of any facility related to the proposed fuel farm,” wrote Francis.
PERC notes in the letter to Sir Terepai the February 19 statement by high court judge Colin Nicholson that “the Crown ought not take any further action that is or would be consequential on the exercise of statutory powers relating to the acquisition of the Toa facility.”
PERC has asked that once the interim court orders preventing the purchase of Toa are varied in any way and any purchase of a facility is confirmed that it be advised of this.
In PERC’s special report it pointed out the inexcusable silence of cabinet ministers in questions put to government on the scheme last year. The report says before deciding to proceed with any purchase of fuel assets, government should have informed the public, including releasing the consultants review (dated May 2008) and carrying out public consultation.
More shocking is that PERC did not have sufficient information or resources to comment on any projected savings or benefit that may be made from the scheme or even details on how much government plans to spend on it.
Access to this information was a big issue for PERC. It said refusals from financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti to comply with requests for full disclosure of documents have hampered its function and restricted the committee from carrying out its duties under the PERCA Act. - HG
Chamber supports govt on LA flight
Friday 5: The Chamber of Commerce is supporting government’s official request to New Zealand to assist in subsidising the Air New Zealand Los Angeles-Rarotonga service.
Government has made the request in its belief that it is only fair that NZ helps the Cooks when it has already subsidised a similar service to Samoa and Tonga.
Chamber president Steve Anderson says the chamber put the issue to NZ foreign minister Murray McCully during his visit to Rarotonga in March.
“He said at the time that he agreed with our stance and that his government would look into the matter with the view of either covering a subsidy or an increase in aid,” says Anderson.
He says subsidising the Air NZ service is a simple mechanism by which NZ can support the Cook Islands through the current economic downturn.
Anderson says given that the NZ government has already subsidised the Samoa-Tonga LA service, and the Cooks close relationship and strong trading position, it shouldn’t be a hard decision to make.
“We also considered it odd that the Cook Islands is subsidising the New Zealand’s national carrier.”
Government has budgeted $5 million this year to cover any losses made on the LA service. – HG
Maths teachers catch up with NCEA changes
Friday 5: Fifteen secondary school mathematics teachers have been updated on changes to NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) at a workshop held at the USP Centre this week.
Pictured are secondary maths facilitator Pip Arnold with the ministry of education review officer Terry Utanga (right) and secondary teacher Tepare Solomona.
Arnold says the four-day workshop allows the teachers from Rarotonga and the outer islands to refresh their knowledge of NCEA maths levels and assessments.
She says there have been recent changes to the external standards and new documents introduced that teachers will have to handle.
Arnold, also a Cook Islander, works part-time as a TEAM solutions maths and numeracy facilitator at the University of Auckland as well as holding workshops such as the ministry of education’s this week. - Helen Greig
Women in science reach out
Friday 5: Getting young women to explore career options in the science and technology industry is the aim behind the one-day Women in Science and Technology (WISAT) meeting next week.
The annual WISAT meeting will be held on Tuesday June 9 – the day before the annual Careers Expo.
Around 60 students are expected to take part in this one day meeting to be held at the Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa in Arorangi.
Thirteen women currently working in the science and technology fields will be at the gathering to share their experiences with female senior students from schools across the southern group islands.
Sports coach Ake Hosea-Winterflood and Esther Honey Foundation animal clinic director Karen Galvan are the two new facilitators that will take part in next week’s WISAT meeting along with regular facilitators including nutritionist Karen Tairea, entomologist Dr Maja Poeschko, climate observer Turiongo Akavaanga, Deyna Marsh from the National Environment Service and medical technician Theresa Tatuava to name a few.
It is hoped that the facilitators will inspire the young Cook Islands athletes to take up a
career in the science and technology field.
The women working in the science and technology field will speak to the students on their careers, the studies they completed for their specific jobs and how they got involved in their chosen career.
The WISAT meetings will begin at 12.45pm. - MW
Visitor numbers up and ahead
Saturday 6: Cooks leads Pacific tourism, forward projections are good
Tourism Cook Islands chief executive John Dean says monthly visitor numbers to date continue to improve, in light of other destinations showing a slowdown in international arrivals.
“The Cook Islands continues to outperform many of our South Pacific neighbour countries with visitor arrivals continuing to improve on a month-by-month and year-to-date basis.”
