Still no charges after road death
Education cautious of OLPC implications
Ron Crocombe dies suddenly
Vavia bites back over fuel farm allegations
PM wants laptops to be used
Games threat rejected
Thieves caught on camera
ON THE STREET
‘Stick to the plan’
Island welcome for Greenpeace
Cooks can access new ADB fund
Salute to Papa Ron
Divers rescued off Tupapa coast
New HoM policy disgraceful and insulting, CIP
Woman recovering after mercy flight
Games funding critical: Sir Geoffrey
Farewell for Papa Ron
Parliament to adjourn today for funeral
Still no charges after road death
Thursday 18: It has been nearly three weeks since visiting Golden Oldie player Duncan Barrowman died – but still no charges have been laid relating to his death.
The 43-year-old was visiting Rarotonga to take part in the Golden Oldies rugby tournament. In the early hours of Friday May 29, he was fatally struck by a truck while walking with team mates from the Fishing Club to their accommodation.
The preliminary pathology report has said he died from head injuries. The full post mortem report is expected to be completed five weeks from May 31 – the day Barrowman’s body was flown back to New Zealand.
Arrested at the Tupapa scene, was 31-year-old man who has so far been charged with driving with excess breath alcohol. Paul Williams has appeared in the Cook Islands High Court and through his legal counsel has entered no plea.
Detective inspector Aka Matapo says police were waiting on Crown Law’s opinion before more serious charges can be laid.
“The main investigation has been completed and the whole file has been sent to Crown Law,” Matapo says.
“Because this is a very serous matter we want Crown Law to give a legal opinion on it before we make the decision on what charges will be made.”
Crown Law have said that they are waiting on the full pathology report to be received from New Zealand so a full case can be made.
“The police are not ignoring this matter,” Matapo says. “We were quite anxious to know the result of the pathologist report but the delay has been because it is being conducted in New Zealand,” he says.
“I don’t want a trial by media. I want the facts looked at carefully by Crown Law before tak-ing action.”
Investigation has included speaking to those at the Fishing Club on the Thursday night and those first on the scene with photographs and written statements taken.
“Talk that has been going around has not helped either,” he says.
“We have approached this with an open mind and following up on hearsay has taken up time from the main investigation.”
Paul Williams will re-appear in court on July 16. - DK
Education cautious of OLPC implications
Thursday 18: Secretary of education John Herrmann is standing by his ministry’s cautious approach to the One Laptop Per Child project.
When people say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, they mean there’s always a catch. This is what the ministry has to weigh up – the future costs involved in accepting 70 free laptops from OLPC through the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Herrmann says just from preliminary findings there are costs and future implications with any information communication technology (ICT) project.
The ministry first became concerned about what the catches with the OLPC project are when SPC’s Ian Thomson arrived with the laptops late last year. With no consultations the ministry was told at short notice that the laptops were destined for Mitiaro for a pilot project there.
Herrmann says at that stage he and his senior staff, after meeting with Thomson, asked for the project to be put on hold so it could be assessed. Factors like the short life span of the laptops, the cost implications for parents and e-waste disposal have been considered by the ministry.
“We needed to do some homework.”
Herrmann’s position now is that the ministry will wait a few months more to be able to gather feedback from other Pacific countries on the success and experience of the OLPC project over the past year.
Thomson has called for the laptops to be returned if they are not going to be used, so Herrmann is aware that there is some pressure to make a decision soon.
“The implications are much wider than we first thought. We are probably more cautious than some people, but we are still keen to go ahead with this project,” says Herrmann.
He says this kind of technology has its benefits and will eventually arrive on our shores.
“The key is managing this technology – we have to be prepared for it.”
So many past projects have failed that the ministry has to seriously address issues of sustainability
At present the ministry is working on an ICT policy so it can prioritise computer based education for certain school
age groups.
Currently the ministry’s focus is on secondary school students having access to ICT education. The OLPC laptops are designed for 6-12 year olds with the emphasis put on kids using them from a young age.
Herrmann says looking into the positive and negative effects ICT may have on younger students learning patterns is an important aspect of the overall ICT policy.
Countries like Australia and New Zealand are already noting some negative effects of ICT on overall learning and Herrmann believes there are some lessons to be learnt. There’s some concern at the ministry about why the OLPC project is being piloted in so many countries at once. This reflects some international concern about the intentions of the project, including its educational value for kids.
