Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003 Reviews of American Sämoa, French Police Commissioner Tepure Tapaitau Polynesia, Niue, Tokelau, Tonga, and in July 2002. Only seven votes sepa- Tuvalu are not included in this issue. rated the two as Rasmussen won with a total of 112 votes (CIN, 2 Jul 2002, Cook Islands 1). The period ended with the unex- The period under review was charac- pected death of Maria Heather, mem- terized by a worrying decline in popu- ber of Parliament for Ruaau, who died lation, regression in the ordinary suddenly in June 2003 after a short Cook Islander’s purchasing power, illness. This created the need for a lack of confidence in members of by-election only months before an Parliament and cabinet, continued expected general election. In between public pressure for political reform, the two by-elections, the controversy and a general deterioration in work over cabinet size and membership and leadership ethics. Land contro- persisted. By July 2002, government versies and government-created jobs was pushing for an extra minister for engrossed the attention of leaders, a cabinet, increasing the numbers to few of whom tended to abuse their seven (CIN, 13 Jul 2002, 1). Although status in order to advance family the government remained undeterred interests. Ironically, while foreign by the NZ$158,000 estimated cost for workers entered the country to take this move, there was resistance from up promised employment, the local the general public (CIN, 30 Oct population declined, primarily due 2002, 1). to lack of employment. Even as many While Prime Minister Woonton locals expressed deep concern at the was heavily criticized for taking his sudden surge of new immigrants, spouse on long, expensive, overseas especially from Asia (Thailand, Philip- trips (CIN, 26 Jul 2002, 1), members pines, India, and Pakistan, in particu- of Parliament in general were accused lar), Prime Minister Dr Robert Woon- of “not giving their constituencies ton declared that locals must be able value for money” and were occasion- to adapt to change. He argued that ally pressured to vacate (CIN, 26 Oct “new immigrants are a natural out- 2002, 1). Constant cabinet reshuffles growth of a developing nation” and rumors of reshuffles added fuel to (informal statement to students from the fire. In November 2002 Cabinet Brigham Young University, Hawai‘i, Minister Norman George was sacked visiting Rarotonga, June 2003). —again (CIN, 8 Nov 2002, 1). Soon The review period began with for- after, rumors emerged of a new coali- mer Cook Islands High Commissioner tion government, the sixth since the to New Zealand Wilkie Rasmussen 1999 general election (CIN, 12 Nov winning a by-election in Penrhyn 2002, 1). Within a month, the port- against standing member and former folios were reshuffled again (CIN, 22 146 political reviews • polynesia 147 Nov 2002, 1). Then three months most Cook Islanders. They made later, at the end of January 2003, several amendments (concerning Tangata Vavia and Terepai Maoate appropriations, the constitution, were sworn in as new government value-added tax, income tax, indus- ministers, while Sir Geoffrey Henry trial labor, criminal procedure, inter- and Tom Marsters were sacked by national companies, and crimes) as Prime Minister Woonton (CIN, 31 well as new laws (concerning the Jan 2003, 1). Mäori language, a UN Security Coun- An increasingly vocal group of cil resolution, banking, extradition, citizens for political change—known mutual assistance in criminal matters, as the gpc—gained momentum as a financial transaction reporting, the result of constant government changes Financial Supervisory Commission, and perceived inefficiency. They called and the proceeds of crimes). While for an early election (CIN, 10 Dec much of the political focus was on 2002, 1), and pushed for political the cabinet, a number of other inter- reform on behalf of many concerned esting, politically charged incidents citizens (CIN, 12 Nov 2002, 1). Some occurred. Tahitian fisherman Raioaoa 2,000 people signed a petition calling Tauae drifted in his boat for over five for change (CIN, 29 Mar 2003, 1), months and ended up on the island including the abolishment of the over- of Aitutaki on 10 July 2002. His seas seat in Parliament. However, it harrowing experience at sea received was generally understood that this much attention, including from French would reduce the total seats to an Polynesia President Gaston Flosse and even twenty-four, increasing the pos- his opponent, Oscar Temaru, leader sibility of a hung parliament. Subse- of the pro-independence Tavini Hui- quently, there was also pressure to raatira party. Back in Tahiti, questions eliminate the constituency of Tamarua arose regarding why information in Mangaia Island, which has the about Tauae’s disappearance had not smallest population of any constit- been relayed to neighboring countries. uency in the country. He