Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004

Reviews of American Sämoa, Niue, as well as expressions of unease from Tokelau, Tonga, and Tuvalu are not the two major political parties and included in this issue. trenchant media queries about the circumstances surrounding his resi- dency. In an effort to win public sym- This was a year of birthdays in the pathy, Lyon issued an open letter to Cook Islands. The nation’s first polit- the people of Rarotonga, declaring, ical party, the “I came here for the first time in 2002 (cip), celebrated its fortieth birthday and fell under your spell. I have since in March 2004. By October, the Girl moved my family here, in the hope of Guides, the oldest uniformed women’s sanctuary from the lifestyle I wish to organization, commemorated seventy- leave behind. Given my past, I do not five years of activity since its arrival in expect you to embrace me nor to the country. And the Baha’i faith, the invite me into your daily lives. I can earliest non-Christian denomination only hope that, given enough time, to come into the Cook Islands, cele- you may see that I have learned to brated its fiftieth birthday. Also in live by your example. Like you I want October, the Child Welfare Associa- my children to do better in life than tion commemorated seventy years of I have done, not to repeat my mis- service. The year also saw the contin- takes” (CIN, 17 Dec 2003, 3). Some uation of a worrying population 100 unconvinced demonstrators decline, unpopular political party marched in the capital, Avarua, openly switches by members of Parliament, opposing Lyon’s effort to stay in the cabinet reshuffles, land controversies, Cook Islands, but the fiasco continued immigration concerns, and apprehen- when he was granted twelve-month sion about economic development. residency and a suspected “$150,000 High-profile personalities dominated payout” was revealed. It was clear the media, influencing election prepa- that the two major political parties rations, government actions, and poli- did not support the government’s cies. The dramas included convicted actions in this regard: the Democratic New Zealand business tycoon Mark Party condemned the government for Lyon; Ministry of Marine Resources granting Lyon the residency permit, Secretary Navy Epati; and Eddie and the Cook Islands Party demanded Drollett, former chief of staff of the answers over related issues. prime minister’s department. Rumors persisted that Lyon had Efforts by Mark Lyon to seek given money to assist the Democratic sanctuary in Rarotonga attracted Party in its reelection bid. This was much attention, generating demands never confirmed, but the local media from the newly formed Concerned did discover that Lyon had received Citizens Group for an investigation, $100,000 of his money back, minus

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$50,000 that his lawyer, Norman industry later charged that Epati’s George (also a member of Parliament), chartered vessels were flouting rules had reserved for legal coverage. Cook he was supposed to be enforcing. Islands Prime Minister Dr Robert The crews of Korean vessels named Woonton’s revelation that Lyon was Chong Myong 701, 703, and 705 one of several people interested in brought in by Epati’s fishing company purchasing the on-again, off-again were accused of several irregularities, Vaima‘anga (or Sheraton) hotel pro- including illegally transshipping fish— ject only added to the debacle (CIN, transferring catches from one boat 6 Dec 2003, 1). Amid all of this con- to another without registering them fusion, Lyon traveled to Mangaia on (CIN, 9 Dec 2003, 1). Eventually his “Miami Vice–style launch” and Epati quit his ministry post over arrived unannounced, much to the integrity and credibility issues. annoyance of residents. He was asked Another personality receiving to leave, but damage to his boat national political attention during the forced a two-week stay. To make year was Eddie Drollett, former chief peace with the Mangaia people, he of staff to the prime minister. After donated a processor for the island’s lengthy court proceedings, Drollett growers of noni fruit (Morinda citrifo- admitted to illegally receiving $25,000 lia). However, such acts of “inspired” of taxpayer money while he was aid did not help Lyon’s situation. working in the Office of the Prime After meeting with citizens concerned Minister (CIN, 2 July 2003, 1). about Lyon’s lifestyle and influence on Although Parliament had relatively others, and reviewing allegations of few sittings, it was a busy if not ago- pornography, drug use, and assault, nizing year for some of its members. the prime minister finally withdrew In July, resigned