Dean says there has been a lot of effort and a good marketing strategy put in place to achieve these results particularly from the key short haul markets of New Zealand and Australia where visitor arrival numbers continue to increase at double digit growth.
And the good news doesn’t stop there says Dean.
“The upcoming six months, with a number of major sporting events scheduled, will maintain our excellent visitor arrival numbers.
“Air New Zealand in particular has provided approximately 4300 additional seats over the Auckland-Rarotonga sector to ensure the destination is adequately served, so as their seat capacity is matched by demand over the peak travel periods.”
Dean says the Los Angeles-Rarotonga direct flight continues to show forward bookings in excess of 2008.
“I am encouraged by these projections, as it will mean the direct flight should operate at better than predicted levels of profitability over the life of the new commercial agreement between the Cook Islands government and Air New Zealand.
Visitor numbers in April are slightly up on last year’s figures, with New Zealanders continuing to make up the biggest share of arrivals.
A total of 7597 visitors arrived in April compared to 7295 last year – an increase of just over 4 percent. Visitor arrivals in 2009 up to April are 26,642, up 2.5 percent on the same period last year (25,995).
New Zealanders accounted for 4402 visitors in April compared to 4164 in the same month last year – an increase of 6 percent. The increase can probably be attributed to the influx of families on vacation due to the school holidays.
Kiwis made up nearly 58 percent of all arrivals in April, ahead of visitors from Europe/United Kingdom, and Australia.
Europe’s share of visitor arrivals for the month of April was 13 percent – 942 compared to 1046 last year. Of those arrivals, 433 were from the UK.
There was also a slight increase in numbers from the United States, with 271 arrivals compared to 250 last year.
At last month’s launch of the Cook Islands Recession Free Oasis campaign, it was said that forward booking numbers for the next 12 months are up on the same time last year.
In 2007, a total of 97,109 – the highest to date – visited the country. Last year there were 94,184 visitor arrivals. - Moana Moeka’a
Health conference embraces Pacific
Saturday 6: The annual Cook Islands Health Conference is set to expand this year to include representatives from the region through the Pacific Medical Association.
Secretary of health Dr Roro Daniel says the conference will be bigger this year as the ministry expects at least 300 health workers and experts to attend the two-part conference. This year the conference will be called Kaveinga Ora – The future is in our hands.
The conference is due to be held on July 1-3 in Rarotonga with another session in Aitutaki on July 6-7.
Daniel says with the increased number of people taking part, there will be much more to be gained from the conference.
“It will provide a forum for the Pacific islands to discuss important health issues and to share information and findings. The conference will look at research in the Pacific which is important for policy formation. It will cover smoking, alcohol and drugs, as well as mental health. The usual range of diseases in the Pacific will be discussed and the Influenza A may be discussed at length,” he says.
Daniel says minister of health Sir Terepai Maoate will be in Rarotonga for the first part of the conference before departing for a health ministers meeting in Papua New Guinea to be held on July 6-7.
Sponsorship for the conference this year has also increased with the Pacific Medical Association and CI Heath Network contributing as well as Dr Joe Williams who runs his own clinic in Mt Wellington, Auckland, providing $10,000 and the AuckPac Health Trust Board giving another $10,000. - Helen Greig
Lagoon Day rescheduled June 17-18
Saturday 6: Due to rain yesterday, the Takitumu Lagoon Day was postponed, but organisers remain positive about the event.
They now hope to hold the day and a half event at Nukupure sports field on Wednesday June 17 and Thursday June 18.
Coordinator Maryanne Miller says the new dates will allow more members of the public to attend and more time for students to explore the field day sites as some of them will be able to visit on the second day.
The event could not be held next week due to other events such as the Career’s Expo being an important date on the school calendar.
Organisers of lagoon day are trying to capture the outer island school students that are here this month for the Career’s Expo and work experience so they, too, can be part of the environment event. - HG
NZ rethinking Pacific engagement
Saturday 6: NZ foreign minister Murray McCully says New Zealand’s economic engagement with the Pacific has taken on greater importance since the global economic crisis began.
Speaking at the opening of the two-day Pacific Wave Conference in Auckland this week, McCully said in the first six months of the National Party’s time in office it has attempted to set the scene for a more ambitious mode of engagement with the region.