had been spotted by Cook Islands By June 2003, only the overseas pilots over several days and could seat had been abolished, with advo- have been rescued earlier (CIN, 18 cates arguing that those who leave Jul 2002, 1). the Cook Islands no longer pay taxes. During the year, Teariki Heather, The legitimate argument that Cook a successful Rarotonga businessman, Islanders overseas contribute far more launched the Cook Islands National to the Cook Islands than the cost of party and appointed himself as its maintaining the seat was lost in the leader (CIN, 24 Mar 2003, 1). Heather general furor over a variety of mp hoped that his new third party, mod- actions that have been perceived eled after a major party of the same negatively by most Cook Islands name in New Zealand, could topple voters (CIN, 15 Nov 2002, 1). many old-time members of the Cook Members of Parliament completed Islands party and the Democratic much of their work in irregular ses- party. The National party’s first test sions that often went unnoticed by will be the 2004 elections. 148 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004 In January 2003, Cook Islands Covington group and the New Prime Minister Dr Woonton warned Zealand–based Cook Islands devel- the country of the need to be prepared oper Tim Tepaki ran into difficulties for the adverse effects of any outbreak (CIN, 11 Jun 2002, 1). In June 2002, of war between the United States– Deputy Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A United Kingdom and Iraq (CIN, 31 Henry suggested that the Tepaki deal Jan 2003, 5). The greatest concern was better than the one proposed by for government and private sectors the Covington group (CIN, 12 Jun was that the war would lead to a 2002, 1). But succeeding deputy prime major reduction in tourists to the ministers were not so convinced, and Cook Islands. However, tourist num- a lease was approved in favor of the bers were affected only slightly. A Covington group (CIN, 15 Jun 2002, total of 72,781 visitors were recorded 1). Meanwhile, a massive debt associ- in 2002, slightly lower than the 2001 ated with the original project is still total of 74,575. Although US and owed to the Italian government. The UK visitors dropped by 14 percent Cook Islands government’s hopes that compared to the previous year, overall the debt could be settled with as little European visitors still topped 19,600. as NZ$25 million up front appear to The largest number of visitors to the have been dashed. Cook Islands came from New Zea- A major project to develop a land, with a 34 percent share, or marina business complex including 24,932 people (CIN, 11 Feb 2003, 1). tourist accommodation at Avana on The steady tourism figures enticed the eastern side of Rarotonga contin- Royal Tonga Airlines to express ued to be promoted by some politi- interest in becoming a carrier into cians and private-sector developers, the Cook Islands with possible flights although it had already been rejected from Auckland to Rarotonga (CIN, by the Environment Council and the 26 Jun 2003, 1). landowners. Factors of concern Interest in the failed five-star Vai- included impact on the community, ma‘anga Hotel (formerly the Sheraton the construction of septic tanks on Hotel project) continued as tourism the foreshore and artificial islets, and operators realized that the mainte- the deepening of the lagoon. Land- nance of a reliable air carrier service owners were strongly opposed to the was tied directly to hotel accommo- project (CIN, 13 Jun 2002, 1). Local dation. Evan Smith, president of the traditional leader Manavaroa Mata- Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, iapo George Nicholas expressed trepi- and Don Beer, Jr, chair of the Tourism dation at the general impact of tour- Board, both pointed out that complet- ism development on traditional fishing ing the Vaima‘anga Hotel was a prior- rights, and on fish, shellfish, and ity in developing the country’s econ- bêche-de-mer (pers comm, 18 Jun omy as well as in attracting foreign 2003). The controversy highlighted investment. Beer commented that the underlying concerns about the rapid Cook Islands “need it to give comfort pace of development and its implica- to the airline industry” (CIN, 14 Jun tions for a balanced approach to envi- 2002, 1). However, efforts to restart ronmental management. Many Cook the infamous project by both the Islanders even opposed an environ- political reviews • polynesia 149 ment bill, citing conflict with basic the need to beautify church grounds. land rights, traditional practices, and At the time of this writing, the matter fundamental human rights protected remained unsettled. by the Cook Islands Constitution Agriculture officials have noted (CIN, 11 Jun 2002, 5). some evidence on Rarotonga of the Land and property problems are presence of the rhinoceros beetle, also linked directly to the push for which has caused disastrous damage development.