HERALD WEEKLY ISSUE 433 : 12 November 2008

New Party to prioritise political reform

Despite the public response and interest shown in who was behind the new Party, a spokesperson told the Herald on Tuesday they were more concerned with establishing a policy based Party than one dominated by persons or a personality.
The spokesperson said one of the lessons observed by the new Party initiators was the failure of the new party that current Cook Islands Member of Parliament Teariki Heather tried to form. “It was high on personality but low on policy.”
Those committed to the new Party are being cautious that infiltration and divisiveness are kept at bay.
“The birth of a baby has to be tended to with care along with its infancy challenges,” they said, “We are very mindful that the existing political network of self preserving interests would be threatened by the new Party especially its innovative policies.”
“If the current lot had the country’s interests at heart instead of their own they would be collectively pursuing and implementing beneficial people policies.”
People and character assassination are all too common said the spokesperson, when politicians are opposed or disagreed with. The fear of retribution against those who don’t toe the party line has forced many government employees into subservient silence.
With the new Party politicians will be accountable by way of an immediately introduced Code of Conduct said the spokesperson.
Ten years ago when a political review was conducted, a Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament and high level government officials was recommended but up until now occasionally talked about but largely ignored or buried.
This will be one of the first things the new Party will introduce.
Political reform is high on the agenda. Public support and confidence in politicians is at an all time low. The new Party plans to introduce integrity checks and balances in order to win the respect and support of the people.
“We plan to do whatever is necessary to get our house in order. Leadership has to earn the right to be followed.”
The Civil List will be slashed from $2 million to $1 million with the rules applicable to the Civil List vigorously enforced.
“At the moment the Civil List rules are being treated with contempt,” the spokesperson said.
The $1 million slashed from the politicians travel slush fund will be directed towards subsidizing renewable energy installations. Public entities like the Hospital, schools and State Owned Enterprises will have fossil fuel reducing energy installations subsidised.
We will be directed by the intelligence of the current energy committee which has done significant indepth research into applications suitable for the Cook Islands said the spokesperson.
The new Party is not in the mood to embrace the talk culture of the current government.
“We will immediately introduce an action culture that will kick start the many funded approved projects gathering dust. Many of these projects are in the outer islands. The gross failure of the current government to implement the aid funded projects has created a huge frustration in the outer islands, so much so large numbers are leaving for jobs in Australia and New Zealand.
“If these projects were implemented there would be jobs for many people in the struggling outer islands.”
“People are becoming economic refugees forced to leave their home lands because our politicians have embraced a shallow rhetoric and babble calling Cook Islanders living overseas to come home.”
“Come home to what?”
The new Party is offering financial benefits to the outer islanders. With 95% of collected tax revenues coming from Rarotonga, 4% from Aitutaki and 1% from the rest of the islands, the new Party proposes to declare all the outer islands except Aitutaki, tax free havens. With the cost of living going through the roof, those willing to tolerate the hardships living beyond Rarotonga and Aitutaki need some serious tax relief considerations.
The Northern group islands will benefit from a fishing Exclusive Economic Zone being introduced. Commercial fishing will be subject to a quota system with the collected revenues going directly to the Northern group islands on a per capita basis. The money will be distributed to the Island Councils through the Bank of the Cook Islands.
The new Party says it will let the Island Councils decide what they do with their windfall.
“So what if they make a few mistakes,” stated the spokesperson, “It’s not as if our politicians can make claims to right decision making.”
If a USA President method of electing a Prime Minister is adopted, their term of office will be two terms only. There will be no restrictions on Members of Parliament.
The 700 Cook Islands Workers Association Members will be assured of job security and cost of living increments each year.
“While our politicians have turned self indulgence into a work of art, the rank and file workers who sustain the country are treated like a bunch of dummies.”
Under the new Party the workers who keep the nation ticking over will be treated with every respect and the remuneration they deserve.
“That’s not negotiable,” said the spokesperson, “Good qualified people are leaving the country because they are tired and frustrated with being treated with contempt.”
The current government talked about “embracing our future” and all they’ve done is “embarrassed our future.”
“Their stated 100 days action plan was an embarrassing failure.”
The new Party when given the mandate to govern will call Parliament to sit and it will stay seated until the “action immediately” policies are approved.
“There is nothing difficult in that,” the spokesperson said.
When asked if the new Party organizers were concerned that the Demo Party government would plagiarize their policies, their response was, “The current government including the CIP opposition are so internally divided their ability and capability to copy and implement any of the new Party’s policies are virtually nil.”

