Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

Reviews of American Sämoa, Hawai‘i, clearly designed to counter the provi- Niue, Tokelau, Tonga, and Tuvalu are sions of New Zealand’s civil union not included in this issue. legislation (CIN, 19 July 2006, 1). Government also committed itself to a variety of programs including the The period under review was domi- development of geotourism through nated by an unprecedented call for an agreement signed by Tourism general elections, parliamentary con- Minister and Sarah fl icts, and budget approval constraints Laskin, vice president of public and that at times tested the interpretation business development for National of the powers of the head of state. Geographic. The agreement obligated Ongoing out-migration of Cook the island country to adhere to four- Islanders, environmental problems, teen geotourism principles designed and continuing infl ation slipped under to sustain and enhance the geographic the radar as politicians pushed for character of a given place, including major salary increases and most Cook the environment, culture, aesthetics, Islanders struggled from paycheck and the well-being of its people. In to paycheck. The popular American return, National Geographic prom- television series Survivor, and some ised to produce maps and brochures sporting successes, provided some “which identify the unique features of respite, but an unpredictable tourist the Cook Islands” (CIN, 2 Aug, 2006, industry, technical personnel limita- 1). The Cook Islands becomes only tions, and occasional invasive diseases the fourth country to accede to the and insects reminded Cook Islanders charter. to be constantly vigilant. In July , member for July 2006 began with continuing Arutanga (Aitutaki), resigned from his concern by many observers about the cabinet post realigning himself with leak of the Queen’s Honours list from the opposition the offi ce of Prime Minister Jim Maru- (cip). Not long after, rai, which he dismissed as “unimport- (cip) won the snap election for the ant” (CIN, 5 July, 4). Perhaps of more (Rarotonga) constituency, concern to Marurai were political potentially changing the balance of undercurrents aimed toward replac- power in Parliament and creating a ing him and the Speaker of the House footing for a change of government (CIN, 6 July 2006, 1). Meanwhile, (CIN, 20 July 2006, 1). The political one of the laws fi nalized by the Cook battle intensifi ed when opposition cip Islands Parliament was a Marriage members met in Parliament without Amendment Bill outlawing marriages Democratic Party (Demo) govern- between homosexuals. The law was ment members. After swearing in the

216 pol i t ical reviews • polynesia 217 newly elected Kiriau Turepu, they candidate Tepure Tapaitau CIN, 10 voted the Demo government out. The Aug 2006, 1). Apparently catching the event was broadcast live on national campaign committee off guard, the radio, attracting accusations of a coup Cook Islands Party failed to nominate attempt bordering on sedition and a substitute candidate, so Rasmus- treason. The extraordinary chain of sen entered the election unopposed. events became even more confusing The election was hotly contested when Queen’s Representative Sir Fred- for 23 of the 24 seats. After some erick Goodwin called for a general recounts—and allegations of bribery election. This essentially negated the involving bread, fi sh, pearls, and an by-election just won by Turepu and excavator—the Democratic Party preempted the later attempt by cip won a majority of seats and formed a parliamentarians to use a vote of no government (CIN, 14 Oct 2006, 1; CIN, confi dence to force a change of gov- 27 Oct 2006, 1). ernment (CIN, 25 July 2006). The high During this intense election period, court was drawn into the drama amid the caretaker government faced accusations of political maneuvering budgetary limitations, and the queen’s on both sides of the aisle. Meanwhile, representative issued an unprecedented caretaker Prime Minister decree authorizing bridging expen- tried to reassure the general popula- diture from 20 November to twelve tion that there was no cause for alarm sitting days after the fi rst meeting of (CIN, 25 July 2006, 1). The election the newly elected Parliament (CIN, was set for 26 September 2006. 