“When Prime Minister John Key met with his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd in March this year, a focus of their discussion was the impact of the global economic crisis on the Pacific. Both leaders committed their ongoing support for Pacific island nations and announced a joint Australia-New Zealand study on the regional implications of the global economic downturn. This will be completed before the 2009 Pacific Islands Forum meeting to be hosted by Australia in August,” said McCully.
He says work is underway on this, including collaboration with key international players in the region – the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the IMF and UNDP.
“Already we are seeing the early impacts of the crisis on the region, including: a reduced value of exports; reduced numbers of tourists – although it’s pleasing to note that for the moment the numbers of Australian and New Zealand tourists visiting the Pacific seem to be holding up quite well, even though long-haul numbers have taken a hit; the value of Trust Funds – those of Tuvalu and Kiribati for instance – and pension funds have been significantly reduced; lower levels of foreign and domestic investment; job losses in many Pacific countries – such as those at the car cable harness factory in Samoa; and, as unemployment increases in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, job opportunities for migrants and remittance flows are likely to be affected.”
“Totalling over $690 million a year, remittances are a critical flow of capital into the Pacific.They will go some way to sustaining Pacific economies during difficult times, but all the indications are that remittances are shrinking in line with the world economy.”
McCully says NZ has encouraged the flow of remittances through the introduction of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.
“In the year to March just over five and a half thousand Pacific Islanders came to New Zealand to work in orchards and vineyards under the scheme.”
He says countries most at risk from the current economic climate are those that were already facing serious economic challenges or weak governance.
“Countries which had pursued more prudent policies – by reigning in expenditure on non-priority items and not allowing their bureaucracies to expand too much – will be much better placed to weather the storm. New Zealand and others are ready to consider how we may be able to help.”
Changes to the NZAID mandate were also outlined by McCully.In the coming financial year the NZAID budget will increase from $472 million to $500 million.
“At a time when the New Zealand economy is actually shrinking, these ODA increases represent a very substantial assertion of commitment to our development role in this region.” - HG
Still no sewage permit for new sports complex
Saturday 6: With just over three weeks to go to the scheduled completion of the new multi sports indoor complex, a permit for waste/sewage management has still not been issued.
When the environmental impact assessment report was completed in June last year, there was no indication as to what type of sewage treatment units were being proposed as part of the complex’s wastewater design.
This information is required under the Public Health (Sewage) Regulations 2008.
Once the sewage and sanitation board approves the type of sewage treatment units proposed by the developers – Cook Islands Investment Corporation – a sewage construction permit can be issued by the public health department.
According to the EIA, an on-site treatment plant will be situated on the Tupapa side of the multi sports complex.
At the time of writing, there had been no response from CICC chief executive John Tini to a query as to what type of sewage management system will be engaged on the site.
Dr Josephine Herman at public health said that a permit is being processed “which is not too far away from being completed”.
It is understood that once a construction permit is obtained, then CIIC must seek a building permit from the ministry of infrastructure and planning (formerly ministry of works). - MM
Schools need electrical upgrades
Saturday 6: Some electrical upgrading will need to be done on some of the schools which will be used as accommodation during the Pacific Mini Games.
Games organising committee’s chief executive Mac Mokoroa says there has been some concern as to whether schools will be able to operate at the maximum load, given the electrical appliances which could be brought in by visiting athletes and officials.
At the time of the 1985 South Pacific Mini Games, video decks and television screens – there was no TV in those days – and urns, along with radio/cassette players would have been the appliances that would have been used in the accommodations.
Now there are laptop computers, and other equipment – especially mobile phones, cameras, iPods, MP3s, and cam-recorders – which all need recharging on a regular basis. Add to that lighting, washing and drying equipment, school computers, urns, and the possibility of a microwave oven or two, a fridge, radios, dvd decks, and tv, and there is the potential to push the power loadings to the maximum.
Mokoroa says the energy division’s director Mata Nooroa has carried out an assessment of accommodations and dining halls, and made its recommendations. Upgrading is currently being carried out on some of
the venues.
There have been five venues identified as dining halls – Princess Anne hall, Calvary hall in Arorangi, Sinai hall in Avarua, the Hospitality centre at Turangi and the Titikaveka CICC Sunday school hall. Of these venues, only the Sinai hall has been identified as needing extra work.
