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 Cook Islands Prime but, for the first time, a review of Minister Dr Robert Woonton, 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 Matavera. 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 Kiriau Turepu 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 Tom Marsters as cabinet ministers in shifts in allegiance by several of the September 2005, in what Prime Min- twenty-four member parliamentarians ister Jim Marurai 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 Terepai Maoate (as initiated three hopeful candidates, deputy prime minister), Mr Tangata including former mp Norman George. Vavia, and Mrs Ngamau Munokoa. 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 Geoffrey Henry, the leader of the old- Unit Titles Bill—labeled by some as est political party in the nation, the selling airspace to foreigners (CIN, Cook Islands Party, 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 Aitutaki. 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.