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General News

Week ending Wednesday, 2 June, 2010

Current events and entertainment in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.

Visitors take on chilly challenge
Girl Guides happy with Raro meeting
Text and email in-flight soon
Police talkback will listen to concerns
WHO calls to protect women from tobacco
Cross-country off to good start
CIP opens Titikaveka seat nominations
Inmates grateful for saw donation
TAU giving away free bulbs
Hit youngster discharged
Drink drivers beware
Piho very proud of priceless rare pearl
India counsellor to visit Cooks
Maori hunting show shoots here
UNESCO chief to promote media freedom
A day in the house
Toa attacks Triad compliance
Demo or not Demo?
Support swells for Demo conference
Who’s really the big boss?
Papa Ron to be celebrated at conference
Russian Cook Islander earns Masters
Voyage of rediscovery
Girls main target of no tobacco day
In support of the vaka
CIIC looks for CEO
Spam warning
Winning design to stop smoking
Emergency response workshop in Raro
Fire service thrills kids
Milestone for Raro resort
Police investigate assault on female
An historical and emotional arrival
Dancing future in good hands
Electric bicycle offers ‘eco’ option
CITC educates employees on life insurance options
Police continue ethnic initiative
Time management seminar
Irish sailor raving about Rarotonga
Marumaru Atua women loved the experience
Mixed nations vaka ready to sail again
Faafaite crew make most of time in Raro
Fiji crew feeling at home in Raro
Beach party for voyagers

By enduring a painful five minutes in five-degree water, these five raised $1300 for children with heart disease. 10052513

A group of New Zealand tourists took on a chilly challenge this week at Edgewater Resort & Spa for Heart Children Week.

The Heart Stopper Challenge is a fundraising opportunity for Heart Children New Zealand, a non-profit organisation that supports children with heart disease, and involves donning a costume and plunging into ice water for five minutes.

The challenge is based on the medical practice of cooling a child in ice before performing heart surgery, so as to slow his or her heart rate.

Yesterday, a group of friends from Auckland took on the challenge for the second consecutive year. Because Heart Children Week coincided with a group member’s Rarotonga wedding, the five did the challenge here with ice provided by Edgewater staff.

Cook Islander Stephen Bowater, together with mates Samantha Prevezanos, Maartje Barnett, Luke Krieg and Sean Tobin, plunged into five degree water for five minutes, which Bowater said afterward were the “longest five minutes ever”.

Thanks to sponsors back home, the group raised over $1300 for children with heart disease in those five minutes.

Heart Children Week recognises that congenital heart defect is the world’s most common birth defect. According to the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the American Heart Association, childhood heart disease takes more lives than all other childhood diseases combined.

• Rachel Reeves

Maria Edger and Pani Ben with some of the delicious foods laid out for the ceremony 10052148

The Arorangi Calvary Hall recently hosted the Girl Guides Pacific Strategy Meeting which was deemed a big success.

The Cooked Islands Girl Guides Association played host to delegates from Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Papua New Guinea and two members of the Asia Pacific Committee at the three-day conference.

The official opening ceremony for the conference was held Thursday, May 19 at the Arorangi hall. Delegates and guests were welcomed with a traditional turou and a guard of honour by members of the GGACI.

Asia Pacific Committee chairperson June Cameron was the main speaker on the night followed by GGACI patroness Lady Ina Goodwin who officially opened the meeting.

“Girl guiding in its 100 years has certainly changed but so has the world”, Cameron said. “Guiding in 2010 is not quite the same however the principles of guiding have remained the same. Guiding needs to have the support of government and community’s to reach its full potential in all walks of life. Though there were only six countries taking part in the meeting there are actually 145 countries and 10 million members worldwide. Girl Guides is alive and well throughout the world”.

The night ended on a high note with the delegates treated to a traditional kaikai.

Day one of the three day event was to reflect and share the successes and disappointments of the past year by Pacific member organisations.

Day two was to challenge themselves on how to work individually as member organisations and how to work together as part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Day three was to determine the way forward for 2011 as the meeting evaluate if this process is the one that will bring success to the Pacific member organisations as members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

The closing ceremony was held on Saturday, May 22 and features impromptu ura and a performance lead by delegate from Kiribati.

Cameron’s final speech for the event was an inspiring one as she thanked the GGACI for their wonderful hospitality, bravery and generosity in hosting the 2nd Pacific Strategy meeting. “It’s been an amazing time, and an amazing journey”. Cameron said.

Members of the GGACI were awarded Asia Pacific Awards. Member Organisations were then presented with gifts and Cameron received special treatment with a traditional gift giving ceremony.

The award winners presented at the meeting were: Service award 2008: Frances Topa-Apera, Debbie Ave, Ngametuakore Mckinley, Nooroa Arkle and Georgina Rasmussen. Service award 2009: Yvonne Heather, Julie Taripo-Shedden, Moana Tangimetua, Tara Carr and Gail Townsend. State award 2009: Tungane Marsters (Avarua), Marie Haupini (St Joseph), Tuakere Ponini (Nikao), Tetake Robati (Arorangi), Maria Beer (St Mary), Nooroa George (Titikaveka), Rosaline Tauira (Tauhunu), Louisa Samson (Tauhunu), Upokoina Atarenga (Atiu) and Terai Putere (Atiu). Leadership award 2009: Tutu Mare (Avarua), Atingata Messine (Avarua), Doris Taripo (Avarua), Tracy Okotai (Avarua), Moana Matangaro (Avarua), Jane Kora (Avarua), Martha Makimare (Avarua), Keu Mitchell (Avarua), Tungane Teao (Avarua), Here Charlie (Avarua), Matakino Aurupa (Avarua), Tepou Teauiti (Nikao), Elizabeth Raeina (Nikao), Helen Rauraa (Nikao), Julia Kapi (St Joseph), Anna Raura (St Joseph), Josephine Maoate (Ngatangiia), Emmy Matai (Arorangi), Tangi Samuel (Arorangi), Tere Apera (Arorangi), Tua Fariu (Arorangi), Porora Wichman (St Mary), Marama Tuatoru (Tauhunu), Rua Samson (Tukao) and Yvonne Marsters (Palmerston).

• Peka Fisher

Two of our busiest flights could soon have email and mobile phone text messaging capability.

Air New Zealand will be introducing the new service on the Boeing 777-330 from November this year. It will allow Air NZ customers to use iPhone, Blackberry and GSM phones and laptops to send and receive text messages and emails during the cruise parts flights.

Both Thursday’s NZ46 and Sunday’s B772 flights to Auckland from Rarotonga use Boeing 777-330 aircraft.

Customers will be billed as usual by their mobile service provider.

New Zealand will not allow voice calls onboard and will request passengers to keep their phones on silent.

• NC

In an effort to crack down on crime, police are inviting the general public to share feedback and strategy suggestions during a radio talkback on Friday morning.

From 10am to 11am, police will be on air on Radio Cook Islands, taking calls from those eager to discuss the problem of crime and its solution.

The theme of the talkback is crimes of concern namely, burglary, theft and unlawful taking.

Detective senior sergeant Ingaua Areumu said that even though burglary has dropped “dramatically” in the past three months, police aren’t satisfied and will continue to work at reducing crime.

“We can’t stop burglary altogether, but we can reduce the number (of burglaries),” Areumu said.

Officers from the communication centre, intel team, family service and prosecution divisions will be on hand to answer questions during Friday morning’s talkback.

Other officers plan to sit down with owners of at-risk businesses and occupants of at-risk homes, taking concerns and suggesting security measures that might be able to prevent burglaries.

Areumu said that video surveillance will be a relevant topic of discussion the initial cost of cameras can’t compare to the losses incurred during a break-in, he said.

Areumu advised that at-risk commercial properties, such as Van’s store that sustained four break-ins, look at installing surveillance cameras.

Friday morning’s operation will target the issue of surveillance and security, among others pertaining to burglary and theft.

The initiative will involve 40 officers and is an effort to practise “proactive policing”, Areumu said.

• Rachel Reeves

Dr Chen Ken, World Health Organization (WHO) representative in the South Pacific, is calling on the Cook Islands and other Pacific island countries to protect women and girls from efforts by the tobacco industry to induce them to start smoking.

He made the call in the lead up to World No Tobacco Day 2010 on Monday, May 31.

The theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day is gender and tobacco, with emphasis on marketing to women.

Women who smoke are more likely to experience infertility and delays in conceiving, maternal smoking during pregnancy also increases risk of premature delivery, stillbirth and newborn death and may cause a reduction in breast milk, the WHO says.

Smoking also increases women’s risks for many cancers, including cancers of the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, larynx, bladder, pancreas and cancer. Having a tobacco-free environment is also woman’s right.

“Tobacco use is the second cause of death globally, after hypertension, and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults worldwide. This year we want to draw particular attention to the harmful effects of tobacco marketing and smoke on women and girls,” Dr Ken said:

“Tobacco use is the number one preventable epidemic that the health community faces and we want to encourage everyone to reduce tobacco use in Fiji and other Pacific island countries and areas.”