Mokoroa says they have been meeting with school principals, PTAs and the hall owners, to address these issues. - MM
Arrival of materials speeds up work
Saturday 6: The arrival of materials on the Southern Express voyage last week has given workers enough to get on with at the airport terminal building site.
Late last month work slowed down on site with workers waiting for materials to arrive in Rarotonga.
Hawkins project manager Russell Smith says work is continuing on the toilet blocks inside the arrival/departure area and these facilities are expected to be completed by next month.
The arrival of fibrolite moulds for columns that are designed with artwork, has been a relief for Smith. The first column was poured yesterday [Friday 5] and Smith says that next week the mould will be removed to inspect the work.
If everything works out okay, Smith says pouring of the columns – four at a time –will begin. A total of 37 columns will be needed for the terminal.
The first lot of columns will be transported from Mike Rennie’s workshop in Ruatonga to the site on June 15, and installation will begin soon after.
Electricians will also carry out pre-wiring work in two weeks time, before the floor is poured.
Work will start from the Avarua side of the site and progress towards the arrivals hall which is still standing. The project has a handover date of January 11
next year. - MM
Infrastructure work moving slowly
Monday 8: Infrastructure projects are progressing slowly, according to the chairman of a committee set up last year to help prioritise projects and move them along.
“At least things are moving,” says George Cowan. “It’s not as fast as what some people want, but things are moving slowly.”
The committee was established by government to drive projects especially in the outer islands.
A priority list of 30 projects was devised by cabinet last September and included such things as the purchase of a fuel farm, the Avatiu harbour expansion, upgrading the Tepuka sewage treatment system, and acquiring a purpose-built boat for travel between the outer islands and Rarotonga.
After a delay to sort out transportation of materials, Cowan expects work on the Mauke water project to begin next month.
Tenders have already gone out for the supply of water tanks for Mangaia and Cowan says that there has been some progress towards getting Nassau’s wharf off the ground, and reconstruction done on Mangaia harbour.
The design for the Mangaia wharf has been done locally, and he hopes that plans for the Mitiaro and Mauke harbours can be done up soon.
With work having started on the Rarotonga runway water upgrade last week, Cowan says road resealing on the ara metua in the Tereora area should begin after work is completed.
“It will be tight [to finish resealing before the mini games]. But we’ve got to look at it from the positive side and knuckle down and get the job done. If everyone pulls together, we will get there.”
Cowan likens the situation to June 1984 when, without a budget, the South Pacific mini games organising committee got the national stadium built and other upgrading done.
“We have the local capacity to get things done. It’s just a matter of having confidence in our own selves.” - MM
Coral report – depth of course an issue
Monday 8: The Marine Resources report ‘Assessment of Coral, Finfish, Invertebrates and Lagoon Sediment profile of Muri Lagoon’ shows there are many corals that would interfere with the proposed Pacific Mini Games canoeing course.
The report says, depending on the water depth that race organisers choose, there will be varying impacts on the coral if it is removed.
If a depth of 90cm is accepted, then about 33 large coral colonies would have to be relocated.
But it’s on the last page of the report (page18) that it is noted that if a depth of two metres is needed, then this site will not meet that requirement.
The Cook Islands Canoeing Association believes the two-metre depth won’t be needed – but there will have to be uniform depth across the course.
The area proposed for the course measures 500 metres by 150 metres between motu Taakoka and Koromiri – a total area of 75,000 square metres.
Most of the study area (proposed course area) is sand covering hard-rock limestone with intermittent coral formations.
The majority of the coral formations are Porites coral – those that form some of the largest colonies in tropical reef systems and are large and slow growing.
Marine resources point to a 1986 report on corals which shows that Porites have an average growth rate of 9mm a year.
Because of the low water depth at Muri these corals tend to grow outward forming cicular platforms.
The coral surveys were carried out on April 3 between the low tide in the morning and the high tide in the afternoon.
Key findings in the area:
- 218 corals with a height greater than 35 cm from the lagoon floor were assessed.
- 33 of those corals were 55-75 cm high.
- 120 of the corals were under 55 cm high.
- 24 percent of the assessed corals were dead and covered by algae.
- 76 percent of the assessed corals were either completely alive or partly dead.
- The corals ranged from 2.5 metres to 28.5 cm in diameter.
