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General News

Week ending Wednesday, 16 May, 2012

Current events and entertainment in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.

Suicide survey aimed at parents, caregivers
More detail promised in this year’s Budget
Health specialists coming
Dredge Kimahia due in port todayay
PSC’s role stipulated
Justice closes for Budget talk
Culture, dance Kate’s passions
Soren Larsen visits Avatiu
2 more dengue cases under test
Another welcome
Tuna brand about ‘feeding the people’
Floating laboratory passes through
Naomi returning
Dredge still on way
New regular northern shipping service confirmed
Patrick proves it’s possible
Pa promotes the coconut
3 dancers on Japan mission
Candlelight vigil to raise AIDS awareness
BTIB suggests an investment ‘bond’
Review needed on investor screening
Teen enters pageant ‘to gain confidence’
PM estimates energy overhaul at $800m
Busy work sheet for health minister
Bishop helps identify Pacific priorities
Film challenge accepting scripts
Calling out tech-savvy girls
3 ministers abroad next week
Minister meets with DSM hopeful
Slim win in Manihiki
Seven vaka set sail for Aitutaki
Roadside contracts in community control
Police drop Tini investigation

BCI operations supervisor Simona Aumetua and Youth Suicide Prevention Steering Committee chairwoman Vania Kenning are encouraging as many Cook Islands parents and guardians as possible to complete a survey on suicide and it impacts. 12051501

Parents and guardians are being asked to share their experiences and thoughts on suicide and how it is affecting the Cook Islands as part of the national response to the issue.

A survey is currently being distributed to parents and caregivers through Rarotonga’s schools as the second part of a national committee formed by the Cook Islands government to gather information on the attitudes, suspected causes, impacts and responses to suicide in the country.

A national youth survey taking in about 1200 Cook Islands youth has already been conducted and the Youth Suicide Prevention Steering Committee, as it is known, is now focusing on collecting information from Cook Islands parents and caregivers.

The committee’s chairwoman Vania Kenning said the survey included a wide range of (35) questions in order to best gather a spectrum of responses from the people being surveyed.

She encouraged as many people as possible to finish the confidential survey by the end of this week.

As an incentive, the school that brings in the highest number of responses by this Friday will win a digital camera.

Volunteers from the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) will collect surveys from Rarotonga’s schools every afternoon from 2pm. Alternatively, people can also drop them off at the bank’s Avarua office.

To help assist anyone with questions, BCI operations supervisor Simona Aumetua said bank staff would be manning a desk at the office from 8.30am onwards. He said the bank and its management sought to help out in how they could to find solutions in aid of Cook Islands youth. Once the survey is collected, Kenning said staff from the Ministry of Education would be put to use collating the results from next week.

She said the committee hoped to have some results ready about a week after the surveys are brought in.The information collected in the parents and caretakers survey will be added alongside the youth survey already conducted.

The committee will then use this information to approach service providers in the Cook Islands on how the country can best shape its response to preventing suicide.

Meanwhile, discussions with New Zealand telephone help line Youthline are progressing.

Youthline and the steering committee are currently finalising plans for the impending launch of the help line’s services in the Cook Islands.

Two Cook Islands counsellors have already travelled to New Zealand to provide training for Youthline staff.

The service is expected to expand to the Cook Islands by the end of the month.

• Eric Parnis

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management is promising that this year’s budget documents will be ”far more detailed“ than in past years.

Financial secretary Richard Neves says the budget will be presented in the form of three booklets – the general overview, a breakdown of ministry-related expenses and a book detailing capital.

The first booklet will be ”far bigger“ than past budget breakdowns and contains an entire chapter on debt – the size and nature of it, exchange risks, an itemised analysis of development assistance and the whereabouts of social responsibility fund money.

The second booklet the ministry will release relates to the expenditures of government entities. It analyses ministries’ past and current performance and their medium-term work plans. Neves says past budget documents ”never gave much attention“ to the details of ministry budgets, making this year’s statement more revealing and comprehensive. Also setting this year’s budget apart is its scope – it provides figures for the 2012-13 period, but includes further baseline data for 2013-14 and 2014-15.

The final booklet the ministry has prepared is a capital book, which was among the recommendations drafted by the Economic Task Force.

The document will itemise the country’s capital expenses and the projects to which they relate.

Each project will be broken down into further detail about its cost, location and objective.

”This is about trying to provide businesses with some certainty about what’s going to happen into the future,“ Neves said, noting that the booklet will give local businesses an idea of the projects coming up for tender.

This year’s budget conforms to GFS (government finance statistics), an internationally-recognised budgeting method.

• Rachel Reeves

It has been some time since a full team of ear, nose and throat (ENT) health specialists have visited the Cook Islands. Over the next month a group of New Zealand medical specialists in the ENT area, and also audiology (hearing) and orthopaedics (bones) will be visiting both Rarotonga and Aitutaki.

One of the first to arrive is nurse Diane Hamilton from Tauranga, who has been assisting with health checks in the Cook Islands for 15 years.

On Monday she will begin audio testing on any students which were identified in the recent school health checks by the Public Health team, followed by testing in Aitutaki. Any identified hearing issues will then be referred on to audiologist Scott Wright. Bookings are being taken by Doris Taripo for ENT and audiology issues and Teupoko Tutaka-Glassie for orthopaedic. Phone the hospital on 22664 Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.

• RS

The dredge Kimahia 12051511

The dredge Kimahia (pictured at work in New Zealand) is expected to arrive in Avatiu this afternoon.

It will take several days to get the equipment operational following the tow from New Zealand.

The two hopper barges which will be used to transport the material from the dredge to the offloading point on the wharf arrived earlier this week and are moored at the south wharf. It is anticipated that dredging will start on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

The 100-tonne, barge mounted excavator is the biggest of its kind in New Zealand. About 80,000 cubic metres of material will be lifted from the harbour floor over the next 10 to 12 weeks.

The Public Service Act 2009 stipulates that the public service commissioner acts as chairperson of the committee which appoints heads of ministries.

Schedule two of the act provides that the commissioner should chair the committee, which also comprises three members recommended by Cabinet and one member representing the ‘Public Service Association’ (in this case the Cook Islands Workers Association).

On Monday, Cook Islands News published a letter (headlined ‘Lacks balance’) from a member of the community who was concerned that the commissioner chairing the committee constituted a conflict of interest.

”Is it appropriate that the chair of the selection panel is the public service commissioner? He is ultimately the employer?“ the writer asked. In response, commissioner Russell Thomas provided a copy of the legislation. ”This is what’s been legislated. Since 2009 (when the act came into effect), the chair has always been the commissioner,“ Thomas said.

Thomas noted that the other members of the committee – Niki Rattle, Te Aroa Tini and Nga Mataio – were chosen on their merits and professional and social qualifications.

The committee will be interviewing shortlisted applicants over the coming weeks.

More than 60 people applied for the 10 heads of ministries jobs, which include the positions of secretaries of agriculture, justice, education, internal affairs, cultural development, health, transport and infrastructure and planning as well chief executive officer with the Office of the Public Service Commissioner and chief of staff at the Office of the Prime Minister.

Thomas will report to cabinet in early June with the panel’s recommendations. Successful candidates will assume their three-year positions from July 1.

• Rachel Reeves

The Ministry of Justice will be closed to the public this morning.Until 12pm, ministry staff will be tied up with budget discussions, but after midday the ministry will be available to serve the public.