Dr Ken also called on policy makers, nongovernmental organisations and the public to work together to protect women from tobacco marketing and smoke.

• WHO

Last Thursday saw the first event of the cross-country series take place at Takitumu Primary School.

It was a dry run for the 10 male; five female; and one canine, contestants.

The lack of rain meant that those dusty shoes were, unfortunately, not going to get muddy after all. The course was different from the usual course, being relatively flat but still challenging with numerous hurdles to hop across, plus one with a soft landing.

Great performance from Jacob Pynenburg, and special mention for Rusty the dog who ran a very tactical race to take out the final sprint in his/her group. Everyone handled it well, and hopefully will be stronger as a result, for today’s event, starting 5.15pm, from the front gate at the BCI stadium. The run will be slightly longer, with each lap being 1180m long 4 laps for the guys, and 3 laps for the gals. See you there shine or hopefully rain.

Results from last Thursday: Men, 4km, Phil Washbourn, 15:45; Scott Howley, 16:19; Terry Meyer, 17:13; Kevin Henderson, 18:06; Rhys Woodger, 18:21; Richard Barltrop, 18:51; Rory Quirk, 18:56; David Lobb, 22:55; Jeff Cook, 24:13. Women, 4km, Vanessa Palmer, 18:21. Junior Men, 4km, Jacob Pynenburg, 18:36. Women, 3km, Apii Napa, 18:07; Debbie Moore, 18:15; Karlene Pynenburg, 19:11; Dog Rusty, 19:23; Sara Milne, 19:26.

• KH/ACI

The Titikaveka Cook Islands Party is in the process of finding a new candidate in preparation for the up and coming general election.

The deadline for nominations is midday today – already three names have been floated but as of yesterday none had been nominated.

Membership of $2 is also part of the candidate nomination process and it’s important for people to get their membership cards said a CIP spokesman.

“Once you are a paid member of the party, you can be nominated as a candidate, you can also nominate others to be a candidate and if or when there’s an election to choose the candidate, you can vote for the candidate of your choice.

“So membership is important because it allows you to decide who you think should be the next Titikaveka CIP candidate. This is an open and transparent process so we are giving all in Titikaveka the opportunity to decide who will best represent our voice in parliament,” said the spokesperson.

This is the opportunity for all of Titikaveka to choose someone that is capable, understands the needs of the community, and understands the role of a member of parliament at the grassroots, national and international level says the CIP.

“We want a person that can work with us in the community and can represent Titikaveka and the Cook Islands at national and international engagements.”

A public meeting is set for May 10 at the Kent Hall at 7pm and the main agenda item is the election and confirmation of a candidate.

Nomination forms along with membership cards are available from the committee members and various people in each tapere have been assigned to distribute membership throughout the village.

If you need to get nomination forms and membership cards, contact Here Southwick on 28313 or 54374.

The party has already confirmed Teariki Heather will run again as the Akaoa candidate, Nandi Glassie for Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua (Atiu), Norman George for Teenui-Mapumai (Atiu), Mark Brown for Takuvaine, Teina Bishop for Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara (Aitutaki), Toanui Isamaela for Amuri-Ureia (Aitutaki), Moana Ioane for Tautu-Vaipae in Aitutaki, Ata Herman for the Ngatangiia, George Maggie for Tupapa-Maraerenga and most recently that Mauke island secretary Tai Tura will run for the island’s seat and Tini Ford will run for Penrhyn.

• Helen Greig

An inmate demonstrates how to use the prison’s new band saw donated by the Rarotonga Rotary Club. 10042909

Inmates at the Arorangi Prison received a band saw yesterday courtesy of the Rarotonga Rotary Club to assist with their arts and crafts programme.

Secretary of Justice Mark Short says that the arts and crafts created by inmates, and sold at the prison, helps offset the lack of resources they have to run the correction facility.

He adds that the programme is also part of the rehabilitation of prisoners who learn a new skill while they are inside.

The prisoners also achieve a sense of pride when they finish a ukulele or art piece which is either sold for profit or gifted to family and friends.

The acquisition of the band saw began when Sister Margaret, a passionate advocate for prisoner rehabilitation, put together a proposal to the local Rotary Club.

Club president Mike Pynenburg says that after receiving the proposal from Sister Margaret they felt it was a worthwhile cause to support.

Pynenburg, along with club president elect Maureen Hilyard, immediate past president Mousie Skews and past president John McElhinney were given a tour of the newly renovated prison including the workshop where the new band saw was set up.

While there one of the prisoners demonstrated how the band saw works and even showed off one of the new ukulele cut out by the band saw.

Prison superintendent Metuatini Tangaroa thanked the Rotary group for their generous donation saying that the equipment will definitely aid the prisoners in their ukulele and craft making business.

He then presented a double ukulele to the Rotary group to show the inmates and prison staff’s gratitude.

Pynenburg says that they never expected anything in return and receiving the ukulele was a great surprise.

He says that the ukulele will be auctioned off to raise funds to help other community initiatives and programmes.

• Matariki Wilson

Today is a good day to go to Te Aponga Uira (TAU) main office to pay your power bill as they will be giving away three free CFL bulbs to each domestic customer that comes in to pay their power bill.

There are over 7000 CFL bulbs to give away and TAU hopes to give these away within the next week.

It doesn’t matter if you have already collected your free CFL bulbs, you can still take more.

The purpose of the give-away project is to encourage the use of more energy efficient light bulbs, thus reducing pollution as well as your overall power bill.

By switching to CFL lighting, you can reduce your electricity usage to a quarter of that used by your old incandescent (round) bulbs, and as a result, significantly reduce the cost of your electricity.

• Te Aponga Uira

Police are urging parents to pay close attention to young children when crossing roads. v 08012857

A five year old boy hit by a car while crossing the road on Monday in Matavera was discharged from hospital on Tuesday to recover at home from the bruises he sustained in the incident.

Rarotonga Hospital director Heather Webber-Aitu confirmed yesterday that the boy was discharged after being admitted for observation overnight.

Webber-Aitu said the boy was admitted with a haematoma, or bruising, on the left side of his head. The boy had reportedly not crossed the road properly and the driver of the car managed to swerve and slow down enough to minimise the impact.

The close call has prompted police to issue a strong warning about road rules and safe driving.

• Helen Greig

Police are conducting an intensive anti-drink driving campaign over the weekend and if you drink and drive, you will be arrested and put in the cells.

Inspector Patia says that all police personnel, including the officers based on surveillance ship Te Kukupa, will take part in the campaign to deter people from drinking and driving.

So, if you are planning to head out tonight to have a couple of drinks with your gal pals or to party with the boys, make sure you organise a sober driver or taxi to take you home safely.

Inspector Patia says that police aim to deter drink drivers from taking to our road to protect innocent road users, as drink drivers can kill innocent people on our roads.

It’s not cool to drink and drive – be a hero and volunteer to be the sober driver for your friends.

• Matariki Wilson

Cabinet minister and long time pearl farmer Apii Piho is so proud of the large rare drop ‘genuine 110 per cent Manihiki cultured’ black pearl produced on his farm, he’s vowed to wear it everywhere he goes from now on. 10042914

He’s a cabinet minister and an MP, but this week Apii Piho is most proud of a rare giant black pearl produced on his Manihiki pearl farm.

“In all my years it’s the biggest I’ve produced so far. Pearls of this size are very valuable because of their rarity,” he said yesterday.

He has been pearl farming since 1989 and runs family company A and M Pearls which harvested the stunning pearl four months ago.

Piho now wears the 23mm by 42 mm grey drop pearl around his neck on a large 18 carat gold chain after having the giant mounted in an 18 carat gold design with a 10 point diamond inset. He went to freelance jeweller Martin Scheel to have the pearl mounted at a cost of almost $2000.

Piho said wherever he goes people are ‘freaking out’ on the sheer size of the pearl and asking if they can wear it.

He claims even his wife and business partner Mehau has had her eye on the pearl which he plans to ‘wear everywhere’ from now on.

While it hasn’t been valued the rare pearl could be worth over $20,000 to the right buyer – but Piho says he doesn’t intend to ever sell it.

“It’s a genuine 110 per cent Manihiki cultured black pearl – I’m really proud of it,” he said.

The pearl was produced from a reseeded (second seed) pearl oyster. Piho says he was so blown away when he saw the pearl and made a point of showing it to the local pearl technician Apii McLeod who seeded the oyster.

Piho said his Chinese technician who harvested the pearl even had a hard time removing it from the shell, which has already been reseeded.

“It’s the size of the thing really. It has a nice lustre and shape but its worth more because of how big it is – it becomes priceless,” Piho said.

• Helen Greig

The counsellor and head of chancery at the High Commission of India in Suva, Sridharan Madhusudhanan, will visit the Cooks from May 4 to 8.