Herald Issue 433 12 November
- New Party to prioritise political reform
- Policies announced last week
- LA route discussions next week
- Good Start to Takitumu Tour!
-Taakoka Developer Seeks Legal Aid - Part 1

Herald Issue 432 05 November
- Yes he did – Obama wins!
- New political party to be launched
- DEMO and CIP in Disarray!
- Briefing omits other relevant points
- Mortgagee sales - woes and alleviaton

Herald Issue 431 29 October
- Decision soon on LA deal with Air New Zealand
- In Search of Obama
- Takitumu Tour All Go!
- Teiti Tupuna our 11 year old superstar at the Manea Games 2008
- Changes to next Miss South Pacific Pageant

Herald Issue 430 22 October
- Presence of stamp on official letter explained
- “Attitudes” – A Growing Concern!
- A motion of confidence in the future
- Crimminal case of the century continues
- Henzart joins ‘NZ Got Talent’ TV Show

Herald Issue 429 15 October
- Report hints of worse to come
- Impartiality of Queen’s Representative Questioned
- Climate change - No longer just a theory
- Crimminal case of the century begins
-The case for the prosecution
- Workshop shows depth of creativity

Herald Issue 428 08 October
- Troubled Demos search for way forward
- Is there a Ministerial change on the horizon?
- A father asks for forgiveness
- Sponsors sought for Akateni Te Vaka Festival
- Closing the loopholes on foreign enterprises operating in the Cook Islands?
- One laptop per child concept accepted by PNG

Herald Issue 427 04 October
- Reviews of Health Ministry lack funding
- Mangaia hosts parai mangu workshop for ‘Are Marama Nui project
- Financial Secretary’s Blunder Could be Costly!
-Attempt to reunite Ariki
-Roads - maintain them or lose them
-New Zealand actor and whale lady feature in movie

Herald Issue 426 27 September
- Investigation needed into cost of changes at Health
- Expert back from Africa, Ireland next
- Health management decisions questionable!
- Libby comes to town
- Shortland Street star on Safari
- Launch of two memorials to Papa Tom Davis today

Herald Issue 425 20 September
- A technical bill with strong signals
- Complaint exposes lack of written policies
- nfrastructure development cries for a new concept
- Increasing the revenue from Tuna
- Ministry wants Williams to pay up
- Small turnout to roadshow

Herald Issue 424 13 September
- Over 40 PDL creditors meet to discuss options
- Audit Completes 2nd Investigation – Police Inquiry Must Follow!
- World Clean up Day
- A good local role model - Tearoa Tini
- Education, Police sign MOUs
- The customer is always right

Herald Issue 423 06 September
- Chamber calls for changes to the Public Service
- Spending imbalance in the Public Service
- Bleak Future for our Public Service!
- E-revolution at Health Ministry
- Openness to replace culture of secrecy
- Outer Island children to benefit from laptop project

Herald Issue 422 30 August
- Government to develop policy guidelines for land management
- Remembering the Good and the Bad Times!
- Bob’s last journey
- Locals pay tribute to Bob
- Boxing on, the Tahitians are coming
- WHO promotes Healthy Islands

Herald Issue 421 23 August
- Candidate selection the key to change
- Cook Islands response to Fiji’s withdrawal from Forum
- To Compete or Not to Compete!
- Bob Worthington - truly a worthy and meritorious Cook Islander
- Greg Urwin - An Islander at heart
- Anderson heads Chamber

Herald Issue 420 16 August
- Conference a wake up call for the CIP
- Some insight gained of CIP policy path
- Second chance for Executive
- Finance Minister signs China loan
- Proposed Commerce Bill needs life breathed into it
- More on the CIRA conference on Marae

Herald Issue 419 09 August
- CITC buys PDL
- CITC take over of PDL- a brief summary of the key details
- One way ticket out - Thanks to Government!
- PDL + CITC = A monopoly?
- Constitution Day celebrations at the National Auditorium
- International Night at Te Maeva Nui

Herald Issue 418 02 August
- Tepaki up to date says NZ Bank
- Legal framework for commercial sector
- Speed, Dogs and Te Maeva Nui – Recipes for Disasters!
- Youngsters boxing on
- Parkway Diner opens at Punanga Nui market
- A Cook Islander calling the shots at a Melbourne Rugby Club