as his support and banned Lyon from member of Parliament for Arutanga/ reentering the country (CIN, 16 Jan Reureu/ Nikaupara, Island, 2004, 1). Only months after calling expressing disappointment over the them wonderful and inspiring, Mark budget and the inadequate allocation Lyon branded the people of the Cook for Aitutaki. In August, Geoffrey Islands “boring as hell” (CIN, 12 Feb Heather won the parliamentary seat 2004, 1). for , Rarotonga, replacing his Lyon shared the media limelight wife Maria, who had died earlier in with Navy Epati, head of the Cook the year. Just days after winning the Islands Ministry of Marine Resources, election, Heather was appointed whose ownership of a fishing com- undersecretary to the prime minister, pany generated suggestions of conflict giving him an extra $15,000 a year. In of interest. Epati had a 70 percent September, the overseas seat occupied stake in Te Maroro Fishing Company by Dr Joseph Williams was abolished, Ltd, a commercial fishing venture he effective the date of the upcoming had set up in May 2003 while head general election. of the marine resources ministry. He Visitors to the Cook Islands also owned half of a fish processing included Governor General of New company. Members of the fishing Zealand Dame Silvia Cartwright and political reviews • polynesia 187

New Zealand First Party leader and Their prime target was lawyer Nor- former Deputy Prime Minister man George—considered to be the Winston Peters. Meanwhile, political “kingmaker” because of his pivotal undercurrents continued with con- role in all government coalitions to stant realignments in allegiance— date. Businessman Eugene Tatuaava seemingly based on personal gain— was put forward as the Democratic much to the disappointment of most Party candidate at the September Cook Islanders. , 2004 general elections in the Tenga- founder of a new political party, tangi-Areora Ngatiarua Atiu Island National, joined up with the Cook constituency, even though George Islands Party as part of a personal was the incumbent. George described effort to win a seat in Parliament. efforts to oust him as the work of In the process he shifted his intended “a small breakaway of Demo funda- constituency from Ruaau to in mentalists” (CIN, 4 March 2004, 1), Rarotonga, displacing Keu Mataroa, but the pressure eventually forced him an already elected cip candidate. to become an independent candidate. Mataroa subsequently abandoned The looming September 2004 election support for his party in favor of his encouraged other new developments. former opponent. Joshua Ngamatau founded a new By November 2003, Dr Woonton Republican Party to enter the 2004 had become the new leader of the general election, although it seemed Democratic Party, and efforts at uni- to be offering candidates only on the fying the various factions within the island of Aitutaki. And in spite of party received much support. The public pressure to create more party goal of winning the upcoming elec- loyalty, the cabinet resisted reform tion, scheduled for September 2004, efforts. It appeared to the general was a strong driving force. However, public that the cabinet wanted mem- an attempt by some factions of the bers of Parliament to continue chang- Democratic Party and the Cook ing parties without penalties. Islands Party to unseat Prime Minis- Lack of penalties also emerged as ter Woonton backfired, and two min- an issue at the regional level. The isters (Dr and Tan- Cook Islands has always willingly gata Vavia) were obliged to resign. committed trained personnel and The leadership struggle within the financial resources to the South Democratic Party continued into Pacific Regional Environment Pro- 2004. At the last party conference gram (sprep), based in Sämoa, and before the general election, Maoate even provided its first administrative fought off a challenge by the prime head. So the dismissal of senior sprep minister to become the Democratic officer I‘o Tuakeu-Lindsay came as a Party leader by a 26–24 vote. A new surprise to many. A former Cook Maoate faction now in control of the Islands Environment Services director party initiated efforts to make life and a well-known hardworking pro- more difficult for the continuing fessional, Tuakeu-Lindsay was one of Woonton government by challenging two women sacked by sprep Director constituency mp seats where possible. General Asterio Takesy. She and the 188 the contemporary pacific • 17:1 (2005) other woman, a Samoan, accused maintain a military force, and the Takesy of sexual harassment (CIN, 17 involvement of its police force in a March 2004, 1). The Samoan govern- regional defensive role was a chal- ment expressed displeasure at Takesy’s