Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009

Reviews of American Sāmoa, Hawai‘i, 2008), but promoted restraint among Niue, Tokelau, , , and his parliamentary colleagues. Wallis and Futuna are not included in Maoate tabled the hoa Amend- this issue. ment Bill, calling for an apology from ariki who had declared that they did not recognize Queen Elizabeth as the The 2008–2009 year began with country’s head of state (CIN, 3 Dec fallout from a major challenge to the 2008). Queen’s Representative Sir legitimacy of the government from Frederick Goodwin summoned eleven ariki (traditional chiefs). Acting on the ariki in the aftermath of their procla- advice of Bruce Mita, an Australian- mation, and there was some hope that based businessman of those ariki who had proclaimed their Māori descent, some ariki openly chal- independence would recant and rejoin lenged the country’s elected govern- the fold (CIN, 13 Dec 2008). Notably, ment. The ariki proclamation was read a few ariki boycotted the government by Vakatini Ariki and Vaeruarangi meeting (CIN, 19 June 2008), and long- Ariki and asserted that, as of 12 June term repercussions are possible. 2008, the traditional chiefs would Political activism by traditional no longer recognize the government chiefs was not restricted to the (CIN, 13 June 2008), nor would they national level. Tuki Tepano, Ariki Nui acknowledge the queen of England as of Rapanui, visited and head of state. Reaction to the decree expressed interest in contributing to was swift and mostly negative. Rongo- an Are Vananga (house of learning), matane Ada Ariki, the president of the which is being proposed as part of a (hoa), retracted her new center for the University of the initial support for the decree, and vari- South Pacific in Rarotonga. Tepano ous other objectors spoke out against also spoke of the Te Puna Ariki Tere it (CIN, 19 June, 13 June 2008). Prime Moana Nui O Hiva, a concept aimed Minister described the at strengthening links bounded by edict by a small minority of Ui Ariki the Polynesian triangle of Hawai‘i, as nonsensical and lacking credibility Aotearoa, and Rapanui (CIN, 22 May (CIN, 14 June 2008). One hoa mem- 2008). Meanwhile, the assembly of ber, Pa Ariki, also expressed disdain lesser chiefs, known as Koutu Nui, at the actions of her contemporaries worked closely with the govern- and challenged government to abol- ment, anticipating an enhanced role ish the House of Ariki (CIN, 14 June in national customary issues (CIN, 30 2008). Deputy Prime Minister Terepai June 2008). A cultural milestone was Maoate described the proclamation reached as the double-hulled Cook as misguided and wrong (CIN, 17 June Islands traditional voyaging canoe

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Te-Au-O-Tonga set sail from Raro- network, involving fifty-two kilo- tonga for American Sāmoa to partici- meters of pipeline; the upgrading of pate in the Festival of Pacific Arts (CIN, the Tereora-Tepuka sewage; and the 17 July 2008). improvement of a power- Observers suggest that a prime house. The Rarotonga ports expansion motivation for the sudden challenge will cost nz$18.2 million, which will to national governance on the part be supported by a nz$15.5 million of some traditional leaders emanated assistance package from Asian Devel- from the expected seabed mineral opment Bank (adb) as well as nz$2.7 wealth of the country. Parliament from the Cook Islands Government has always acknowledged the seabed (CIN, 26 Nov 2008). Another project, resource, and this year, the govern- the Rarotonga International Airport ment lodged a claim with the United upgrade, is set to cost nz$7–8 million Nations, delineating the boundaries (CIN, 18 Nov 2008). In addition, the of its extended continental shelf (CIN, government secured nz$26.9 million 18 April 2009). The Cook Islands is from the Asian Development Bank for claiming 400,000 square kilometers the Avatiu harbor upgrade (CIN, 6 May but awaits more rigorous submissions 2009). to the United Nations and a four-year Dependency on oil-generated waiting period (CIN, 17 April 2009). energy has long been a problem for The Commonwealth Secretariat the island administration. Govern- praised the Cook Islands shelf claim, ment interest in pursuing the purchase describing it as a major achievement of energy facilities from two compa- (CIN, 27 April 2009). Several overseas- nies, Toa Petroleum and Air bp–Juni, based concerns have expressed inter- ignited a firestorm because of secrecy est in the seabed resources of Cook and a perceived lack of accountability Islands waters, with the most recent in use of public funds. The country’s involving the Canadian merchant own