Madhusudhanan will meet Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Dr Jim Gosselin, and other government officials to discuss projects funded by the government of India under a grant scheme.

Diplomatic relations between the Cook Islands and India were established in 1998. India became a post-Forum dialogue partner in 2003 and since 2006, has committed over US$400,000 (NZ$551,752) to the Cook Islands in grant aid, some of which has been utilised for information technology related projects.

“The Cook Islands is very grateful for India’s assistance to this country over the years. While India is a developing country, it is a significant player on the global stage and provides the Cook Islands with opportunities for cooperation and collaboration in numerous fields including information technology, education and climate change,” Gosselin said.

• MFAI

Maori Televisions popular TV show ‘Hunting Aotearoa’ will be gracing next week.

The television show is here to film episodes of the hit show in both Aitutaki and Atiu.

The crew, which arrives on Tuesday, will consist of five members, including the show’s producer, Piripi Curtis and presenter Howie Morrison Jnr, the son of New Zealand entertainment icon the late Sir Howard Morrison

According to the show’s website, it is the only New Zealand television show for hunting and shooting enthusiasts.

When asked why the show was coming to the Cook Islands, Curtis said “Hunting Aotearoa has been keen to visit our island cousins our Tuakana to experience hunting ‘island styles’ and in the research that we have done, the Cook Islands seems as though it has enough hunting opportunities for us to justify our trip there”.

The groups guide is local man Dave Pratt who has organised the group’s hunts while on the outer islands.

• Peka Fisher

The new Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will promote media freedom at an international conference at The University of Queensland, on her first official visit to Australia.

Irina Bokova will give a keynote speech at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day 2010 conference, hosted by UQ, on May 2-3.

With the conference theme being Freedom of Information: the Right to Know, Mrs Bokova said that freedom of information (FOI) “is a fundamental human right that UNESCO is specifically mandated to promote”.

“The meeting planned for the day will stimulate high-level discussions among worldwide experts on the topic,” she said. “This will thereby contribute to advancing FOI through the sharing of knowledge and experiences on key issues pertaining to the adoption, implementation and usage of FOI legislation, among other matters of relevance.”

UQ vice-chancellor and president, Professor Paul Greenfield, said the university was delighted by Mrs Bokova’s decision to make the conference a focus of her first official visit to Australia.

“Media freedom in all parts of the globe is intrinsic to a flow of factual information, which is essential if we are to identify and address the world’s problems,” Professor Greenfield said. “UNESCO’s mandate to defend press freedom aligns with UQ’s concern for academic freedom and our commitment to tackle local, regional and global challenges through learning and research.”

Mrs Bokova is the first woman to head UNESCO. As a former Bulgarian diplomat and member of parliament she is also the first UNESCO chief from Eastern Europe.

The UQ-hosted UNESCO World Press Freedom Day conference will be the first such event in the Pacific, and will be a feature of the university’s 2010 centenary celebrations.

Representatives stop for a quick picture. 10042807

The student parliament had its final sitting today with the day ending on a high note.

Student representatives fortunate enough to take part in the two day mock parliament sessions were awarded with certificates.

The organisers of the sessions, held on Wednesday and yesterday, were grateful for the dedication of the students coming in during the holidays and spending their time learning in the parliamentary chamber.

It was obvious that today’s session was a lot easier than the day before.

“At first it was nerve-wracking”, one senior student at Tereora said when asked about Wednesday’s parliament session.

“Today is much better, it (yesterday) lightened me up a bit and I’m more confident”.

Nukutere Representative Vaineritua Koteka said though the first day had her nervous she still enjoyed the experience.

Today’s agenda included impromptu statements about matters that mattered to the students and their constituencies as well as passing bills.

Western Australia’s deputy parliamentary education officer, James Sollis who is responsible for putting the programme in place, was there to share his expertise with parliament staff allowing them to observe for future reference.

• PF

This week Toa Petroleum served papers on the secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Labour and Transport outlining the provisions of a statement of claim it intends to file in court.

Counsel Tony Manarangi drafted the claim on behalf of Apex Agencies, which is trading as Toa, and named secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Labour and Transport Aukino Tairea the first respondent.

The statement charges that the ministry has “unlawfully delegated” its obligations under the Dangerous Goods Act of 1984 to the Minister of Internal Affairs.

CI News understands that Internal Affairs officer Helen Maunga has been delegated the task of issuing dangerous goods licences.

Under the Act, the Ministry of Trade, Labour and Transport is responsible for conducting inspections and administering licences.

Because IntAff has been issuing licences, Toa alleges that Triad’s licence is null and void and “of no lawful effect”.

Toa makes it clear that it intends to re-apply for a valid licence, which is urgent considering that an invalid licence would invalidate its insurance.

The statement notes that in May of 2008, IntAff asked the New Zealand Department of Labour to conduct a dangerous goods inspection on Rarotonga bulk storage facilities.

Following the inspection, Ken Comben issued an audit report on both Toa and Triad.

The statement of claim quotes the following section of Comben’s report: “Of the three main bulk installations on Rarotonga, Triad Pacific Petroleum was of the greatest concern. There was an obvious lack of knowledge in respect of safety requirements for the facility. This was reflected in a lack of information, e.g. no emergency plan, no material safety data sheets through to how tanks were being built and maintained.”

It goes on to say that Toa is “most likely to denigrate in a similar fashion”.

CI News does not have a copy of the audit report on the Toa facility, but understands that Comben identified safety issues with it as well.

Toa claims that it fulfilled its requirements after obtaining a copy of the report.

It charges that although Triad “may have remedied some of the defects particularised in the preceding paragraphs, it has not remedied all of them”.

The statement asks that Tairea require Triad to “take steps” to ensure its compliance with the Act, and to revoke its licence until then.

The statement also indicates that Toa intends to seek a judicial review of Te Aponga Uira’s decision to enter into a fuel storage contract with Triad.

“Prior to the entering into of the Triad Te Aponga contract, Te Aponga knew or ought to have known of the fact that the Triad facility did not comply with the requirements of the Dangerous Goods Act 1984,” the statement alleges.

It goes on to say that because Triad does not comply with the act, Toa is “required to cancel the hosting contract” and “re-open the tender process for the hosting contract”.

• Rachel Reeves

Apii Piho – “let’s do it the democratic way.” 10052738

Part of the Democratic Party dispute revolves around whether or not Robert Wigmore, Apii Piho, Cassey Eggleton, and William ‘Smiley Heather are members of the party.

CI News asked Minister of Health Apii Piho if he considered himself a member of the Democratic Party?

“I have been elected candidate and won the elections as the MP and I am still MP for Manihiki. My people voted me in and they are the ones who guide me. If anyone sacks me, it will be the people of Manihiki or the PM,” Piho said.

When asked what the purpose of the injunction served on them by the Democratic Party executive was, Piho said he honestly didn’t know what they were trying to achieve.

“The party is still the Democratic Party – so let’s do it the democratic way. Let’s have the conference and let the people decide.”

Like many others, Piho relates the dispute back to Sir Terepai Maoate’s sacking.

“He did not like being sacked, so he has drawn everyone in. But what is it he has to fear from the conference?”

• Nerys Case

Sean Willis. 10052451

The Cook Islands Democratic Party breakaway group has confirmed – Monday’s conference will still go ahead.

A Friday night media release said that while injunction papers have been served, a date for the hearing is yet to be confirmed, therefore it is business as usual – pending court advice.

“At the close of business today (Friday), last minute paperwork was received by conference organisers confirming more puna support of the conference,” the statement said.

“We aren’t at all surprised at the ground swell of support for the conference. This weekend we will see more of the same, and I am betting that almost all – if not every puna – will be represented at the conference. And why not?  It is the Democratic Party Conference after all,”  says Sean Willis – Assistant President leading the charge.

“This injunction is working to our advantage. The people have spoken, we have cut through the crap and they can see that this is the right way forward. The scaremongering from the other side just needs to stop. Focus needs to be on our Party – taokotai. The conference is the answer.”

This is an open invitation to all members of the public and every puna – “come to the conference, have your say, have your puna vote!”

“Interesting to note that the Queen’s Representative has rejected the call by the Prime Minister for a snap election for not commanding a majority number of members of Parliament,” writes a smoke signaller in response to a CI News article on Monday. “Yet the same QR gave the go ahead to the same PM to govern the country with a minority number. Makes you wonder who is actually running the country – the PM or the QR or both?”

THUMBS UP FOR HOT MIX

“Go Go Go Chris Vaile, you have the country behind you!!” writes an excited smoke signaller to TXT188 in response to his statement in yesterday’s CI News vowing that Triad will fight the TOA profit top-up guarantee and that Parliament must pass legislation to reverse the guarantee.