lenging and historical step. An inci- actions and demanded an investiga- dent in Holland also brought world- tion, but the Cook Islands govern- wide attention to the Cook Islands ment showed little interest. While and its police when a visiting Dutch Takesy may have had legitimate citizen, Karen Harvey, requested reasons for his actions, the lack of Cook Islands police protection from follow-up from the Cook Islands underworld gangs in Holland. Her undermined an opportunity to clear husband had been arrested by the the matter appropriately. Dutch police for kidnapping a mil- Perhaps Cook Islands government lionaire’s seventeen-year-old son and interest was more focused on regional demanding a $19-million ransom. security and national developmental Harvey claimed that her husband issues. At the 2004 Pacific Islands had been forced into the crime by Forum meeting, the prime minister an underworld gang (CIN, 19 Dec expressed support for the idea that the 2003, 1). Forum Island countries create stronger During the year under review police and deeper links. Other issues consid- began using radar traps to counter ered important included environmen- speeding on the road, and business- tal concerns, transport links, role of man Teanaroa Worthington appeared women, decision-making, elimination before Justice Norman Smith for of domestic violence, human rights, smuggling shoes in from Hawai‘i and the needs of youth. Forum lead- (CIN, 9 July 2003, 1). Well-known ers agreed that the Pacific should (1) writer Alistair Te Ariki Campell assess options and provide for deeper returned to the Cook Islands to visit and broader regional cooperation, his home island of ; Janice taking into account the wider inter- Nicholas became the latest local national agreements in which forum woman to win the Miss South Pacific countries participate; (2) identify title; and Pukapuka held its third areas where resource-sharing and annual global conference for people policy alignment would yield the best from that island. results for the region; and (3) provide Hundreds attended the funeral of clear recommendations to leaders on Niki Smith, daughter of wealthy busi- the sequence and priorities for inten- nessman Ewan Smith, the owner of sified regional cooperation (CIN, 7 Air Rarotonga (Air Raro). The tragic April 2004, 1). motorcycle accident in which she died The return in 2003 of three Cook highlighted an ongoing problem with Islands policemen who served in the drinking and driving on the roads of Regional Assistance Mission to the Rarotonga, and the lack of an efficient Solomon Islands (ramsi), and the first aid accident response capacity. commitment of more Cook Islands The accident precipitated major personnel, marked an important ele- efforts to begin an air ambulance ment of Cook Islands regional partici- “angel” service. pation. The Cook Islands does not Another incident that had wider political reviews • polynesia 189 ramifications involved rugby, the economic and social benefit from it.” country’s national sport. Referees had Wen also expressed appreciation for lodged a complaint with the Cook a Cook Islands commitment to the Islands Rugby Union over an incident one-China policy. Other discussions in which player Tu Potoru had focused on a $4.8-million Rarotonga splashed water on referee Simiona courthouse, as well as a new police Teotu while Junior Areai had struck station that the Chinese offered to the match official with his hat. When fund and build. The Cook Islands the Rugby Union dismissed the com- prime minister expressed appreciation plaint, the Rarotonga Referees Associ- for China’s equal treatment of small ation expressed their disappointment countries such as the Cook Islands by calling a historic boycott of the (CIN, 29 April 2004, 1). annual Town and Country games. Chinese interest in the Cook A conflict over the Pa Ariki and Islands extended to the private sector. Makea Ariki chiefly titles in Raro- A Chinese company (privately owned tonga, and over various subchiefly but headed by a government official) titles, suggested that monetary inter- placed a bid to take over the export ests linked to land were taking prece- of black pearls from the Cook dence over traditional concerns with Islands. The value of pearl exports family and sharing. Another para- had dropped from $18.3 million in mount chief on Rarotonga, Tinomana 2000 to only $6.4 million in 2002 Ruta, had already leased out several (CIN, 21 July 2003, 1). China offered blocks of land in her capacity as Ariki, to pay $40 to $50 apiece, compared often over the strong objection of to Japan’s current purchases at $30 legitimate landowners. apiece. That interest has yet to The increased involvement of