”The MOJ (Ministry of Justice) is not closing shop tomorrow – what happens to public access is not available until 12pm, after that members of the public can access the services of the MOJ. The reason is that I will be making a presentation to the employees to inform them of our budget submission and other management issues,“ justice secretary Tingika Elikana said.

”It is hoped that once the employees are aware of the direction for the MOJ in the next budget, they will buy into it. It will also be an opportunity to remind them of the code of conduct for public servants as set out under the Public Service Act 2009.“

Regular hours will resume tomorrow. The budget support group has submitted its final report to Cabinet, which has until June 7 to finalise a budget document.

• Rachel Reeves

Miss Cook Islands News Kate Ngatokorua was unveiled yesterday as the third Miss Cook Islands contestant to enter the fray. Here, she signs a sponsorship agreement with Cook Islands News and the Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association. 12051502

Miss Cook Islands News Kate Ngatokorua – a former Miss Tiare winner – will be representing the island of Mangaia in her campaign to clinch the national title. 12051508

Born and bred in Mangaia, Miss Cook Islands News Kate Ngatokorua is paving the way for young and talented women from the pa enua.

Upon announcing Kate as the third pageant contestant to enter the fray, Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association (MCIPA) president Clee Marsters called attention to her outer islands roots.

”We’re excited to welcome contestant number three on board,“ he said. ”We’re excited that Kate is an outer islands-born and bred contestant – we don’t have many coming from the outer islands and we’re excited she’s joined and will be representing the people of Mangaia.“

Hailing from the village of Oneroa, the 21-year-old graphic designer was educated at Mangaia School and Tereora College. She has been working for Cook Islands News as a graphic artist since she was 17, and her employer agreed to sponsor her Miss Cook Islands campaign on the basis that she is an ”excellent employee“.

”Kate is a great example and a stellar employee,“ Cook Islands News managing editor John Woods said. ”This is her chance to shine in a field she’s passionate about – in dance and performance – and we simply want to help make that possible and to enable her to compete successfully and represent us in so doing.“

Kate confirms she is passionate about culture and dance – she is the star of the Te Vara Nui show three nights a week – and speaks te reo fluently.

Having won Miss Tiare in 2006, Kate figured joining Miss Cook Islands was just the next logical step.

”Miss Tiare was a lot of fun – I met new people and gained confidence in speaking onstage so I thought I’d try the next one.“

She anticipates the biggest challenge of the pageant will be answering questions on the final night, but is for the most part unfazed. She was born for the stage.

”I find performing onstage is my escape from the stresses in life – onstage nothing matters, it’s just you, the stage and the audience.“

One particular member of the Te Vara Nui audience picked up on her grace and stage presence – recently the New Zealand Herald ran a story in its travel section calling Kate a ”lovely captor“ and a ”great beauty“.

Kate is also a member of Rotaract because, she says, it provides her with the opportunity to give back to the community.

Her chaperone is Keren Aviu, and she will be representing Mangaia.

• Rachel Reeves

The crew and travellers of the Soren Larsen while in Rarotonga on overcast Monday. 12051410

Tallship Soren Larsen is currently in the Cook Islands, taking its crew of Australians, New Zealanders, Englishmen, Americans and Swedes, on a long journey through the Pacific.

The Soren Larsen, which was used in the BBC TV-series Onedin Line, will stay within the Cook Islands waters until the end of the month.

During its time here it will be making stop at Aitutaki, Palmerston Island and Suwarrow before heading on to Samoa in a massive U-turn through the Pacific.

The ship has already stopped in at New Zealand and will travel on to Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia before heading back to Sydney, it’s initial point of departure.

There are about 14 temporary sailors and 13 professional crew members aboard the Soren Larson on its current trip.

The temporary members can join and leave the journey at various points on its trip.

Soren Larsen is a large wooden square-rigger, 44 metres long including 32 metres on deck, almost eight metres wide and with 30-metre high brigantine rigs.

The Soren Larsen is currently owned by Sydney Harbour Tallships and is registered in the Cook Islands.

• Eric Parnis

Two new possible cases of dengue fever are being tested following a confirmed report of three cases two weeks ago.

Yesterday, the two possible new cases of the disease had been identified but not yet confirmed.

Two people were found to be carrying signs of having the disease and they are currently undergoing another blood test to confirm or rule out initial tests.

Two rounds of testing are needed to confirm a person as being a carrier of dengue fever.

A person who has previously contracted the disease can show a false positive in the first round of tests and a follow-up analysis is needed before the person can be confirmed as a current carrier.

A 10-day waiting period between tests is required and the people are expected to undergo the follow-up test this week.

In the meantime, three people have been confirmed as being infected in the first outbreak of dengue fever in the Cook Islands since 2009.

Public health officials say the number of dengue fever cases in the Cook Islands was expected to expand quicker than it had since the first three cases were confirmed almost two weeks ago.

So far, the spread has been much slower than previous outbreaks and health officials are hoping that the disease will not be as pervasive as in years gone by.

The public is being asked to remain vigilant in stopping the spread of dengue fever by removing possible mosquito breeding grounds from their properties and by taking measures to prevent mosquito bites.

• Eric Parnis

Pacific Voyagers perform a haka for hundreds of delighted Aitutakians at Arutanga Harbour on Monday night. 12051581

Mixed crews from the Pacific Voyagers expedition unite for a haka in front of their hosts in Aitutaki. 12051499

More than a year after leaving Avarua Harbour, the sons and daughters of the Cook Islands aboard Marumaru Atua are coming home.

Aitutaki staged the Cook Islands’ major welcoming ceremony on Monday, but a follow-up welcome is being arranged for Rarotonga.

The vaka are expected to arrive under full sail at around 2pm tomorrow, and will be coming into Avatiu Harbour, not into Avana as they did in 2010.

The blowing of the conch will signal their arrival, the exact timing of which will depend on weather and wind conditions during their journey from Aitutaki.

Committees have been organised to welcome each vaka – the Samoan community has arranged to provide ei and food for the Samoan crew aboard Gaualofa, the Aotearoa Society has offered to take care of the Te Matau A Maui crew, the local Tahitian community will be welcoming Faafaite and so forth.

Light refreshments will be available for the incoming voyagers at Avatiu Harbour, but the big to-do will not be until Friday night.

The 120 voyagers will be free to roam Rarotonga and catch up with friends and family on Thursday evening. On Friday morning, Rarotonga school children will have the opportunity to go aboard the vaka, which will be tied up at Avatiu.

The voyagers are planning to march through the Avarua township at around 4pm on Friday, ending their parade at the Punanga Nui marketplace.

Business Trade and Investment Board is planning a special night market for Friday evening, which will kick off with a dinner for the voyaging crews.

The market will be open to the public, and from 6pm the microphone will be open for the voyagers to talk about their epic journey and the environmental messages they are sailing to promote.

While all things sailing are weather-dependent, the crews are expected at this stage to depart Rarotonga on Monday.

• Rachel Reeves

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Voyaging canoes make their way to iconic One Foot island on a turquoise Aitutaki lagoon. 12051567

 

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Voyagers from Fiji vaka Uto Ni Yalo play a game of touch rugby on One Foot Island. 12051550

 

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Te Marumaru Atua crew member and scribe Alex Olah rips into a passionate haka in Aitutaki on Monday. His mum was in the crowd. 1 120514101

 

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Fiji crew members turned warriors aboard vaka Uto Ni Yalo as it enters Arutanga harbour in Aitutaki on Monday. 12051477

 

The Cook Islands Golden Tuna label released last week. 12050906

Combine a flying tuna with 15 stars, a splash of green, yellow and blue, and the creative thoughts of some Cook Islands youth and you have the new Cook Islands Golden Tuna logo.