WELCOME TO RAROTONGA

“I absolutely agree with the new airport comments,” writes a smoke signaller in response to Q Hater’s letter to the editor on Thursday titled ‘Sweaty welcome not on’. “Arriving last Saturday evening on the flight through to Los Angeles, 90 percent of the passengers disembarked. The cabin steward told me only 25 passengers would journey on to California – look out the taxpayers’ subsidy! Next, the Australia subsidy and then Fiji. Arrival was very uncomfortable, snaky ropes and plastic cones as mentioned. Ages and ages of waiting in line for a number of tired, elderly people with their winter woolies on from Auckland’s 14 degrees. The space is there as Q Hater says to make the arrival procedure more acceptable. Give passengers a numbered card as they enter the arrival area. Put seating around this space so they can sit and relax waiting for their immigration call while listening to Jake, and duty free shop (since opening some time ago, why do they still only accept cash?). This is a tropical island destination looked forward to by your tourists, the welcome is a huge part of their experience. Right now it is being spoilt, it would be very simple to fix.” SmokeSignals: Some people working at the airport also point out that when there’s rain with strong wind, rainwater enters the new terminal from the roof (probably pushed through the fixed wooden louvers at the top) and when there’s two flights in at the same time (e.g. early Tuesday mornings), some passengers have had to wait on the tarmac due to lack of space. Maybe there would be more space if the VIP lounge was smaller?

CIRCUS COMING TO TOWN!

A person was overheard yesterday suggesting the Democratic Party should sell tickets to Monday’s annual party conference, billing it as ‘There’s a circus coming to town.’ SmokeSignals: Under this big top there’ll be more than enough to play the acrobats, tightrope walkers, jugglers, puppets, fire breathers, unicyclists and last but definitely not least, the clowns. The only difference is that in all other circuses there’s only one ringmaster...Pass the popcorn!

NEW DEMOS?

“If the injunction is successful to protect the intellectual property rights of the Democratic Party Inc., maybe one group should start the New Democratic Party,” a smoke signaller suggests. “There’s a precedent for this in New Zealand with Jim Anderton’s breakaway New Labour Party formed in the mid-1980s (in 1991 New Labour formed the Alliance Party with other small parties such as the Green Party).” But as everyone knows, having two Demo factions will split their votes and give a very big advantage to the CIP candidates.

LESSONS FROM OBAMA

A smoke signaller writes: “I couldn’t help thinking there’s a lesson in this for the Cook Islands when I saw the news story from America on Thursday night about President Obama taking responsibility for cleaning up the BP Oil spill catastrophe on the Gulf Coast. Mr Obama humbled himself to admit that his young daughter had stirred him up to do something about the spill. She had spoken to him with anguish and emotion about the environmental tragedy. And he, the most powerful man on the planet, acted because of his daughter’s words. My own son showed the same sort of concern, that same night, for our beautiful lagoon vat Muri after he attended Lagoon Day and learned that our lagoon is getting more polluted day by day. Now I’m thinking: how can I take personal responsibility for the state of our lagoon and ocean?”

The life of academic Professor Ron Crocombe will be celebrated at a conference in Rarotonga in August.

The two-day ‘Conference for Festschrift for Ron Crocombe’ will be held at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Rarotonga Campus on August 12-13.

In academia, a Festschrift is a book honouring a respected person, especially an academic, and presented during their lifetime. USP Rarotonga director Rod Dixon said this had never quite happened during Prof Crocombe’s lifetime, although there were attempts to do this.

The conference for the late Prof Crocombe, an Emeritus Professor of Pacific Studies, will feature a number of papers presented by people who had worked with him or whose lives he had touched as well as tributes and personal recollections from his family.

Among the speakers will be Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen (Cook Islands political reform to 2005), Makiuti Tongia (Absentee landowners in the Cook Islands: consequences of change to tradition); Iaveta Short (Land tenure in the Cook Islands); and Wilkie Rasmussen (Marginality in the Cook Islands).

After the official welcome, a portrait of Papa Ron, as he was fondly known, will be unveiled by his granddaughter Narida Hinano Crocombe.

Keynote speaker at the event will be Emeritus Professor Albert Wendt from Auckland University.

Prof Crocombe’s wife Marjorie said some of the speakers could be described as ‘proteges’ of her late husband. The memories to be shared at the conference go back to the early days in Papua New Guinea, his time at the Australian National University, and his time at the USP in Fiji, but also includes some more recent recollections from two Japanese academics who worked with Prof Crocombe on surveying the Holocene geomorphic development of Rarotonga. Or most simply put, determining how old Rarotonga is.

Prof Crocombe, who passed away last year, has been described as many things a great scholar, historian, commentator and distinguished academic. But, perhaps more than that, he will always be remembered as someone who recognised the potential in everyone regardless of their station in life.

• MT

10052737

Dasha Tarasova, daughter of Tatiana and Colin Burn, has successfully graduated with a Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Auckland after five years of hard work.

Dasha originally came to Rarotonga with her parents from Moscow in 1999 and attended Avatea School, Tereora College and St Cuthbert’s College in New Zealand.

Dasha is now working for SHA Architects in Auckland and planning to register as a New Zealand architect. Dasha intends to focus her architecture career in the Pacific.

Dasha has always been passionate about Cook Islands culture. Together with a fellow architecture student from Rarotonga, Rachel Anderson, and a few other friends from the Pacific, she formed Te Ariki Vaine, a contemporary Cook Islands dance troupe.

• Contributed

The arrival of the voyaging fleet to Avana harbour on Saturday afternoon was a sight not seen for hundreds of years.

Canoes from the Pacific visited in 1992 for the Pacific Arts Festival – but not since the days of our ancestors have a fleet of sister canoes voyaged together from the spiritual home of Raiatea to Rarotonga.

And the huge welcome at Avana harbour for the crews was fitting for the historic occasion with a number of cultural protocols observed before crews could finally be with their families and friends.

Each crew from the five canoes of Marumaru Atua (Cook Islands), Faafaite (Tahiti), Uto ni Yalo (Fiji), Matau O Maui (Aotearoa) and mixed nations crew on vaka Hine Moana took part in the traditional kiriti-maru-tai – a ceremonial ‘cleansing’ process for crews to discard their salted garments and ei and be adorned with new fresh ei and garments of rauti.

The arrival of Marumaru Atua was a proud moment for the Cook Islands Voyaging Society (CIVS) and the community at large.

CIVS president and accomplished traditional navigator Ian Karika lead his crew of 16 to shore for the welcome by the ‘harbour warrior’ Steven Kavana and landowners of the Avana harbour.

Then families and friends were able to welcome their loved ones home in what was an emotional moment for crew and family.

Tears of joy and pride flowed freely for the safe arrival of the voyagers and the heart-warming and passionate embraces by waiting family.

Fathers lifted their children up high and mothers, fathers and extended family wept to see the safe arrival of their children while lovers embraced with passion.

A large Tahiti community from Rarotonga and the motherland were also out in force to welcome the crew of vaka Faafaite who had joined the voyaging fleet in Tahiti after they had voyaged from New Zealand in April.

Ian Karika was given the opportunity to speak to the admiring crowd of onlookers and families which he did in Maori.

He spoke for some time hoping that the three remaining canoes would arrive soon.

Karika spoke of the similar moving welcome at every port of call the fleet made.

He apologised for their delay saying that even in the days our ancestors had voyaged across Te Moana Nui o Kiva – there was no knowing when a vaka would make landfall.

He was quickly forgiven though as proud family shared oranges and nu with the resting crews.

Karika then spoke of the entire voyaging crew’s minor irritation of having to be towed to their first island stop at Raivavae and again on their departure due to lack of wind.

“When our ancestors sailed and there was no wind – they would wait around until the wind picked up again,” said Karika.

“But we had to adhere to this thing called an ETA (estimated time of arrival) and so needed to be towed to keep to our timetable.”

Each arriving vaka and crew had their own welcome to shore where many remained right till the final canoe’s arrival.

This year’s voyage is one of rediscovery aimed at re-establishing cultural links through traditional voyaging and raising awareness of the key environmental issues threatening the Pacific Ocean.

The fleet will be back in Auckland next year when seven vaka will undertake a longer Pacific voyage to Hawaii via French Polynesia.

This voyage will also serve as a reminder that the Pacific Ocean is an invisible continent connecting the peoples of the Pacific and that their continent is at risk.

The Pacific voyages have been initiated and supported by Okeanos, a German philanthropic organisation committed to highlighting environmental issues affecting the world’s oceans.

Meanwhile the crews will be enjoying warm beds and home cooked meals for the next few days.

The canoes, except Cook Islands vaka Marumaru Atua, will return at the end of the week to their respective islands to train new crew and prepare for next year’s voyage.

