Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006

Reviews of American Sämoa and missioner to New Zealand and Aus- Niue are not included in this issue tralia, former Prime but, for the first time, a review of Minister Dr , was Rapa Nui is included. fired for allegedly interfering with local politics in the Northern group, Cook Islands an accusation Dr Woonton denied. The period under review began with Prime Minister Marurai asked Minis- the fortieth anniversary of the achieve- ter Peri Vaevae Pare to resign after he ment of self-government in free asso- was accused of misusing public funds. ciation with New Zealand. Scott Rob- Vaevae was later found guilty, subse- ert of New Zealand won the popular quently losing his seat in . Round Rarotonga Road Race for The by-election that emerged 2005, and a 197-kilogram northern between three contestants—Vaine bluefin tuna caught by Willie Farani Teokotai for the Democratic Party, of the Gypsy Trade was sold to Japan for the Cook Islands for a record us$62,000 (CIN, 2 July Party, and Mereana Taikoko as an 2005, 1). independent—should be decided by But soon the rejoicing turned into a July 2006. However, it is doubtful year of political sackings: Sir Geoffrey that the result of the Matavera by- Henry as deputy prime minister in election will stabilize a coalition- August 2005, then Tupou Faireka and based government that has seen many as cabinet ministers in shifts in allegiance by several of the September 2005, in what Prime Min- twenty-four member parliamentarians ister called “clearing dirt insensitive to the party supporters from my government” (CIN, 10 Sept who voted them in. An earlier vacated 2005, 1). The outgoing ministers were parliamentary seat in Atiu Island replaced by Dr (as initiated three hopeful candidates, deputy prime minister), Mr Tangata including former mp . Vavia, and Mrs . Standing this time as an independent, Further possible changes in cabinet George won the by-election, poten- and rumors of new coalitions contin- tially shifting the power base his ued to emerge from time to time way—a situation he is familiar with, throughout this period. Local media having been a key player in many pre- magnate George Pitt was also sacked vious coalition governmental changes. in October 2005 from his position as The possibility of a hung parliament chairman of the board for Rarotonga also hangs over the small nation. Island’s electricity provider, Te Initial efforts by Jim Marurai at Aponga Uira O Tumutevarovaro. Sev- creating a government of national eral heads of department positions unity were viewed as unrealistic by were re-advertised. The Cook Islands’ most local longtime political leaders most senior diplomat, the high com- (CIN, 13 August 2005, 1). But the 207 208 the contemporary pacific • 19:1 (2007) prime minister later “walked the reemerge in a variety of forms, first talk,” as he and members of his as part of the ongoing struggle over department trekked into the Taku- national overseas debt, and second vaine valley as part of a team- as an element of a controversial Unit spirit–building exercise. Local media Titles Bill. The Cook Islands govern- described the activity as an effort to ment’s debt with the Italian govern- overcome the negative impact of per- ment to build a hotel, which at one sonnel changes in the department time amounted to nz$150 million, resulting from several past leadership had been reduced to nz$48.6 million adjustments. Sadly, Prime Minister in 1998. The debt was finally settled Marurai’s wife Tuaine passed away with the government of Italy at after a long illness and was laid to nz$12.9 million in February 2006. rest in her home island of Mangaia The Cook Islands’ capacity to pay in September 2005. and Italian breaches of banking regu- The first newspaper of the Cook lations were bargaining issues that led Islands, published 26 January 1895 to the final settlement (CIN, 24 Feb under the label Te Torea, was remem- 2006, 1). A second Sheraton connec- bered (CIN, 17 Aug 2005, 7). Sir tion was the Tim Tepaki–sponsored , the leader of the old- Unit Titles Bill—labeled by some as est political party in the nation, the selling airspace to foreigners (CIN, , confirmed that he 22 July 2005, 1). This bill underlined would step down from national and New Zealand–based property devel- party politics in 2006 (CIN, 28 Sept oper Tepaki’s hope for a major pro- 2005, 1), although most observers ject at the Sheraton hotel site in Taki- remained skeptical at the announce- tumu, Rarotonga, and another project ment. Meanwhile there is increasing on Ootu in . Tepaki declared pressure from women leaders for that he had spent over nz$2 million more access to positions of political since 2000 but continued to express power. A regional conference was interest in the building of five-star held in Rarotonga, aimed at advanc- hotels in both Takitumu and Ootu. ing women’s representation in Parlia- Public and landowner concerns ment. One suggestion was the enact- focused on the Unit Titles Bill’s ment of legal quotas for special encroaching on the activities of the measures for women as parliamentary lease approval tribunal, the develop- members. Women leaders and the ment investment board, immigration, general public have long perceived and the national building code (CIN, that existing parliamentarians did 19 July 2005, 1). The Are Ariki very little legislative work for their (National House of Chiefs) and the salaries and special benefits. Some Koutu Nui (National House of Sub- noted that by January 2006 Parlia- chiefs) expressed concern about the ment had only sat for thirty days final draft of the bill, alleging that it since the general election in 2004 was being rushed and that crucial (CIN, 31 Jan 2006, 1). recommendations over the height of During the year, the so-called buildings had not been considered “Sheraton debacle” continued to (CIN, 19 Sept 2005, 1). However, political reviews • polynesia 209