audit department alleged corrup- bankers Endeavour Mining Capital, tion in the Ministry of Works (CIN, which offered the government nz$10 2 Sept 2008), and pointed fingers at million for a retention license for man- the Secretary of Works Ata Herman. ganese nodule mining (CIN, 22 Aug defended the govern- 2008). (nz$1.00 equals approximately ment’s interest in a fuel farm scheme us$0.70.) The proposition was not (CIN, 19 June 2009), but triad Pacific accepted by the government. Petroleum (a third energy company Infrastructural development added not included in the government’s to the nation’s financial credit liabil- scheme) challenged the nz$5.6 million ity. For the 2009 financial year, the valuation of Toa Petroleum as being total government debt is estimated to overstated by 75 percent (CIN, 11 be nz$65.6 million, or 19.7 percent May 2009). Mike Carr of the kpmg of gross domestic product (CIN, 7 Jan accounting and advisory firm sup- 2009). The four prioritized infra- ported the triad argument that the structure projects for 2009 include government’s valuation was flawed the restructuring of the (CIN, 14 May 2009). The country’s harbor (nz$1.83 million); the upgrad- director of audit, Paul Allsworth, ing of the Rarotonga water supply also pointed out that the government pol i t ical reviews • 165 had breached its own laws in the fuel flights (CIN, 28 March 2009). Mean- farm scheme (CIN, 29 May 2009). A while, Kia Orana Air established itself challenge in the high court stopped as a new low-cost domestic airline the Toa and Air bp–Juhi deal, but the service (CIN, 6 Jan 2009). government continues to pursue other The on-again, off-again Vaima‘anga avenues to complete the Juhi part of Hilton Rarotonga Resort and Spa the arrangement (CIN, 11 June 2009). continued to experience changes in The telecommunications industry strategy. One hundred and five self- saw several developments this year. contained, precut units are now being Irish telecommunications giant Digicel proposed for the site (CIN, 3 Nov initially revealed that it was going 2008). Six weeks of filming in Raro- to buy Telecom but later had second tonga for a UK / New Zealand–pro- thoughts (CIN, 27 Feb, 13 May 2009). duced children’s television series, Para- Meanwhile, KukiCel, a local company, dise Café, gave opportunities for about pushed for changes in policies to allow a hundred locals to get jobs as extras its entry into the telecommunications (CIN, 29 Oct 2008). Acting Secretary market. KukiCel wants to launch a of Health Josephine Aumea Her- new cell phone network and claimed man expressed concern when World it could offer 50 percent cost savings Health Organization (who) offices in in local and international calls (CIN, Sāmoa put out a press release saying 26 Feb, 29 May 2009). the Cook Islands was having a dengue Much of the development this year fever outbreak (CIN, 2 Sept 2008). The focused on the Cook Islands most who office retracted its statement, important industry, tourism. In 2008, but by then it had already had some twenty-eight cruise ships visited Raro- impact on the tourism industry. tonga, some with more than 2,000 The latest effort to attract tour- passengers on board. Apparently, ists was to officially declare the Cook some thirteen ships were unable to Islands as the world’s first “recession- berth during that same period because free oasis,” asserting that the country of ocean swells (CIN, 3 Jan 2009). The was unaffected by the global economic government is looking at constructing crisis (CIN, 18 May 2009). This novel, a berth for cruise ships on the west- government-initiated, tourism-pro- ern side of the island of Rarotonga, motion effort is expected to increase which should alleviate this problem. tourism by 40 percent (CIN, 19 May There was also concerted effort by 2009). Much of that increase, how- the government to allow commercial ever, still depends largely on Air New flights to Aitutaki Island to fly on Zealand. Tourism Minister Wilkie Sunday—a prospect resisted by most Rassmaussen expressed concern over Islanders living on Aitutaki. When an Air New Zealand request for an the government forced the flights to increased subsidy, from nz$3 million take place, protests increased (CIN, 1 to nz$8 million a year, for the weekly July 2008). Some activists complained Los Angeles–Rarotonga flight (CIN, 29 about blacklists and assaults (CIN, 12 Oct 2008). July, 19 July 2008). With the con- A major increase in visitors is troversy unsettled, tension continues expected for the 2009 Pacific Islands on Aitutaki over Sunday commercial Mini Games as well as for the inter- 166 the contemporary pacific • 22:1 (2010) national netball competition. To