• Matariki Wilson

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Spectators wade out on the reef to get a better view of vaka Marumaru Atua entering the Avana passage on Saturday. 10053022

 

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The first group of voyagers from vaka Marumaru Atua make their way to shore. 10053035

 

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Rarotonga dancers entertain the ocean voyagers at Avana. 10053058

 

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Crew on Cook Islands vaka Marumaru Atua say a final prayer before disembarking for dry land. 10053029

 

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Ian Karika embraces Margaret Karika Ariki on his arrival back home from sea. 10053045

 

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A Tahiti crew member is welcomed to shore by members of the Cook Islands Tahiti family. 10053061

 

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Tua Pittman, who joined the crew of Marumaru Atua from Tahiti is warmly welcomed home by Elena Tavioni. 10053053

 

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Steven ‘Moko’ Kavana, the harbour warrior, welcomes the vaka voyagers to Avana harbour. 10053030

 

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Cook Islands voyager Amosa Tatuava shares his ei from loved ones with his partner Amanda. 10053049

 

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Margaret Karika Ariki welcomes a Cook Islands crew member home. 10053046

 

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The fleet safe and moored in Avana harbour on Saturday afternoon. 10053078

 

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Landowners wait for the crews to arrive on shore. 10053034

 

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Emotional Marumaru Atua crew member Angelie Robinson was overwhelmed when her aunt June Hosking welcomed her home. 10053050

 

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The Tahiti crew of vaka Faafaite stand in the waters of Avana harbour as they are welcomed ashore. 10053063

 

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Jamaal Pakitoa – happy to be home again. 10053057

 

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Two Fiji women crew members of Uto ni Yalo, Salome Tabuatalei (left) and Unaisi Waqanivere, at Avana harbour. 10053069

 

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Fiji’s Manoa Rasigatale and warrior Carson Young wait to be welcomed to Avana. 10053066

 

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A Tahitian voyager ‘washes’ himself in the smoke that signalled and guided the canoes into Avana harbour. 10053060

 

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Aotearoa vaka Te Matau O Maui at sunset on Friday night. Photo by Heather Richard 10053008

 

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The face of Te Aroha clinging to his dad. 10053038

 

The smoking rate among adolescent girls and young women in the Cook Islands is one of the areas to be highlighted at World No Tobacco Day on Monday.

According to the Cook Islands Community Health Services, two global youth tobacco surveys initiated by the World Health Organisation were conducted in the Cook Islands in 2003 and 2007.

The target population was 13 to 15-year-old students, and 10 schools in the Cook Islands participated.

The surveys examined the difference between girls and boys and found that girls smoke more than boys.

In 2003: girls, 49.9 per cent; boys, 39.9 per cent and 2007: girls, 31.5 per cent;, boys, 28.2 per cent. These figures are alarming, for a small country like the Cook Islands, and compared negatively with Fiji in 2005: girls, 7.6 per cent; boys, 6.7 per cent and NZ in 2008: girls, 20.6 per cent and boys, 14.5 per cent. An NCD STEPS Survey conducted in 2004 found that between the ages of 24 and 64, current smokers are 46 per cent male and 41.1 per cent female.

Therefore, the Ministry of Health continues raising awareness via media, and education sessions to school students, women and uniformed organisations. The education awareness will continue through the year, hoping this will draw a lot of attention to women and young people about the harmful effects of tobacco smoking.

In raising awareness about smoking, it is hoped young girls of this country will at least realise the great lies of tobacco companies marketing to them, as they are the new buyers of cigarettes, Community Health Service says.

“So, please women and young girls of this country, be alert and take into consideration the life ahead of you, make the right choice, do not start smoking and for those who smoke we are appealing to all of you to stop.”

World No Tobacco Day is commemorated annually around the world on the May 31.

The theme for this year is ‘Gender and tobacco with an emphasis on marketing to women’.

World No Tobacco Day 2010 is designed to draw attention to the harmful effects of tobacco marketing to women and girls, and educate women about the dangers of tobacco. Controlling the epidemic of tobacco among women is an important part of any comprehensive tobacco control strategy.

Women are a major target of opportunity for tobacco industries, which needs to recruit new users to replace half of the current users who will die prematurely from tobacco related-diseases.

Though, for a long time, smoking was considered a male activity – today, tobacco manufacturers quickly discovered the lucrative female market. Over the past few decades aggressive advertising campaigns to women by tobacco industries have successfully lured countless young women into the habit of smoking.

Tobacco companies have long understood the importance of women and girls in the overall market for cigarettes and as a source of new customers.

They have conducted extensive market research on the attitudes of women and girls to better understand how to target their products and their advertising. By focusing their research on how females view themselves, their aspirations and the social pressure they face, the tobacco companies have developed some of the most aggressive and sophisticated marketing campaigns in history for reaching and influencing women and girls.

The consequences of these campaigns are staggering. Smoking among girls and young women increased dramatically in the 1990s. Today, more than one out of every five high school girls is a current smoker (23 percent) and 18 percent of women still smoke.

The new World Health Organisation report – Women and Health: today’s evidence, tomorrow’s agenda – points to evidence that tobacco advertising increasingly targets girls. Data from 151 countries shows that about 7 per cent of adolescent girls smoke cigarettes as opposed to 12 per cent of adolescent boys. In some countries, almost as many girls smoke as boys.

On Monday new anti-smoking artwork for new billboards is being unveiled at Rarotonga Hospital.

• Community Health Services

Crew of vaka support vessel Ranui (from left) captain Richard Allen, Sam Moody, Nat Allen, Elliot Stead, Jesse Peokopavicious and Johanna Yliportimo all have new found respect for Pacific voyagers and especially for the crew that sailed the five sister canoes that reached Rarotonga on Friday night. 10053110

Crews on the vaka voyage support vessels Evohe, Foftein and Ranui have new found respect for Pacific voyagers, especially the crews that voyaged across the Pacific to Rarotonga.

The three vessels accompanied the four canoes of Matau O Maui (Aotearoa), Hine Moana (mixed nations), Uto ni Yalo (Fiji) and Cook Islands vaka Marumaru Atua from Auckland to Raivavae near Tahiti where they were joined by the fifth canoe from Tahiti, Faafaite.

In Tahiti the support vessels towed the doubled hulled canoes to the island due to lack of wind, and also towed them on their departure from the island.

While on the voyage, crews on the support vessels watched on as the massive canoes sped across the ocean using the traditional navigational methods of Pacific voyagers.

The crews on the support boats, including cameramen, had the opportunity to be part of the voyaging crew by learning some of the traditional navigational methods.

The cameramen captured the voyage for an environmental documentary to be called ‘Ocean Noise’ commissioned by German company Okenoa.

But the main filming for the documentary using the traditional canoes will be conducted next year when a longer voyage is planned from Aotearoa to Hawaii.

The current voyage by the sister canoes from Aotearoa to Tahiti and to Rarotonga is to provide training for the crew and to bring together the different Pacific nations for the common goal of reviving the ancient art of navigation as well as raising environmental issues affecting the Pacific and her ocean.

As their name suggests, the support vessels main responsibility is just that to offer support to the crews on the five canoes.

Their duties include restocking the water and food on the canoes and through technical support.

Cook Islands News caught up with the crew from Ranui – a ketch converted into a sail boat.

Ranui owner and captain Richard Allen explained that the ketch used to be owned by the New Zealand government as a ‘vice regal ship’ to conduct work across the Pacific territory.

He says that during World War II, Ranui was a spy ship of sorts, monitoring the goings on across the Pacific.

The vessel was built on Stewart Island in New Zealand by a Norwegian man called Larson.

Allen bought the craft some 15 years ago, an renovated the top deck on top of the original timber hull built from New Zealand totara and kauri.

Allen says that accompanying the traditional canoes has not only given him and his crew the opportunity to sail Ranui back to the Cook Islands but to also learn some of the traditional sailing techniques.

Allen says he has a personal interest in traditional navigation and is keen to promote this cultural tradition.

“The guys on the canoes have shown that they have conquered the seas,” Allen says.

“And the wind, waves and stars are their friends.”

The support vessels are expected to follow Matau O Maui, Hine Moana and Uto ni Yalo when they depart the islands on Thursday for Samoa and Tonga.

Ranui will follow Fiji vaka Uto ni Yalo back to Fiji while Hine Moana and Matau o Maui will continue on to Aotearoa.

Tahiti vaka Faafaite and Cook Islands vaka Marumaru Atua are also planning a short visit to Aitutaki this week.

An historical and emotional arrival pages 10-11

• Matariki Wilson

The Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) is advertising for a chief executive to fill the vacancy left by former head John Tini, who was suspended last year.

Employment applications close on June 16, so applicants have three weeks to apply.

A selection committee has not yet been confirmed, but financial secretary Kevin Carr has agreed to be part of it.

Acting chief executive Lloyd Miles said that CIIC hopes to have the applicants screened and shortlisted by June 23, on which date they will start interviewing selected candidates.

CIIC expects to appoint its new chief executive officer by June 30 and to activate his or her contract by July 5.

Miles said that he has already received some applications.

Tini is still suspended without remuneration pending ongoing police investigations, but technically able to re-apply.

“The (Tini) matter is sensitive and involves private contract matters so we are not prepared to comment any further at this time,” Miles said.