The finished piece, which combines elements of designs by students Dennise Nanai, Tekake William and Joshua Milne, features a green and yellow design on blue background centred around a tuna surrounded by the Cook Islands’ 15 stars.

Minister for Marine Resources and Education Teina Bishop officially released the finished design along with the early stages of plans to have the brand reach the Cook Islands and beyond.

Bishop and the Cook Islands government will now begin engaging the private sector to see how the Cook Islands could best market and distribute the brand.

The Cook Islands will use United States-based tuna brand StarKist to package and distribute the Golden Tuna product.

StarKist has a packing base in Pago Pago that the Cook Islands will use to re-label the brand’s existing range of products made up of albacore tuna fished in Cook Islands waters with the Golden Tuna label.

The brand will be the government’s main vehicle to bring cheap and healthy sources of protein for the Cook Islands people. Bishop said it was due time thet the Cook Islands began receiving back some of the tuna that are fished in its waters.

He said the venture was aimed at opening up an affordable source of protein for the people of the Cook Islands.

There are also plans to engage Pacific Islands Trade and Invest to market the product in New Zealand, Australia and possibly China.

Bishop said the plan was to use StarKist’s Pago Pago plant and equipment to package the product, rather than build a new industry here in the Cook Islands.

When asked if the plan effectively meant the Cook Islands was buying back its own tuna, Bishop said that the licensing fees and savings created by using the Pago Pago plant made the plan worthwhile for the Cook Islands.

”This is about feeding the Cook Islands people,“ he said.

The government and StarKist have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to govern the project. Bishop said the government would now contact the chamber of commerce to find out how the private sector and government can best work together on the product. He is hopeful that the Golden Tuna brand will be available for purchase by the end of the year.

• Eric Parnis

The 100-metre Dorado Discovery took on spare parts and other provisions in the Cook Islands on its way to its next exploratory job. PHOTO CRUISE COOK ISLANDS 12051409

A 100-metre long floating science laboratory has passed by the Cook Islands on its way to Mexico.

The ‘Dorado Discovery’ stopped at Rarotonga over the weekend to take on supplies and drop off crew members on its voyage across the Pacific.

The Dorado Discovery carries out underwater and deep sea research and mapping, which can be used to locate ship wrecks, but is mostly involved in mineral exploration.

The ship is designed to support all the different types of equipment used in the exploration phase, and also in the next phases of bulk sampling, drilling, and coring of deposits.

This allows its crew to have one vessel working all year long, with the ability to collect all required data and samples with a complete suite of equipment on board for the multitude of tasks required.The Dorado Discovery is equipped with a range of scientific equipment in its onboard laboratory and remotely operated vehicles, which are used for filming and taking photos at great depths.

The remotely operated vehicles have been used in a wide range of commercial ventures which include taking footage for National Geographic documentaries.

The Dorado Discovery took on spare parts during its passage through the Cook Islands, which was arranged by Cruise Cook Islands.

When it arrives in Mexico, the vessel will begin its next underwater exploration project.

• Eric Parnis

The MV Lady Naomi at Avatiua Harbour in August last year, loading for its return trip to the northern group after Te Maeva Nui. 11081501

The MV Lady Naomi will again be employed to transport people from the northern group islands to Rarotonga for the Te Maeva Nui festival in August.

The islands of the northern group have already signalled their intentions to use the service, which is expected to again be funded by the Cook Islands government through the Ministry of Cultural Development.

Islands in the southern group have not yet given their support to the idea, but some are expected to use the service to transport people and goods to and from the capital island for Te Maeva Nui and the Cook Islands Games, which are being scheduled in conjunction with the cultural festival.

The Samoan vessel was chartered last year to transport northern islands residents to Rarotonga for Te Maeva Nui celebrations.

About $400,000 was budgeted for the transport costs of the festival last year, with some of the money paying for the Lady Samoa’s voyager and some for plane tickets.

People from the southern islands of Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke and Aitutaki used Air Rarotonga services to make the journey to Rarotonga. In total, about 450 people from the pa enua travelled to Rarotonga for Te Maeva Nui in 2011. The Lady Samoa has capacity for about 220 passengers as well as cargo.

MV Lady Naomi is 46.5 metres long, has a gross tonnage (international) of 993 tonnes and a net tonnage of 298 tonnes. It carries 16 crew including the captain. It has a draft of 2.4 metres, can travel at a speed of 11 knots with a full load, and was built in Japan in 1998.

• Eric Parnis

Excavator equipment destined for use as a dredge in the Avatiu harbour development has not yet arrived in the Cook Islands as was described in Cook Islands News yesterday.

The barge carrying the heavy machinery is due to arrive on Rarotonga from New Zealand during the week and will be put to use next week in deepening the harbour floor.

The material removed from the harbour floor will be used in the Punanga Nui land reclamation project.

The Ports Authority expects the barge and equipment to arrive at Rarotonga mid-week this week.

Cook Islands News apologies for the error included in Monday’s newspaper.

The Samoa Shipping Corporation plans to send a vessel through the Cook Islands’ northern group once every two months to deliver goods and fuel to the islands.

The company has a two-year licence to run its services in the Cook Islands, but there are no restrictions or requirements on the frequency of journey to the northern islands.

Chief executive officer of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office Patrick Arioka, who is one of the main points of contact in the Cook Islands for the Samoa Shipping Corporation, said vessels would be sent to the northern group from Apia every two months or so.

The corporation is also launching services to Tokelau and islands within neighbouring American Samoa alongside its Cook Islands plans.

The various routes will rotate through the calendar, meaning that there will be around eight weeks between return trips to any one destination.

Arioka said that each of the islands in the northern group, minus Suwarrow, will have one person tasked with compiling and filing orders with the company.

The bills going to each will also include a breakdown of the total costs including freight costs and others.

Arioka said the changes would help eliminate the problems that hampered the test run last month.

When the vessel embarked on its first journey to the northern islands, it was dogged by payment problems and lack of central control as individuals submitted and organised their own packages.

The problems resulted in some orders being left off the journey.

• Eric Parnis

Patrick Kauraka is 60 kilograms lighter after ditching his couch-potato lifestyle for a new regime of exercise and healthy food. Gone are the buckets of fried chicken. Now he prefers steamed broccoli. Photo Fairfax NZ 12051401

Patrick Kauraka (left) in April 2011, and (right) in April 2012. 12051402

New Zealand media recently covered a story about Cook Islander Patrick Kauraka, who lost 60 kilograms in one year. The story, reproduced below, featured in Stuff at the weekend.

Patrick Kauraka shed 60 kilograms over the past year using nothing but pure will and determination to reach for steamed broccoli instead of fried chicken.

The 24-year-old Victoria University student made the decision to change his habits after a stern word from his parents one night in April last year.

”They were just a bit concerned about where my life was heading. My mother said she came from the Cook Islands and struggled and worked hard to give us a chance. It just seemed to them that I was throwing it away.“

Kauraka was 142kg but now weighs in at a lean 82kg. He used to drink heavily every weekend, think nothing of eating a family-sized pack of fried chicken by himself, and move from his desk to his couch at home with no exercise.

His friends, who laughed at him when he told them of his plan to shape up, now look to him for inspiration. Many have asked him to be their personal trainer and mentor, he said.

”I wasn’t really happy as I am today. I thought I was OK, that it was OK to go out and party every weekend and eat all this food. I was always a chubby guy through school but it just got out of control after college.“

Kauraka now works out first thing in the morning, six days a week, eats four small meals a day and snacks on nothing but protein shakes.