18 Nov 2006, 1). In the subsequent Sir Geoffrey Arama Henry debate over the intervention, New announced his retirement from the Zealand constitutional expert Dr Cook Islands Party leadership effec- Alex Frame warned that the claim tive 31 August 2006, and as mem- of “necessity” cited by the head of ber of Parliament representing the state was diffi cult to justify (CIN, 18 Takuvaine (Rarotonga) constituency. Dec 2006, 1). A second legal opinion Mark Brown replaced Henry as cip by Dr William Hodges, a member of candidate for Takuvaine, and Tom the Auckland University law faculty, Marsters, the member of Parlia- supported Frame’s remarks but added ment for (Rarotonga), was that the queen’s representative “does eventually elected to lead the Cook have reserve powers ‘to sustain and Islands Party in Parliament (CIN, 13 not to destroy’ peace, order and good Dec 2006, 1). The party now faces government as provided by the consti- multiple challenges: new leadership, a tution” (CIN, 21 Dec 2006, 13). seemingly overzealous head of state, The national police provided one possible court challenges, and a pend- focus for the newly constituted Demo ing general election. government when an eagerly awaited As candidates fi led their nomina- review identifi ed poor leadership, tions for the elections, Wilkie Ras- fi nancial mismanagement, and lack of mussen switched his allegiance to the public confi dence as key issues fac- Democratic Party. He had originally ing the force (CIN, 5 Dec 2006, 1). In won his seat by nine votes over Demo April, the cabinet appointed Patrick 218 the contemporary pacifi c • 20:1 (2008)

Tasker, a New Zealand inspector, as Cook Islands Investments Corporation the new commissioner of police. The (ciic) board chairman Julian Dash- new commissioner will be expected wood over plans to tour Auckland to manage necessary changes while ports in February 2007. The decision sustaining police operations (CIN, 28 to terminate Beer may have also been April 2007, 1). In another change, infl uenced by a December 2006 audit local Shola Ivaiti was named to replace that claimed improper payments of Kevin Carr as fi nancial secretary (CIN, over nz$30,000 for consultancy work 23 Feb 2007, 1). Earlier, former Solici- (CIN, Feb 2007, 1). Dashwood himself tor General Janet Maki became the was later terminated after the change country’s fi rst woman ombudsman, of government. “Maybe it’s because beginning her new job 15 November I was trying to weed out corruption. 2006 (CIN, 1 Nov 2006, 1). Her stated I guess my standards are higher than goal was to provide a public service theirs,” declared Dashwood (CIN, 22 that ensures government accountabil- Feb 2007, 1). The Chamber of Com- ity (CIN, 3 Nov 2006, 3). merce weighed in on the controversy The issue of fi sheries poaching by expressing concern at the “appar- emerged in December, when long-liner ent political interference shown by FV Tim Tam was captured by a police the sacking of Dashwood (CIN, 23 squad fi shing ninety nautical miles Feb 2007, 1). Local businessman Sam south-southwest of Island. “Gumby” Crocombe replaced Beer as The Tim Tam had a Korean captain the new chairman of the Ports Author- and a crew made up of a Samoan, ity Board, while Tapi Taio replaced Fijian, Chinese, and three Taiwanese Dashwood as ciic chairman (CIN, 9 sailors (CIN, 6 Dec 2006, 1). About March 2007, 1). seventeen tons of mostly albacore tuna In April 2007, the Chinese-funded on board were sold off cheaply to the National Police Headquarters in general public in Rarotonga (CIN, 14 Avarua was fi nally opened with a Dec 2006, 1). Skipper Yeong Bae Han ceremony led by Queen’s Representa- was convicted and fi ned the minimum tive Sir Frederick Goodwin and the nz$100,000, a far cry from the legal Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yuan- maximum of nz$1 million (CIN, 16 yuan (CIN, 2 April 2007, 5). The Dec 2006, 1). In May 2007, a Taiwan- government revealed a Chinese-funded ese long-lining vessel FV Yin Chen nz$7.5 million road-upgrading project No 1 was caught fi shing illegally and for the 5.5-kilometer stretch of back Captain Man Liu Tsai was convicted road from Nikao to Takuvaine, to be in the high court. Noting that the ves- completed in time for the 2009 South sel had made multiple excursions into Pacifi c Mini Games (CIN, 14 March the Cook Islands exclusive economic 2007, 1). China also agreed to fund zone, the court ordered