the materialize. Chinese government in major develop- In August, a New Zealand surveil- ment projects was very obvious dur- lance plane spotted two fishing ves- ing 2003–2004. A multimillion-dollar sels, suspected to be Taiwanese long- Chinese commitment to the construc- liners, inside the exclusive economic tion of the Cook Islands Ministry of zone of the Cook Islands. A month Justice offices and courthouse in later, the fishing vessel Young Duk Rarotonga drew much interest on the ceased operation due to mechanical island. Awareness was amplified when problems and the financial difficulties work finally began on the downtown of its owner, making it the second courthouse on 29 October 2003, with vessel to sit idle in the main harbor about forty imported Chinese gov- of Avatiu (CIN, 29 Sep 2003, 1). By ernment workers assisting in the con- October, the Mahr-Leena, another struction. People’s Republic of China fishing vessel operating out of the Premier Wen Jiahao told visiting Cook Islands, had gone into receiver- Prime Minister Woonton, “China is ship (CIN, 20 Oct 2003, 1), and in ready to enhance friendly relations February 2004 the Walara K tried to with all South Pacific nations includ- leave the country without settling ing the Cook Islands.” He declared outstanding debts. To make matters that “by providing the Cook Islands worse, fishing giant Sealord pulled out with assistance China had gained of the Cook Islands only nine months 190 the contemporary pacific • 17:1 (2005) after declaring itself the leader in the ever, the huge expenditure on the development of the fishing industry airport attracted much criticism. Most there. Hawkes Bay Fisheries also with- critics saw it as an excuse to assist the drew from the country. Representa- privately owned Air Raro at taxpayer tives of both companies declared that expense. The newly sealed runway the strong value of the New Zealand dramatically reduces the maintenance dollar affected the price of catches costs of Air Raro, and there is appar- (CIN, 10 April 2004, 1). In response ently little possibility that global to these developments, Temu Okotai, carriers will use the Aitutaki “inter- a leading Cook Islands businessman, national runway” on a regular basis. called for the Pacific region to regu- Tourism development in Aitutaki late the price of tuna in overseas mar- underlines the need to control opera- kets—by catching less. “Catch rates tors and monitor environmental are calculated on what is sustainable, impacts. In July 2003, a tour boat but I think there’s another measure visiting the smaller island capsized, and that is how much fish is needed injuring several of its passengers. The to get a decent return” (CIN, 19 island council began to look at new March 2004, 1). bylaws to regulate such activities. A Unlike the fishing industry, tourism proposed Captain Cook Hotel devel- continued its strong development. opment for Aitutaki was also heavily New Zealand and Europe still repre- criticized for its potential impact on sented the strongest tourism markets the environment. The development for the Cook Islands. By the end of of necessary infrastructure, including October 2003, some 21,104 New systems for solid and liquid waste Zealand tourists had visited, followed disposal and water supply, has not by United Kingdom /Europe with kept pace with tourism development 17,623, and Australia with 8,810. projects, which seem to be spiraling Interestingly, of those coming from out of control. New Zealand, 2,090 were actually Such environmental concern is also Cook Islanders living in New Zealand evident on the main island of Raro- —a reminder that many more Cook tonga, where most tourists visit. Calls Islanders live in New Zealand than in for a full environmental impact assess- the Islands (CIN, 30 Dec 2003, 1). ment were not uncommon during However, only 17,067 tourists came 2003–2004, and the need for such during the first three months of 2004, studies was validated by the reported a reduction of some 1,143 compared erosion at the Rarotongan Resort, one to the same period in 2003 (CIN, 18 of the oldest and largest accommoda- May 2004, 1). tions on the island. Increased tourism Although most visitors stayed in has generally placed a strain on the Rarotonga, an increasing number Rarotonga resources, but problems visited the outer islands, particularly with pollution, water, and general Aitutaki. In an effort to further infrastructure have not dampened expand the visitor industry in Aitu- the government’s drive to increase taki, a new international airport the volume of tourist traffic into the opened there during the year. How- Cook Islands. Royal Tongan Airlines political reviews • polynesia 191 