Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005
Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005 Reviews of American Sämoa, Mäori in integrating country development Issues, Niue, Sämoa, Tokelau, Tonga, with region-wide economic develop- and Tuvalu are not included in this ment and in ensuring that the sustain- issue. able development of the Cook Islands actually benefits the people (CIN, 3 Cook Islands June 2004, 6). As part of this devel- The period July 2004 to June 2005 opmental process, the Cook Islands can be described as a year of many government signed an agreement with political twisters and natural cyclones the governments of Australia and that continue to impact economic, New Zealand. This Cook Islands political, and social programs in the initiative, the first of its kind in the Cook Islands. The country faced a Pacific Islands, requires the Australian series of cyclones, one drawn-out Agency for International Development general election, several closely fought (AusAID) to pay its financial contri- elections for parliamentary seats, bution and a management service fee court petitions, relatively regular to the New Zealand Agency for Inter- changes in cabinet ministers and port- national Development, which “will folios, two prime ministers, and three act as trustee of the funds to be put governments. The party that won the into projects of the single co-funded election resurfaced as the opposition program” (CIN, 3 Sep 2004, 1). Loan and the prime minister came from one reserves, projected to reach nz$20.1 of the smallest constituencies in the million by 30 June 2006, are also country. provided so that existing Asian Devel- June 2004 began on a positive note opment Bank loans can be serviced as with a three-day workshop conducted they come due (CIH, 25 June, 2005, 7).
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