a fi ne of a new sports stadium for the Cook nz$200,000 plus nz$50,000 in costs Islands with nz$4 million in aid, plus (CIN, 24 May 2007, 1). a further nz$2 million in concessional Another focus for controversy was loans (CIN, 20 March 2007, 1). the Ports Authority Board, whose In January, Minister of Foreign chairman Don Beer Jr was sacked by Affairs and Immigration Wilkie Ras- pol i t ical reviews • polynesia 219 mussen noted an increase in foreigners In March 2007, Parliament changed illegally working in the country. He a law empowering the cabinet to give warned that it was a serious issue and, members a pay raise without being after meeting with communities of bound by the independent Remunera- Samoans, Fijians, Kiribati, and others, tion Tribunal (CIN, 8 March 2007, some twenty foreigners were given 1). Proposed adjustments would forty days to leave the country (CIN, 5 increase the prime minister’s salary Jan 2007, 1; CIN, 25 May 2007, 1). from nz$75,000 to nz$105,000, with As of December 2006, the Cook members of Parliament going from Islands total population including nz$35,000 to nz$50,000 per year visitors was 19,569 (9,932 men and (CIN, 12 April 2007, 1). The increases 9,637 women), an increase of 8.6 are apparently exclusive of many addi- percent compared to the last census tional allowances. A group for politi- in 2001. Large population declines cal change challenged the government were noted for the Northern group, to justify the change, and the Chamber especially Island, from 515 of Commerce’s Teresa Manarangi- in 2001, to 351 in 2006 (CIN, 13 April Trott described the raises as extremely 2007, 1). disturbing (CIN, 10 March 2007, 1; The budget estimate for the 2006– CIN, 20 March 2007, 1). 2007 fi nancial year tabled in Parlia- Tourism remained the largest indus- ment by Minister of Finance Dr Tere- try in the Cook Islands. Spotlight- pai Maoate totaled nz$106.9 million ing that market, Air New Zealand’s (CIN, 14 Dec 2006, 1). The 2007–2008 short-haul group general manager budget policy estimates the govern- Norm Thompson and Air Rarotonga’s ment’s net worth at nz$133.6 million managing director Ewan Smith signed in the new fi nancial year, noting that a new code-share agreement to pro- aid to the Cook Islands is expected to vide joint schedules between Aitutaki total nz$28.7 million. This represents and Rarotonga beginning in May a drop of nz$8.6 million, partially 2007 (CIN, 5 April 2007, 1). Air Tahiti explained by the removal of a one-off began its fi rst Tahiti-Rarotonga con- Australian payment of nz$4.5 million necting fl ight under a code-shared ser- for the upgrade of the patrol boat Te vice with Air Rarotonga (CIN, 3 April Kukupa in the 2006 budget (CIN, 3 2007, 1). The joint venture offers a April 2007, 1). New Zealand retained twice-a-week service (CIN, 4 April its designation as the highest donor to 2007, 1). Cruise ship tourism contin- the Cook Islands with nz$10.3 million ued during the year, and the 119,000 in aid. Government debt is expected to ton, 750-cabin Sapphire Princess, be nz$54.8 million by June 2007. The carrying 2,670 passengers, became budget statement anticipated that pro- the largest cruise ship yet to visit ceeds from the pearl industry would Rarotonga (CIN, 30 April 2007, 1). increase by 10 percent (from nz$2.1 During this review period, the million in 2006), while the fi shing government launched the country’s industry would continue exporting an fi fteen-year sustainable develop- estimated nz$9.9 million worth of fi sh ment plan titled “Living the Cook a year (CIN, 3 April 2007, 1). Islands Vision—A 2020 Challenge” 220 the contemporary pacifi c • 20:1 (2008)

(Te Kaveinga Nui—Pathway for Apostolic Church denominations, was Sustainable Development in the Cook regularly called on to offer invoca- Islands). In a public meeting, hotel tions and benedictions at government entrepreneur and economist Tata functions and events. In July 2006, the Crocombe called it a plan to nowhere, council issued a call for a national day pointing out that it failed to incor- to pray and fast for the political “cir- porate some of the country’s big- cus” occurring in the Cook Islands. gest problems such as depopulation, The rac chairman, Pastor Tutai Pere, human resource development, aid declared that the tiny nation needed dependence—and politicians. More- “deliverance from