host wind down operations (CIN, 12 Feb the events, the government pursued 2009). wsbd Ltd in particular was major construction projects, with the described as an offshore bank that was nz$15.6 million multi-sports com- ruining the reputation of the country; plex being the largest (CIN, 23 Sept it was ordered to pay nz$125,000 in 2008). The government initiated a costs, stop operations, and leave the 200 percent tax break for Mini Games Cook Islands (CIN, 27 March 2009). sponsors, the idea being that for every The government attempted to dollar contributed to the games, a address consumer complaints about donor could claim two dollars off pricing irregularities by wholesalers taxes owed (CIN, 6 March 2009). and retailers with a newly constituted The government also sought assis- price tribunal. Of particular concern tance from donor countries. Chinese was the high cost of goods despite Ambassador Zhang Yuanyuan visited government removal of levies on basic Rarotonga to sign off on a nz$13 mil- consumer products such as sugar, milk lion soft loan (CIN, 3 July 2008), and powder, eggs, and canned foods (CIN, a further nz$50 million in soft loans 16 June 2008). The government’s was secured to assist the hosting of the other effort to address issues of price Mini Games (CIN, 17 March 2009). gouging, monopolistic behavior, and The country’s developing rela- profiteering came under criticism tionship with China led to the Cook from the Chamber of Commerce. Islands embracing Chinese financiers The proposed Commerce Commis- interested in investment opportunities sion legislation was described by the there (CIN, 11 April 2009). Deputy chamber as an ill-conceived, knee-jerk Prime Minister Maoate sought private reaction (CIN, 31 July 2008). Chamber sector loans from the government- executive member Steve Anderson owned China Eximbank to assist argued that anti-competitive legisla- pearl farmers and local growers (CIN, tion already exists. He suggested that 12 Sept 2008). Cook Islands pearl the government failed to appreciate farmers also bought into a government the difficulties being faced by busi- marketing plan and Cook Islands nesses due to a worldwide global pearls branding efforts that should credit squeeze and rising fuel costs. increase production. Maoate was Anderson also highlighted the chal- hopeful that a recent submission to lenges of “a small island economy, China for funding would be approved increasing internal and external costs, (CIN, 30 March 2009). reduced spending as the population A banking bill to abolish offshore declines, and restrictive immigration banking in the Cook Islands was pro- and development policy that doesn’t posed but placed on hold (CIN, Feb 14 encourage economic growth” (CIN, 31 2009). If taken up, the new approach July 2008). The prospect of uncom- by government would mean that only petitive pricing was further highlighted domestic banks, such as Bank of Cook when the Cook Islands Trading Cor- Islands, Wespac, and anz, would be poration (citc) bought Pacific Dis- allowed to conduct offshore activities. tribution Limited (CIN, 1 Aug 2008), All other banks would be required to whose entities include Foodland, pol i t ical reviews • polynesia 167

Meatco, and Oasis, as well as shares Games (as distinct from the Mini in the shipping operations of Express Games) to remove coral heads from Cook Islands Line. The acquisition the Muri Beach lagoon received much ensures that citc is the dominant public outcry (CIN, 9 April 2009). A company in the Cook Islands, which 100–150 meter course is reportedly creates a monopolistic situation. citc required for the canoe races, but even Chairman Trevor Clarke alluded to a the local canoeing club distanced nz$7.5 million price tag that included itself from the coral-removal proposal nz$3.4 million as a goodwill payment. because of the serious lagoon damage On the fisheries front, the US Coast expected. Local environmentalists and Guard cutter Walnut seized fifteen marine conservation also expressed pounds of shark fins from the San trepidation (CIN, 15 April, 11 April Diego–based fishing vessel Pacific 2009). Horizon within the Cook Islands In diplomatic developments, the Exclusive Economic Zone. The Mag- Cook Islands announced the open- nuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation ing of a consular representative office and Management Act of 1996 made in China in June 2009 (CIN, 3 June it illegal to have shark fins on board, 2009). The Cook Islands also main- and a bilateral agreement between tained its special relationship with the United States and Cook Islands New Zealand and other countries. allows the US Coast Guard to conduct Prime Minister