THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC· SPRING 1993 treasury Tumuatau Falema'o Pili seeks into a crass political machine and was election to the office of governor, as finally abolished in 1978. does Galumalemana Frank Pritchard, In October 1992 the former director of agriculture and one­ hosts the Festival ofPacific Arts, an time legislator from Leone. Pritchard enormous-even courageous-under­ has chosen former director ofmedical taking for so small a nation. Every per­ services Dr Nofo Siliga as his running son in every village on Rarotonga is mate, while former governor A. P. involved in preparations for this major Lutali has selected Tauese P. Sunia, Pacific event-village beautification previously education director, as his schemes with significant prizes, plant­ lieutenant governor. All challengers ing programs to feed the extras, prepa­ face the upcoming elections with the rations for accommodating, catering formidable task of attempting to undo for, and entertaining two thousand what the politics of dependency and, participants plus more than that num­ some would say, greed have created in ber of visitors. This means a doubling American Samoa. ofthe adult population of Rarotonga.

BILL LEGALLEY Enormous efforts are involved, but it is an integrating and unifying challenge for the nation. Rarotonga's roads are being put into better condition than COOK ISLANDS ever, its water supply upgraded, public Culture and debt were the themes that buildings renovated, and the main dominated the year under review. The town foreshore is being expanded and two are related in a number ofways. made more attractive. Prime Minister Sir At the same time, a large new has a strong personal interest in and National Cultural Centre is under con­ deep knowledge of culture, and a clear struction in Avarua. The expected cost vision of its role in giving Cook Island­ of us$6 million is reasonable for the ers confidence, national cohesion, and structure being erected, but enormous a unique identity. No one else is as relative to the size ofthe nation. It is skilled in using culture as a political the equivalent per person ofPapua tool, also a forte of the first head of New Guinea or New Zealand spending government, his late cousin Albert us$I200 million on such a center. Henry. The priority being given to cul­ Maintenance and operating costs will tural matters is far beyond that in any also be high. The two-week Festival of other Pacific nation-or anywhere else Pacific Arts is budgeted to cost US$3 we know of in the world. The Ministry million. As an indication ofthe priority of Culture (Tauranga Vananga) was being given to culture, though not to established in 1990 and is now bearing negate its value, this is equivalent to some quality fruit. This is in encourag­ Papua New Guinea or New Zealand ing contrast to its predecessor, Albert spending us$600 million on such an Henry's Tumu Korero, which started event. with noble sentiments but degenerated Tourism, the main economic force POLITICAL REVIEWS • POLYNESIA 153 in the country, also depends to a signif­ Loans for telecommunications, elec­ icant degree on cultural expression. tricity upgrading, water supply, hous­ Most of the wide range of competitions ing, pearl culture, business develop­ and performances in the expressive arts ment, agriculture, and so on, all have are financed, directly or indirectly, by the potential to be repaid and to gene;:-­ the travel industry. Although Fiji and ate economic growth, provided the other island destinations were strug­ projects are well managed (though the gling, the Cook Islands enjoyed higher­ track record in this regard is very than-ever tourist numbers in 1991-92. mixed). Those for roads are within the Nevertheless, most government efforts capacity of the government to repay. to provide tourist services over the Most of the loans are nominally "con­ years have been economic disasters. cessional," though this ties the govern­ This year saw further losses, and fur­ ment to lenders' requirements (and ther unsuccessful attempts to sell off sometimes contractors'). In some cases the three government hotels. At the the costs are higher than a commercial same time, the government was press­ loan with open bidding. ing ahead with construction of a new Another concern is debts to interna­ luxury hotel to be managed by tional organizations, some ofwhich Sheraton. are far in arrears. The government is Five years ago the Cook Islands was also well behind in payment of bills to virtually debt free. Today, government businesses within the Cook Islands. debt is approaching the equivalent of The arson of the main government two years' gross domestic product, an buildings in May 