Herrmann has to weigh up the costs of any new project even more this year when budget
cuts are expected to affect his ministry.
Herrmann says he will meet with his minister Jim Marurai soon to discuss the OLPC project before making any hard and fast decisions. - Helen Greig
Ron Crocombe dies suddenly
Friday 19: Professor Ron Crocombe – the renowned Cook Islands scholar, Pacific expert and educationist – died suddenly in Auckland yesterday at the age of 79.
Many friends of the cheerful academic were hit hard by the news of his passing, most expressing shock and deep sadness.
Ronald Gordon Crocombe is survived by his wife Marjorie Crocombe, four children Tata, Ngaire, Kevin and Sam, and many grandchildren.
Crocombe was reportedly on his way to the airport to return home to Rarotonga on yesterday afternoon’s flight when he died.
His daughter Ngaire told CINews yesterday that her brother Tata is in Auckland and arranging the return of Papa Ron’s body to Rarotonga within the next two days. She said the family could not yet comment about the cause of his death.
Crocombe had recently visited China and was returning from a conference in Tonga.
Prime minister Jim Marurai was saddened to learn of the passing of Papa Ron.
“He sends his deepest sympathies to Marjorie and all the family from Malaysia,” said a statement from his office.
“The PM called Papa Ron one of our national treasures – a rich resource of knowledge, experience, and wisdom – and a real guiding light for all Cook Islanders, not just those intent on pursing academic study.
“He had a lot to offer and was generous in his views and advice. And as a result of his profound understanding of political issues and dynamics in and around the Pacific, he was widely regarded and respected throughout – everyone knew Papa Ron and as such, he was an important ambassador for our country. At times, Papa Ron had words of advice for the prime minister and those views were highly appreciated.”
Marurai said Papa Ron will be missed but fondly remembered as a great achiever and contributor to the Cook Islands and its people.
Deputy prime minister Sir Terepai also issued this statement yesterday: “A Pacific icon is lost and we mourn a gentleman who loved the Cook Islands with passion, spoke our language fluently, mentored so many with his inspiring intelligence. We were so fortunate to have him by our side. Aere ra e te tama rangatira o te Kuki Airani.”
Sir Terepai is expected to issue a further statement on his return to Rarotonga today.
Born in New Zealand, Professor Crocombe has lived and worked in the Pacific islands for half a century. He served as director of Australia National University’s New Guinea Research Unit in the 1960s and most notably as Professor of Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific for 20 years beginning in the 1970s.
As Emeritus Professor (since 1989), Crocombe was one of the longest-serving members of USP, the founding professor of Pacific Studies and one of the earliest senior lecturers there.
Crocombe has not only been called the academic father figure of Pacific Studies but a phenomenon for his many contributions after retiring.
He has written many authoritiative books. One of his most recent is 50 years of study into 4000 years of Asia’s influence on the Pacific titled ‘Asia in the Pacific Islands: Replacing the West’.
One of the high-profile contributions he made to the Cook Islands government is the report of the Commission of Political Review of 1998 ‘Reforming the Political System of the Cook Islands’ which he co-wrote with Iaveta Short and John Herrmann.
He received his PhD from ANU in 1961 after completing his masters courses in economic development and cultural psychology.
Crocombe has worked for some of the most revered organisations and institutions in the world such as the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, the United Nations Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme, the East-West Centre in Honululu, and untold universities.
He is well respected for his extensive consultancy work for over 40 years on land tenure, local government, social and cultural policy, higher education and security issues undertaken for most Pacific Islands governments. His research in the Pacific from 1957 to the present day focused on land policy, rural sociology, ethnohistory, regional organisation, social, cultural and educational policy, politics and international relations.
Crocombe was not only a lifelong researcher but devoted much of his time to helping around 2000 Pacific Islanders publish their own research. - Helen Greig
Click here for more stories and tributes >
Vavia bites back over fuel farm allegations
Friday 19: Cabinet minister Tangata Vavia has bitten back at opposition finance spokesperson MP Norman George’s allegations that conflicts of interests exist in the fuel farm scheme.
A war of words over government’s fuel farm scheme was sparked by George’s scathing comments last week alleging Vavia has become finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate’s ‘suicide bomber’ for taking on the responsibility of the highly criticised project.
Now, in a statement issued yesterday, Vavia has accused George of having ‘obscured tunnel vision’ and rubbishes his accusations of hidden motives and conflict of interest by the two ministers.