”It’s all about discipline. It’s just become a habit. I’ll reach for the healthier options now, I don’t have to think twice about it.“

Older brother Daniel Kauraka, 27, said the change in his brother’s personality had been astonishing.

”He is more approachable, he has come out of his shell a bit. He was this geeky guy who sat behind his computer. He used to just stay home and do nothing but he is now studying and has goals.“

Wellington dietician Kath Fouhy said people like Kauraka needed to be patted on the back.

”The easiest thing about weight loss is to lose the weight; the hardest thing is to maintain that loss.“

She had clients who had lost 20kg to 30kg in a nine-month period and managed to keep it off long term.

• Fairfax NZ News

Pa Marie Ariki wants Cook Islanders to recognise the nutritional value of drinking nu. 12021401

Pa Marie Ariki has been vocal in her crusade against diabetes and unhealthy habits. Her ultimate goal is the health and well-being of her Cook Islands people, too many of whom she has seen succumb to non-communicable diseases brought on by unhealthy lifestyles. Here, Pa Ariki discusses the health benefits of the coconut.

There are so many benefits that aren’t widely known about the good old coconut.

The coconut oil is extremely beneficial and can help and even ”reverse“ certain health problems. The coconut water is one of the most pure liquids, second to water.

The coconut water is very high in potassium, so much that it actually contains more potassium than a banana, twice the amount to be exact. Potassium is an electrolyte that is said to promote kidney, heart, liver and overall cellular functioning.

A typical serving of coconut water contains anywhere from 259-569 milligrams of potassium, depending on what type you’re drinking.

Coconut water contains potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium and calcium, which are all electrolytes that are in our bodies. It’s natural! It doesn’t contain preservatives, cholesterol or fats and is low in sugar content.

According to the chief of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, coconut water contains about 5mg of natural sugars. In most drinks, you’ll find the refined sugar contents to be about 10-25mg! You’ll also find that it replaces electrolytes better than a sports drink as it contains more potassium than sports drinks and bananas. Consumption of the water can contribute to internal health, liver, heart and kidney health as well as healthier skin, hair and nails.

Coconut water is an antibacterial and antiviral that can be used to kill lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, the common flu and other pathogenic bacteria.

In the old days people used coconut water to ”cure“ headaches, studies have shown that drinking coconut water directly lowers blood pressure and maintains kidney health and has anti-aging effects. Right now more scientific research is being done for evidence to totally back this but what is known is that it does contain antioxidants which do in fact have anti-aging effects.

Other health benefits of consuming coconut oil and water on a regular basis are the cleansing of intestinal worms, reduction of urinary problems, prevention of kidney/bladder stones, and improvement in the look of skin through hydrating and the reduction of acne and scarring.

Interestingly, the coconut water is nearly identical to our blood plasma and can be used in certain emergencies, such as during WWII when soldiers were badly wounded and needed a transfusion, coconut water was used intravenously.

I believe the coconut is good for our children as I mentioned in an earlier news article. I want to encourage a coconut drink a day in schools for better health benefits for our children and to break the consumption of Coca Cola and high sugar confectionaries that our children crave.

Since I have found out more about the coconut and its benefits I drink it regularly for my cholesterol and heart and the energy it gives me for exercise and walking. The coconut water has helped with my weight loss as well as improved my health so much more.

Tearoa Kairua, Sikimi Vailoa ‘SV’ Tuarii and group leader Tina Kae in costume. 12051403

Three of the Cook Islands’ star dancers left Rarotonga for Japan at the weekend with a three-pronged mission – to star on Japanese television, perform at the high-level PALM6 meeting and represent the country at the Pacific Cultural Art Festival in Tokyo.

For weeks group leader Tina Kae has been organising rehearsals for the trio, which includes Sikimi Vailoa ‘SV’ Tuarii and Tearoa Kairua.

Pacific Islands Centre, a Japanese government-funded organisation, is sponsoring the cost of their travel. Air New Zealand Japan and Nana Hirata of Turama Pacific have been organising the details of their trip, and Tourism Cook Islands played a role in selecting and training the team.

The team’s first order of business is to meet with the film crew from Fushigi Hakken, a popular television programme in Japan which features foreign countries and cultures.

The film crew visited the Cook Islands from April 20 to 30 to shoot footage for their Cook Islands segment, which will also feature Kae, Tuarii and Kairua in Japan.

”In each episode of Fushigi Hakken there is a studio segment with a guest panel, a reporter who travels to the featured location and several brain teaser quiz questions that the reporter puts to the guest panel,“ Hirata explains.

”The aim is to really make them scratch their heads and brain storm to answer the quiz question and in the process learn a whole lot about the culture, history and natural environment of the country being featured. This will be the first time Cook Islands is featured with (this) particular programme.“

Kae, Tuarii and Kairua will depart Tokyo on May 21 for Iwaki city, as they are scheduled to perform at Spa Resort Hawaiians on May 21 and 22.

Spa Resort Hawaiians is a resort and theme park, one of the most popular in Japan, which records over 1.5 million visitors a year. Government officials from Japan and all over the Pacific will be present at the performance, as they will be in Iwaki for the sixth PALM meeting, which the Cook Islands is co-chairing.

The dancers’ trip ends with a three-day performance at the Pacific Cultural Art Festival in Tokyo. From May 24 to 27, they will be bringing a bit of Cook Islands flavour to the festival, which comprises booths manned by Pacific tourist bureaus, craft and food exhibitions, special stages for song and dance performances by Pacific and Japanese people.

• Rachel Reeves

Promoting health and dignity together in the Pacific is this year’s theme for the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, which the Pacific will join the rest of the world in commemorating on May 20.

This year marks the 29th anniversary of the candlelight memorial, and Pacific Island countries and territories including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, Guam, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Palau, Niue, and Tokelau will be holding vigils and church services in its honour.

The theme is based on the notion that the HIV response will only be successful when it is an effort that is supported by and addresses the needs of all those affected by HIV: including all people living with HIV, key populations such as men who have sex with men, people who use drugs, and sex workers, as well as women and youth.

The theme emphasises the idea that health and well being cannot be achieved without respecting the dignity and promoting and protecting the human rights of all people. The Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF) is calling on all Pacific Island countries and territories to bring greater attention to positive health, dignity and prevention, with focus on the health and well being of people living with HIV (PLHIV).

PIAF’s Pacific positive community program coordinator and candlelight regional coordinator Temo Sasau said PIAF’s trained AIDS Ambassadors will be spearheading the event in their respective countries, and will be using the opportunity to call for greater support from communities for a united response to HIV and AIDS.

”PIAF will also assist in providing HIV-positive people as guest speakers in Tonga and Cook Islands, and has also arranged to have its AIDS Ambassadors lead the memorial in their respective countries,“ said Sasau.

Sasau stressed that ”the Pacific must stand together and use this opportunity to reduce stigma, ensure that there is access to treatment for our positive brothers and sisters in the Pacific, call on our leaders to increase resources in response to HIV, and promote more involvement in our communities“.

According to UNAIDS, an estimated 2.5 million children were living with HIV at the end of 2009. Most of these children acquired HIV from their HIV-infected mothers during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

• PIAF

The investor troubles that have grounded domestic airline hopeful Kia Orana Air raise ”grave concerns“ about the measures governing foreign investors in the Cook Islands, Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen said.

The airline’s managing director Mark Lusby last week announced that Kia Orana Air would be grounded indefinitely because he had some ”serious questions“ about American foreign investor Leif Andersson, who had signed on to back the venture.