1992 may add $10 extremely high figure. The main million or more to the national debt. sources of debt have been expenditures When it took office the present govern­ on culture and tourism. The National ment canceled insurance on govern­ Cultural Centre is the largest of several ment buildings in the hope that foreign projects being financed by a loan from aid would cover any losses. The hope the government of Nauru. The loan for was misplaced. the hotel was CI$71 million, but may be The government maintains that the as much as CI$100 million by the time loans are within the nation's capacity it opens in 1993. Sympathetic and to pay, with the exception ofthat for knowledgeable people do not think it the "Sheraton." Critics allege that the possible to repay the loan from reve­ Cook Islands is following a familiar nues generated by the hotel itself. The pattern of overindebtedness character­ National Cultural Centre, of course, istic not only of many Third World will not bring in significant revenue. countries but also of many higher The money is to be repaid through a income countries such as Australia and scheme involving reloaning the Nauru New Zealand. This is fine for those funds to others at higher interest rates. spending other people's money, but As the government declines to reveal creates long-term suffering for the next the details, there is some concern about generation, who have to pay it back or the deal. undergo the humiliation ofhaving I54 THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC· SPRING I993 some of it canceled in return for strin­ and businessman ), gent external controls. Which of these lost one ofits aircraft with several or other scenarios eventuates will not lives, and was not operating at the end be known for some time. of the review period. Hopes for economic growth include Social tensions, which derive in part the possible exploitation of seabed from economic changes, are creating minerals on the Manihiki Plateau (still political problems. Perhaps the greatest some way off and with as yet unpre­ social tension within families concerns dictable financial results). Expanded land rights. Cook Islanders inherit land pearl culture is planned for Manihiki, from both parents, four grandparents, pearl culture by families is due to begin eight great-grandparents. (This is not in Tongareva in 1992 with some USAID ancient custom, though many believe it assistance, and a government-asso­ is). About 76 percent of Cook Islanders ciated corporation is expected to live in New Zealand, Australia, French develop the industry in Suwarrow. Polynesia, or elsewhere. Demands for Even if the last two have no develop­ land by the growing number of return­ ment problems, it will be some years ees, and by those remaining overseas before significant returns are available. but claiming what they consider to be Some see a good future in aquaculture. "their share" back home, are now a sig­ Short-term prospects in tourism appear nificant source of friction. Whereas full good, and further growth is expected. employment used to be the norm, 30 Other hopes lie in the Australian lot­ percent of Cook Islanders in New tery, Lotto, which began operation in Zealand are now unemployed, as auto­ 1992. The resultant government reve­ mation, specialization, and deregula­ nue is to be used for sport and youth tion do away with low-skill occupa­ activities, though the drain of foreign tions. exchange to Australia will also be sig­ The impact is strongest in Raro­ nificant. tonga, where the population increas­ The international finance center ingly concentrates, rapidly making it a seems to thrive, but the international different world and'lifestyle from the ship registry has failed to bring in the outer islands. However, tensions are expected revenue. Five of the twenty also apparent in Manihiki and ships registered so far have sunk! Inter­ Tongareva as residents and returnees national insurers are very cautious compete over land and water rights for about vessels registered in the Cook potentially lucrative pearl culture Islands. projects. After a dearth of sea transport and Returnees also create other prob­ a series of marine disasters over some lems, including disturbing increases in years, early 1992 saw the introduction burglary, rape, and other violent of a plethora ofprivate interisland crime. The chief magistrate estimates shipping services. Not all of these that most crime is caused by the small enterprises are likely to survive in such percentage of people who have lived a small market. A new airline, Avaiki overseas for a long time, but not Air (chaired by Member of Parliament achieved their goals and come back as POLITICAL REVIEWS • POLYNESIA 155