Pa Ariki, the paramount chief of Taki- Avatiu valley of Rarotonga. Plans tumu in Rarotonga (who stood to included a three-story building to benefit directly from the bill because house central administration, minis- of Tepaki’s proposed development on terial offices, and support staff, her Vaima‘anga property and a prom- opposition and mayoral offices, cafe- ise to help build her palace), ques- teria, gym, and conference area. The tioned Parliament’s delay in passing concept design reflected a canoe with the bill. The cabinet had earlier sup- sail design roofing. Some public com- ported the bill but it took some time mentary pointing to hidden future for Parliament to consider it. Aitutaki increases in actual costs and the people were even more vocal; they difficulty of guaranteeing funding rallied in opposition to the Unit Titles have so far placed the plans on hold. Bill, presenting a petition to Parlia- In the meantime, new Chinese aid ment. Despite widespread opposition, projects were announced in January Parliament eventually passed the bill. 2006, including a cyclone-proof high- Hotel developer Tim Tepaki was way alternative to the Nikao seawall also drawn into another development in Rarotonga and an enclosed sports controversy, which emerged in the stadium. During that same month the public media when the cabinet agreed Cook Islands government also signed to sell him government assets in Wel- a contract to build the island nation’s lington for nz$4 million without any police station with full funding by the transfer of cash, but rather a security People’s Republic of China. Some deposit (CIN, 15 Sept 2005, 1). The sixty Chinese workers were expected government company holding the on the construction site at its peak. New Zealand assets, Cook Islands By April 2006 China was offering the Property Corporation (NZ) Ltd, Cook Islands nz$4 million more for signed the deal on 12 September infrastructure projects (CIN, 8 April 2005. The arrangement became even 2006, 1). It did not go unnoticed that more contentious when the Cook 165 countries worldwide had diplo- Islands government audit director matic ties with the People’s Republic declared in his report that there were of China. In July 1997, the Cook perceived conflicts of interest and a Islands had become one of nine lack of thorough and intensive due Pacific Island countries to recognize diligence. Tepaki reacted to the com- China and its “One-China policy.” ments by labeling the audit director’s China had clearly been expanding its report as flawed and slanderous (CIN, diplomatic presence in the Pacific 16 Jan 2006, 6). Seemingly taking a region with embassies in Fiji, Papua 180-degree turn, by April 2006 the New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, Feder- cabinet had thrown out Tepaki’s ated States of Micronesia, and Kiri- diplomatic project (CIN, 5 April bati. In fact, China now has the 2006, 1). largest number of diplomats in the Another major government project region (CIN, 21 Sept 2005, 6). proposal initiated during the year During the period under review, involved a nz$10 million dollar par- the government approved a second liamentary complex to be built in the television station to be run by The 210 the contemporary pacific • 19:1 (2007)

Digital Factory. The first station, for- potential conflicts of interest that merly run by the government, is now plague many small societies. I sat in managed by the Pitt Group. Three on three cases involving a justice of new fm radio licenses were also the peace, and was frankly amazed at issued by the government, for the summations that reflected the justice’s Cook Islands Seventh-Day Adventist personal or religious opinions with Mission (tk ana 3 radio fm), Nicho- no bearing on the case. In private las Henry of The Digital Factory discussions, a senior policeman on (Tumutevarovaro radio fm), and Rarotonga shared his frustration Jeane Matenga, Ellijah Communica- over situations where criminals were tions Ltd (Radio Cook Islands fm). allowed to walk free or receive a By March, The Digital Factory was mere slap on the hand and a ridicu- on air with fm88.1, and the Seventh- lously low fine. On the other hand, Day Adventist radio with tk ana 3 defense lawyers argue that sloppy on fm 98.7. police work was more often the The government continued its weakness of such cases. crackdown on state houses, requiring The challenges facing Cook Island- expiring tenancy contracts to demon- ers also include a continuing rise in strate qualification for any renewal the cost of living. The Cook Islands consideration, as private money- Workers Association tried to revive lenders received much public criti- the cost-of-living adjustment for cism for deals that took away peo- workers, a system established in 1970 ple’s lands (CIN, 14 July 2005, 4). by a Democratic Party government Loan sharks were reportedly charging