Lusby has approached the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) to have Andersson de-registered as a foreign investor.

Rasmussen this week questioned why Andersson was able to get into the Cook Islands and establish links here if there was doubt over his credentials.

He said the case brings up doubts about the Cook Islands’ procedures in screening potential foreign investors.

”The recent announcement by Kia Orana Air that it will no longer be viable for it to set up and operate in the Cook Islands because of the failure of its foreign investor to deliver raises grave concerns about the rules in relation to foreign investors entering and living in the Cook Islands,“ Rasmussen said.

”...So many times we have seen such people ‘sweet-talk their way in’ and be there when major announcements are made but only to disappoint because they don’t have the funds.“

The opposition Democratic Party is seeking to have rules and regulations surrounding the entry requirements for foreign investors tightened.

”The opposition wants these rules reviewed so that we don’t become the laughing stock of the world and also so that we do not become easy prey for fraudsters and scam artists,“ Rasmussen said.

”There is a propensity for us to be screwed by people that talk loud and have huge ideas but no money at all.

”The rules are also unfair to local businesses because a foreign investor that shows promise in a particular industry will certainly jolt existing operators into diverting much needed funds for other activities into securing its position but only to find that it’s a false alarm.“

The BTIB board meets on the last Thursday of each month to discuss such issues and is next due to meet on May 31.

Kia Orana Air’s troubles and Lusby’s request will be considered at that meeting, and BTIB will meet with Lusby and Andersson in the intervening time.

BTIB chief executive officer Terry Rangi said that he would reserve comment on Kia Orana Air’s case until after the meeting.

But he said the questions on the rules regarding foreign investors entering and living in the Cook Islands are best addressed through the Investment Code, which is what guides investment.

”Early this year we proposed that the Investment Code should require the payment by an investor of a refundable bond,“ Rangi said.

”The advantage with a bond is that it separates those investors who are genuine from those who are merely after residency or other reasons.

”Time does not allow a longer response on other matters noted, suffice to say that if we are to improve this area, we will need to improve the Investment Code.“

In the meantime, Rasmussen wondered what would happen to Andersson if it appears that his credentials are questionable.

”The opposition wants to know as to what happens to the Kia Orana Air foreign investor from now?“ he said.

”Does he stay here or will he be allowed to from within the Cook Islands and conditions of his stay in the country put up other investment proposals?

”... What is extraordinary is that they got through the net and scrutiny of the border authorities such as BTIB creating distress and sometimes financial losses for locals wanting to get ahead.“

• Eric Parnis

Opposition Leader Wilkie Rasmussen says the recent experiences of hopeful start-up Kia Orana Air are revealing some potential problems for the Cook Islands in its methods for allowing foreign investors in to the country.

The recent announcement by Kia Orana Air that it will no longer be viable for it to set up and operate in the Cook Islands because of the failure of its foreign investor to deliver raises grave concerns about the rules in relation to foreign investors entering and living in the Cook Islands.

The first question to ask is, does the Cook Islands through the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) overlook the fundamentals and that is do foreign investors interested in investing in the country stack up financially.

In other words, do they have money?

What is alarming is that too many of such people simply do not have money to invest, instead they sell themselves to a potential partner in the Cook Islands as being authentic and financially viable and that seems to be the only thing that they do.

In return the Cook Islands government through BTIB facilitates the entry and residence of such people here in the country with very little demonstration of their financial status.

So many times we have seen such people ”sweet-talk their way in“ and be there when major announcements are made but only to disappoint because they don’t have the funds.

This is what I believe has happened to Kia Orana Air unless I am disproved.

The second question is what then happens to Leif Andersson, does he stay in the Cook Islands?

And most often people like him strike up relationships with other Cook Islanders looking for foreign investors and their hold inside the Cook Islands becomes much stronger.

The Opposition wants these rules reviewed so that we don’t become the laughing stock of the world and also so that we do not become easy prey for fraudsters and scam artists.

There is a propensity for us to be screwed by people that talk loud and have huge ideas but no money at all.

The rules are also unfair to local businesses because a foreign investor that shows promise in a particular industry will certainly jolt existing operators into diverting much needed funds for other activities into securing its position but only to find that it’s a false alarm.

People should remember that there were several scam artists that saw the Cook Islands ripe for the picking and they were very public about it too.

What is extraordinary is that they got through the net and scrutiny of the border authorities such as BTIB creating distress and sometimes financial losses for locals wanting to get ahead.

For instance we had a Sheik from Asia wanting the government to sign over its assets for speculation on to the stock market by the Sheik and his multi-million dollar empire.

In return, the Cook Islands will get $21 million each week. How those people got into the country to meet with the prime minister of the time was beyond me.

These are the kind of things I, as Leader of the Opposition, am raising and for our rule-makers which is the government of the day to address.

The Opposition wants to know what happens to the Kia Orana Air foreign investor from now?

I urge BTIB to consider these questions when meeting with Andersson and use him and his failure to deliver funding to the project he agreed initially to fund to enable him entry into the Cook Islands as a demonstration to the world that the Cook Islands is tough and not easy picking.

• Wilkie Rasmussen

Miss Telecom Cook Islands Saramata Takai signs the sponsorship agreement as her proud father looks on. 0 120511130

Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association president Clee Marsters (left) and Telecom Cook Islands chief executive Jules Maher with Miss Telecom Cook Islands Saramata Takai and Maine Purotu Uirangi Bishop. 4 120511134

Proud Telecom staff crowded the room to watch as this year’s Miss Telecom Cook Islands Saramata Takai signed her sponsorship agreement on Friday, sealing her status as the second Miss Cook Islands pageant contestant to be introduced to the public.

The 18-year-old beauty will represent Telecom Cook Islands at the Miss Cook Islands pageant in June, and says she is proud to do so.

Takai says her interests are wide-ranging, but athletics are her thing.

She is passionate about netball, a sport she took up as an eight-year-old, and is a member of the U21 national netball squad scheduled to compete in London next year.

Educated at Avarua School and Tereora College, the young Takai is proud to represent the village of Titikaveka and grateful for the support of her family, friends, chaperone Cecilia Kare and Telecom Cook Islands as she takes on the challenge of competing for the national title.

She says she chose to join the pageant as a means to ”gain confidence“ and to honour her family and supporters.

On Friday Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association (MCIPA) president Clee Marsters welcomed Takai into the society of young girls joining the pageant next month, which includes Miss Edgewater Resort & Spa Blossom Daniels.

MCIPA has yet to publicly announce the remaining eight.

Marsters noted that Miss Cook Islands is ”not just a beauty pageant“ but also an outlet for young, talented Cook Islands women to showcase their skills and hone their confidence.

Sales and marketing manager Damien Beddoes says Telecom is thrilled to be sponsoring Takai.

”She’s done fantastic so far and she’s really done us proud,“ he said at yesterday’s launch function.

A special guest appearance by Maine Purotu Uirangi Bishop made Takai’s launch even more special. Bishop told her on behalf of herself, Miss Cook Islands Engara Gosselin and Maine Tepaeru Joyana Meyer: ”We wish you all the best for the pageant, whatever happens you’re all winners. Go out there and enjoy yourself“.

• Rachel Reeves

Prime Minister Henry Puna in Barbados. 12051128

Prime Minister Henry Puna has estimated it will cost US$800 million to overhaul the country’s energy template in order that all of its electricity comes from renewable sources.

Puna, who is also in-coming chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, told a high-level conference in Barbados that he is still committed to supporting the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative.

