Tongia to be new High Commissioner to NZ

Former Head of the Ministry of Culture, Makiuti Tongia is to be appointed High Commissioner to NZ in a move seen by some as political

Government will shortly officially announce the appointment of the new High Commission to New Zealand. The Herald has learnt that government has unofficially announced President of the Democratic Party Makiuti Tongia’s appointment as Cook Islands High Commissioner to NZ commencing January 2010. The announcement has drawn a mixed reaction.
The move is seen as political and although others were considered, questions have arisen as to Tongia’s suitability for what is referred to as the “Cook Islands Gateway to the Political and Diplomatic World.”
With the utmost respect for Tongia, who is familiar with Wellington, it is not known whether he is the ideal person for our most senior diplomatic post internationally.
Considering the calibre of his predecessors, Iaveta Short, Dr Jon Jonassen, the late Sir Tom Davis, Wilkie Rasmussen, Dr Robert Woonton and the about to be retired Tepure Tapaitau, this is indeed a very impressive line up. However, if you were to look at performance capability and how much has been advanced on behalf of the Cook Islands through the corridors of power in NZ, one would be hard pressed to surpass Iaveta Short during his tenure as High Commissioner.
Iaveta Short certainly gained the respect of his political foes in NZ and the Cook Islands at the time not because of his political affiliation but because of his capability as an articulate lawyer and his ability to rub shoulders with other members of the Diplomatic Corp as well as politicians in the NZ Parliament with ease. He was able to work across the political divide maintaining the interests of the government of the day. It was on that basis that the former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Henry and his government extended his tenure as High Commissioner.
Since his replacement, our exposure to the international world has been somewhat lax and there is doubt given the limited time available before a general election next year, that Tongia will do any justice to the position.
Tongia’s previous position as a Lecturer in Cook Islands Language Studies at Victoria University was marred by controversy resulting in the language course being threatened with closure. This in no way detracts from his potential but he has yet to prove that he has the diplomatic ability to deliver when the time requires.
The position requires a person who is fully conversant with diplomatic protocols and procedures, has an excellent understanding of the political environment both in NZ and the Cook Islands, has a very good grasp of international affairs both at the trade, macro and micro economic levels, possesses an ability for diplomacy and strategic policy analysis and the ability to facilitate diplomatic opportunities at the highest level.
Traditionally, these types of positions are reserved for senior members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are often viewed or reserved as “career postings” however the global and political environment has changed that perspective. Tongia’s pending appointment is viewed therefore as purely political.
While there will always be political influence to such appointments, NZ will no doubt undertake due diligence and caution as to the suitability of the person appointed because there are potential credibility issues at stake which NZ will distance itself from if any issues arise over the appointment.
Tongia is a respected ethnologist and believed to be one of the Cook Islands foremost experts on culture and tradition, but a great deal more is expected of a diplomat who will be required to make decisions on behalf of the government of the Cook Islands.
Should he be able to distance himself from the politicization of his appointment, Tongia may well surprise everyone but for now, he is seen as another political appointment and being looked after by his political masters as pay back for losing his position as a Head of Ministry.
On hindsight, it would have been better to defer the appointment due to a looming general election and allow the new administration to appoint its preferred representative for the position. This would certainly avoid the embarrassment of the person being replaced without really achieving anything except political convenience and a waste of taxpayer’s money.

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