“Your views on what might be strategic assets or not are testament to your small and obscured tunnel view of what is important for Cook Islanders. That and your insinuation of conflict of interest on Toa land leaves a lot to be desired of you, and are worthless of any further discussion from me.”
George claims fuel depots are not strategic assets to be owned by Cook Islanders such as Avatiu Port and Rarotonga airport, as Vavia has recently suggested.
But Vavia’s statement expresses his view that the fuel farm project will continue regardless of criticism.
“While there are opportunities and options to maximise cost savings and subsequently cheaper fuel to the people of the Cook Islands, I will with my fuel committee explore their merits and benefits to the country as a whole. Fuel terminals are only one of the questions that my committee is addressing,” he says.
The minister says a proposal to the committee from notable Cook Islander Don Silk has been made.
“And it is too important for any sound minded person to ignore at this stage. In due course, we will discuss this proposal with fuel companies, fuel importers and others.” - HG
PM wants laptops to be used
Friday 19: Prime minister Jim Marurai wants any block placed on the One Laptop Per Child project reversed so that the scheme can proceed without any further delay.
The statement was issued by his office on Wednesday, saying that Marurai, who is in Malaysia at a meeting of education ministers, has been alerted to the controversy over the stalled project and wants the obstacles dealt with promptly.
“Concerns over the year-long delay to implement the project for schools have been expressed to the prime minister, including the views of his cabinet ministers,” says the statement.
Secretary of education John Herrmann says his ministry has taken the cautious approach to the pilot project for Mitiaro because of concern over how it can be sustained in terms of ongoing costs. But his position has received a lot of criticism over the past week from those who can’t believe the ministry would halt a project where kids in Mangaia would receive 70 free laptops.
Marurai’s executive advisor Trevor Pitt told Radio NZ on Wednesday that the PM wants to see the laptop programme begin as soon as possible.
“The whole thrust of this project is to put the learning tool in the hands of children so that they grow up with the idea of being used to the technology,” said Pitt. “I mean we’re looking at an environment where laptops are, I mean, they’ve already become part and parcel of our everyday life and the more encouragement you can give to young people by allowing them to grow up in this environment, all the better.” - HG
Games threat rejected
Saturday 20: Pacific Mini Games minister Wilkie Rasmussen is outraged that the Pacific Games Council has threatened to pull the plug on the games this week.
Council president Vidhya Lakhan on Thursday wrote a letter outlining its extreme concern about the games to Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) president Sir Geoffrey Henry.
Rasmussen was also sent the letter and is now rejecting and refuting all the allegations.
“Despite their constant threat to pull the plug on the games, government is proceeding with the games and a structure we have got that we believe is responsible and reasonable.”
The council has asked that the CISNOC executive board meet urgently and advise the council whether it believes the games company PMG 2009 Ltd will or will not deliver the games according to the standards of the charter and host agreement.
“In their view there is incapacity on our part to deliver the games. They are unhappy with the structure of authority (in PMG 2009 Ltd) and want us to change it again,” says Rasmussen, who was not able to meet with Lakhan and council CEO Andrew Minogue during their brief visit to Rarotonga this week.
The minister says he is unhappy with the letter and the fact that it was written to CISNOC and not to the games company or government.
“With less than 100 days to go until the games, they throw this loosely formed allegation at the organisation of the games. I am rejecting all of their allegations as minister of the games.
“I’m saying that the Pacific Mini Games Council is inciting political power play in our country between CISNOC and government,” says Rasmussen.
He intends to contact the council himself and inform it that the Cook Islands will host the games.
“What they are saying is irresponsible. We have cabinet members on the (games) board, we have a board, an organising committee and are working within our realistic aims and budget constraints. They (council) are totally disrespectful of what the Cook Islands government is doing.”
Rasmussen says there are politics at play causing interference and conflict between CISNOC and PMG 2009.
“I am not interested in the politics between CISNOC and the government. We don’t need interference with the games organisation when we are trying our darn best to deliver the games.”
And Rasmussen insists that while CISNOC may be the council’s arm in the Cooks for the games, government is in charge and will go ahead with the games as well as meet the standards of the charter, despite any talk to the contrary.
“CISNOC can’t take control of the games. The council should be careful not to get roped into all the political interference.” - Helen Greig
Threat to cancel mini games, page 3.