• Rachel Reeves

Telecom Cook Islands is warning its customers after a spam email was sent to its Oyster email customers asking for their account details.

Telecom marketing manager Mark Boyd said a message, currently circulating, is being sent purporting to be from Telecom.

He said the email was spam and advised people to delete it. He said steps are being made to eliminate the problem.

The bogus email reads as follows:

“Dear oyster Customer

There is an ongoing changes/upgrading in your E-mail Account, please send us your E-mail ID and password to enter into our database operating system for upgrading in other to avoid your account be close.”

• TCI

Winning designer Alex Ngarua with his no smoking design for the Cook Islands. 10053103

Tereora College student Alex Ngarua has won a competition to design a logo to promote a smoke free Cook Islands and a healthier future.

The logo was unveiled on No Tobacco Day yesterday at a ceremony at Rarotonga hospital. It is based on the globally recognised No Smoking symbol, but has a Cook Islands twist, making the country the Pacific nation with its own Smoke Free logo.

Ngarua explained his design saying that he felt it was important to use traditional designs to create a logo which meant something to the Cook Islands people. “The strip across the centre of the logo has two designs which represent the unity between people which is needed to involve everyone in stopping smoking.”

As Ngarua comes from Mangaia he used a Mangaian design along the bottom, and created the other designs himself.

The signs will be on display at the hospital, the Tupapa clinic and in front of the health administration building.

The global theme of this year’s No Tobacco Day is gender and tobacco, with agencies worldwide trying to highlight how women are targeted with marketing which plays to their aspirations. The Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, described tobacco as “ugly and deadly” and urged women to refrain from smoking, even under the increasing pressure from advertisers who work to associate smoking with gender liberation and beauty.

Heather Aitu-Webber, Acting Secretary of Health and Director of Hospital Services, echoed Ki-moon’s sentiments at the unveiling ceremony, saying “There is a need for women and young girls in the Cook Islands to be aware of how girls from other countries have been lured into smoking. If they never start, hopefully we can have a whole generation of non-smokers.”

As well as cancers, heart disease and stroke, risks to women from smoking include infertility and higher chance of miscarriage. Women who smoke will generally get far more wrinkles than non-smokers as they get older.

• NC

A three-day workshop on contingency planning for emergency response will be held in the Cook Islands from tomorrow until Thursday.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) on behalf of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UN RC) for Samoa, the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau and in partnership with Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) is conducting the workshop.

The workshop offers a unique opportunity to enhance coordination and cooperation between the UN, national and regional humanitarian organisations, the Red Cross movement and government agencies specialised in emergency response. The workshop will produce action plans to enable a coordinated and effective response to a range of natural disasters in the Cook Islands.

“The Pacific has been severely affected by disasters lately such as Cyclone Pat in Cook Islands, flooding in Fiji and the tsunami in Samoa”, Dr Baoping Yang, UN Resident Coordinator for the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tokelau and Niue, said

“Our region is one of complexity when it comes to disaster response and humanitarian assistance, due to the scattered populations across small islands separated by vast areas of ocean.

“Therefore careful planning, coordination and preparation are required so that we can respond appropriately during emergencies.”

Around 30 participants including representatives from seven humanitarian organisations, together with government representatives from the Cook Islands and the Pacific will participate in the workshop which will build on lessons learned from Cyclone Pat, which devastated Aitutaki in February.

Participants will explore how the Cook Islands disaster management structure can work with the international humanitarian system following significant disasters.  Through a simulation exercise, participants will be familiarised with basic contingency planning principles to which they will develop a response plan.

Contingency planning exercises have already been conducted in Vanuatu, Samoa and the Solomon Islands – OCHA will be continuing the preparedness programme with workshops planned for Tonga and North Pacific in late 2010.

• UN

Oohs and ahhs rang out from Avatea School’s room four students who were amazed at the size of the fire trucks and equipment at the Rarotonga crash fire department on Monday morning.

The class visited the crash fire department, airport terminal and airport tower as part of their theme studies communication and transportation.

The field study was an opportunity for the students to see firsthand how the people that work in the crash fire service, airport terminals and airport tower communicate and work together.

It was another exciting trip for the school children who were thrilled to learn how each sector of the airport operations work.

• Matariki Wilson

In an important milestone for Pacific Resort Rarotonga, the company’s commitment to environmental practices has been recognised by EarthCheck, the world’s leading sustainable travel and tourism certification organisation.

The EarthCheck programme is widely regarded as the world’s most scientifically rigorous. It measures key environmental indicators such as energy and water consumption, and total waste production as well as community commitment.

Using the EarthCheck tool, Pacific Resort Rarotonga committed to benchmarking local environmental and social issues such as biodiversity conservation, environmental investment and enhanced community socio-economic benefits.

This involves submitting a year’s worth of operational data, and having it compared to that of other communities of a similar kind.

They achieved Bronze Benchmarked status.

By taking such a holistic view of sustainability practices, Pacific Resort Rarotonga was able to identify where they were out-performing others, and where room for improvement remained.

The EarthCheck programme allows an organisation to compare its performance against that of others using more than a decade of factual, operational data, submitted by over 1000 communities, government entities and businesses in 60+ countries.

“I am delighted that Pacific Resort Rarotonga has achieved Benchmarked status,” Stewart Moore, chief executive of EC3 Global, said.

“Pacific Resort Rarotonga has recognised a maturing of the science behind climate change and environmental sustainability, and has chosen to apply the highest possible standard to their community.

“Going well beyond mere tick-box action is not an easy task. It requires the commitment of all staff, visitors and key stakeholders. Pacific Resort Rarotonga has emerged as an example of a community organisation committed to environmentally sustainable living, and the EarthCheck logo serves to demonstrate that their claims are credible.”

• Pacific Resort Rarotonga

Four domestic violence incidents were reported to police last week.

This included two men who now face possible charges for an alleged assault on a female, but police are still investigating.

Police say that the disputes turned violent because one or both parties had been drinking.

All up last week police responded to 58 incidents, 11 of which involved theft.

An Apple laptop computer was stolen from an Arorangi resort and another Arorangi hotel was broken into and money taken from a safety deposit box.

A hired motorcycle was also vandalised and a number of personal items were removed from under the seat, which the driver said was locked.

“Police would like to urge the public to take extra precautions when leaving your properties unattended and ensure that your premises are safe from break-ins or someone is present at home at all times,” Constable Alan Rua said.

Last week, police arrested three people for driving while disqualified, and at the weekend, one driver was arrested for excess breath alcohol.

A Te Aponga Uira pick-up truck crashed into a pole across the road from Palace Takeaways in Avatiu on Saturday at about 2.30am.

The 21-year-old driver was arrested for excess breath alcohol.

At around midnight on Saturday, a 14-year-old boy crashed his motorbike in an Aroa driveway. He suffered minor injuries and scratches to both hands and was transported to hospital, but discharged shortly after.

Police have yet to determine what charges, if any, to lay against him or possibly his parents for allowing an unlicensed person to drive.

• Rachel Reeves

Those that witnessed the arrival of the five voyaging double-hulled canoes at Avana harbour on Saturday are still overwhelmed by the historical and emotional landing of the vaka.

Cook Islands vaka Marumaru Atua lead the fleet of Tahiti vaka Faafaite, Fiji vaka Uto ni Yalo, Aotearoa vaka Matau O Maui and mixed nations vaka Hine Moana to Rarotonga from Raiatea and into the Avana harbour.

Today we feature more images from the moving welcoming ceremony by photojournalist

• Matariki Wilson.

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Vaka Te Matau O Maui photographed sailing around Rarotonga by local photographer William Tuiravakai onboard the Heli-Raro chopper on Saturday afternoon. 10053118

 

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Spectators pack in to awatch the arrival of the voyaging vaka fleet. 10053033

 

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Cook Islands voyagers Ian Karika, Jamaal Pakitoa and Amosa Tatuava back on home soil. 10053036

 

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Young Cook Islands voyagers (from left) Harry Goodwin, Jamaal Pakitoa and Amosa Tatuava chill out after a thunderous welcome home. 10053056

 

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Accomplished vaka voyager Harry Goodwin back home on solid ground. 10053052

 

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Matahi Tutavae is welcomed to Rarotonga by his family. 10053062

 

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Vaka Marumaru Atua in Cook Islands waters. Photo by Ewan Smith 10053080

 

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Smoke on land signals the vaka to berth at Avana harbour where a large crowd of people await to welcome the sailors home. 10053025

 

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Vaka Matau O Maui and Hine Moana make their way into the Avana harbour. 10053074

 

2010 most promising junior female dancer of the year Issabelle Nikoro of Arorangi SchooL. 10052802

Last Thursday’s Dancer of the Year competition was a combined junior, intermediate and senior dance show.

The junior dancers really showed that they are passionate about our Cook Islands culture and their performances warmed the heart of every Cook Islander in the near-full national auditorium.