”Sustainable Energy for All is about freedom, freedom from the bondage of fossil fuel; a bondage that has resulted in the Cook Islands forking out more than US$50 million a year to import petroleum products and another US $12 million to make electricity affordable to its outer island communities. Yet it is estimated that it will cost US$800 million to generate all the electricity needs of the Cook Islands from clean, cost-effective renewable energy technologies.“

The statement was recorded by Secretariat of the Pacific Community media present at the ”Small Islands Developing States on Achieving Sustainable Energy for All: Challenges, Opportunities, Commitments“, which was held in Barbados last week.

Deputy director (energy) of SPC’s economic development division Solomone Fifita highlighted to the conference that Pacific Island Forum leaders embraced the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative when they endorsed the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific (FAESP) 2010–2020 and reaffirmed their commitment to a renewable energy and energy efficient future based on achievable, practical and voluntary targets.

The result of SPC’s EU-Policy Dialogue Facility-funded effort to establish baseline energy security indicators for Pacific Island countries was presented and appreciated by the conference.

Solomone noted that other strong statements were made at the conference by Tuvalu’s deputy prime minister, Samoa’s minister for natural resources and environment, and Nauru and Palau’s ministers for energy.

They were supported by representatives from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the International Union for Conservation of Nature–Oceania, and the United Nations Development Programme–Pacific Centre.

They all contributed to an excellent conference outcome for Pacific SIDS.

SPC is committed to ensuring coherence of the SE4All Initiative and FAESP. To this end, while the roll-out of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All was held during the Barbados conference, SPC is leading and coordinating the Pacific roll-out with its sister agencies and partners. This will be held at the University of the South Pacific in Suva on May 18 and plans are underway for a post-RIO +20 roll-out in Cook Islands in August.

The Suva roll-out will include the announcement of regional competition winners and scholarship winners, the launch of a documentary on energy security in the Pacific, the launch of an energy certification and accreditation scheme, the launch of reports on the energy security status of Pacific Island countries and a live panel discussion by energy experts from around the region.

• SPC/RR

Minister of Health Nandi Glassie will attend the Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting followed by the World Health Assembly in Geneva this month, at which he will discuss with leaders how they are tackling critical issues such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in their countries.

More than 170 countries are expected to be represented by their ministers and heads of departments at the Commonwealth Minsters’ Meeting which Glassie describes as being ”the most prominent forum for world leaders to share ideas, become acquainted with each other’s programmes to address NCDs and provide information to help inform policy development here in the Cook Islands.“

The election of a new director-general will dominate discussions at the World Health Assembly and with the current global economic downturn he says expectations are that there will be a reduction in funding made available to countries through the World Health Organisation.

”Though we are a small nation among some of the largest on the planet, it is the squeaky wheel that gets the oil and it is imperative that our voice is heard and not lost amongst the din of other countries,“ Glassie said.

He said the assembly meeting was also an opportunity to talk with other leaders about projects like the maintenance of Rarotonga hospital, the provision of health scholarships and potential work exchanges between countries.

On route back from Geneva, Glassie will stop in New Zealand where he will meet in Auckland with Counties Manukau District Health Board to renew a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the referral of patients to Middlemore Hospital.

He will also sign a new MOU with the Auckland District Health Board for patient referrals to Auckland Hospital.

Following that, he will sign an MOU with Waitemata District Health Board for mental health service referrals that are currently overseen by Cook Islands psychiatrist Dr Francis Agnew, service clinical director and consultant psychiatrist for Pacific mental health and addiction services at Waitemata.

Glassie will then meet the chief executive of AUT School of Nursing to negotiate the establishment of nursing courses to be delivered here in Rarotonga at the University of the South Pacific and that are NZQA registered and accredited; and which Cook Islands nurses will be funded to attend.

In Wellington he will hold discussions with Ministry of Health officials regarding continued medical services funding to the Cook Islands.

He also has plans to meet with representatives of several embassies including Japan and China regarding professional development assistance for Cook Islands doctors and nurses.

On his way to Geneva, Glassie will stop in Israel - a country widely regarded as a global leader in agricultural innovation - to attend the Agricultural Technology Exhibition, held every three years to showcase Israel and international agriculture technologies.

The exhibition attracts many ministers of agriculture, decision-makers, experts, agricultural associations, and thousands of international visitors and houses latest developments especially in the fields of irrigation, water management, arid zone agriculture, intensive greenhouse cultivation, development of new seed varieties, and organic and ecologically-oriented agriculture.

Glassie will be accompanied to Geneva and New Zealand by the secretary of health, Tupou Faireka. The minister left Rarotonga on Saturday. He will spend approximately four days in Israel, five days in Switzerland and four days in New Zealand before returning to the Cook Islands on June 1.

• Release

Minister Teina Bishop is in Vanuatu this week to help identify the education priorities for the Pacific in a Forum Education Ministers Meeting in Port Villa.

The meeting is the ninth gathering of Forum education ministers and will provide an opportunity for the Pacific leaders to explore how they can work together in developing education through regional mechanisms, according to Feleti Teo, Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

An important outcome of the meeting is the expected announcement by the ministers of the education priorities for the region upon which efforts of countries and development partners and donors will be focused.

”There are competing priorities in education in all of the regional countries which cannot be met through national resources alone, Teo said.

”So hopefully when ministers agree to what should be the regional priority for the next 12 months, donors and development partners will focus resources and commit to these priorities.“

The theme of the meeting is ”Sustainable Quality Education – 2012 and beyond“.

”I congratulate the government of Vanuatu for choosing this theme because it emphasises the importance of sustainability of the reforms and capacity support provided by donors and development partners in supporting member countries enhance their capability to deliver quality education services to their people,“ Teo said.

Professor Keith Lewin from the United Kingdom’s University of Sussex will deliver the meeting’s keynote speech.

He is expected to touch on trends and issues faced by education systems world-wide which may be of particular relevance to the region.

Lewin will highlight education issues and how countries and other regions of the world have managed to resolve challenges such as high school dropouts and improving retention, improving literacy during early years of schooling and how it impacts on student achievement in education.

The meeting will also consider and seek to agree on the education priorities under the Pacific Plan for the next three years, which will be tabled at this year’s Forum Leaders’ meeting in the Cook Islands in August.

Ministers will be updated on the implementation of the national and regional level activities of the Pacific Education Development Framework (PEDF) which was endorsed in 2009 with its implementation strategy adopted in 2010.

The Forum Education Ministers Meeting was officially opened on Sunday by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu Sato Kilman.

• EP/Release

The Cook Islands’ own international film challenge – which claims to be like ”no other in the world“ – is now accepting scripts.

Driven by Cook Islander and experienced filmmaker Stan Wolfgramm, the challenge will encourage eight international film crews to shoot and create films on Rarotonga in March of next year.

Their expenses will be covered by Film Raro, and their films screened at a public gala following the eight-day production period.

The challenge aims to teach indigenous filmmakers ”more about telling their own digital stories to aid social and economic development“.

Its overarching goal is for Cook Islanders ”to be able to see themselves on screen, hear their own language, preserve heritage, culture and identity (and) to have a voice in today’s audio visual digital world“.

”Film Raro will capacity build the industries and peoples of the Cook Islands in the professional business of filmmaking,“ Wolfgramm is quoted as saying on his website.

It also aims to raise the Cook Islands’ destination profile worldwide and to brand the Cook Islands as the ”film friendliest tropical location in the world“, facetiously coined Cookiwood.

Filmmakers from around the world are being invited to apply.