Thieves caught on camera
Saturday 20: Despite their best efforts to hide, thieves were caught on camera while robbing the Rite Price store early yesterday morning.
Forcing their way through the Arorangi shop’s back window, the camera shy criminals crawled on their stomachs from the office and down the aisles in an attempt to evade the 24-hour security system.
This is the first time the store has been burgled in the four years since Jane Wichman and Clem Fortes have owned it.
Wichman says the camera recorded them in the store at 1.30am and at least two young men were involved.
Dressed in dark hoodies, gloves and balaclavas, the thieves entered the office and stole around $2500 worth of goods. Items taken include a laptop, the cash float in the registers, chocolates, hair gel and cigarettes.
“The information on the laptop is completely useless to them and they need a password to get in,” Wichman says.
It was only last month the security cameras were installed and the footage has since been handed over to the police.
“They were aware there were cameras but they were crawling trying to stay out of their way. But we do have other forms of security in place to help police identify them.”
Community support has been strong for the Rite Price with neighbourhood watch and people from the Crown Beach since reporting seeing people around their store on Friday morning.
“Just with our reputation with our customers and the neighbourhood, everyone will be looking for them,” Wichman says.
“We’re certainly not happy about this and it’s unfortunate it’s happened. It seems the crime wave of before has come back and we’re not the only ones that’s been hit, there’s certainly been others.”
As tough as it is, Wichman says they’re looking forward positively.
“We’re confident the customers are all aware and are assisting in helping us find them.”
With a community on alert, Wichman offers a word of warning to the theives: “Be very cautious in the village.” - DK
ON THE STREET
Saturday 20: Do you think the One Laptop Per Child project should go ahead in Cook Islands schools?
Tereapii Pera
Yes. It will help the students educate themselves
Tarerea Mataiti
Yes. So when t hey go overseas they will already know what a laptop is and be able to use one
Caroline Faireka
Mako rai. In my days we had nothing like this. The kids need these things for their education
Dr Maja Poeschko
It’s a good project but it depends on what programmes are on the laptop so the kids don’t get sidetracked. Where are we without computers? We should be teaching them while they are young.
Scott Arlander
I think it should. I’m sure there are costs in the set up though.
Ngamata Tutai
Yes. It will be good for the outer islands and for the future of the students.
‘Stick to the plan’
Monday 22: Minister says government will deliver Pacific Mini Games
Pacific Mini Games 2009 minister Wilkie Rasmussen is calling on all sports codes taking part in the games to stick to their commitment, despite the fact that there have been threats to can the event.
“I’m appealing to the sports codes to stick to their commitment to participate in the games. The facilities and all relevant matters that needed to be done have been done by government and CISNOC,” he says.
Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan visited Rarotonga last week and issued a letter to CISNOC president Sir Geoffrey Henry on Thursday saying the games delivery is on the wrong track and the council cannot let this continue.
“The purchase of sports equipment, the host broadcast function and the marketing and sponsorship programme, to cite examples we have raised previously, remain too precariously placed for the council’s comfort.”
But Rasmussen says these issues are being addressed. Lakhan claims the games organising committee is not in compliance with the games charter and host agreement and the council is extremely concerned.
Rasmussen says on the issue of a host broadcaster, the council recommended one that withdrew from the contract they had. The deal with the Australian broadcaster fell over when government questioned the $500,000 cost.
“We reserve the right to negotiate what is best for the value of money we have to pay. Half a million is too much for what he was to deliver,” says Rasmussen.
He says there is one last option for a host broadcasting agreement.
“There is a broadcaster now in the process of providing a scoping outline on a deal that would cost $95,000. This proposal is from a New Zealand broadcaster who would work in partnership with CITV.”
And Rasmussen believes the organising committee is on top of the job in terms of acquiring sports equipment.
When it comes to the criticism levelled about marketing and sponsorship though, the minister admits the committee has failed.
“The marketing team has been hopeless. We have no regional sponsors. The sponsors that did come on board – government got involved and did the job.”
Rasmussen has described the council’s allegation that the country is not capable of hosting the games as nonsense.
“Either they are misinformed or not looking at the right issues.”
He insists the games will go ahead as planned, despite any threat from the council to pull the plug on the event.- Helen Greig
Island welcome for Greenpeace
Monday 22: Crew members from the Greenpeace vessel Esperanza were treated to an island welcome when they came ashore at the Avatiu western marina on Saturday.