- Storm debris were also found within the study area.
The report says if the coral is larger than a metre in size, then it is more difficult to successfully remove.
“It may need to be split and if it regenerates, it will do so only slowly. The decision on moving coral will need to be made coral by coral,” warns the report.
The survey is now being used as part of an environmental impact assessment report, due out for public scrutiny this week. - Helen Greig
EU to fund water job
Monday 8: The European Union water facility has made funding available for a policy support officer to be appointed on Rarotonga.
Ministry of infrastructure & planning acting secretary Taukea Raui says the in-country position is being made under the Intergrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) national planning programme which is implemented by SOPAC.
Raui says while MOIP is handling the application process, the successful applicant will be based at the office of the prime minister’s policy unit. This, he says, will allow the person to work in with others in the unit so that water policy is centrally developed with other policies which align with the national sustainable development plan (NSDP).
The funding by the EU water facility has been designed to support Pacific Island countries to improve the governance and management of their water resources through the development of national water partnerships, IWRM planes and water use efficiency strategies.
Applications for the position close on Wednesday, June 17. - Moana Moeka’a
Outlook remains poor says new ADB report
Tuesday 9: The government last month proclaimed the country a the world’s first Recession Free Oasis, as part of a marketing campaign to promote the Cook Islands.
But a new Asian Development Bank publication, Pacific Economic Monitor, released this week, might have a different view of the RFO.
Economic growth in the Cook Islands, says PEM, was weak last year and growth is projected to remain low at 1 percent in 2009.
“The positive, albeit low, growth forecast in the face of external deterioration is attributable to special events and public construction projects planned for 2009. Increasing visitor arrivals in early 2009 give some hope of a better outcome than originally forecast,” states the report.
Already visitor arrivals in 2009 up to April are 26,642 – up 2.5 percent on the same period last year (25,995).
High fuel prices and the loss of one of two international freight-shipping services contributed to a weak economy last year but the report says that key imports have slowed in early 2009 – an outcome consistent with a weak economy.
“Motor vehicle imports from Japan and New Zealand are falling, as are cement imports. Imports of basic food items are mixed; wheat flour and poultry are on the decline, while imports of rice and soft drinks are holding steady.”
Inflation had eased to 8.8 percent by the March quarter 2009 largely due to lower fuel prices. Inflation is forecast to decline to 5.1 percent in 2009.
The report says higher government expenditures and a stagnation in revenue will lift the budget deficit in the 2008–09 financial year. A deficit of 8.1 percent of gross domestic product is expected, compared to 0.8 percent in 2007–08.
The report says the economy is highly exposed to the global economic crisis given its dependence on tourism.
It says extra care is needed to ensure value for money from new expenditures, particularly subsidies provided to the private sector and major new capital projects.
“Alongside the fiscal stimulus, the government should continue efforts to strengthen budget processes and create a leaner, more efficient public sector.”- MM
Food and wine tasting on today
Tuesday 9: The annual CITC Food & Wine Expo is on today with freebies, tasting sessions, giveaways and super specials at CITC Supermarket from 10am to 2pm.
CITC Food Group general manager Dan O’Brien says the expo is a way the company can give back to the customers and the community for their support each year.
“The emphasis is on giving back to the community. Hopefully it’s as successful as it was last year.”
With Tip Top planning to give away free ice creams and lots of food and wine tasting displays, today’s expo is sure to be a popular place.
O’Brien says Lawson’s Creek wine representatives will be there with their wines, CITC Liquor will have their promotions at the supermarket and there will be some great new food products to check out.
Fun giveaways are part of the expo and the whole supermarket has been decorated for the event.
“We want to make it a fun day as a way of thanking all our customers.”
Yesterday a CITC trade show was held at Crown Beach for the wholesale and hospitality market with suppliers from New Zealand and Australia showcasing new products and food ideas.
Today retail customers get their chance to try out some great food and wine as well as take advantage of all-day super specials on a range of products throughout the supermarket. - Helen Grieg
Dengue declining
Tuesday 9: Dengue type 4 cases are on the decline.
A notice issued last Friday reported that just two probable cases were recorded that day. Over the past month there has been a real decrease in the number of dengue cases.
The outbreak of the haemorrhagic dengue fever has seen the numbers recorded by public health climb since March 19.