Dancers became more polished and fluid in the intermediate and senior sections but it was the junior dancers that bravely took to the stage first.

Vetina Nicholas won the junior female dancer of the year and Teaui Rairoa won the junior male dancer of the year title.

The champion dancer of the year titles were won by Mary Taio and Gideon Ama in the intermediate section while Teariki Mateariki and Uirangi Bishop won the senior dancer of the year titles in the male and female sections respectively.

- Matariki Wilson

For those who think they might enjoy cruising around the island on a bicycle, but think that sounds a bit too ambitious, there’s always the option of the ‘eco-cycle’, or the electric bicycle.

When pedalling seems too strenuous, just switch to battery power, sit back and enjoy the view.

Polynesian Bike Hire has 40 electric bicycles at branches around the island – at Muri, Edgewater, the Rarotongan and two in Avarua.

The machines don’t run on an engine, but on a battery that can be charged in a wall socket.

“We’re trying something new,” manager Arthur Pickering said. “And we think it will start to pick up.”

Pickering said that the cycles have attracted interest from locals and tourists alike because they are easy to use and don’t require expensive fuel.

The electric bike is faster and less physically demanding than a pushbike, but cheaper to run and creates less pollution than a motorbike. It’s a happy medium, Pickering noted.

He said that Polynesian Bike Hire is “still fiddling” with hourly rates, as it’s a new venture.

The company is also considering donating a portion of the profits from electric bike hire to an environmental organisation or a function like Lagoon Day.

• Rachel Reeves

As part of an effort to look after the personal interests of its employees, CITC asked life insurance brokers Shaun Gallagher and Richard Fisher to give a presentation on the benefits of buying life insurance.

Gallagher and Fisher represent Share NZ, a brokerage firm that works with Sovereign, which is a life insurance company owned by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The pair has been working to insure Cook Islanders for many years.

CITC invited them to talk to staff because it felt that its employees had little opportunity to discuss insurance questions with trained advisers outside of working hours.

Last week, Gallagher and Fisher spoke to CITC employees about life insurance, reasons to purchase it and how to do so.

They explained the fundamental difference between life insurance and other forms of insurance. For example, auto insurance covers car crashes and guarantees that the company pays for any accident-induced damage. If a person’s house burns down, but he or she has home insurance, the company pledges to re-build the home.

But if a person dies and leaves his or her family with nothing, effectively terminating the flow of income, that’s where life insurance becomes important.

It ensures that a person’s family is reimbursed and able to re-pay outstanding loans and mortgages in the event that he or she passes away.

Gallagher and Fisher said they were impressed with CITC for looking after its staff by educating them about the benefits of buying life insurance.

“The presentation was attended with keen interest and the request from staff for follow-up information has been overwhelming,” Gallagher said.

• Rachel Reeves

Police have got the ball rolling on a new initiative to reach out to groups of non-Cook Islanders living in the country.

The programme aims to forge links between police and resident groups who might speak foreign languages or lack an understanding of their legal rights in the Cook Islands.

Constable Alan Rua recently organised the second ‘ethnic groups’ meeting.

He said that in hindsight, he chose the wrong day as it overlapped with the sports awards, but still, a group of Samoans were able to attend.

Rua said their main concern was drunk driving and they raised questions about the legal limit for breath alcohol and the consequences of an excess breath alcohol charge.

Rua was able to choose a representative who will serve as the police liaison for the Samoan community, who can act as a go-between and serve as an interpreter for Samoans who end up in the legal system and cannot communicate with police.

In a previous meeting last month, Rua identified contact points in the Fiji, Filipino, Malaysian and Indo-Fijian communities.

The next meeting will take place next month.

• Rachel Reeves

Helen Corban. 10060113

New Zealand personal business management coach Helen Corban will be in Rarotonga later this month to run a one-day time management seminar.

With over 20 years experience in corporate training and coaching Helen works with small businesses to help them achieve success and to work proactively.

Corban said she was coming to Rarotonga to work with a client she met in NZ in February and decided to also offer the seminar.

“Most of my work is time management training/coaching and personal/business coaching,”

Corban said

“I do the occasional seminar to groups.

The target market is business people who want to be organised, productive and proactive in the current challenging market.”

The seminar will be held on Thursday, June 10 at the Cook Islands AOG church at Avarua.

Corban said the seminar will present generic time management principles and tools but participants should customise the seminar to their business.

She said she will be available from June 11-18 to follow up with participants and do some coaching if relevant.

To register people can contact Corban at helen@reachpotential.co.nz or call Helen Tatuava at Shekinah Services on 26004 or 55717.

For further information go to www.reachpotential.co.nz

Bon voyage – Irish sailor Stephen Hyde sets sail from Rarotonga after a chance meeting with a local family in Tahiti had him plotting a course for the Cooks. 10052887

Irish sailor Stephen Hyde, who was on Rarotonga for a short stop over while on a round the world sailing trip, will promote Rarotonga through song, verse and dance after a magic time here.

Coming to Rarotonga was actually not on the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers’ course, organised by the world cruising club as the world’s largest annual trans-ocean sailing event.

National park Suwarrow is the port of call for the 27 sailing vessels in the current year long round the world cruise because of its larger berthing area compared to Avatiu harbour.

And Hyde was on course for Suwarrow, but while he was in Bora Bora he met locals John and Anne Tierney.

And as they chattered they discovered that the world is not as big as it seems.

It just so happened that one of Hyde’s good friend’s sons, Rory Quirke, is married to John and Anne Tierney’s daughter.

“It was just pure accident that I bumped into the Tierneys and found this interesting connection,” Hyde says.

“They invited us to Rarotonga and I’m so glad we came.”

“This place is just magic. I’ve run out of words to describe my magical experience here from meeting warm and hospitable locals to the scenery.”

“Plus Rarotonga is way more economical than where we have just come from!”

“I mean I bought six bottles of wine the other day for the same price as one in Bora Bora!”

Hyde also hosted the Tierney family and visiting former All Black Josh Kronfeld and family to dinner on his Royal County Cork registered ‘Oyster 56’ cutter sailing yacht.

Hyde was also very proud to declare that the County Cork yacht club in Ireland is the oldest sailing club in the world established in 1720.

Hyde and with his wife and a crew member began their year-long trip in January from St Lucia and the trip will end back in St Lucia in December.

When CI News caught up with Hyde last week his wife had flown back to Ireland to meet their new grandchild, and crew member Donald was in the Rarotonga hospital after a scooter mishap.

The pair will meet him on his next stop Niue.

Hyde departed Rarotonga for Niue on Thursday where he said he was going to spend some time on the internet to share the Rarotonga magic with as many sailors as he could.

“There’s just this relaxed feeling about the place, the religious singing was fantastic and everything about Rarotonga is absolutely fantastic.”

• Matariki Wilson

Marumaru Atua female crew members Angelie Robinson (left) and Jasmine Hemopo. 10060150

There was no special treatment for Marumaru Atua female crew members Angelie Robinson and Jasmine Hemopo.

And they wouldn’t have it any other way.

The young women pulled their weight and did their share of duties on the Cook Islands’ vaka, from cooking duties, to early morning watches and steering the double hulled canoe.

The pair have formed a strong sisterly bond and say they couldn’t have done the voyage without each other.

Robinson, a marine biologist, and Hemopo a seventh form student from Hamilton and the youngest voyager on the rediscovery voyager, come from two different worlds.

But Hemopo says when they first met, they instantly gravitated to each other.

Together they sailed north of Auckland for a short five day voyage to Waitangi for the national celebrations in early February.

On how they made the decision to rough it and journey across the Pacific, Hemopo replied, “Why not!”

And with that the young women waved ka kite to their families in Auckland and set a course south of New Zealand.

The pair were the only female crew on Marumaru Atua before being joined by Sarah Moreland in Tahiti for the final leg to Rarotonga.

“We sailed south first before we caught the winds east,” Hemopo said.

“It was really cold the further south we went and I was wearing thermal after thermal.”

“Going to the toilet was a mission,” laugh the two sailors.

And as the vaka set a course to Raivavae the pair say that the tropical conditions made things more pleasant and it was off with the thermals.

But as each day passed and routines set in, they began to yearn for land.

“And when we saw the island, Raivavae, we cried so much,” Robinson said.

“We were so overwhelmed.”

The women also filled their days on board the vaka learning the art of traditional navigation and voyaging.

From the vaka equipment to learning the names of key navigational stars and reading the clouds, wind and waves.

Learning the ancient art has fuelled Robinson’s desire to not only learn more about her Cook Islands culture including traditional navigation but to share this knowledge.

With the initial 19-day voyage from New Zealand to Raivavae under their belts, sailing became more enjoyable for the sailors as their voyagers around Tahiti were short island hopping excursions before the very speedy voyage to Rarotonga for the moving welcoming ceremony at Avana.

And they would do it all again and hope to be included in future voyagers.