but later removed by a Cook Islands 24 percent interest plus additional Party government. Public servants had illegal charges, such as real estate had no cost-of-living adjustment since fees (CIN, 9 July 2005, 6). April 1992, when a 7 to 8 percent The government continued appoint- increase was adopted. It was not until ing justices of the peace based on May 2006 that the cabinet approved political favors and general accep- 12 percent pay rise and a nz$5 per tance without prior legal training, hour minimum-wage package. standards, or testing. This practice, Rising fuel costs continued to affect as opposed to a more merit-based everyone, although they did not pre- approach, is particularly problematic vent Air New Zealand from achieving because justices of the peace have nz$180 million record profit by the increasingly been allowed to sit on end of July 2005. During the year criminal and land cases, supposedly under review, Air New Zealand as a way of saving money. Bringing announces plans to withdraw its in judges from New Zealand dra- Christchurch to Rarotonga service, matically reduced irregularities but causing some concern among tourist drained the government budget. But operators in Rarotonga. It was allowing an untrained justice of the expected that the dependence on oil- peace to decide on far-reaching crimi- run power generators would mean nal and land cases is clearly a disaster, that local power costs would rise 14 given the family orientation and percent to 25.8 percent by June 2006 political reviews • polynesia 211

(CIN, 25 May 2006, 1). In fact fuel Mayor Sir Barry Curtis promised prices forced local airline Air Raro- three more trades-based scholarships tonga to increase fares by 10 percent for Cook Islanders to attend the while Virgin Blue Airlines focused on Manukau Institute of Technology. announcing plans to introduce twice- Also during the year under review, weekly flights from Auckland to the Cook Islands government decided Rarotonga, thus breaking Air New to remove import levies except on Zealand’s monopoly on the route. particular items such as pork, soft A newly formed Cook Islands drinks, pearls, fresh fruit, vegetables, Black Pearl Jeweler Manufacturer’s alcohol, tobacco, fuel, and vehicles. Guild held its first meeting in January Entomologist Dr Peter Maddison 2006, and by March work began on visited Rarotonga to help the Cook the nz$1.5 million Avatiu Western Islands Natural Heritage Project iden- Harbor Extension Program. tify insects, and some one hundred In May, Kainuku Kapiriterangi was new insects were soon documented; it invested as Ariki, filling the vacancy was expected that the number would left by a previous holder who had rise to 1,000 (CIN, 18 Aug 2005, 5). passed away. Kainuku is one of two One hundred and ten applications paramount chiefs for Takitumu dis- were received by the end of May 2006 trict in Rarotonga. The island has a for fourteen advertised heads of min- total of six paramount chiefs: Makea, istry positions. In the health area, a Karika, Vakatini, Tinomana, Pa, and new initiative to encourage hiv/aids Kainuku. Also in the month of May, prevention in the Cook Islands pro- the new Cook Islands–based South moted a discount purchase card, on Pacific School of Medicine opened its which were printed reminders about doors with four international students healthy living. Curiously, card holders and much criticism about its legiti- are asked to promise to keep their macy and credibility. Less controver- bodies safe, to respect themselves, to sial and more widely supported was care for themselves and those they the announcement of a million-dollar love, to respect others and treat all Pacific Islands Studies campus in people with dignity, and to help Rarotonga for the University of the make their community a healthy and South Pacific. vibrant place. There are currently two A unesco report, released earlier, reported cases of hiv in the Cook indicated that although the Cook Islands (CIN, 29 Aug 2005, 1). A Islands has 80 percent enrollment for couple of residents I spoke to while early childhood education (preschool), in Rarotonga recently suggested that a mere 50 percent of these students similar cards ought to be issued to made it to grade five. The figures politicians, who seem to quickly undoubtedly reflect continuing out- forget their promises once they win migration of Cook Islanders, although election. the unesco report does not comment On the agriculture front, there was on this (CIN, 22 Aug 2005, 1). While some panic when immigration offi- visiting the Cook Islands in September cials found seven Giant African snails 2005, New Zealand’s Manukau City on board an Air New Zealand flight 212 the contemporary pacific • 19:1 (2007) that had flown from Sämoa via (CIN, 29 July 2005, 1). There were Auckland. The destructive snails are also other moments for celebration, found widely in Sämoa but have yet such as when Sarah Noomaara won to become established in the Cook two gold medals for free sparring and Islands. Meanwhile, the nono (or special technique at the world tae noni [Morinda citifolia]) industry kwon do championships in Australia, continued to struggle with price placing the Cook Islands sixth out of undercutting from Asia, and pearl forty-nine participating countries farming was not doing as well as (CIN, 21 July 2005, 8). expected. During the year, the visit of a con- During the