A total 1180 probable cases have been reported to health services. Of those, 71 people were admitted to hospital for 1-3 days.
The majority of dengue cases presented with fever, headache and muscle and joint pains (60- 80 percent). Some presented with diarrhoea and vomiting (13 percent) as well as rash (4 percent). - Helen Greig
Rights for disabled celebrated
Tuesday 9: It was a day of celebration yesterday as United Nations principles came into effect in the Cook Islands giving equal rights to people with disabilities.
MP Ngamau Munokoa held a small gathering at her Nikao office to mark the occasion of the Optional Protocol to the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities coming into force. Munokoa was responsible for presenting the UN document before cabinet which was passed last month. This follows on from the Cook Islands Disability Act that was established last year.
Among the principles the act and convention share include freedom for people with disability to make their own choices, respect of dignity, equal opportunities, accessibility and non-discrimination.
Director of disability for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Nooroa Numanga says being a part of the UN protocol was an international declaration that this country will abide by these values. A report on how the Cook Islands has implemented the convention is required to be submitted next year to the UN.
“This is a milestone for us and our country,” she said during the gathering. “It’s not just for the government to drive it, but it takes each one of us to make it work, not for our own benefit but for the benefit of our children and our family.”
Numanga said it has taken eight years to achieve these rights such as public and government buildings to be modified if people of disabilities are unable to gain access. They also have a right to lay a complaint to the ombudsman if they believe they are being discriminated.
Numanga thanked New Zealand government for the support NZAid had given in establishing the National Disability Council.
“Thank you also to our government for their support and assistance, through our hardwork the minister (Ngamau Munokoa) has put our voices on the table. It’s a milestone for us and our country.”
Donna Smith of the Disability Action Team said yesterday was a huge day in the progress made for disabled people.
“As of today, people with disabilities have every right for education, they have a right to access buildings, they have a right to walk into shops.”
Munokoa says with the UN convention provides the same rights that able body people have to people with disabilities.
She says they’ve always had these rights but now it is in writing and will give those with disabilities greater security and recognition in our society. - DK
New excavator for taro growers
Tuesday 9: Last Thursday on Atiu saw the blessing function for the island’s new two-tonne excavator.
The machine requested by the Island Administration on behalf of the island’s taro growers should see an increase in the production of taro in the next few months. A demonstration of the machine (below) was held after the blessing.
The machine replaces manual labour in preparing the taro patches as growers face the fact that most of the young people have gone from the island.
The island administration believes the new machine will ensure that Atiu continues to meet its export of top grade quality taro.
“At present Atiu is still maintaining its monthly export of over three tonnes to New Zealand and being sold directly to their people, mostly in Auckland and Wellington,” it says.
Demand is still growing in New Zealand amongst Atiuans and the Cook Island community in general for the taro.
However, exports are still limited due to space that is dictated by freight from Rarotonga.
The taro growers joined the island administration and the island council in extending appreciation to the deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate and minister for island administration and government for the machine.- Helen Greig
New pineapple plants for Atiu
Tuesday 9: More than 30 Atiu growers turned up to a field day held by the agriculture division of the Atiu island administration on May 29.
Atiu is one of the islands earmarked for the new variety of pineapple introduced to the country by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The field day was to advise growers that the seedlings or shoots will be made available to growers in 14-18 months’ time.
It also extends to technical advice to be provided by the department with regards to planting and fertilising and cultural practices, according to Maara Tairi, director of the Atiu agriculture division, who will also oversee the management of the first lot of seeds planted.
A memorandum of understanding signed between the ministry secretary Nga Mataio and the island secretary Man Unuia ensures that government, on its part, will look after the first pineapple patch until maturity and then to pass it on to growers to expand the industry further.
The MOU also ensures that the seedlings do not leave the island.
Man, Tairi, the island’s mayor, island council and the people of Atiu wish to extend their appreciation and thanks to the minister of agriculture and staff and to government. - HG
Food and fun at CITC expo
Wednesday 10: More feasting than tasting went on at the CITC Food and Wine Expo yesterday making a trip to the supermarket all the more rewarding for customers.
The second annual event went even better than predicted with the free food samples a great drawcard.
With the car park full all day, hundreds of locals managed to get into the supermarket where the atmosphere was festive and the food supply almost endless.