inaugurated service during the year, March 2004, 1). The incident raised although their regular flights did not fears about anticipated damage to this last long. Air New Zealand and Aloha particular motu (small island) from Airlines continued their Cook Islands human settlement, the growing inac- operations while the viability of a cessibility of what was once available national airline was again considered. to the extended family and other peo- Pacific Smart Saver fares were avail- ple, and the impact of the decision in able on Air New Zealand flights to setting a precedent in Rarotonga. New Zealand, Fiji, and Australia, The people of Rarotonga have also offering up to 35 percent off the regu- been concerned about environmental lar economy fare. Although the fare issues not caused by human activities. cuts were designed to increase tour- These included toxins thriving in ism, there was concern that they Muri Lagoon and an unidentified would also add to an already massive problem in the waters close to the out-migration of Cook Islanders. village of , which has Ironically, as the growth of tourism caused health problems and reduced increases job opportunities, more the number of visitors to the area. Cook Islanders have been leaving the These problems prompted the Tapo- country. Undaunted, the government roporo Ipukarea Society to call on has tried to meet the needs of tourist- government to ratify the UN Stock- related trades by establishing training holm Convention, which is designed schemes. The signing of a memoran- to address the problem of organic dum of understanding between the pollutants—the suspected culprit in Cook Islands Hospitality and Tour- Titikaveka. ism Training Center and the Univer- The Cook Islands remained on an sity of the South Pacific Institute of international money-laundering black- Technology was seen by Prime Min- list. By 4 June 2004, in the Cook ister Woonton as a historic step. It Islands and elsewhere, operators of allowed for a large number of train- offshore companies, banks, insurers, ing schemes designed to create jobs and trust accounts must make full and stem the outflow of young peo- disclosures and comply with the same ple. Nonetheless, the high cost of procedures and principles (CIN, 28 living in the Cook Islands, relatively Feb 2004, 1). A new law removing low wages, and increased demand for certain protection provisions in off- cheaper contract labor from overseas shore banking operations was continue to discourage locals from adopted, moving the country toward staying. compliance. New Financial Action The growing tourism industry also Task Force rules call for information impacts the environment in a variety on the capital adequacy of offshore of ways. In a historical legal action, institutions, detail prudential require- Gerald Garnier and his wife Marie- ments, as well as on-site inspections France Cowan were granted occupa- and a physical presence. A top-level tion rights on Motu Tapu, in spite of Indian politician is among those ren- strong opposition from the commu- dered vulnerable by the new require- nity and many landowners (CIN, 12 ments. Parkash Singh Badal, former 192 the contemporary pacific • 17:1 (2005) chief minister of the Indian state of consumer price index [cpi] and shows Punjab, has been under scrutiny for how quickly prices are rising.) The allegedly laundering millions of dol- highest increases came in the housing lars through the Cook Islands (CIN, category (including rents and mainte- 16 Oct 2003, 1). The country’s off- nance costs), which jumped by 4.2 shore banking industry is also impli- percent, and in miscellaneous goods cated in the disputed takeover of and services, which rose 5.15 percent English premier league soccer club (CIN, 24 May 2004, 1). The inflation Chelsea by Russian billionaire Roman problems faced by the average Cook Abrahamnivich for $388 million. An Islander were exacerbated by over- investigation revealed that the Cook pricing in many stores. Four months Islands–based company Ceranites after the price order came into effect held five million shares in the Chelsea on 26 February 2004, price inspector club (CIN, 29 July 2003, 1). In yet Helen Maunga said that “most of the another incident, the state-owned 46 shops visited so far were found to Bank Negara Indonesia was swindled have breached the price order” (CIN, out of us$300 million by two export- 28 May 2004, 1). ers who were reportedly given loans During the year, the Asian Devel- using letters of credit issued in Kenya, opment Bank (adb) announced two Switzerland, and the Cook Islands loans totaling us$5.3 million for the (CIN, 13 Nov 2003, 1). country over the next three years. The During the