"failures." However, locals contribute of the party, said he would "consider too, and eleven cases of arson over his options." He is known for energy Easter weekend 1992 were the work of and innovation, Dr Maoate for tact local youth. The building complex and diplomacy. Together they could housing the Prime Minister's Depart­ make a strong team, but they publicly ment, Cabinet offices, Post Office, Jus­ vilify each other. The party is in tatters. tice Department, Survey, Internal A snap election is likely late in 1992, Affairs, and others, was burnt to the or early in 1993, a year before it is due. ground a few weeks later. The government may decide to ride the Other changes with political and wave of public euphoria caused by high social implications are driven by the levels of employment and spending international agencies, whose funds, from the loans, by a good year for staff, and resources pour in (and are tourism, by the Festival of Pacific Arts, sucked in) in return for the opportunity and by the lack of a realistic opposi­ to influence policies. Top of the pops tion. Moreover, the government has this year, in terms of funding, were fulfilled more of its election promises environmental and nutritional issues. than most governments in most places. Chair of the Board of Health Hugh The prime minister was awarded a Henry noted that Cook Islanders have knighthood, which is likely to be elec­ the Pacific's second worst incidence of torally popular and taken as a sign of nutrition- and lifestyle-related diseases. royal approval. Most ofthe public Chief Nutritionist Ta'iora Matenga­ are not aware that such honors are Smith, said the incidence of heart dis­ awarded on the recommendation of the ease in Rarotonga multiplied ten times government concerned. Sir Geoffrey over the last four years, due mainly to has also been selected as chancellor of increased consumption of junk food. the University ofthe South Pacific, a In party politics, the opposition con­ titular post held by heads of govern­ tinued its downward slide. Another ment or heads of state of the twelve opposition member of parliament, member countries in turn. Again the Nihi Vini of Penrhyn, defected to the public will not be aware of the selec­ government in return for concessions tion process and it is another propi­ to him and his electorate (including his tious sign for the success of the ruling becoming an assistant minister). The Cook Island Party in an election. opposition Democratic Party (formerly In international relations the prime Democratic Taokotai Party) met to minister, once the strongest critic of consider its leadership crisis. Mr Nor­ French nuclear testing, cautioned the man George (a former minister for for­ people against negative action, and eign affairs) had given notice of a chal­ explained the French position. The lenge to the incumbent Dr Pupuke change was no doubt due to two Robati. Dr Robati stood down but Dr "development" loans from the French Terepai Maoate was elected leader, government, and a request for French with Mr Iaveta Arthur as deputy help with transport, equipment, and leader. Mr George, who claims to have catering for the Festival of Pacific Arts. more support among the rank and file Moreover, France now helps with sur- = Netwrmyem m'- ......

THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC· SPRING 1993

veillance of the Cook Islands exclusive tion, employment, and business enter­ economic zone, and has provided prise, which had to be developed to emergency transport and technical ser­ close the gap between Maori and vices. The opposition criticized the Pakeha. The plan was based on the government for its changed stance on assumption that the NZ$239 million nuclear testing, but the majority seem budget of the Iwi Transition Agency to feel it is a good deal for the Cook would be retained, at a time when Islands. The issue was rendered moot Minister ofFinance Ruth Richardson when France suspended its testing pro­ was bent on pruning government gram in April 1992. expenditure. A highlight of the year was the inau­ Ka Awatea was not well received by gural meeting of the GS, consisting of Mr Peters' cabinet colleagues because it the heads of government ofthe five was contrary to the government's pol­ smallest member nations of the South icy of "mainstream~ng."Under this pol­ Pacific Forum (Cook Islands, Niue, icy, services to Maori provided by the Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Nauru). They Iwi Transition Agency, such as Maori claim to get the smallest slice ofthe aid Access (an employment training and related cakes, and that they can scheme), land, Maori trustee, housing, cooperate in areas such as transport welfare, and education, would be inte­ and marine surveillance. The meeting, grated into matching programs pro­ which was Sir Geoffrey Henry's idea, vided by mainstream government was hosted by the Cook Islands and the departments. The budget of the Iwi participants felt they achieved useful Transition Agency would shrink objectives. through its redeployment to other It was a stimulating, positive year, departments. throbbing with activity. We hope the Maori suspect that mainstreaming is next generation will not have to pay for a new word for the old policies of inte­ our joy! gration, assimilation, and the mainte­

RON CROCOMBE nance ofPakeha hegemony. In the MARJORIE TUAINEKORE CROCOMBE 1980s the Department ofMaori Affairs became more user-friendly, as Maori were promoted by Chief Executive Officer Kara Puketapu from the middle MAORI ISSUES levels, where they had been kept, into In March 1991, new Minister ofMaori managerial positions. The government Affairs Winston Peters released his made moves to regain control. Against ministerial planning group's document, the wishes ofMaori leaders, the Ka Awatea. The planning group rec­ department was abolished in 1988 and ommended the establishment of a Min­ replaced by a Ministry ofMaori Policy istry ofMaori Development to replace whose only function was to recom­ the Iwi Transition Agency, which in mend policy to the government. In the turn had replaced the old Department meantime, an Iwi Transition Agency, of Maori Affairs. The report targeted with a life offive years, was established the four areas ofMaori health, educa- to implement the government's policy