Welcomed by environment minister Ngamau Munokoa and environment service director Vaitoti Tupa and his dance troupe, the crew members were happy to be on shore.
Although the MY Esperanza was unable to dock at the already full harbour on Saturday, it made it into port yesterday afternoon.
The MY Esperanza is set to begin its ‘Our Climate, Our Future’ Pacific Ship Tour from Rarotonga this week.
At the welcome on Saturday, Esperanza’s captain spoke briefly at the ceremony saying his crew and Greenpeace look forward to working with all the Pacific islands as we face the challenge of climate change.
Greenpeace chief executive Steve Shallhorn told the welcoming crowd that this is the fourth visit by one of the organisation’s ships.
Shallhorn said the UN climate talks in Copenhagen this December are arguably one of the most important conferences to be held in human history.
This is because it is one of the ways countries around the world can call for reduced carbon emissions to stop climate change, rising sea levels and rising sea temperatures.
“If we don’t stop climate change, an unprecedented amount of human migration from low lying deltas and the small island states of the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans will happen. The time for squabbling and excuses is over – it’s time for action,” he said - HG
Greenpeace launches Pacific climate change ship tour in the Cook Islands, page 3.
Cooks can access new ADB fund
Monday 22: The Cook Islands will be one of only four Pacific countries eligible for a new US$3.4 billion fund to help Asian Development Bank (ADB) developing member countries.
The countercyclical support facility (CSF) provides short term, fast-disbursing loans aimed at financing key development investments in low-income countries.
Three billion dollars of the new fund goes towards the CSF and the remaining $400 million will go into the Asian Development Fund.
Radio Australia asked director general of the Pacific department of the ADB, Hafeez Rahman, to explain why many Pacific countries won’t be eligible for funding that aims to ramp up spending of developing member countries to counter the global economic crisis.
Rahman says most Pacific island countries have access to ADB’s concessional and grant funding, but for the new fund only PNG, Palau, the Cook Islands and Fiji will have access.
He says because the CSF would have to come out of the ordinary capital resources of the country, the ADB would have to be more mindful of the sustainability of the Pacific island countries.
“Their economies are much more vulnerable and fragile and therefore it’s difficult for them to access the ordinary capital resources of the bank, for the debt sustainability reasons.” - Helen Greig
Salute to Papa Ron
Monday 22: A special feature supplement will be published later this week as a tribute to the late Professor Ron Crocombe.
Friends, colleagues and former students are invited to send tributes, condolences and odes to the editor. We are specially keen to obtain photos of Professor Crocombe.
All of the obituary notices and stories will be posted this week to a special ‘In Memoriam’ page on www.cookislandsnews.com
Divers rescued off Tupapa coast
Tuesday 23: A local fisherman and dive company combined to rescue a group of divers after their boat capsized.
Around 10.45am yesterday, a Pacific Dive boat was returning to Avarua wharf when it began taking in water, out from the Kiikii Motel.
Owner Stephen Lyon says a split developed in the hull with more water coming in than their pump could handle.
“Once the boat sat heavily in the water additional water came over the side, foundering the vessel. The vessel then capsized in the moderate seas,” he says.
First to help out was local fisherman Pupuke Robati who was returning from a fishing trip with a friend.
“On the way back someone was waving out and I thought it was surfers on the reef, but surfers don’t have dive flags,” Robati says.
“When we got to them they were all in the water plus the boat which was fully submerged.”
Robati and police say eight people were in the water with a few relying on buoyancy control devices and chilli bins to stay afloat.
“I chucked in a couple of my fishing floats and pulled four out from the reef,” he says.
“I couldn’t risk taking the boat that close so I had to tow them out.”
Two men and two women without floats were rescued by Robati and he phoned the police on his way back to shore.
“The four were panicking but once they got in the boat their confidence came back. I couldn’t take anymore on board as I already had a boat full of fish.”
The second rescue came in the form of Cook Island Divers who were returning back to the wharf after a dive in Tupapa.
“We saw four people waving and went over,” says dive instructor Ian Wheeldon. “We first saw the boatman and skipper of Pacific Divers who told us to get the two customers first.”
Wheeldon says they loaded their gear on board picked up the two tourists before saving the Pacific Divers crew.
No injuries were sustained by the eight who were rescued.
Lyon says this was the first time this has happened in the 15 years of the company’s existence.