Herald Issue 417 26 July
- Other building site better say Engineers in report
- Repeat offenders on the loose again!
- Fraudsters won’t be the last
- Strength seen in Pacific Common Market
- Community to discuss water project
- ZOZA – Seeing is believing

Herald Issue 416 19 July
- Wednesday briefing from the Prime Minster
- Cook Islands community in Melbourne hosts Puaikura tour group
- Takitumu Festival 2008 – An Extravaganza Not to Be Missed!
- Atiu being victimized says Glassie
- Digicel seeks $69 Million loan for expansion in South Pacific
- Aquarius problems fundamental says Tepaki

Herald Issue 415 12 July
- Telecom Farewells CEO
- What future for Cook Islands people?
- Health Conference 2008 underway
- The threat of lifestyle diseases
- Setting professional standards in Health
- Author to visit native Cook Islands

Herald Issue 414 05 July
- Resurgence of investor confidence in Tepaki Group
- Make the next QR an Ariki says church pastor
- Visitors ask for their passports back
- Te Aponga Uira to host Annual PPA conference 2008
- Hodges & Munroe move on
- More lime trees for Mitiaro

Herald Issue 413 28 June
- Sunday flights-the greediness for more
- NZ IRD probe orchestrated by locals-Tepaki
- No Sunday flights-Tepaki
- Scary time no trouble to Marsters
- The business of peace
- The Push Factor – Who’s next!

Herald Issue 412 21 June
- House of Ariki hear the views of Government
- Desperately seeking Obama
- Ui Ariki – Has the Bubble Finally Burst!
- Courting disaster
- Tsunami preparing for the big one
- Marsters stands in for Ioane at Bali Meeting

Herald Issue 411 14 June
- Cabinet ignores petition, approves Sunday flights trial
-Ui Ariki vs House of Ariki – The Challenge Ahead!
- Ui Ariki seeking recognition of their mana with a Proclamation
- Lagoon Day and closing ceremony for Environment Week
-Air New Zealand Fare and Capacity Changes
-50th Wedding Anniversary celebration

Herald Issue 410 07 June
- PM injects Rome meeting with Pacific view
- Another week of fluffy ducks!
- Cook Islands to represent the Pacific on the CBD Bureau
- What is Takitumu Lagoon Day all about?
-Sunday flights to Aitutaki
-Women in Sport presentation to Rotary

HEADLINES: ISSUE 409 31 May 2008
- Prime Minister to attend High-Level Conference on World Food Security
- Budget 2008 – Nothing more but more of less!
- Turning up the heat on Peters
- Takitumu Lagoon Day part of National Environment Week events
-Women host High Court Justice
-The mystical wave of Teahupoo

HEADLINES: ISSUE 408 24 May 2008
- As the DPM tightens the purse strings and reigns in spending, others look for an Economic Summit
-Wake Up PSC: It’s time for change!
- Congratulations, Vaine Maui, Woman of the month of May
- Making no excuses, Tepaki apologises to his workers
- Starting and staying in business
The BTIB shows how

-Aquarius Pacific applies for relief from court judgment

HEADLINES: ISSUE 407 17 May 2008
- Casual attitudes poses potential risks!
-Moves aimed at improving management-Tepaki
- Women Agriculture Ministers launch Network at the UN
- Lady Davis seeks $300,000 from CI Herald
- When the sleeping giant awakes
-Cheaper to mine nodules now

HEADLINES: ISSUE 402 12 April 2008
- Cabinet approvals granted
-“Our Economy – Concern or a Con”
Mr Financial Secretary – What Say Ye!

- Breast cancer campaign raises $23,714
- Denise Rairi found not guilty
- Routine steps to achieving 100% Nio Manea
-Specialist speaks on breast cancer

HEADLINES: ISSUE 401 05 April 2008
- Worrying signs in policy document
- Prime Minister’s Office on Witch Hunt!
- Appointment of the Mauke Environment Authority
- Tanks nearly ready at fish farm
- Defence lawyer wants charges against Denise Rairi struck out
-Tahitian Association seeks members, accommodation
-Suppression order lifted by CJ

HEADLINES: ISSUE 400 29 March 2008
- Silence over the economy - quiet before the storm?
- Kete heads to Mauke, Tom misses out
- Helmets – have we been conned!
- Occupation a factor in partition orders
- National Commission to be set up for UNESCO
- Alternative sources for fresh water

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