year, government pur- loans were to fund improvements to sued other, new revenue-generating the power supply on Rarotonga, as activities. In an effort to raise funds well as water projects on Aitutaki and locally for the Aitutaki airport run- Rarotonga (CIN, 15 Aug 2003, 1). A way upgrade, the government tried number of factors, including the Iraq to implement a $20 landing tax for war and the Severe Acute Respiratory flights between Rarotonga and Aitu- Syndrome (sars) scare, caused the taki. The tax proposal proved very bank to revise its projection of overall unpopular with Aitutaki residents, economic growth downward from who pointed out that the landowners 3.2 per cent to only 0.2 percent at the airport site were not compen- (CIN, 7 Oct 2003, 1). sated, and that most residents had The adb readjustment underlined not requested the project in the first the vulnerability of small economies place. The proposal was eventually such as that of the Cook Islands. scrapped, but as much as $20,000 While the politicians continued to had already been expended on pre- portray an image of economic success, paring Rarotonga airport and buying boasting that there were more jobs thousands of “free paid” stickers for available than there were job seekers, the proposed Aitutaki landing tax most locals were emigrating out of (CIN, 2 Oct 2003, 1). the country, and the number of for- The Cook Islands government eign workers taking up positions acknowledged that the cost of living continued to increase. The growing increased by 2 percent in 2003. number of foreign permanent resi- (Inflation is measured by checking dents who are automatically eligible the prices of various goods in the to participate fully in parliamentary political reviews • polynesia 193 elections suggests a potential for ended in the late 1990s. France con- dramatic changes to the judicial tinues to transfer massive aid for system and land laws. Unless such development, as much as us$1 billion issues are addressed, the future for a year (PIR, 26 Aug 2002). Flosse the ethnic Mäori of the Cook Islands built himself a monumental presiden- looks uncertain. tial palace that houses “623 employ- jon tikivanotau m jonassen ees and courtiers” and invested public money in many grandiose projects in Tahiti and overseas, but Temaru’s Reference demand for a referendum on inde- pendence is necessarily tempered by CIN, Cook Islands News. Rarotonga. Daily. a vision of ongoing French subsidies and compensation for the impact of nuclear testing. Editor Alex W du Prel of Tahiti-Pacifique Magazine called the situation a “social and economic French Polynesia fiasco” due to “cut and paste pro- Two overriding issues stand out in the grams prepared in Paris for a great past year or so in French Polynesia: industrial country, which French another change of statute, this time Polynesia is certainly not.” The Flosse to a supposedly more autonomous administration, which du Prel said “overseas country” of France rather encouraged only a “consumer society than an “overseas territory,” and a of privileges, of ecological looting surprising assembly election in May and corporatist castes [and] above 2004, which ended the twenty-year all made the rich more rich and reign of Gaston Flosse as president marginalized the part of the popula- and brought into office his longtime tion that remained authentic,” at one pro-independence rival, Oscar point even asked the local people for Temaru. No local leader, however, “fresh ideas” (TPM, July 2004). can easily escape the harsh reality of The number one local industry severe economic dependency caused remained tourism. In 2003, the by the introduction of nuclear testing number of visitors was over 200,000 in the 1960s. French military spending (nearly equaling the local population), distorted the communal Polynesian which represented a recovery from the society and created a middle class that negative impact of the events of 11 fed on French-subsidized government September 2001 on air travel. North jobs and patronage and enriched itself America, and mainly the United through corrupt business monopolies States, provided the largest number of and real estate investments at the visitors, with 77,000 or 40 percent of expense of the laboring majority. the market (and also the largest single French Polynesia, whose capital increase over 2002, about 25 percent); Papeete is on the populous main it was followed closely by Europe, island of Tahiti, is still in quest of a with 74,000 or 38 percent of the post-nuclear economy, since French market; then Japan with 20,000 funding for the former Centre d’Ex- (10 percent); Australia, New Zealand, perimentation du Pacifique (cep) and New Caledonia with 16,000 (8