“The staff of Pacific Divers acted in a timely manner to ensure the safety of all on board. We would like to thank the Cook Islands Police for their timely response, and especially Pupuke Robati and Ian of Cook Island Divers for their quick action and assistance,” Lyon says.
The boat has been righted and was expected to be salvaged off the reef during high tide either last night or this morning.
“While this vessel will no longer be in operation Pacific Divers will continue to operate using a leased vessel and look forward to the arrival of a new vessel in the near future,” adds Lyon. - DK
New HoM policy disgraceful and insulting, CIP
Tuesday 23: The leader of the Cook Islands Party has concerns on cabinet’s newly announced three-term policy for heads of ministries (HoMs).
Last week, just four days from the close of applications for the 13 HoM positions, current heads and island secretaries were informed that if they had served three consecutive terms they are ineligible to apply for the same position again.
Henry Puna says the policy is disgraceful and insulting to those affected by it and says it suggests a covert plan to politicise the HoM positions ahead of next year’s general election.
“It is symptomatic of a disorganised, heartless and arrogant government to introduce a policy like this at the last minute,” says Puna.
He asks why it was created just two weeks ago, after the positions had been advertised.
“What has cabinet been doing all this time? Why did they not set this policy in place earlier in the piece instead of waiting till the last minute?”
Puna calls the policy unacceptable and says at the very least there should have been more warning for HoMs.
“It is bad governance. The Cook Islands Party is extremely concerned and angry that capable and experienced Cook Islanders who have served their country well are being cast aside without respect or acknowledgement of their service to their country. There may be few of them, but they are nevertheless Cook Islanders who have their own lives to live, families to care for and commitments to meet.”
Puna says the policy disqualifying at least two HoMs from applying for their positions again is totally arbitrary and has nothing to do with one of the basic tenets of reform – performance and merit.
“A person should be judged solely on performance, not length of term.”
Puna asks if there is no sound reason for introducing the policy then is it a case of jobs for the boys.
“People are also asking another question here: if government truly believes that its new policy is sound and has merit, can we also expect government to enact a similar policy for another group of high-flying senior ‘public servants’, namely themselves as members of parliament? Remember the old saying: what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.” - HG
See letter on page 4
Woman recovering after mercy flight
Tuesday 23: A 37-year-old Pukapuka woman is recovering in Rarotonga hospital this week after arriving on a medical emergency flight on Saturday night.
The woman underwent surgery for several hours on Sunday for a stomach sepsis condition.
Director of hospital health services Heather Webber-Aitu says the ministry of health responded to the medical emergency by sending a doctor and nurse to the island on a $20,000 Air Rarotonga charter flight at midday on Saturday.
This is the third time a medical emergency charter to Pukapuka has been carried out this year.
That’s $60,000 covered by the health referral budget.
Webber-Aitu says the ministry is always on alert and endeavours to respond quickly to medical emergencies, especially in the outer islands.
The Pukapuka woman is expected to spend the week in hospital recovering before being discharged. - Helen Greig
Games funding critical: Sir Geoffrey
Wednesday 24: Without sufficient funding there won’t be a Pacific Mini Games says Sir Geoffrey Henry, president of the games host association.
He says the responsibility falls at the door of government to provide funding.
“Or else all statements in favour of the games will mean nothing,” he says.
Yesterday games minister Wilkie Rasmussen reportedly took an alternative funding proposal to cabinet after the budget committee had turned down a proposal for an additional $1.9 million to cover the operations games. In the last budget $3 million was allocated to the games company for operational costs.
Sir Geoffrey says the whole operations budget has been slashed as government deals with an already ‘overstressed’ budget for 2010/11.
He says this has led to Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan’s recent letter raising concerns about how the finances of the games are being handled.
PMG2009 Ltd is a company set up to run the games, administer its own budget and employ its own staff.
But Sir Geoffrey claims government is treating the company like a government department. This includes drip-feeding its operating budget through the ministry of finance.
Sir Geoffrey says this is one of the main concerns that Lakhan has -- the inability of the company to function financially independent from government.
He says Lakhan and council CEO Andrew Minogue visited last week as per their responsibility under the charter to monitor the progress of preparations for the games.
“They came to help us move the games in the right direction and achieve our target of hosting the games on schedule. They checked the venues and were very impressed with them. It’s just the management of the games they are concerned with.”