Jim Marurai held searches in Cook Islands waters (CIN, bilateral talks with the prime min- 3 Nov 2008). Additionally, rising ister of Japan (CIN, 26 May 2009), fuel costs and lack of assistance from and received a variety of diplomats partner states caused the Australian throughout the year. government to consider withdrawing On the legal front, Maara Tetava much of its funding for the Pacific was named the new Cook Islands patrol boat program (CIN, 1 Oct police commissioner (CIN, 27 May 2008). The Cook Islands government 2009). Lawyer Tevita Tangaroa revealed a fishing venture, based in Vakalalabure was found guilty of Tongareva, that would allow sixteen driving a vehicle while drunk and Taiwanese long-liners to operate in the causing bodily harm to two people Northern Group (CIN, 24 Nov 2008). (CIN, 28 Nov 2008). Carla Davis, the It was expected that the majority of widow of former Prime Minister Sir the catch would be taken to the can- Thomas Davis, filed a libel lawsuit ning factory in American Sāmoa (CIN, for nz$1.6 million against Cook 18 Feb 2009), although threats that Islands media and some individuals the Chicken of the Sea facility there (CIN, 2 Aug 2008). Convicted African would be closed later in 2009 threw conman Albert Tshabalala tested the these plans into doubt. Cook Islands government’s immigra- In environmental news, the Green- tion policies when the administra- peace vessel Esperanza visited the tion tried to deport him (CIN, 28 Oct Cook Islands during the year (CIN, 22 2008). Eventually, Tshabalala left the June 2009). A proposal by the orga- country but abandoned and burned nizing committee of the Cook Islands his car before disappearing (CIN, 2 Feb 168 the contemporary pacific • 22:1 (2010)

2009). A woman who gave birth to and high-profile regional-hosting com- the prime minister’s grandson issued mitments disguising the reality of an a complaint when she had to pay a overburdening political structure. hospital fee of nz$1,000 (the rate for Several prominent deaths during tourists and contract workers) instead the year received national attention. of nz$26 (the fee for locals and per- The funeral of Sir , manent residents) (CIN, 29 Aug 2008). former prime minister and longtime Deputy Prime Minister Maoate, in his member of Parliament for the island of role as minister of health, promised to , was held on 1 May 2009 look at the issue more closely (CIN, 30 (CIN, 27 April, 1 May 2009). Lawyer Aug 2008). Albert Numanga, former John McFadzien, who served as Cook manager of the Cook Islands Tourism Islands solicitor general from 1983 office in Auckland, faced four charges to 1995, died 13 May 2009 (CIN, 14 of defrauding the Cook Islands gov- May 2009, 1). Sir Tangaroa Tangaroa, ernment of a total of nz$1 million. former queen’s representative and Numanga spent over ten years work- member of Parliament for Tongareva, ing in the Cook Islands tourism sector. was given a state funeral service on Numanga’s former boss, Chris Wong, 29 May 2009 (CIN, 29 May 2009). also faced charges of misusing govern- Professor Ron Crocombe passed away ment funds, including using thousands on 18 June 2009 (CIN, 19 June 2009), of dollars for gambling in the Auck- and the nation paid a special tribute to land Sky casino (CIN, 11 Feb 2009). the great scholar (CIN, “Salute to Papa Members of the Public Expenditure Ron,” 26 June 2009). Review Committee resigned as of 1 The year ended, as it began, with October 2008 because of a perceived public uncertainty in the current lack of support from the govern- administration. The government ment. Deputy Prime Minister Maoate received criticism when it announced declared that the committee was still a new policy of limiting heads of min- needed, despite the fact that much of istries to three terms (CIN, 23 June, 19 its workload had been taken over by June 2009). the audit department (CIN, 26 Sept jon tikivanotau m jonassen 2008). The government’s audit office revealed that over a million dollars of fundraising activity was going on References in public schools, restating the gov- ernment’s concern that there was too CIN, Cook Islands News. Daily. Rarotonga. much fundraising (CIN, 16 July 2008). Such reliance on private initiatives for funding underlines the conflict- ing priorities that continue between French Polynesia politicians, businesses, traditional The chronic political instability that leaders, and citizens. Overall, in the has been plaguing the country since rapidly changing social environment, 2004 continued, with no fewer than the country continued to spiral into an three different governments during the uncertain future, with depopulation period under review. The surprising