year, the Cook Islands man from Africa, who entered the patrol boat Te Kukupa joined with Cook Islands under a false passport, Sämoa patrol boat Nafanua and Kiri- continued to receive attention from bati patrol boat Teanoia to carry out senior public officials. While in Raro- exercises in their regional waters (CIN, tonga the man had apparently tried to 30 July 2005, 1). Te Kukupa later set sell chemicals that would clean bank- off to Australia for a nz$3 million notes painted black by the banks for refit funded by the Australian govern- disposal. He was found guilty and ment. While visiting New Zealand, sentenced to a year in jail, but before French Polynesia President Oscar he could be deported his false pass- Temaru suggested that regional gov- port was discovered. He also seemed ernments consider a Pacific passport, to conveniently forget his country of modeled after the European Union origin, leaving the Cook Islands gov- passport (CIN, 19 July 2005, 1). ernment wondering what to do with Temaru, who is part Cook Islander, him. Suspected to be a Nigerian, he received guarded support for this idea is the country’s first stateless person among Cook Islanders. (CIN, 24 Jan 2006, 1). In a year of constant controversy, Also visiting were representatives Cook Islands Religious Advisory of the US reality television show Sur- Council leaders also spoke out. vivor, who chose Cook Islands as Church leaders openly contested the their next venue. The island of Aitu- possibility of the Rev Sun Myung taki soon became their main location. Moon’s Reunification Church (also Aitutaki landowners were given known as the Moonies) being regis- nz$100,000 by the Cook Islands tered in the Cook Islands. Overseas government and the island council trips to Korea by politicians funded issued various restrictions on local by the church were particularly criti- movements to ensure the success of cized. The Rev Tutai Pere, president the program. The island council’s of the religious council, was very out- restrictions faced legal challenges but spoken on the issue. Other citizen con- are not expected to affect the Survivor cerns focused on the national Maire participants and film crew on Aitu- Maeva Nui celebrations, and the taki, an island well known for its hos- apprehension that the media might pitality. The Survivor filming should continue to be disallowed from cover- be completed by July 2006 for subse- ing the competitive dancing event quent release. This filming program in political reviews • polynesia 213

Aitutaki will more than likely further the French national holiday) but then inflate land and consumer goods finally agreed to participate (TP, 14 prices, adding to the woes of locals. July 2005). Earlier that month, on jon tikivanotau m jonassen 4 July, he had hosted a United States Independence Day celebration in the presidential palace, a gesture that was References perceived as a provocation by the pro- French opposition (TP, 6 July 2005). CIN, Cook Islands News. Rarotonga. Daily. Temaru also participated as a guest of honor in the national holiday cele- brations of Vanuatu, Cook Islands, and Niue, each time underlining the French Polynesia importance of the achievement of independence (or full self-govern- Political life in French Polynesia dur- ment), which his country still lacks. ing the review period was still charac- Meanwhile, when new French High terized by instability and uncertainty Commissioner Anne Boquet arrived about the future, and had only cooled on 10 September, replacing Michel down slightly after the political crisis Mathieu (who had tended to favor of 2004–2005. The new government former President Gaston Flosse and under President Oscar Temaru, who his party and shun the Temaru gov- had been inaugurated in March 2005, ernment), hope rose for a more har- seemed to be firmly in power during monious relationship between Papeete most of 2005, but 2006 brought and Paris. Indeed, the initial relations another attempted overthrow, follow- between Boquet and the Temaru gov- ing a split in the governing coalition. ernment were very friendly. On 15 Among the general population, the September, the new high commis- original euphoria of a new policy of sioner was greeted by Temaru and Taui Roa (Big Change) has to a large Assembly Speaker Antony Geros with degree become replaced by a more a kava ceremony in the hall of the sober sentiment as taui (change) is assembly building—an event that was happening slower than people had perceived as a symbol both of recon- hoped. Meanwhile, the relationship ciliation with the French state and of between the local government and the the country’s cultural “reintegration French state fluctuates between con- into Oceania,” since kava drinking frontation and reconciliation. Rela- had become virtually extinct in tions between French Polynesia and Tahitian culture (TPM, Oct 2005). other Pacific Islands, on the other Reintegration into Oceania remains hand, are becoming closer and more one of the main agenda items for the frequent. Temaru government, in the cultural In July, the president’s uneasy atti- as well as the political sense. At the tude toward France became once more annual Pacific Island Forum meeting apparent, when he first announced in Port Moresby on 25 October, pro- his intention to boycott the official posals were made to upgrade French celebration on 14 July (Bastille Day, Polynesia’s status from that of