further political over he observed that the government bondage of disunity, instability and was too big (CIN, 25 Jan 2007, 1). uncertainty” (CIN, 6 July 2006, 1). Cabinet Minister Wilkie Rasmussen In another public display of political defended the government by point- pressure, Cook Islands ing out that the issues mentioned by Christian Church Pastor Iana Aitau Crocombe were not new, labeling asked police to enforce a ban prevent- his comments as “purely ideals and ing people from swimming or surfi ng theories of convenience” (CIN, 26 Jan on Sundays. The police responded 2007, 4). that they could only ask people but During the year, Tata Crocombe’s in effect could not enforce such a rule sweetheart deal in purchasing the (CIN, 11 July 2006, 1). government-owned Rarotongan Hotel In 2007 Cook Islanders appeared reemerged in the news. Tata Cro- in third place on a list of the world’s combe had been recruited by Sir Geof- fattest countries. Nauru topped the list frey Henry’s government to broker the with the greatest percentage of over- sale of state assets, but ended up pur- weight adults (94.5 percent) followed chasing the hotel himself for nz$3.25 by Federated States of Micronesia, million with no money down, and a Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga, Sämoa, grace period of ten years to pay back Palau, and Kiribati. The United States the money with no interest charges. follows in ninth place (74.1 percent). The media noted that the ten-year Conducted by the United Nations period was ending in September 2007 World Health Western Pacifi c Regional (CIN, 18 Jan 2007, 1). Crocombe was offi ce and the London-based Interna- also linked to a proposed Black Rock tional Obesity Task Force, researchers tourist development scheme incorpo- looked at the adult population over rating the current golf course, Black age fi fteen. Obesity rates highlighted Rock preschool, and Harley Street in imbalances between levels of physical Rarotonga (CIN, 25 Nov 2006, 1). activity, and signifi cant changes in diet Throughout the year under review, (CIN, 21 Feb 2007, 1). religion maintained a powerful The review period also saw a sharp infl uence on politics. The Religious rise in dengue fever cases (CIN, 14 Feb Advisor Council (rac), representing 2007, 1). The Cook Islands Ministry the Cook Islands Christian Church, of Health fi nally responded with plans Catholic, Seventh-Day Adventist, Lat- for a mosquito-spraying blitz (CIN, ter-day Saints, Assembly of God and 15 Feb 2007, 1). Although the use of pol i t ical reviews • polynesia 221

Reslin in the spray and its potentially is that outside entertainment value toxic effects received some heavy criti- that reality tv shows provide, viewers cism from the public, spraying con- will fi nd the natural attractions of the tinued anyway (CIN, 18 April 2007, country highly appealing and consider 1). A total of 1,394 cases of dengue the Cook Islands as an option for an have been recorded since May 2006, island vacation” (CIN, 20 Jan 2007, 7). with most (1,296) having occurred Another attraction in the Cook in Rarotonga. Some nineteen tourists Islands during the year was the tradi- were affected. tional canoe-building project, Te Mire Educational initiatives were also in Tarai Vaka (CIN, 18 July 2006, 1). the news during the year. Thirty-fi ve However the most challenging sport- students enrolled in the University ing event was the third Vaka Eiva, of the South Pacifi c’s new Master of a canoe race around the island of Business Administration program, Rarotonga involving thirty-fi ve teams most being heads of departments of canoe paddlers from New Zealand, paying their own way (CIN, 16 Feb Australia, Hawai‘i, Fiji, Niue, Tahiti, 2007, 1). The usp center also received and Cook Islands (CIN, 17 Nov 2006, a nz$300,000 upgrade (CIN, 25 June 1–17). 