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TATTSLOTTO RESULTS Drawn:26/1/13 Draw num: 3289 SUPP: OZLOTTO RESULTS Drawn: 30/1/13 Draw num: 989 Next draw: SUPP: Cook islands Herald 30 January 2013 Political views 2 Home life carries promise amid the sacrifice By Prime Minister Hon Henry Puna arrived home in Manihiki on Tuesday this week excited and Iexhilarated to return to an island life of both simplicity and sincerity. It’s a welcome return after nearly a year and the familiar feelings of remoteness and the sacrifice that go hand in hand with atoll communities like Tukao and Tauhunu ran deep as we touched down. Our morning arrival coincided with a breezy shower – a blessing that has come at the tail end of a rainy period in the North. Humidity has set in and the abundance of mosquitoes has added to the tropical environs of the lagoon. The Manihiki lagoon of course is renowned for its productivity as well as its beauty. But we have much to ponder and tackle in the coming months as our island struggles with its constraints. The constraints are not new. It’s the approach that has to change. And that is exactly how we are to those in other islands – in both the proceed in the future. The ideas North and Southern Group. But I must come and the thinking must am committed to do what I can to News Brief By Sally Hosking change in order to prompt a shift ensure they have the support and in dealing more effectively with the tools that go with it. The Mangaia community ongoing issues – the black pearl In Mangaia, for example, where industry, harbour development, the spotlight of politics has shone has decided to host the next energy, and the sustainability of recently, successive governments local resources. have long struggled to find 2015/2016 Mangaia tri-nation The people are doing their solutions for the whole population best – and well – to manage the of one of our biggest islands where series challenges. A noticeable depletion three villages reflect disparity in The last tri-nation was hosted by Victoria last year. Executive in inshore fisheries has resulted in development. Tamarua might be member of the Mangaian community based on Rarotonga, the imposition of a raui this week today’s centre of attention for the in one area of the lagoon. Strain on by-election, which has taken place Tearoa Mokoha, anticipates that well over 800 people will attend electricity generation technology is this week but the truth is – this the event. He hopes that it will encourage Mangaians born and stimulating local ingenuity and I’m small village does capture the way raised overseas, to visit their homeland for the first time. The hoping for positive movement on we should be taking a broad view two week event will see cultural and sporting competitions take the renewable energy project soon. of our progress as a country. place. Because Mangaia lacks the facilities to host some sporting The Tauhunu harbour project is After all, we share the same codes, the competition will be split into two weeks. One week undergoing costing review. And vulnerabilities – we should share I am gathering thoughts on the the same benefits. Our successes will be spent on Rarotonga, and the second in Mangaia. Mokoha changes required for the pearl and failures are a common says that 11 sporting codes will be played out. farmers to be uplifted once more. experience – not a divided one. Compounding many of the In the aftermath of a close activities on the island however, is election contest, we will continue Tamarua By Election our limited human resource base. to provide our smallest island Workers are difficult to marshal, communities with the support Tuesday 29 February especially for the pearl industry. they need irrespective of how The island needs workers, and they are represented politically. Preliminary results there may be a need to make Amid the sacrifices they make on Tetangi Matapo Democratic Party 25 difficult choices in the time ahead a daily basis, Government has the Tokorua Pareina Cook Islands Party 22 due to these overwhelming trends. leadership and the team to meet 1 postal vote to be counted Manihiki’s needs are not unlike the promise to do better. 4 advance votes to be counted PB Cook islands Herald 30 January 2013 news 3 How a phone call made a difference for Aitutaki cyclone Pat victims By Charles Pitt wo days after agreeing to consider adopting a $5 Tmillion Chinese backed grant to rebuild 72 Aitutaki homes damaged during Cyclone Pat in 2010, the Cabinet changed its mind and adopted a much lesser valued NZ government backed proposal. Much later one Minister revealed to the group of locals who sought Chinese backing, that a phone call had been received from NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully which resulted in Cabinet changing its mind. This information and the details of McCully’s phone call were kept from the public by the Demo Cabinet of the time. Why did the NZ Foreign Minister intervene? What has not been explained fully is why the NZ proud of this achievement? government persuaded Cabinet The Chinese backed offer- to accept a far inferior deal and some key details: SWITCH ON WITH why did our government accept? Proposal At the time it was believed • According to media reports that acceptance of the Chinese Habitats proposal has been Te Aponga Uira offer came attached with a presented for 72 It’s not over yet... requirement that government dwellings of 42 sqm each with also “unfreeze” the $37.5 miilion provisions for added extras. loan for road and water upgrades. • CIGov has been asked to It was believed that the Chinese meet 50% or $18,000 of cost of loan had been frozen because the shell, meaning the repayments would have meant dwelling shell will cost $36,000 exceeding the recommended or $857.14 per sqm. limit of 35% of GDP. The Concern This week, details of the • Aitutaki is not 3rd world Chinese backed offer which country! was submitted to Cabinet in • Aitutaki is regarded as March 2010 by a group of locals, second only to Santorini in the were revealed to the Herald. Greek islands as most Readers are asked to consider desirable island destination in whether the Democratic Party the world government of the time, made • Building ‘shoe box’ the right decision for the people accommodation is inappropriate of Aitutaki whose homes had and degrades Aitutaki’s been destroyed. (The 72 homes appeal in the tourism market concerned had been identified Appropriate Solution by Red Cross as needing • What would be appropriate Well Cyclone Garry eventually through before we’re finally out of replacement). in the rebuilding of Aitutaki is ran out of puff after blowing a the cyclone season. Instead of ending up with a 144 housing befitting the few trees over and leaving loads You can help by making sure square metre home complete island, the people and their of fallen mangoes on the ground. you and your family have the with solar power, a water tank lifestyle But we cannot relax yet. We following items: and furniture and appliances, • What would also be don’t know what other cyclones • Torches and candles to Aitutaki victims ended up with appropriate is eco-friendly might be lurking behind Garry. see at night. a partially funded, unfurnished housing that the world is And looking ahead, we’ve still • Battery operated radio 42 square metre concrete block demanding. got February which has been to hear the latest news. “shoe box” more suited some The Proposition an active month for cyclones in • Food that you can store say to a third world country. _ Offering a Design package the past and then March to get without refrigeration. Should Murray McCully be continued page 5 www.teaponga.com Cook islands Herald 30 January 2013 Political Views 4 Mrs Tetangi Matapo (Lady Valentine): sweet victory for the Demos in Tamarua By Wilkie Rasmussen, Leader of Tetangi Matapo, Selina Napa and the Opposition Ngamau Munokoa, three women othing is sweeter at MP’s in the Demo camp are the the moment than the torchbearers for the others. I am NDemocratic Party victory so proud to say that the open in the Tamarua by-election attitude of the Democratic Party last Tuesday 29th of January to women has made that possible. 2013. Although the results are Who would have thought that preliminary, I am quietly confident a humble woman with a peaceful she will hold her seat. Just after and non-disruptive approach to 6 pm, on Tuesday evening I was the by-election would succeed rung from Tamarua by my team against the might of the CIP there that our champion Mrs juggernaut led by Minister Teariki Tetangi Matapo had secured the Heather and Mrs Rosie Blake and seat left vacant when its former several government officials that Cook Islands Party Member of stormed into the quiet village Parliament who passed away.