Successful applicants will get an expenses-paid trip to Rarotonga, where they will be tasked with producing a film of any genre on any topic. A total of eight film crews comprising up to four people will be selected.

The deadline to submit scripts is December 7, though the Film Raro organisers will start announcing teams from October.

”It is advantageous to get scripts in early to beat the rush, be assed early, claim a spot in the top eight early, be selected during the early rounds of announcement and have more of a chance at being selected. After October each script and team announced means an opportunity lost as eight chances would have now dropped to seven and then to six, to five, to eventually one chance by December 14th,“ the Film Raro website says.

Entry is open to anyone over the age of 18 who speaks English. Aspirant contenders must be available to travel to Rarotonga between March 15 and 23 of next year.

In terms of the criteria for script submissions, they are flexible. Films must be between 10 and 15 minutes, in English and suitable for a general admission audience.

Scripts must be written for films that will feature local talents, props and locations. Crews must be prepared to shoot, edit and finish a film for public screening in eight days using only a digital HD camera.

The entry fee is $65.

Film Raro will cover the cost of air travel, accommodation, meals, ground transport and production – including pre-production, location scouting, casting, props, wardrobe, hair and makeup and other related costs.

• Rachel Reeves

Cook Islands internet advocates are using a rather novel tribute day with a more serious value to highlight one shortcoming of information and communication technology (ICT) industry. Maureen Hilyard, the Rarotonga-based chair of the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society, backed the message behind the recent ”Girls in Tech Day“ and said she’d too like to have more female companions working in the ICT industry.

The campaign seeks to achieve greater empowerment, equality, education and employment for girls through greater access to opportunities in the world of information and communication technologies.

• Eric Parnis

Minister Nandi Glassie this weekend begins a trip that takes in New Zealand, Israel and Switzerland and covers duties in his health and agriculture portfolios.

The main purpose for his journey is to join more than 170 countries in Switzerland for two health meetings, the first being the Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting followed by the World Health Organisation’s World Health Assembly in the Geneva.

Glassie will use the trip to make stops in New Zealand and Israel, too.

In New Zealand Glassie will sign on a number of memorandums of understanding with various health boards and hospitals.

The MOUs will cover topics from patient referrals to the establishment of nursing courses.

In Israel, Glassie will change hats and attend the Agricultural Technology Exhibition.

The exhibition is held every three years and attracts leaders in the agricultural field to explore a range of topics such as irrigation in arid climates, water management, greenhouse technologies and new seed varieties.

Minister for Education Teina Bishop, meanwhile, will travel to Vanuatu to join a regional education meeting for Pacific ministers.

The meeting is being held in the lead up to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat meeting in August and will aim to identify regional aspirations in the education field.

Minister for Cultural Development Teariki Heather remains in the United Kingdom as the head of the Cook Islands’ cultural delegation to the Queen’s 60th anniversary jubilee celebrations.

He is due back in the Cook Islands at the end of the week.

Prime Minister Henry Puna plans to remain in the Cook Islands this week and is considering joining the welcoming ceremony for the vaka Marumaru Atua in Aitutaki on Monday.

Next week, Puna will travel to the Sixth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in Japan.

Puna is co-chairing the PALM6 meeting, as it is known, alongside Japanese Prime Minister Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.

Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters is also expected to remain in the Cook Islands this week, as is Minister Mark Brown, although Marsters has indicated he may be outbound on Saturday and will release more information on his plans when they are confirmed.

• Eric Parnis

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Minerals and Natural Resources Tom Marsters discusses an International Seabed Authority training programme with hopeful applicant John Engu. / 12051033

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Minerals and Natural Resources Tom Marsters this week met Titikaveka resident John Engu, who is the first Cook Islands person to express interest in applying for training under the recently announced International Seabed Authority (ISA) training programme.

Marsters encouraged Engu with his interest in taking part in our nation’s future in deep sea minerals in our exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

”I am very pleased to see our locals coming forward. Don’t miss out or be discouraged. Even if you don’t have the right qualification right now, just show the ISA where your interest lies in our deep sea minerals future and let them decide how they can help,“ Marsters said.

”To seek to learn, of any type, always has it’s benefits, no matter what your age.“

The minister’s deep sea minerals staff, Paul Lynch and Darryl Thorburn, then provided Engu with all relevant information to help him determine the area of interest he could select from to pursue.

A meeting will be held on Wednesday next week at the DPM’s office to provide a final update and application to all persons who have expressed interest.

”I have a dream that, with the help of our development and investment partners, it will knowledgeable Cook Islanders running our Deep Sea Minerals sector in the future. Both on the water and on land,“ Marsters said.

”Our government greatly appreciates the wonderful assistance of SOPAC and the ISA for providing this training opportunity to our people.

”I plan to continue to raise awareness of these career opportunities in deep sea minerals in our up-coming national Careers Day, in our schools, colleges and to all Cook Islanders here and overseas.“

Lynch pointed out that it is not only people with masters degrees that can apply to join the training programme, but also college students who are interested.

• Release

Pepe Marika has been confirmed as the winner of the Manihiki Island Council by-election, although his victory came with a final, fleeting scare.

With the final votes tallied, including declaration votes and those collected in Rarotonga, Marika won the Tukao council seat by the slimmest of margins possible and pitted Navakatini Greig by just one vote.

Marika took 30 of the 70 votes cast in the election, one more than Greig’s 29. Mataio Puapii Johnson, the election’s third contender, earned 11 votes.

Marika held a two-vote margin over Greig after the first round of voting, but that was reduced when Greig captured four votes in the declaration and Rarotonga-cast counts. Marika won three.

• Eric Parnis

Marumaru Atua crew Alex Olah (front left) and Jamaal Pakoti break a haka aboard the vaka. 12050807

Pacific Voyagers gather for a marae visit in Tahiti. 12050805

The seven traditional voyaging vaka have departed Bora Bora for Aitutaki and are due on Sunday, May 13. From there they are expected to arrive in Rarotonga on May 16. The canoes will be departing for Samoa on May 21. Here we share more of the adventures and stories of the crew on Vaka Marumaru Atua.

Kia Orana Tatou!

We have had a very powerful week here in the Tahitian islands – some relaxation, a few eye opening experiences for each of us, and a personal challenge laid down by Dieter Pullman to us all personally as well as to our nations.

At our last correspondence we were all preparing to head to the ancient village and marae of Farehape (the caterpillar’s house), a vast ancient village of learning with strong connections to Pere the old goddess of fire, located deep in the interior of Tahiti Nui.

This place has a society of caretakers called Haururu who have dedicated themselves to restoring, maintaining and teaching about Farehape.

Faafaite has joined forces with Haururu (and a number of other like-minded cultural and environmental societies across Tahiti...a page we could all take out of their book), so they were able to gain us access to stay at Farehape for three days, as a sort of retreat for the Pacific Voyagers, to clear our minds and focus us on our mission as we sail across our Pacific.

First of all to get to Farehape you must drive about 40 minutes from Papeete to Papenoo on the north-eastern side of the island.

Here the long road up to Maroto Valley begins which is only accessible by normal vehicles for about half the way, you must have a 4x4 truck at the very least to travel the second half, which takes about another 40 minutes to get all the way up to the marae.

The Faafaite crew called in all their society members, friends and family who had trucks like these to ferry all us voyagers up there, about 100 of us in total, only minus a few from each vaka who had to stay back on watch.

The drive up alone is breathtaking....our road criss-crosses a powerful river which winds its way down through the valley, so we must cross a few bridges and drive through a few smaller water crossings.