Sir Geoffrey rejects Rasmussen’s views that government controls the delivery of the games.
“It doesn’t matter how often and how loud anyone claims to have ownership of the games – they would be sounding like an empty cabin bread tin. It is a fact, as per the charter, the games belong to the Pacific Games Council,” says Sir Geoffrey.
According to him, if the council is not satisfied with the way the games are being organised then it has the right to pull the plug on the event.
But Sir Geoffrey says Lakhan’s critical letter about the games preparation is not a threat to take away the games.
“His letter is capable of being misinterpreted as a threat to take away the games. That is not the case.”
And he is hitting back at claims by Rasmussen that political games are being played between government and CISNOC.
“CISNOC has been accused of playing politics – my executive board of directors last night was aghast at such an accusation. Certainly there has been some politicking. A lot of it has been involved in this activity, but certainly not from CISNOC nor the sporting community whose only objective is for us to have a successful mini games.”
Sir Geoffrey says he intends to reply to Lakhan with CISNOC’s views and proposed solutions to resolve issues in the games management.
Lakhan wrote to Sir Geoffrey saying that the host broadcast, sports equipment acquisition and sponsorship and marketing were still major concerns for the council.
Sir Geoffrey says it is likely a host broadcaster will be engaged by the games organisers soon.
He was also due to meet with sports director Mark Brown yesterday about sports equipment.
But its allegations from Rasmussen that the marketing and sponsorship team were hopeless and didn’t do their job that has Sir Geoffrey most upset.
“In December 2008, after months of preparations, a marketing and sponsorship package was presented to cabinet and the PMG 2009 board of directors. That package was approved by both bodies. The team went ahead and instigated a very successful sponsorship programme. Unfortunately the financial rug was pulled out from under their feet. As a consequence the work of Nick (Henry) and Karla (Eggelton) and Atma Maharaj came to a standstill. Others with no experience in this area took over and found themselves completely out of their depth.”
Sir Geoffrey claims to have revived the programme but because of a lack of funding for the marketing and communications arm of the organising committee he says it has been ‘disabled’ financially.
“If they had not bee disabled financially, they would have completed very successful sponsorship and marketing work. They would have reached their target of $3.6 million.”
Sir Geoffrey says even if funding were made available now, its unlikely any team could achieve the targeted sum given that the games are just three months away. - Helen Greig
Farewell for Papa Ron
Wednesday 24: Today a public funeral service will be held to farewell Professor Ron Crocombe, a prominent academic who has been dubbed the father of Pacific history.
His son Tata Crocombe is expected to deliver the eulogy at the service.
The service is due to begin at 1pm when Papa Ron will be taken to the National Auditorium by pallbearers from the corner of Victoria Road. Papa Ron passed away last Thursday in Auckland after suffering a heart attack at the age of 79.
Today he will be carried on the shoulders of family, friends, church members, and sports people as the funeral procession enters the Are Karioi Nui.
This morning at 6.30am a service will be held at his home by the Nikao CICC ekalesia. Family and friends can visit until 10am.
At 10.30am Papa Ron’s wife, Marjorie, is set to receive her OBE medal from the Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin at Government House in Titikaveka. Papa Ron will be laid to rest this afternoon at the Ngati Marama burial ground close to his home. – HG
Parliament to adjourn today for funeral
Wednesday 24: Today’s parliament sitting is likely to be cut short to allow MPs to attend the public funeral service for Professor Ron Crocombe that also begins at 1pm.
It is understood leader of the house John Tangi plans to move a motion to adjourn the sitting until tomorrow, shortly after the speaker of the house concludes his announcements for the day.
The speaker is expected to announce the decision by independent Pukapuka MP Vai Peua to return to the CIP fold on the opposition side of the house.
The most important part of the meeting of parliament this month is the tabling of the 2009/10 annual budget. There are still ongoing issues with the proposed budget with reports that it has been stretched more than ever this year making it a major challenge for government to present a balanced budget. It is understood that the budget will be tabled on June 30.
Three bills have been put on notice for tabling during this month’s sitting. The Cook Islands Pearl Authority Amendment Bill, Financial Services Development Authority Bill, and the Money Changing & Remittances Businesses Bill will be put on the order paper today. The Public Service Bill is also expected to be tabled sometime during the brief sitting.
Parliament clerk Nga Valoa says it is not yet certain whether parliament will sit on Friday. - Helen Greig
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