2007, 1). On the downside, the Cook The year under review was also Islands government withdrew its marked by drug and criminal activi- support for the South Pacifi c School ties. Cocaine bound for Rarotonga of Medicine set up in Rarotonga on and valued at nz$5.6 million was 16 March 2004. It was to be a two- seized in Auckland. Hidden in the year course costing foreign students linings of two suitcases, the cocaine is us$39,000 (nz$56,000). The govern- believed to have come from São Paulo, ment removed its backing after discov- South America. It is uncertain whether ering that the founder, controversial Rarotonga was the fi nal destination or American Dr Larry Sands, had been a transit point to the Australian mar- convicted of mail fraud, and disci- ket (CIN, 29 Nov 2006, 1). An unpro- plined for prescribing wrong medi- voked stabbing of an unarmed youth cines (CIN, 21 March 2007, 1). brought the realities of big city vio- By July of 2006, the popular televi- lence to Rarotonga, with Cook Islands sion series American Survivor had police declaring their determination begun fi lming its “reality game” on to stamp it out (CIN, 21 Dec 2006, Aitutaki. Filming in Cook Islands was 1). The Religious Advisory Council completed by 4 August, and Tour- reacted to the stabbing by calling for ism Authority chief executive Chris the formation of a youth action team Wong revealed that the production dubbed “Youth for Life—Mapu Kia had injected an estimated nz$3 mil- Ora” (CIN, 22 Dec 2006, 1). lion into the Cook Islands economy Cook Islanders continued to take a (CIN, 5 August 2006, 1). Exposure deep interest in environmental issues. of the Cook Islands to over 16 mil- As active participants in the United lion people in the United States alone Nations Framework Convention was expected to increase visitors to on Climate Change and the Kyoto the country. Wong stated, “Our hope Protocol since 1992, the Cook Islands 222 the contemporary pacifi c • 20:1 (2008) joined other island countries in a plea bird, which was once plentiful on the for a reduction of greenhouse gas island of Atiu. Before it became almost emissions to larger countries that con- extinct, its feathers were used for the tribute most to global warming. Island cloaks and headdresses of high chiefs. nations have been described as “the In a joint effort in April, naturalists conscience” on climate change (CIN, and Atiuans brought in twenty-seven 21 Dec 2006, 5). The Cook Islands birds from Rimatara Island in French is already being impacted by climatic Polynesia (CIN, 28 April 2007, 1). changes, particularly with regard to As part of its Unit Titles Bill initia- its tourism and pearl industries (CIN, tive the Tepaki group purchased the 16 April 2007, 3). twelve-unit Castaway property for As part of the government’s plan nz$2.3 million, adding to their recent to reduce dependency on fossil oil, purchases of Manea Beach for nz$1.8 a wind energy farm project was million, and Lagoon Lodges for nz$4 proposed at Kiikii on the island of million, with expected settlements for Rarotonga (CIN, 24 Jan 2007, 1). the Aquarius and the Manuia Beach Preliminary testing for persistent properties (CIN, 2 May 2007, 1). The organic pollutants (pops) in Raro- Tepaki group also maintains a keen tonga lagoons indicated concentra- interest in building a high-rise apart- tions of chlorinated pesticide (ddt ment block on the Cook Islands High and methoxychlor), polycyclice Commission offi ce location in New aromatic hydrocarbons (pah) and Zealand. The New Zealand High phthalates (dehp) above the detec- Court had ruled against Tepaki’s so- tion limit. Environmentalist Imogen called “diplomatic project,” which Ingram pointed out that the govern- planned to turn the Cook Islands High ment needed to take positive action Commission chancery in Wellington to remedy the environmental chal- into a high-rise offi ce and apartment lenge because it was a signatory to the complex. Originally approved by the Stockholm Convention that agreed to Cook Islands government, the deal a total eradication of pops (CIN, 15 was canceled when certain conditions Nov 2006, 7). were not met and when the govern- Another problem that emerged ment changed (CIN, 18 Oct 2006, 1). during the year took the form of the jon tikivanotau m jonassen glassy-winged “sharpshooter” bug. Discovered in Rarotonga, and sus- pected to have arrived on plants smug- References gled in from Tahiti, the insect feeds on more than three hundred host plants CIN, Cook Islands News. Rarotonga. Daily. including trees, crops, and plants such as hibiscus, gardenia, and papaya. It is also known to transmit Pierce’s French Polynesia disease, which affects grapevines (CIN, 4 April 2007, 1, 7). In more positive Political instability continued in environmental news, the year marked French Polynesia during the year the return of the kura or lorikeet under review. The barely two-year-