On each side there are pristine mountains and forests, untouched and silent... further up there are higher mountains and sheer cliffs towering up to spear and grasp the heavy rain-laden clouds above, as a result it is usually raining up there.... huge waterfalls tumble down all around us, some of them over 100 metres high.

I gave up counting how many there were after I ran out of fingers and toes to use!

We go past a couple of large water reservoirs and then a small hydro electric station... a good use of Tahiti’s natural resources. About two-thirds of the way up we come to a small marae which is the entrance place to Farehape where we all stopped for a small ceremony to gain access to the main marae.

We were told that in ancient times voyaging canoes were able to paddle all the way up the river to this smaller marae before continuing on foot... the river has changed a lot since then with development, erosion etc and is not as deep, but we could picture the canoes there in front of us on the river... it must have been an amazing sight!

When finally we arrived at the main marae we were all allocated to little units, four or five to each one, before we settled in for the night.

During the course of our stay at Farehape we had tours of the marae which is quite large, stretching over about a rugby field size.

Some of us also explored the available treks including one to maroto waterfall which has an amazing swimming hole and legend surrounding it as the bathing place of Pere.

On the second day we all broke up into groups to discuss different issues about our vakas and mission and how it ties into our cultures.

These were great discussions with many issues covered like how the order on board is maintained in a similar fashion to how our cultural societies are run with the Ariki (Captain), Taunga (Navigators), Rangatira (Watch Captains) etc.

How we can better spread our mission and message to people when we reach different ports by getting every person up to speed with the details, so everyone is able to explain by themselves if the need arises, about exactly who we are, what we’re doing and what we’re trying to achieve.

We also discussed issues such as how we can live our message better while sailing by cutting down on items that contribute to Co2 emissions.

Another issue covered was women on the vakas and their roles and capabilities etc which came out with some great equality results and an opportunity for an ‘all-woman’ crew to sail into Bora-Bora when we get there! Girl Power!

Later on in the day, Dieter addressed us all for about two hours... a very powerful two hours... where he told us exactly how he was inspired about 20 years ago to do something for the oceans, how he created his mission and organisation (Okeanos), and then found the medium to carry his message to the world when he sighted the Cook Islands Vaka Te Au o Tonga as it arrived in American Samoa for the last Pacific Arts festival.

He shared with us his future plans for the Pacific Voyagers Organisation and how he will use the vakas and their clean energy (wind and sun only) to improve life in the Pacific, shipping, tourism, clean energy, jobs etc and his vision for all Pacific Nations to switch over to solar power and not be reliant on fossil fuels! He basically shared his entire story with us, poured his heart and vision out to us, and further captivated us with his life story and amazing drive to leave his and our mark on the world... to begin to bring about change for our world... and eventually a global consciousness to bring man’s awareness up to a level to realise how much we need to care for our environments in order to sustain our lives for the future!

During the course of his talk he put a challenge out to us which we all took very seriously... based on this idea of bringing about change. It is an idea he calls Future Profits.

Basically it is a challenge for each of us to do something now, to plant a seed today in our lives that in 10 years will bloom and reap a reward... not for us but for the world, for the environment, for our children!

He stressed that many people TALK about this, making the world a better place for our children, and it doesn’t happen overnight and in fact it has been proven that it takes approximately two generations for a new global ideal to be fully embraced by man but we must each start somewhere – to be role models for change to begin the change that the world and everything in it needs!

We have each of us heard the messages for conservation in our lives, but how many of us actually do something, be proactive?

How many of our families do things together to help our environment –recycling or installing clean energy at home?

How many of our islands have a collective vision to conserve our environment – to try to switch to 100 percent clean energy for example?

How many of our governments are really committed to bringing about such a vision for our islands? Fossil fuel free?

Planting our seed.

We on board Marumaru Atua believe we are here planting a seed of change on our nation’s behalf.

We are each one of us out here volunteering a huge amount of time in our lives, away from our families and homes, away from jobs and commitments.

We each believe we are here standing for a truly worthwhile cause, something we have each embraced.

We each believe we are here representing our families, our villages, our Islands, the Cook Islands people as a whole but are you really with us? Do you really support us? Are you behind our message, this vision for environmental awareness and change?

Or will our efforts aboard Vaka Marumaru Atua be for nought?

This is our challenge in turn that we are putting out to each of you!

We are coming home soon to our waters, sailing and navigating back to our islands along with 100 voyagers from all over the Pacific.

We are bringing this message, we are fighting for this message, we are planting the seeds for change now but we cannot nurture this growth alone.

Crew of Marumaru Atua

Tahiti, French Polynesia

A number of changes will be introduced to the Rarotonga road network beautification programmes this year aiming in part to ensure that the communities of each electorate receive benefit from the funds.

The government agencies organising the programme, namely the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is also seeking clearer documentation and reporting on the work carried out so that they can confirm the funding has reached its intended destinations.

The ministry, along with Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Patrick Arioka, presented the changes to potential contract winners at a meeting on Tuesday.

Arioka, who helped pen the tender outlines, said the changes to reporting were being introduced to bring in a clearer transparency to the works and make sure taxpayers were getting good value for their investment.

And there was a bigger importance being placed on the involvement of community groups, rather than businesses, in order for the communities of Rarotonga’s 10 constituencies to gain more access to the funds.

“The communities are running this programme, they need to take ownership of it and implement it,” he said.

Many of the 10 constituencies already have community groups carrying out the beautification programme, but some are run by private companies.

From here on in, a community committee will delegate the programme’s works in each electorate to sporting groups, church groups, non-governmental organisations and youth groups.

In September last year, internal affairs distributed $450,000 to the 10 work areas to carry out the works.

The beautification programme tasks them with maintaining the areas along the main and back roads and, in some instances, carrying out extra work at gravesites or creeks in addition.

The programme includes the requirements to maintain grass areas and hedges along the roads and at drainage points.

People putting in tender applications under the programme will be asked to provide details in a number of areas, including cost estimates, work plans, the composition of their proposed labour force and a timeline for their work.

The tender committee will be keen to see people with previous experience and a proven track record of work under the programme return to the job.

• Eric Parnis

Former Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) chief executive John Tini. 08021919

Police will not be laying any criminal charges against former Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) chief executive John Tini.

Tini has been under police scrutiny since September 2009, after he was suspended with pay over allegations he had misused public funds. CIIC subsequently organised an investigation, which was conducted by the Audit Office and on completion revealed that Tini’s appointment was marred by political interference and that his management of the Crown enterprise was “not conducive to producing the best results”.

At the time the police fraud unit was considering laying two separate criminal proceedings under the Crimes Act and the Secret Commissions Act (the latter deals with issues of bribery and unauthorised trade).

But this week, three years on, police commissioner Maara Tetava confirms that no police action will be taken against Tini.

Tini’s lawyer Lavenia Rokoika says that the decision enables Tini to “move on with his life”.

“We thank the Cook Islands Police for their thorough investigation that they have undertaken in this matter with the assistance of the New Zealand Police Fraud Unit and the New Zealand Serious Fraud Office,” she said.

“Though it has taken close to three years to make a final decision, Mr Tini is glad that this burden has now been put to rest by the police. Tini hopes to be able to get back on his feet and move on with his life given the past traumatic three years.”

Tini continues to pursue civil claims against CIIC, the office of (former) audit director Paul Allsworth and Cook Islands News.

His gripe against CIIC and Allsworth stems from the damning audit report. Separately, Tini has two outstanding defamation claims against Cook Islands News, which he laid in response to media coverage of his suspension.

• Rachel Reeves

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