The one thing that they won’t miss though will be the small bunks in the canoe’s hull and corned beef of which $1000 worth was bought and put on board.

“We had corned beef just about the whole way here corned beef, rice and taro and corned beef stew,” Robinson said.

“Did you mention the corned beef stew,” jokes Hemopo.

“It was everything I imagined it would be and more.”

“And a couple of shocks!” Robinson adds.

For now, Robinson will be grounded in Rarotonga for a while and Jasmine will fly back home to New Zealand to get her head back in her seventh form text books.

• Matariki Wilson

John Minksy the Tokelau/Samoan watch captain, and Mark Gondard, French captain of the mixed nation Hene Moana Vaka. 10060109

A fleet of three vaka head off to Samoa tomorrow on the next leg of their historical journey. The mixed nations vaka Hine Moana, Fiji’s Uto ni Yalo, and Aotearoa’s Te Matau O Maui.

The crew of 17 aboard the Hine Moana are captained by Frenchman Gondard and have so far completed an epic voyage from New Zealand, to Ravivavae, Tahiti, Raiatea and now, Rarotonga. After Samoa they will be sailing back to New Zealand. Alongside the Aotearoa vaka Te Matau O Maui the Hine Moana will have covered the largest distance out of all of the vaka.

Crew members had ancestry from all over the world, including Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Tokelau, Tahiti, Canada and Denmark.

The Hine Moana (lady of the sea) went through some tough times to reach us.

“We had a twelve hour period where we were between bands of high and low pressure. It was rough and we had some big waves. The first leg from New Zealand was hard. It was cold down at 38 degrees south – cold enough to keep the veggies chilled and the butter hard! We had the kettle on 24/7 and we were all fighting over who was going to paddle just to keep warm,” Gondard said.

Although they had a few big waves and some frosty conditions to contend with, watch-captain John Misky said that the weather was behind them all the way, especially on the way into Rarotonga.

“The wind was right behind us over the last two and a half days so we had a smooth ride getting here.”

The crew ate a lot of fish on the voyage as well as fruit and vegetables to keep them healthy.

“I know some of the vaka were relying on corned beef, but I wanted to make sure we had fresh food every day,” Gondard said

The mixed nations crew are all young sailors with experience enough to follow the fleet. But they had no navigators on board, so were grateful for the opportunity to learn about using the stars from veteran navigators aboard Cook Islands vaka Marumaru Atua.

The mixed nations’ crew are staying together for the next leg, and have picked up one additional crew member in the Cook Islands a cameraman from New Zealand who is travelling with the vaka to capture the next leg of the voyage.

• NC

Moana Degage, Fai Robati and Jean-Pierre Teriitahi of the Faafaite crew kick back at Tahiti Cafe. 10060119

The Tahitian crew of Faafaite have been enjoying themselves on Rarotonga, jumping between ceremonies, meet-and-greets, parties and hearty kaikai.

Crew member Moana Degage said the crew was ‘really lucky’ to have experienced such fair weather conditions and to have completed the journey from Raiatea to Rarotonga in just three days.

The crew set sail from Tahiti in mid-May and dropped anchor at Raivavae days later. Next it was off to Moorea, and then to Raiatea before heading for the Cooks.

They caught two marlin, a small tuna and a barracuda, but Degage joked that though everyone onboard was pleased, they would have been happier with mahimahi.

Captain Teva Plichart said the experience was ‘marvelous’ and noted that the best part of the journey was the opportunity to forge friendships with men and women from all over the region.

“We thought it would take a few days but it only took a few minutes (to get to know them),” he said. “(The longer) we sailed, (the more) they felt like family.”

Plichart said that he was proud of his crew, most of which had little to no previous sailing experience.

“One was a mountain guide and one was a fisherman, so he knew the sea but not the sailing,” he said.

Still, the skipper wasn’t nervous.

Plichart said that his first priority was teaching the crew how to sail, which didn’t leave much time for training in or teaching the art of navigating by the stars.

Degage joked that there was a ‘little bit of fighting’ onboard between those who wanted to navigate only by the stars and those who preferred using a compass and GPS.

So, to compromise, the crew relied on both methods, and today will attend a training session with Tua Pittman to learn the art of celestial navigation.

Faafaite crew member Manuia Pambrun jumped on board the Marumaru Atua before it left Raiatea, and fell in with the Cook Islands crowd right away.

Pambrun called the Cook Islands sailors ‘masters’, and said that though he had logged sailing experience just around Tahiti and Raiatea, he picked up a wealth of knowledge about the sea and the stars from the Marumaru Atua crew. He flew back to Tahiti yesterday.

Another Faafaite crew member, Titaua, will sail back to Fiji with the Ulo ni Yalo crew and fly home to Raivavae from there.

The remaining crew will board the vaka tomorrow, weather permitting, to sail home.

Degage estimates that the journey will take a bit longer than the trip here – between 7 and 10 days due to a wind from the northeast.

He hopes that this historic voyage will be the impetus for a stronger and more comprehensive Pacific Voyaging Society, in which each island state is actively represented.

Degage added that the best part of the voyage was the whole thing.

“The best part was from the beginning to the end, but it wasn’t the end,” he said. “I hope it goes until infinity, and I hope the children of my children do this.”

• Rachel Reeves

The crew of the vaka Uto ni Yalo and members of the Rarotonga Fiji community enjoy some kava at St Joseph’s Catholic hall on Saturday night. 2 100690102

The crew of the Fiji vaka Uto ni Yalo have been made to feel at home since arriving in Rarotonga.

Members of the local Fiji community have been looking after the crew since their arrival, welcoming them with the qaloqalovi (traditional welcome) when they set foot at Avana on Saturday afternoon.

Since then the Fiji community has divided itself up and taken turns feeding and looking after the crew as well as taking them for some sight-seeing.

On Saturday night the crew were taken to their base at the St Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral basement where the sevusevu (presentation) ceremony, that could not be completed at Avana, was done.

Vaka team leader Manoa Rasigatale then spoke about their crew’s voyage so far and crew members were introduced.

One crew member who caused a stir was Titaua from Raivavae who adopted the Fiji crew as his own and is now travelling with them. He has even been given a Fijian name Tevita and he drew much applause and delight when he introduced himself in faltering English as Tevita to the local Fiji community.

It was then down to the ‘serious’ business of kava drinking which allowed the crew and community to relax and get to know each other.

While accommodation has been provided for the crew at St Joseph’s a number of crew members have been hosted by the Fiji community, to enjoy perhaps a few home comforts before they set off tomorrow for their next leg to Samoa and then on to Tonga before the final leg home.

The crew has been able to carry out some repairs to their vaka while they have been here.

Rasigatale said at 63-years-old the voyage has been one of the highlights of his life.

He said his family thought he was a bit crazy when he initially told them he was undertaking the journey.

Rasigatale himself is an identity in Fiji for the work he has done preserving and promoting Fijain culture, tradition, language and performing arts. He has been involved in the promotion and revival of Fijian culture for well over 30 years.

In more recent time he has become the star of TV show ‘We Ni Yava’ (footprints) on MaiTV in Fiji where the significance of Fijian culture is promoted.

Another crew member of note is former athletics track star Salome Tabuatalei who was the flag bearer for Fiji at last year’s Pacific Mini Games in Rarotonga. She is a dual international and competed last year in outrigger canoeing.

Prior to leaving Fiji the crew underwent rigorous physical training, including swimming and road running, to get them into shape for the journey.

Rasigatale said once back in Fiji the Uto ni Yalo will be sailed all over the country to teach a new generation about traditional sailing methods.

There is a planned round Rarotonga voyage today by Uto ni Yalo today. The Fiji vaka is due back in Suva on the last weekend of this month.

• Martin Tiffany

Traditional navigator Tua Pittman and members of the support and voyaging crew share their experiences. 10060152

A beach party in Nikao was the perfect time for vaka voyagers to swap stories and have a jam.

Voyaging crews from the five vaka and support crews were hosted on Tuesday night by the benefactor of the Pacific Voyage project, Dita Paulman of Germany and the Cook Islands Voyaging Society.

For all involved, the voyage from Aotearoa to Raivavae and Tahiti to Rarotonga has sealed them in a special bond.

This includes the support crews who couldn’t speak highly enough of the Pacific voyaging double hulled vaka Matau O Maui (Aotearoa), Faafaite (Tahiti), Hine Moana (mixed nation), Uto ni Yalo (Fiji), Marumaru Atua (Cook Islands) and her sailing warriors from across the Pacific.

Former Cook Islands prime minister, the late Tom Davis, was also honoured for reviving the art of traditional navigation and vaka building.

He was never far from the minds and hearts of the voyagers as it was his design for vaka Te Au O Tonga that the five voyaging canoes were modelled on.

The sailors then brought out the ukulele and guitars for a jam session under the stars a favourite pastime for the voyagers on their long journey to Rarotonga.

• Matariki Wilson

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