CITC spokesman George George said remarks from customers centred around the fact that they can now buy a lot of foods that are quick to cook.
While the chicken schnitzel was a popular sampling choice, the favourite of the day was the mouthwatering NZ lamb medallions from the Hobson’s Choice meats range.
George says the medallions are among the new range of frozen food that are meant to be cooked straight from the freezer – eliminating all that waiting around for the meat to thaw.
And still a winner with the locals was the Palm corned beef.
At the Palm table customers got to sample some of their favourite meat cooked up with onions and served with a scoop of rice.
One customer, devouring their free Tip Top icecream, said they had been around the supermarket three times to take advantage of all the freebies because the food was so good.
There was more than a little sampling going on at the GO Vodka tubes table, and the wine specials drew some real interest too.
The expo was a great way for customers to ‘try before you buy’ and pick up a few bargains at the same time. - Helen Greig
Leaders query seabed issues
Wednesday 10: Some of the country’s traditional leaders gathered on Monday to discuss their thoughts on the seabed minerals bill.
House of Ariki president Tou Travel Ariki (pictured above left with Pukapukan chief Tetio Kaitara Pa Ki Tonga Paulo Paulo Ariki) said that there were a number of issues which came out of the discussion amongst HOA and Koutu Nui members.
Tou Ariki said that the main issues brought up by those at the meeting centred on clarification of the terms ‘crown’ and ‘ownership’, who sets to benefit from mining, and environmental concerns surrounding mining. Tou Ariki said while they are aware of their entitlements on the land, the traditional leaders are interested as to whether their rights extend into the sea.
He said that the discussions would be collated and forwarded to the special select committee looking into the bill.
It is almost a year ago when discussions on manganese nodules led to a split in the HOA and a proclamation being issued on June 12 by some ariki.
Radio link improves OI communications
Wednesday 10: Mitiaro and Atiu are now better connected to the outside world with a new improved radio link installed in April.
The original radio equipment was installed in 1993 and with over 15 years service and hard work, and a few technical problems lately, it was decided the system needed updating and upgrading. The equipment is essential for both islands but more so for Mitiaro where all international telephone calls made, have to have access to the earth station in Atiu before being transmitted overseas.
The new radio link equipment was purchased from 4RF in New Zealand. The old system operated with a one transmit module and a two receiver modules. The new radio has a two receive as well as a two transmitter module with a fully redundant system as backup. If one of the transmitters or receivers fails, the network will continue to operate normally and customers will not notice anything.
An engineer, Aaron Prior, from the supplier 4RF flew down from New Zealand to help do the installation and training. He along with local Telecom Cook Islands engineer Carl Framhein flew to Atiu, while TCI’s Donald Munro flew to Mitiaro to complete the installation.
TCI general manager Ngatama Aniterea says the link was installed and commissioned successfully on Wednesday, April 15.
Everything went well according to general manager Ngatama Aniterea when the link was installed and commissioned successfully.
With the continuing support of Telecom New Zealand, Aniterea says Telecom Cook Islands are dedicated to extending the coverage of the outer islands and things are moving along positively. - TCI/MM
Queensland University course planned for Rarotonga in 2010
Wednesday 10: Queensland University and the National Environment Service (NES) are teaming up to bring an environmental management course to Rarotonga next year.
The initiative has financial backing from the Cook Islands Marine Resources Institutional Strengthening Project (CIMRIS) to be able to move the annual course from the university to the Pacific.
Course manager Melanie King, executive officer of the Coral Reef Targeted Research & Capacity Building for Management Program at the university, has been on the island this week to plan the new move.
The course ‘Ecosystems-based Management’ is to be held from January 5 to February 5 next year. It is designed for Pacific country coastal resource managers but also NGO members and consultants who deal with the likes of environmental impact assessments and development planning.
Three NES staff – Keri Herman, Phillip Strickland and Aitutaki-based Bobby Bishop – attended last year’s course in Queensland.
It was their suggestion that the course be held in the South Pacific where its relevance would be further enhanced.
About 20 people will be able to take part in the course, with advertising to begin within the next couple of months.
The course combines practical with theory and many international experts, along with NES staff, will provide training under it. CIMRIS team members Ron Neller and Jeff Dews will coordinate the course. The course will outline an integrated and coordinated approach to environmental issues such as development and waste management. - HG
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